Banana shake anyone? (long Tele story and pics)

[Raymond]

Here’s my new Parts-caster: The Banana Shake Tele. My kids came up with the name after telling them that the color was vintage cream. They didn’t think so…

Here’s the concept:



Here’s the finished product:



This project got started in last fall and it just got finished last week… I’m very fortunate for having had two of the best TDPRIers involved: Kevin and Rob DiStefano.

Body – Last summer when I visited Kevin to put together my Orange-caster, he was about to move to Indiana in just two weeks. He had been working on a back-routed ash body that would’ve had a humbucker in the neck position and a G****n style switch (the horror!!!!) Only the neck pocket, the humbucker pocket, the string holes, and the control cavity were done. He had it in the firewood pile when I got there. I decided to take the body and finish it myself…. Big mistake…. I drilled the pocket holes and opened the bridge pickup pocket. It was my first time with a router and not a happy one.

Kevin was using the body to test some orange dyes and since I already have an orange Tele I thought about finishing it in Vintage Cream. It was tough… My garage isn’t definitively the best place to do a paint job, despite what I’ve read. Also, working with Ash is definitively a royal pain is the ash. After filling the pores and applying sand & sealer I started painting and the wood would keep on sucking paint. I had to stop, remove the paint, and seal again. Since I work the whole day I had only time to apply one coat a day so it took forever to complete the paint job with 3 color coats and 12 clear coats. I’m happy with the final result but I won’t do it again….

The scuffs you see in the left side aren’t a lame attempt to relic the body. It happened during the final sanding and instead of painting it again, I decided to sand it smooth and leave it like that. Let’s call it a happy accident. Rob liked it and that good enough for me.

Neck – Allparts TRO-W (Rosewood fingerboard, 22 frets .078x.050, 9-1/2" radius, 1-11/16" nut, "C" backshape .850-.970) that Rob put on the Garage Sale because of a cancellation. I was lucky because Rob had all the frets dressed at that point.

The neck was finished by Kevin. Awesome job. He had some problems and we thought the neck was cursed or something. These are the moments that define a pro and separate them from us hobbyists who think everything is easy to do. He pulled off and I can’t be happier.

I had been toying with putting a decal with my name on it after seeing how well the one he did for the Cash-caster turned out. I’m very happy with the result. My brother liked it so much that he asked for permission to use it as logo in his website. My brother has never asked me for anything, so this was a proud moment for me.



Electronics – My pups are Bill Lawrence, the only ones I use in my instruments. In the original design, I was planning to use a humbucker. After talking to Becky I settled for a L-490 (a P-90) and a L-290TL-E for the bridge. The L-490 is just awesome. I can’t stop playing in the neck position, which I rarely do. The L-290TL-E is very hot and together they make a great combination through my Blues Jr. and my vintage Alamos. I’m using CST pots and the switch is a Switchcraft LP style. The pick in the switch is to cover part of the hole. I had to enlarge it a little bit and I made a mistake. It worked out nicely, I think.



Final set up – The assembling of the guitar was very frustrating. Nothing seemed to work. After I finally finished with the output jack, bridge, strap buttons, and electronics, I decided to send the guitar to Rob to install the neck. I didn’t wanna screw that part. He pretty much had to overdo everything I did including the electronics… I’m glad I took the Rob route because the guitar can’t sound nicer.

I took it for a spin during last week rehearsal and everyone loved the sound of it. It plays very nicely and I confess that I felt more comfortable playing with the LP switch that with the traditional one…. We’ll see….

In any case, I’m done with projects. This one really aggravated the hell out of me and I didn’t have fun which what it’s all about, I believe.

Thanks for reading the whole thing, if you did, and for your comments.

[Buckocaster51]

I like it. Nice job. You should be proud.

I know what you mean about paint and garages. Better than the kitchen or basement though. <g>

[Kevin]

Glad to see that it worked out for you, Raymond.

Of course, kiln-dried ash does make excellent firewood!

I'm just glad that I didn't burn it before you took it home.

[SteveY]

I think it looks like a keeper!

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Of course, kiln-dried ash does make excellent firewood!

You have no idea how many times I thought about throwing that damn body into my fireplace...

Man, I love the way you did the back of the neck to avoid that sticky feeling without sanding. I can’t stop playing!!!!!!

[bruce t]

I see you originally spec'ed it as a humbucker in the neck. Glad to see you switched to a P-90. I think I'd be happier with that as well. Nice banana guitar!

[Jef]

That's a great guitar, Raymond!
The pick around the switch is real cool. The rounded edges add to the banana vibe.
Jef

[Deacon Blues]

"The L-290TL-E is very hot and together they make a great combination through my Blues Jr. and my vintage Alamos."

I'm into old Alamo amps and P-90 pickups. What Alamos do you have? I've currently got an old Amp-3.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Deacon Blues

I'm into old Alamo amps and P-90 pickups. What Alamos do you have? I've currently got an old Amp-3.

I love my Alamos. I've got a 1960's Embassy and a 1960's Capri. The speakers are the weak "tone" link and someday I may upgrade them, at least in the Embassy.