Just got a 54 Esquire Relic by Naked Body Guitars

IPLAYLOUD · April 16th, 2005, 08:22 PM

After wanting a Tele/Esquire for a long time, Dawn just said "Tell me what you want and I'll make it!".

One piece Ash, see-through paper-thin Butterscotch. The checking and aging in unreal...perfect! We used slotted screws all over. As a bow to a modern feel, I went with a Compound radius neck (7.5 to 9.25) with a hard V contour. Total weight is under 7 lbs.
Wiring is from the Fender Custom Shop, and I went with a Harmonic Design Vintage Plus pickup. After looking at Duncan, Nocaster, Rio Grande and others, I thought the HD would go well with the Esquire wiring, and not be an ice-pick on the tone bypass. I would think most of the heavy-hitter brands would have worked well.

After last night's maiden gig, I made the right choices! This pickup is wonderful, with many Buchanan tones coming from her. Never harsh, never brittle...she sings in every position. The overtones are magnificent, all of the musical, and all over the neck. I am convinced it IS true that the lack of a neck pickup's magnetic pull, however slight, allows the strings to ring longer and truer. Think Les Paul Jr and you know what I'm talking about. The playability of the guitar is silky smooth. 9 - 46 on the strings really work well.

Dawn out her Heart and Soul into "Belle", and it drips with vintage vibe and sound. She doesn't just "beat it up", she envisions the life of the guitar: who owned it, how he played it, how he wore it, how it was used. After that mental image, she creates it on the guitar. It's a gift...it really is. I put the bridge cover on for the last set, and quickly adapted to it. If it was good enough for Albert Collins, it's gotta be good!
I didn't hear any less hum or difference in tone with the cover on..it just looks COOL as the string disappear under it. One guy said it look "spooky" with no front pickup and the cover on.

This is an amazing instrument and one I will treasure for as long as I can play it! There will be a pic on the site soon.

www.nakedbodyguitars.com

ramblinmike · April 17th, 2005, 03:20 AM

wow that really sounds awesome. can't wait to see some pictures. i LOVE esquires. have a MIM Standard i made into an esquire and i just finished building a partscaster esquire. and yes, they really do rock more than people think they ever could with only one pickup. congrats on your new guitar!

oh one more thing, how does the harmonic design sound when really pushed?

IPLAYLOUD · April 17th, 2005, 09:45 AM

Hey Mike...
that gig was in Bellmore.
We'll be in Bayville on 4/30...why not come out and see for yourself...better yet, BRING your Esquire and play a few songs with us?! EMail me at IPLAYLOUD@Aol.Com
or see the site at WWW.KillerJoe66.Com. We always have musicians sit-in. Many FDP'ers have, so why not TDPRI guys!

The HD sounded great. I don't push too hard as I enjoy a lot of clean headroom, BUT, on "Roadhouse Blues", I used my VS Jeckyl & Hyde and she sounded GREAT. Full body sound, nothing tinny or shrill. I'm sure it's a combination of the whole package. Even a LOUSY pickup would sound great in one of Dawn's guitars.

She was put together ay N.Y. Music on Rte 110.

Do you go to Willie Steele's jam on Sunday or any others?

April 16th, 2005, 08:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
IPLAYLOUD Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Long Island, N.Y. Posts: 487 1 Photos	Just got a 54 Esquire Relic by Naked Body Guitars After wanting a Tele/Esquire for a long time, Dawn just said "Tell me what you want and I'll make it!". One piece Ash, see-through paper-thin Butterscotch. The checking and aging in unreal...perfect! We used slotted screws all over. As a bow to a modern feel, I went with a Compound radius neck (7.5 to 9.25) with a hard V contour. Total weight is under 7 lbs. Wiring is from the Fender Custom Shop, and I went with a Harmonic Design Vintage Plus pickup. After looking at Duncan, Nocaster, Rio Grande and others, I thought the HD would go well with the Esquire wiring, and not be an ice-pick on the tone bypass. I would think most of the heavy-hitter brands would have worked well. After last night's maiden gig, I made the right choices! This pickup is wonderful, with many Buchanan tones coming from her. Never harsh, never brittle...she sings in every position. The overtones are magnificent, all of the musical, and all over the neck. I am convinced it IS true that the lack of a neck pickup's magnetic pull, however slight, allows the strings to ring longer and truer. Think Les Paul Jr and you know what I'm talking about. The playability of the guitar is silky smooth. 9 - 46 on the strings really work well. Dawn out her Heart and Soul into "Belle", and it drips with vintage vibe and sound. She doesn't just "beat it up", she envisions the life of the guitar: who owned it, how he played it, how he wore it, how it was used. After that mental image, she creates it on the guitar. It's a gift...it really is. I put the bridge cover on for the last set, and quickly adapted to it. If it was good enough for Albert Collins, it's gotta be good! I didn't hear any less hum or difference in tone with the cover on..it just looks COOL as the string disappear under it. One guy said it look "spooky" with no front pickup and the cover on. This is an amazing instrument and one I will treasure for as long as I can play it! There will be a pic on the site soon. www.nakedbodyguitars.com __________________ I play an Esquire because I can only afford ONE pickup.

April 17th, 2005, 09:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
IPLAYLOUD Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Long Island, N.Y. Posts: 487 1 Photos	Hey Mike... that gig was in Bellmore. We'll be in Bayville on 4/30...why not come out and see for yourself...better yet, BRING your Esquire and play a few songs with us?! EMail me at IPLAYLOUD@Aol.Com or see the site at WWW.KillerJoe66.Com. We always have musicians sit-in. Many FDP'ers have, so why not TDPRI guys! The HD sounded great. I don't push too hard as I enjoy a lot of clean headroom, BUT, on "Roadhouse Blues", I used my VS Jeckyl & Hyde and she sounded GREAT. Full body sound, nothing tinny or shrill. I'm sure it's a combination of the whole package. Even a LOUSY pickup would sound great in one of Dawn's guitars. She was put together ay N.Y. Music on Rte 110. Do you go to Willie Steele's jam on Sunday or any others? __________________ I play an Esquire because I can only afford ONE pickup.

April 17th, 2005, 03:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
ramblinmike Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2003 Location: Long Island NY Age: 23 Posts: 924	wow that really sounds awesome. can't wait to see some pictures. i LOVE esquires. have a MIM Standard i made into an esquire and i just finished building a partscaster esquire. and yes, they really do rock more than people think they ever could with only one pickup. congrats on your new guitar! oh one more thing, how does the harmonic design sound when really pushed?