Anyone ever order a USACG 'blem' Tele body?

TomK · September 8th, 2005, 08:35 AM

I'm contemplating a project again...(it always happens just after I convince myself that I don't need to go down that road and then sell off all of my accumulated parts...)...

Anyway, has anyone ever ordered one of USACG's 'blems' that they have listed on the site? It looks like a good way to get a lower price on a nice piece of wood...

dean · September 8th, 2005, 09:15 AM

Before Tommy had the "blem" shop, I asked for a Strat body that was not up to snuff for his quality control (it was my first project, and I wanted to save $$). He gave me a very good deal on a body that he was uncomfortable selling at regular price. That was OK since I was going to paint the guitar a solid color. When I got the body, I couldn't find any blems - just beautiful ash grain. I called him and asked if he had sent the wrong body, and he told me to look at the edge of the body by the treble horn. Sure enough, there was a tiny knot - about 1/16 in. diameter. Otherwise, the body was perfect.

I think that USACG does a great job on the front end when they select their wood. The blems are probably more surprising to them than anything. If you call them, they will tell you what the blem is, and they can recommend the best way of finishing the guitar. If I were finishing the guitar in a solid color, I wouldn't hesitate buying a blem or second from Tommy and the crew at USACG.

Good luck.

Dean

AndyGio · September 8th, 2005, 09:32 AM

I got an alder tele body from the USA Custom web specials that I had "relic" finished by Mark Jenny. It was definitely in need of a solid finish and a little on the heavy side though. Got it at a great price and am very pleased with the sound of the guitar.

I've also gotten a few necks from there and except for some dark streaks in the maple, there are no evident signs of what the blem could be.

moonshiner · September 8th, 2005, 10:49 AM

When I ordered my body from Tommy I told him I didn't give a darn what it looked like because I was going to paint it solid.. It just had to be light.

He sent me a 3.2 lb 2 piece solid ash body that looked awesome even without paint.

To use the vernacular.. Tommy be da shizzle...

TomK · September 8th, 2005, 10:56 AM

Yea, I thought I would send it to Mark for finishing as well---but I was hoping to do it done in an early 60s blonde. In that way I could have the blonde look, but with a slightly more opaque finish than the earlier blondes so the 'blem' might not be as big an issue....

Rich Rice · September 8th, 2005, 11:42 AM

I bought one of his web specials, and it's one of the best bodies I've come across. Did it in re-ranch blonde, then lightly relic'd it. Fabulous guitar. Built it to sell, it's not going anywhere anytime soon...

Can't beat it!

lewis · September 8th, 2005, 11:43 AM

AndyGio:

Any other photos of your LPB Tele? I remember it from another post. Matching headstock?
I've got an old Jazzmaster in the same color.
Some day it would be cool to build a Tele to match.

AndyGio · September 8th, 2005, 12:51 PM

See PM

Doug 54 · September 9th, 2005, 01:56 PM

Thursday--
I just bought one of his sale sw. ash Tele bodies.
2 piece, 3 lbs 15 oz.
$120.00

I'm not necessarily a gung-ho 'light' guitar guy, but this one should be a nice wt.
More of an alder kinda guy too... we'll see!

Warmoth's cheapest 2 piecers are $170.00

Doug 54 · September 10th, 2005, 09:04 PM

BTW

I notice in their Sale section, they have several more Tele and Strat bodies at good $$$.

September 8th, 2005, 08:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
TomK Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 450	Anyone ever order a USACG 'blem' Tele body? I'm contemplating a project again...(it always happens just after I convince myself that I don't need to go down that road and then sell off all of my accumulated parts...)... Anyway, has anyone ever ordered one of USACG's 'blems' that they have listed on the site? It looks like a good way to get a lower price on a nice piece of wood... __________________ ***************** Insert something clever {here}.

September 8th, 2005, 09:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
dean Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Age: 60 Posts: 2,016	A few years ago . . . Before Tommy had the "blem" shop, I asked for a Strat body that was not up to snuff for his quality control (it was my first project, and I wanted to save $$). He gave me a very good deal on a body that he was uncomfortable selling at regular price. That was OK since I was going to paint the guitar a solid color. When I got the body, I couldn't find any blems - just beautiful ash grain. I called him and asked if he had sent the wrong body, and he told me to look at the edge of the body by the treble horn. Sure enough, there was a tiny knot - about 1/16 in. diameter. Otherwise, the body was perfect. I think that USACG does a great job on the front end when they select their wood. The blems are probably more surprising to them than anything. If you call them, they will tell you what the blem is, and they can recommend the best way of finishing the guitar. If I were finishing the guitar in a solid color, I wouldn't hesitate buying a blem or second from Tommy and the crew at USACG. Good luck. Dean __________________ "I used to be clueless, but I've turned that situation around 360 degrees."

September 8th, 2005, 10:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
moonshiner Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Milyucky, Whiskonsin Posts: 2,171	When I ordered my body from Tommy I told him I didn't give a darn what it looked like because I was going to paint it solid.. It just had to be light. He sent me a 3.2 lb 2 piece solid ash body that looked awesome even without paint. To use the vernacular.. Tommy be da shizzle... __________________ "Everyone's got to be something... Me? I'm stupid... It's all I ever wanted to be... Shock me again!"

September 8th, 2005, 10:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
TomK Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 450	Yea, I thought I would send it to Mark for finishing as well---but I was hoping to do it done in an early 60s blonde. In that way I could have the blonde look, but with a slightly more opaque finish than the earlier blondes so the 'blem' might not be as big an issue.... __________________ ***************** Insert something clever {here}.

September 8th, 2005, 11:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rich Rice Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: In a dream world.. Just ask my wife. Age: 53 Posts: 2,598 11 Photos	I bought one of his web specials, and it's one of the best bodies I've come across. Did it in re-ranch blonde, then lightly relic'd it. Fabulous guitar. Built it to sell, it's not going anywhere anytime soon... Can't beat it! __________________ Please visit my website! If you are driven to play, you will find a way.

September 8th, 2005, 09:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
AndyGio Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Nutley, NJ Age: 37 Posts: 138 37 Photos	I got an alder tele body from the USA Custom web specials that I had "relic" finished by Mark Jenny. It was definitely in need of a solid finish and a little on the heavy side though. Got it at a great price and am very pleased with the sound of the guitar. I've also gotten a few necks from there and except for some dark streaks in the maple, there are no evident signs of what the blem could be.

September 8th, 2005, 11:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
lewis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,881 28 Photos	Hijack AndyGio: Any other photos of your LPB Tele? I remember it from another post. Matching headstock? I've got an old Jazzmaster in the same color. Some day it would be cool to build a Tele to match. __________________ "I'm a maestro, I'm a maestro," Taj Mahal, 8/20/05.

September 8th, 2005, 12:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
AndyGio Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Nutley, NJ Age: 37 Posts: 138 37 Photos	See PM

September 9th, 2005, 01:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
Doug 54 Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ohio, Dayton area Posts: 640	Thursday-- I just bought one of his sale sw. ash Tele bodies. 2 piece, 3 lbs 15 oz. $120.00 I'm not necessarily a gung-ho 'light' guitar guy, but this one should be a nice wt. More of an alder kinda guy too... we'll see! Warmoth's cheapest 2 piecers are $170.00 __________________ The Bobby Mcfarrin of guitar

September 10th, 2005, 09:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
Doug 54 Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ohio, Dayton area Posts: 640	BTW I notice in their Sale section, they have several more Tele and Strat bodies at good $$$. __________________ The Bobby Mcfarrin of guitar