Finally...the skinny on my StoneTree Tele...(more pics!)

TomK · October 3rd, 2005, 12:14 AM

Well after doing some tweaking and getting in some good playing time, I can offer some more genuine insight into my new StoneTree Tele (www.stonetreeguitars.com).

In a word, this guitar is awesome! I know Scott Platts, the builder, doesn't give away his work---this guitar cost its original owner two g's---but it's a fine piece of work, equal or superior to any Fender at that price...

Body It's a light two-piece ash body finished in a thin daphne blue. In certain light you can get a hint of grain showing through the thin finish which makes me think it will age quite nicely. The body cavities are shielded. There is no open route between the neck cavity and the control cavity (a la. 70s Tele). Unlike a Fender, he has sanded and sealed the neck pocket which seems like a good idea as it blocks out moisture. There's no routers hump in the cutaway and there is no flat spot around the output jack radius.

Neck Masterful! This is a beauty. It's maple on maple with a medium C shape. The maple is figured, finished in amber, and the dot markers are abalone. It feels like a compound radius (9.5" - about 12" or 14"). Frets are stainless, shiney, smooth, and medium height---they shine like well polished silver. The neck fits into the pocket like a set-neck guitar it is so tight.

Headstock Quite intersting! It's actually a good 1/8" thicker than a standard Fender headstock. I don't know if this contributes to tone, sustain, mojo, or whatever, but it all works. The shape is similar to the classic Fender, but with a bit of a hook at the top. The logo on the face is very tastefully inlaid in abalone. On the back in imprinted the original owners name serial number, and year as well as Scott's signature.

Pickups These are a set of Lindy Fralin High Output pups. I was a bit scared off by that "high output" tag, but honestly, these sound fantastic. They are a bit more middy than typical, but it all works well---there is no ice pickiness.

Electronics Under the hood are only quality components and handiwork. Pots are CTS, switch is a CRL, .047 orange drop cap, vintage style cloth wrapped wire, and soldering and layout that borders on art it is so neat. Output jack is an Electrosocket.

Bridge This is a Callaham. Now, I've had his saddles before and was happy with them, but this is the first time I've used the whole assembly and I must say that it is great. It is heavier than the standard stamped Fender bridge and far smoother. It has part of the lower lip trimmed away Gatton-style and uses two additional small screws to hold down the front of the bridge.

Other hardware The tuners are the standard Kluson/Gotoh reissues. The neck plate is thick---it's quite heavy and has the StoneTree logo on it. The dome knobs are the only low point--they are too smooth, not enough knurl so I'll switch them. The pickguard is three ply mint green.

Overall, if you are willing to spend the $$$ on a fine custom made guitar, you can't go wrong here. Since winning this thing on the bay from the original owner (who was selling off an impressive guitar collection), I have contacted the builder, and he is a true custom builder. He wants to know what you want and that's what he builds.

And please, spare me the partsacasters-are-cheaper-and-just-as-good speech. If you can build one, more power to ya, but for mere mortals like me, this is the way to go for a high-class Tele.

boogaloo · October 3rd, 2005, 12:19 AM

WHERE ARE THE FREAKIN PICS MAN?!

Thank you.

brian

TomK · October 3rd, 2005, 08:04 AM

I still need to take some pictures on my own, but here is the

auction link. These pictures don't do it justice...(also, the listing mistakenly says that the pups are Antiquities....long story short...they are Fralins).

Colo Springs E · October 3rd, 2005, 09:32 AM

I like the headstock--pretty good take on the traditional Tele head.

I would prefer it without the fancy inlays, but overall, that's a nice looking Tele!

TomK · October 3rd, 2005, 11:29 AM

Ah, thanks for linking those pics for me. I really want to take some of my own in natural light so you get a more accurate impression of the color.

boogaloo · October 3rd, 2005, 12:06 PM

Yeah baby! Sweeet looking gee-tar. I really, really like the figuring on the neck. I'm diggin the headstock shape too.

Brian

TomK · October 3rd, 2005, 10:16 PM

Okay, I've taken some more pics and posted them on my web site...
My StoneTree Tele

Big Weapons · October 4th, 2005, 03:03 AM

I have got to say... that neck is beatiful! This is one of the cleanest partscasters I've seen. You've got some good photography skills too :)

Paul G. · October 4th, 2005, 06:18 AM

That is one beautiful instrument. And you can play it too!!

P.

October 3rd, 2005, 12:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
TomK Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 450	Finally...the skinny on my StoneTree Tele...(more pics!) Well after doing some tweaking and getting in some good playing time, I can offer some more genuine insight into my new StoneTree Tele (www.stonetreeguitars.com). In a word, this guitar is awesome! I know Scott Platts, the builder, doesn't give away his work---this guitar cost its original owner two g's---but it's a fine piece of work, equal or superior to any Fender at that price... Body It's a light two-piece ash body finished in a thin daphne blue. In certain light you can get a hint of grain showing through the thin finish which makes me think it will age quite nicely. The body cavities are shielded. There is no open route between the neck cavity and the control cavity (a la. 70s Tele). Unlike a Fender, he has sanded and sealed the neck pocket which seems like a good idea as it blocks out moisture. There's no routers hump in the cutaway and there is no flat spot around the output jack radius. Neck Masterful! This is a beauty. It's maple on maple with a medium C shape. The maple is figured, finished in amber, and the dot markers are abalone. It feels like a compound radius (9.5" - about 12" or 14"). Frets are stainless, shiney, smooth, and medium height---they shine like well polished silver. The neck fits into the pocket like a set-neck guitar it is so tight. Headstock Quite intersting! It's actually a good 1/8" thicker than a standard Fender headstock. I don't know if this contributes to tone, sustain, mojo, or whatever, but it all works. The shape is similar to the classic Fender, but with a bit of a hook at the top. The logo on the face is very tastefully inlaid in abalone. On the back in imprinted the original owners name serial number, and year as well as Scott's signature. Pickups These are a set of Lindy Fralin High Output pups. I was a bit scared off by that "high output" tag, but honestly, these sound fantastic. They are a bit more middy than typical, but it all works well---there is no ice pickiness. Electronics Under the hood are only quality components and handiwork. Pots are CTS, switch is a CRL, .047 orange drop cap, vintage style cloth wrapped wire, and soldering and layout that borders on art it is so neat. Output jack is an Electrosocket. Bridge This is a Callaham. Now, I've had his saddles before and was happy with them, but this is the first time I've used the whole assembly and I must say that it is great. It is heavier than the standard stamped Fender bridge and far smoother. It has part of the lower lip trimmed away Gatton-style and uses two additional small screws to hold down the front of the bridge. Other hardware The tuners are the standard Kluson/Gotoh reissues. The neck plate is thick---it's quite heavy and has the StoneTree logo on it. The dome knobs are the only low point--they are too smooth, not enough knurl so I'll switch them. The pickguard is three ply mint green. Overall, if you are willing to spend the $$$ on a fine custom made guitar, you can't go wrong here. Since winning this thing on the bay from the original owner (who was selling off an impressive guitar collection), I have contacted the builder, and he is a true custom builder. He wants to know what you want and that's what he builds. And please, spare me the partsacasters-are-cheaper-and-just-as-good speech. If you can build one, more power to ya, but for mere mortals like me, this is the way to go for a high-class Tele. __________________ ***************** Insert something clever {here}.

October 3rd, 2005, 12:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
boogaloo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: S/E Pa. Age: 52 Posts: 1,129	So The Obvious Question Is WHERE ARE THE FREAKIN PICS MAN?! Thank you. brian __________________ "..and I've got some tricks up my sleeve...oh yes indeed! It might come back to haunt 'cha..don't you throw that Mojo on me!"

October 3rd, 2005, 08:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
TomK Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 450	I still need to take some pictures on my own, but here is the auction link. These pictures don't do it justice...(also, the listing mistakenly says that the pups are Antiquities....long story short...they are Fralins). __________________ ***************** Insert something clever {here}.

October 3rd, 2005, 09:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
Colo Springs E Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 5,204 5 Photos	Nice!... I like the headstock--pretty good take on the traditional Tele head. I would prefer it without the fancy inlays, but overall, that's a nice looking Tele! __________________ Think I'll pack it in and Buy a pickup Take it down to LA...

October 3rd, 2005, 11:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
TomK Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 450	Ah, thanks for linking those pics for me. I really want to take some of my own in natural light so you get a more accurate impression of the color. __________________ ***************** Insert something clever {here}.

October 3rd, 2005, 12:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
boogaloo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: S/E Pa. Age: 52 Posts: 1,129	Thanks! Yeah baby! Sweeet looking gee-tar. I really, really like the figuring on the neck. I'm diggin the headstock shape too. Brian __________________ "..and I've got some tricks up my sleeve...oh yes indeed! It might come back to haunt 'cha..don't you throw that Mojo on me!"

October 3rd, 2005, 10:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
TomK Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 450	More pics.... Okay, I've taken some more pics and posted them on my web site... My StoneTree Tele __________________ ***************** Insert something clever {here}.

October 4th, 2005, 03:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
Big Weapons TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Milpitas, CA Posts: 75	I have got to say... that neck is beatiful! This is one of the cleanest partscasters I've seen. You've got some good photography skills too :)

October 4th, 2005, 06:18 AM	#9 (permalink)
Paul G. Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 885	Very nice!!! That is one beautiful instrument. And you can play it too!! P. __________________ Listen to your mother