Fender Asheville Redux project

[DrDeFab]

Hi,

I'm new here, but I've been doing basic guitar setup/maintenance for years and don't-quit-yer-day-job gigging off and on for a while.

I've started a telecaster project that will likely become my #1 gigging axe if I do it right - I need more twang to fit in with the band I'm in.

The starting point is a new Fender Nashville Deluxe MIM in Honey Blonde/Maple - chosen for the ash body and maple neck. I plan to mercilessly strip and rebuild it into the "Asheville Redux." Pics will follow if there is any interest.

The teledonor arrived on 7/3 and I spent the holiday stripping it down to (almost) bare wood and ordering parts.

Here is what I have planned for Phase I:

1. Clean body cavities/neck pocket. DONE
2. Fret job on neck. IN PROGRESS
3. Cavity shielding
4. Barden comp. bridge
5. Add mojotone copper/steel plate to bridge pup.
6. Replace pots/switches. IN PROGRESS
   1. Add volume mod
   2. Add toggle to mix bridge pup into switch positions 1 & 2
   3. Wire for reverse control plate
   4. Electrosocket jack upgrade
7. Chiropractic neck adjustment
8. Schaller strap lock buttons
9. Blue pearl guard and knobs - baby needs a new dress

For now, the tuners and pups are staying: the tuners are OK until the first nylon gear strips (probably a few years) then they are gone. The Tex-Mex pups will get a good listening to once Phase I is done. After that, who knows...

Questions:

1. The neck pocket is pretty loose - I'm thinking about adding copper tape to the sides ONLY to tighten that up. Good/bad idea? Use some other shim material instead?
   
2. Anything obvious I've missed? Suggestions, comments?

Thanks,
DrDeFab