Frankencaster... (Pictures Included, Dial Up Users Be Warned!)

[frankencaster]

Hey.
I was just at a flea market today in the Metro Detroit area and I found a mix-match parts of what appears to be a Tele copy. I'm not too sure if its a Fender or not, but that doesnt matter. Its in pretty rough shape, and could use a deal of work, but it was only $20 and most of the parts were included. I'm gonna repaint thee body and fix up the neck a bit. I'm gonna invest in some new tuning keys and screws, and maybe when the time comes get it re-fretted because the frets are quite worn.

Any ideas on what I should do? Colors? Paint? Parts? I've never built my own guitar before so I'm kinda new at this. Please go easy on me :)


Pictures:

[backalleyblues]

Well its definitely not the real McCoy, no denying that...

Looks like a fun little project, if it was mine, I'd get the wiring straightened out, and the bridge setup properly. Then I'd set it up for slide, just seems to have that "Hound Dog Taylor" vibe to it.

There's plenty of advice all over this site and others on painting guitars, not to mention everything else you might need. Me, I'd just get it working and enjoy it for what it is

Nice little score!!!

Franc Robert
Back Alley Blues Band

[Jack Wells]

I'm not too sure if its a Fender or not

It's not.

Looks like one of the old Hohners made in Japan back in the '60s.

You might be able to use the neck on a project. I'd throw everything else away.

I bought the bass version a while back. I used the neck, reshaped the headstock a little, built a new body and threw the rest away. Here are pictures.
................

[frankencaster]

Originally Posted by backalleyblues

Well its definitely not the real McCoy, no denying that...

Looks like a fun little project, if it was mine, I'd get the wiring straightened out, and the bridge setup properly. Then I'd set it up for slide, just seems to have that "Hound Dog Taylor" vibe to it.

There's plenty of advice all over this site and others on painting guitars, not to mention everything else you might need. Me, I'd just get it working and enjoy it for what it is

Nice little score!!!

Franc Robert
Back Alley Blues Band

Well this will truely be my DIY Punk-Grunge guitar. Its also my summer project. I havent built a guitar yet so I'm kinda learning. I will most likely redo the wiring when i get some time, its the original wiring and its kinda... bleh. It needs to be redone. Thanks for the great post!

Originally Posted by jwells393

It's not.

Looks like one of the old Hohners made in Japan back in the '60s.

After doing a little research, I quickly learned that it was not a real fender. The headstock is too long. Thanks for the input on the Hohners though.. I'll look into those.

[telex]

I wouldn't throw too much money into that guitar. Its already cool. Just get a new set of Gotoh Kluson tuners, and see what it sounds like.

I personally like the beat up black finish.

Setting up for slide might be hard with a "zero" fret.

[frankencaster]

Originally Posted by telex

I wouldn't throw too much money into that guitar. Its already cool. Just get a new set of Gotoh Kluson tuners, and see what it sounds like.

I personally like the beat up black finish.

Setting up for slide might be hard with a "zero" fret.

I dont really go for the beat up black finish. I want a smoother satin finish. Plus theres a couple small dents i want to fill.

[Jack Wells]

Putting any money or time into that guitar is a complete waste. If you want an inexpensive guitar with some potential get one of the Tele copies from Rondo Music............. $110.

.............

http://www.rondomusic.net/electricguitar-ss2.html

[dibber124]

Sorry...

[Sleph]

I'd just put a single Fat humbucker in it with coil tapping via a push/pull pot so you can get a single coil sound as well.

If the neck is straight and you can get playable action happening then why not. Maybe change the tuning pegs as well.

Leave everything else the same...like the little mouse that roared.

if you get sick of it after a while, rip the humbucker out for the next project and all you've lost is a bit of time...and if you do get it set up right, I bet you would have learned a bit without the stress of ruining a good guitar.....me like.

[frankencaster]

Originally Posted by Sleph

I'd just put a single Fat humbucker in it with coil tapping via a push/pull pot so you can get a single coil sound as well.

If the neck is straight and you can get playable action happening then why not. Maybe change the tuning pegs as well.

Leave everything else the same...like the little mouse that roared.

if you get sick of it after a while, rip the humbucker out for the next project and all you've lost is a bit of time...and if you do get it set up right, I bet you would have learned a bit without the stress of ruining a good guitar.....me like.

mmmmm... a Humbucker. Sounds nice. I've never had a guitar with a humbucker in it.

[Jack Wells]

Ok frankencaster .............. my last comment on this subject. It's your guitar and you can do what you want. Say you spend $25 on new tuners......... $25 on a new pickup. You already said it needs new frets. Don't know what that would cost you but it wouldn't be cheap. The tech would probably laugh at you when you said you wanted it re-fretted. All that money and you'll still have a piece of crap guitar. Anything you spend beyond your $20 purchase price is throwing good money after bad.

[BritishBluesBoy]

Sorry mate,
I have to agree with the other posts here. It's junk - plain and simple... I'd put that $20 down to experience and move on.

BBB.

[frankencaster]

Originally Posted by jwells393

Ok frankencaster .............. my last comment on this subject. It's your guitar and you can do what you want. Say you spend $25 on new tuners......... $25 on a new pickup. You already said it needs new frets. Don't know what that would cost you but it wouldn't be cheap. The tech would probably laugh at you when you said you wanted it re-fretted. All that money and you'll still have a piece of crap guitar. Anything you spend beyond your $20 purchase price is throwing good money after bad.

your probably right. i'm sure i can go to some junk guitar shops and get some cheap second hand parts, i know of a couple places already. i dont plan on putting much more into this project. i'm sure i could probably even buy some cheap parts from my friends who also work on guitars. i think i'll just stick with the current pickup and frets. and just get replacement tuners for it.

[dogggone]

Try your luck on ebait

[1293]

Originally Posted by frankencaster

and maybe when the time comes get it re-fretted

This is the perfect opportunity to learn to do a refret yourself. You have nothing to lose. I've been looking for a guitar like yours to learn on.