Taipan / Pinemart - Taipan Model

[Taipan]

Here are some shots of the maple neck.

[jaydawg]

I've used quite a few AllParts necks and they have all needed to have the fret ends dressed. They have all also had the fret slots cut a little on the deep side. So I would say those things are normal but what your seeing on that roasewood board is not normal. That neck should not have left the factory that way. I would contact your dealer and get a replacement. Thats too bad about the rosewood board.

Have you though about the finish for your Pine Jr yet?

[kovachian]

The sharp fret ends and fret misplacement are definitely issues, but I don't see how the nut slots are going to be a problem. I would think it's good for the slots to be deeper than the fret tangs, for two reasons; 1. To allow the frets to seat fully 2. If the wood expands and there's no (or not enough) gap to accommodate for that expansion, that could uplift the frets.

[jaydawg]

I was playing around with autocad this afternoon and made up a drawing based on Taipans build. I used the tele drawing that Ed Hawley posted in his cnc build as well as a set of drawings for a '59 LP from John Cotto (sp?). All I did was cut and past the guts from Eds drawing on to the outline of the LP. Let me know if anything looks funky. The pdf should print up full size if you turn off scaling when you print.

Just wanted to share with you guys. There is so much talent here and so many great ideas its easy to be inspired.

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by kovachian

it's good for the slots to be deeper than the fret tangs, for two reasons; 1. To allow the frets to seat fully 2. If the wood expands and there's no (or not enough) gap to accommodate for that expansion, that could uplift the frets.

I agree in principle. But I would expect the fret slot to be providing a shallow gap through most of the slot, but not right on the ends. I understand thats what Tommy at USACG and the boys at Warmoth do.

I could not for the life of me figure out why I was holding back on buying some TMO-FAT necks for some of my projects. A lack of figure, perhaps? Now I have an excuse. Thanks for the great pictures, Vince.


Bubbanov

Vince, is that maple neck also a 'W' and could that explain, a separate production run with the wrinkles not worked out?

[ChicknPickn]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

I could not for the life of me figure out why I was holding back on buying some TMO-FAT necks for some of my projects. A lack of figure, perhaps? Now I have an excuse.

Sadly, I have to say the same thing. Almost pulled the trigger earlier today, in fact - - don't know why I didn't. Seeing these pics, I'm really concerned that Allparts is having a quality control lapse.

[Taipan]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

Vince, is that maple neck also a 'W' and could that explain, a separate production run with the wrinkles not worked out?

Bubbanov - No it is the standard TMO-FAT Neck.
I spoke to ALLPARTS and they said "send them back, we will look them over and send you new ones". When I asked if the this is "normal" they said that the miss hit fret is not but they do relieve the fret slots some.

In speaking to some other folks they said this is normal on production run neck. They pretty much said that builders cut them deep to insure the frets seat and then use filler on them. I also gave my favorite all time Luthier, Phil Jacoby <= (ya it's a plug cuz he's so damm good) said its common ever Fender does it. I let him know that the (2) Musicrafter necks that I had on my bench did not have this. He let me know that "Tommys" necks over at USACG don't do it but he did bring up a very good point in that the ALLPARTS necks are the best hands down "Cheap" neck that on on the market today and it would be a great time for me to learn how to fill neck slots. Again, both these neck are unfinished necks. I do not know if their finished necks would show these slots or they would fill them. I have sent a PM to Buckocaster51 and Rob Di Stefano to ask them if this is common with the necks that they have ordered. I have not heard from them as of yet but am looking forward to hearing what they say.

I have learned this: If I only was going to build one or two "special" builds I would only use a Musicrafter neck ( Sorry Tommy, but I have not seen or used your product....yet) but with six builds going on right now at that price point difference (approx $200 per neck) I leaning toward learning to fill slots.

Oh and that Fender comment that Phil made. After I hung up the phone with him I went and grabbed the only Fender neck that I have, one of my fav's... a 1982 and put on my glasses... and could not believe my eyes...it was filled..Drat

[lennyb]

i just got a $89.95 Lic. Fender 57 soft V mighty mite neck and none of those problems,i am glad i didnt go the Allparts route From what i see here,2 new necks BOTH look that bad.....no thanxs

[jaydawg]

Any progress on the Tele Jr? Pic's?

[Taipan]

Jaydawg
Been focusing most of my time on this:
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaste...ml#post1173205
But thanks for asking and here is where we are so far.
Came up with the pick guard design and figured out where to mount the control plate. You can see that I opted not to change the "Standard" LP Jr. other than adding the tele curve on the upper right side by the neck pocket.
(LP Jr. is straight) I played with adding it to the left side as well with the flip up but could not get the curves as they slope down to look right, so the left side by the neck pocket pays homage to the JR and the right side pays homage to the Tele. I pulled the control plate up into the pick guard and added two screws on each side of the cut out.
Due to time constrains I sent the templates to Tony at PickGuardian and he did a FABULOUS job, as always. I had some made in a matte black and "Gibson" vintage creme cuz you just never know when another body might show up or the color scheme will change.....
Here is how they look:





With the control plate in place:

[Taipan]

I had been talking to "Mr. Pine Mart" and was trying go get down to visit with him and for one reason or another something always came up. The day we had finally planned on it my wife's car died and she had to take mine. He was gracious enough to visit Casa de Taipan and layout the control cavitys and route them in my driveway. He was camera shy and didn't want any pictures taken. He said "you guys have seen this all before" but I tell you what, it was a joy working with him and watch him go at it....He makes it all seem so easy and effortless.

Here are the results:

[Taipan]

Hera are a few more images to show how it will look built up.

One of my many peeves is that the control plate should be flush with the pick guard. So I machine my own. Here is a shot using a prototype plate to give you an idea. As Joe would say.." That'sa nice!"


Added a "59 and one of my Custom Half Bridges this one is Aluminum with nickel plating and an AP Fat neck. Control Plate shown is just a prototype. Once I settle on the control layout I will machine a custom one up I am leaning towards no switch, Volume and push pull for tone with split coil but who knows:






Well that it for now.....

[jaydawg]

Very cool, looks your getting there. Most of the hard stuff is done, just paint and assemble. FWIW I like the black guard, but I guess it will also depend on what you do for a finish. How about a vintage Gibson style sunburst?

Well, keep us updated. I still think this is one of the best ideas I've seen in a long time!!!

[Taipan]

Dropped the "bodies" of to my Brother-in laws to put in the input jack hole and Bridge pickup wire hole. Did I ever tell you that I lucked out in the Brother -in law department ?
When I got them back I happened to put one of my neck plates on the back and thought - wait a minute - that's not right. I have been making .120 thick neck plates up for a while. They lock the neck to the body like a rock as you can really crank the neck bolts down and they do not dip the corners as the " Factory " ones do. On pine or a softwood that is a real added plus. The whole plate pulls flat against the body. For those players that really like to work their guitar when they play live they also help minimize the lateral movement on the neck as again the pine neck pocket is a lot softer than the maple neck. On some teles I rout a pocket for them, on some I just leave them on the surface of the body. Since LP Juniors are set necks, the backs are smooth so it did not look right having the plate sit on the surface. So off to the mill we go.





That's better ....don't you think?

[Taipan]

While I had them set up I also added the pocket for my " retaining bars" .
All that is left is for the weather to break and then I can start to put some finish on them. ( I am always envious of you guys that live in "Year Round Finishing Climates ! )

One of these will be going to a friend of my so he will more than likely get to finishing his first as I will be concentrating on my other building... Shellac on.... Shellac off...
Here are some more pictures:

[Arlo]

Vince those are looking really nice my bro! What you gonna use to mount the pup with?

Oh and I got a crapload of caps here if you want to go for a special third setting on the switch. Let me know and I will send you some.

[Arlo]

Originally Posted by jaydawg

Well, keep us updated. I still think this is one of the best ideas I've seen in a long time!!!

+1000

[boris bubbanov]

Oh, that neck plate recess is a fantastic detail; takes all the pain out of an over-thickness neck plate and follows so logically from the ferrule block. Great design elements that have serious functional value and are not stale in any way.

Like wise the one off look of the truncated bridge plate really exudes quality and injects the right amount of Tele DNA without overwhelming the MM theme.

Great work, and what a motivational tool this thread is. Thanks.

[ehawley]

!!! Really great stuff! I love this place! Great job!
Cheers
ED

[jwells393]

The workmanship looks superb. I like the recessed neck plate. I plan to try that sometime. Three bodies and none with a Telecaster shape? Makes me wonder why.

[old_picker]

Originally Posted by ChicknPickn

Sadly, I have to say the same thing. Almost pulled the trigger earlier today, in fact - - don't know why I didn't. Seeing these pics, I'm really concerned that Allparts is having a quality control lapse.

sorry to continue this hijack but i also recently had 2 allparts necks that had issues
fret hieghts all over the shop
patches where finish didnt stick
a ding in the headstock
rough refet ends

they are cheap but quality is an issue
on the guitar the neck works very well but i woulda been better spending another $100 for the perfection of warmoth or usacg

[TELECASTERbstrd]

Originally Posted by Taipan

I was listening to Leslie West - Mississippi Queen" on the radio thinking about one of the first concerts that I saw back in the day was Mountain. It got me thinking of how Leslie just man handled that LP Jr. Next thing I though about was combining the best qualities of the LP Jr. and a Tele and I called Marty on the phone telling him "Hey I got this Idea. I'm sure it has been done before but I would like to combine a LP Jr. and a Tele. He said " I haven't done one before" But I think it would be cool". Here is the result -

What??????
That's not a Telecaster!
What?
Why is this here?
MODERATOR!!!!!!

[RotelliCaster]

Awwww Dang it, Taipan!

You made me get a hold of Marty again. Looks like I gotta do another pine build.

Thanks Man