what parts do YOU use?

[jculler82]

when you guys build partscasters do you use genuine fender parts when it comes to the hardware? i'm starting up my first one and i am seeing that i could save some money by using warmoth's control plates, knobs, etc. but i feel like i should spend the extra and get the fender stuff. just wondering what everyone else does.
-jeramy

[Zippo]

http://www.callahamguitars.com/

[BB]

Originally Posted by jculler82

when you guys build partscasters do you use genuine fender parts when it comes to the hardware? i'm starting up my first one and i am seeing that i could save some money by using warmoth's control plates, knobs, etc. but i feel like i should spend the extra and get the fender stuff. just wondering what everyone else does.
-jeramy

Jeramy..the beauty of a partscaster is you can use whatever you want. If you feel the need for genuine Fender parts and can afford the extra coin, by all means do it! It's YOUR guitar......do whats going to make YOU happy.

On my last partscaster, ( which became my #1 from the moment I strung it up 4 years ago ) I made sure I knew what I wanted body wise and ( which happend to be a chambered mahognay body from USACG ) neck
( rosewood board, 6105 frets, 12" radius, rounded fretboard edges, Klusons, ) wise. I have a huge bag of pots, caps, etc from 25 years of doing this stuff, so I pulled the best out of those. For pickups, control plate, bridge and everything else, I scoured the various internet buy and sells. That save me a bunch of coin.

Anyway...that is what worked ( and continues to work ) for me. YMMV. The main thing is, know what specs you want for your neck and body. I built this guitar with the intentions of it being with me for the rest of my days here on this earth, so the body and neck were very important to me. So, I guess much depends on if you plan on making a keeper or plan to sell it somewhere down the road. You can spend a lot in parts that you'll never recoup if you're thinking re-sale. As far as tuners, bridge, control plate, pickups, pots, etc.....you can always change or upgrade later. Thats the beauty of a tele.

Good luck! I hope you build a winner!

[Pete Galati]

I know pictures probably won't tell you much, but fwiw, this is my old(ish) Tele with the new Fender ashtray bridge that I just installed on it recently. And sitting right next to it is the GFS ashtray bridge that just arrived yesterday for my current project. The GFS bridge is getting cut down to fit in back of a humbucker ring, something like the Duncan built Jeff Beck Tele.

I'm pretty impressed with the GFS bridge so far, and I'm considering using one when I build a traditional Tele. Depends on how much money I have to work with though when I start buying parts. I might end up going upmarket, and buying a Glendale bridge, but most of the reason for putting the traditional Tele together is to have a Tele that's not very valuable, so I'm not actually likely to use any hundred dollar hardware.

Pete

[Hafner]

From ebay:
-necks original vintage Fender,
-original 60's bridges;
from: http://www.universaljems.com/cart/bodys/Telebodys.htm bodies;
Wiring control assemblies from http://www.callahamguitars.com/
Pickguards from http://stores.ebay.com/CHOPPERS-MUSI...QQftidZ2QQtZkm
Pick-ups from http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/p...selesstele.htm
Tuners from Rockinger or vintages from ebay.
The most important part is the neck, I invest the most money in buying original Fender necks (ebay).

[maestrovert]

use whatever floats yer boat, or trips yer trigger !