How cheap can you build a tele anyway?

scarb · April 14th, 2007, 10:03 PM

I was looking around the net and came across guitars built R***do. Looks to be on the low end side, given, but reading the details:

* 3-piece body made of solid Alder, Blonde finish
* Maple neck with Aged Maple fretboard
* Actual Weight is only 7 lbs
109.99

http://www.rondomusic.net/stl50vwh.html

I know cheap is cheap, but a solid alder body that builds a 7lb tele should be worth at least $150? Right? Buy it for a body and build a parts tele or something?

Just how cheap can you build a tele? What are your thoughts?

gtrman911 · April 14th, 2007, 10:09 PM

how cheap do you WANT your tele to be?

u can prob build one from used parts for $40

...but do you really WANT a $40 tele?!?

LeftHandedMan · April 14th, 2007, 10:18 PM

I never really thought about 'what is the cheapest Tele possible'.

For a modding guitar that might be a good choice. Less than the hit you'd take on a Squire '51 or Squire Affinity Tele (unless there was a killer sale on) slightly weird Yamaha-like strat knock-off headstock.

That Rondo might be an interesting target for a non-Tele looking to traditional Tele headstock reshaping mod.

postjob62 · April 14th, 2007, 11:17 PM

They're very nice guitars for the money and I think nicer than a Squier for half the bucks. But be advised that I've had three of 'em now and none weighed less than 8.25 lbs. I'd get a couple more today if they were close to the advertised 7 lbs., or even the "give or take 1/2 lb." quoted by the seller. Maybe I'm unlucky but mine haven't been.

The seller, Kurt, is a super nice guy.

stinkymommasboy · April 14th, 2007, 11:47 PM

I got the sunburst with rosewood and was going to mod it out, but after I set if up, I think the only thing I'll change are the tuners and pickups. I am getting another one soon. It just feels good.
I also have an SX bass that was kick ass straight out the box. And I agree, Kurt is a cool guy.

Tom S · April 15th, 2007, 12:28 AM

I scratch-built this one for about $198.

But I used over $2k in tools.

I think I'd prefer it to the Rondo, though.

Arlo · April 15th, 2007, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom S

I scratch-built this one for about $198.

But I used over $2k in tools.

I think I'd prefer it to the Rondo, though.

Tom, that sure is a pretty looking geetar brother

Tom S · April 15th, 2007, 11:44 AM

Hey thanks, Arlo!

franchelB · April 15th, 2007, 05:08 PM

Ya'know, I don't believe that SX is half bad. Maybe upgrade the electronics and some hardware, you might have a decent "tele" for under $200.

JohnnyCrash · April 15th, 2007, 05:22 PM

$110?!

Much like my experience with Epiphone (and Squier) over the last decade or so... you get what you pay for.

I've gone through so many Epis I lost count... I think it was 6 or 7.

The hardware, tuners, electronics and pickups can be upgraded, but what can't be is the crappy neck. Poor fretwork, cheap frets, toyishly lightweight...

After hardware, tuner, electronics, and finally a neck upgrade - it'll cost as much as a MIM Fender Standard - so just take a shortcut and get a MIM :)

As far as building... if you cut your own bodies and shape/fret your own necks it'll be VERY cheap. I just buy precut bodies and necks, so mine cost a little more than the "true" DIYer here on TDPRI.

aznrambo481 · April 15th, 2007, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrash

... if you cut your own bodies and shape/fret your own necks it'll be VERY cheap. I just buy precut bodies and necks, so mine cost a little more than the "true" DIYer here on TDPRI.

That's what keeps me away from the partscaster world... I'm too nervous to undertake such a huge project that I end up with a high estimate!

Ed Miller · April 15th, 2007, 08:37 PM

i really like mine. i made an esquire out of it. A White sinlge ply guard,diecast Gotoh keys, vintage style bridge and an american standard bridge pickup. I completely shielded it with copper foil and it is dead quiet. I haven't gigged it yet but it has become my around the house beater.
The great thing about it is I've really learned what you can do with a one pickup guitar and how to really make use of a tone control.... it only took me about twenty years though.

Slim · April 15th, 2007, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aznrambo481

That's what keeps me away from the partscaster world... I'm too nervous to undertake such a huge project that I end up with a high estimate!

Actually, there are so many builders out there, I have zero doubt one could put together a guitar superior for a lot of custom/high end makers but for half the price. Just for an example, I would put a USACG body up against any Fender Custom shop, and for $250 that's half the guitar already. Then maybe a Japanese neck, a set of pick-ups from one of the dozens of makers, some nice hardware and a simple wipe-on type finish...with a little time and the tonnage of quality resources one could have a very nice guitar. I could never pay several thousand for a solid-bodied manufactured guitar knowing how many competitively priced parts builders are now out there.

Of course you can't really beat $110 for a guitar that, assuming from the praise, plays and sounds good out of the box (or an MIM Fender for that matter). But parting together a guitar is way cheaper than putting together your own hot-rod, or something...

bowman · April 16th, 2007, 02:27 PM

I had one of those SX teles once (I ended up giving to my son), and the two best things about it were the neck and body. They (neck and body) were certainly on a par with any Squier I've ever played - and I still have two Squiers. The parts I didn't like were the electronics and hardware - all very cheap. However, the pickups did SOUND great; very nasty, growly tone. But they were the most microphonic pups I've ever heard on any guitar, to the extent that even the sound of the strap swinging on its post came through the amp - loudly. At time I had the SX, I had no time to mod it, but if you were so inclined, I'd guess you could have yourself a nice little tele clone for about the price of a Squier.

April 14th, 2007, 10:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
scarb Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 113	How cheap can you build a tele anyway? I was looking around the net and came across guitars built R**do. Looks to be on the low end side, given, but reading the details: 3-piece body made of solid Alder, Blonde finish * Maple neck with Aged Maple fretboard * Actual Weight is only 7 lbs 109.99 http://www.rondomusic.net/stl50vwh.html I know cheap is cheap, but a solid alder body that builds a 7lb tele should be worth at least $150? Right? Buy it for a body and build a parts tele or something? Just how cheap can you build a tele? What are your thoughts?

April 14th, 2007, 10:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
gtrman911 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Camelot Posts: 1,227 7 Photos	how cheap do you WANT your tele to be? u can prob build one from used parts for $40 ...but do you really WANT a $40 tele?!? __________________ My opinion is worth what you paid for it.

April 14th, 2007, 11:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
stinkymommasboy Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: maurice, la Posts: 288	I got the sunburst with rosewood and was going to mod it out, but after I set if up, I think the only thing I'll change are the tuners and pickups. I am getting another one soon. It just feels good. I also have an SX bass that was kick ass straight out the box. And I agree, Kurt is a cool guy. __________________ I play slow because I AM slow!! http://myspace.com/honkytonkzeros

April 15th, 2007, 05:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
franchelB Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Irving, United States of Texas! Age: 43 Posts: 1,897	Ya'know, I don't believe that SX is half bad. Maybe upgrade the electronics and some hardware, you might have a decent "tele" for under $200. __________________ Feel free to visit my homepage! http://www.myspace.com/francisbalagtas

April 15th, 2007, 08:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
Ed Miller TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 44	i really like mine. i made an esquire out of it. A White sinlge ply guard,diecast Gotoh keys, vintage style bridge and an american standard bridge pickup. I completely shielded it with copper foil and it is dead quiet. I haven't gigged it yet but it has become my around the house beater. The great thing about it is I've really learned what you can do with a one pickup guitar and how to really make use of a tone control.... it only took me about twenty years though. __________________ .... Hail, Hail, the Workin' man. I work hard every day.....

April 14th, 2007, 10:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
LeftHandedMan Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 107	I never really thought about 'what is the cheapest Tele possible'. For a modding guitar that might be a good choice. Less than the hit you'd take on a Squire '51 or Squire Affinity Tele (unless there was a killer sale on) slightly weird Yamaha-like strat knock-off headstock. That Rondo might be an interesting target for a non-Tele looking to traditional Tele headstock reshaping mod.

April 14th, 2007, 11:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
postjob62 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Georgia Age: 59 Posts: 514	They're very nice guitars for the money and I think nicer than a Squier for half the bucks. But be advised that I've had three of 'em now and none weighed less than 8.25 lbs. I'd get a couple more today if they were close to the advertised 7 lbs., or even the "give or take 1/2 lb." quoted by the seller. Maybe I'm unlucky but mine haven't been. The seller, Kurt, is a super nice guy.

April 15th, 2007, 12:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tom S Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,228 49 Photos	I scratch-built this one for about $198. But I used over $2k in tools. I think I'd prefer it to the Rondo, though.

April 15th, 2007, 11:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
Tom S Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,228 49 Photos	Hey thanks, Arlo!

April 15th, 2007, 05:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,128	$110?! Much like my experience with Epiphone (and Squier) over the last decade or so... you get what you pay for. I've gone through so many Epis I lost count... I think it was 6 or 7. The hardware, tuners, electronics and pickups can be upgraded, but what can't be is the crappy neck. Poor fretwork, cheap frets, toyishly lightweight... After hardware, tuner, electronics, and finally a neck upgrade - it'll cost as much as a MIM Fender Standard - so just take a shortcut and get a MIM :) As far as building... if you cut your own bodies and shape/fret your own necks it'll be VERY cheap. I just buy precut bodies and necks, so mine cost a little more than the "true" DIYer here on TDPRI.

April 16th, 2007, 02:27 PM	#14 (permalink)
bowman Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Westborough, MA Age: 56 Posts: 424	I had one of those SX teles once (I ended up giving to my son), and the two best things about it were the neck and body. They (neck and body) were certainly on a par with any Squier I've ever played - and I still have two Squiers. The parts I didn't like were the electronics and hardware - all very cheap. However, the pickups did SOUND great; very nasty, growly tone. But they were the most microphonic pups I've ever heard on any guitar, to the extent that even the sound of the strap swinging on its post came through the amp - loudly. At time I had the SX, I had no time to mod it, but if you were so inclined, I'd guess you could have yourself a nice little tele clone for about the price of a Squier.