Inexpensive Tele body - thoughts?

wrw_tele · January 17th, 2008, 10:19 AM

Anybody have any experience with these bodies? Nothing turned up in my search for Delta Luthiers on any forum.

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZdelta.luthiery

I may start a partscaster Thinline project and these showed up on ebay.

Thanks!

Bill

BroadMaster · January 17th, 2008, 11:03 AM

Seems a bit questionable that even the thinline bodies weigh 5-6 pounds
(Approximately) What? They don't have a scale? It's the same old, same old.
Here's a picture of some body. We'll cut ya one, but it probably won't look like the *EXAMPLE* picture. Nor will it weigh what the ad says, but approximately is close enough.
Buy what you like and can afford, but other companies have paint grade bodies in this price range or will work with you to get what you need. There are even cheaper bodies on the sleazebay from time to time if you're in no time frame for completion. Agile has a complete thinline for $179.00. You pays your money and takes your chances.
Good Luck!

jwells393 · January 17th, 2008, 11:26 AM

Eden Telecaster bodies are available on eBay for a lot less. I have no experience with them but others here in the forum have.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...ody&category0=

Shoved BassVIII · January 17th, 2008, 01:09 PM

Eden bodies I think we could all use some insight on. USACG has some nice web specials going on

Pesty · January 17th, 2008, 02:11 PM

My Tele, has an eden body and neck. I can't vouch for how well the neck pocket will line up with a fender spec neck, but with my body and neck there was barely 1/16" gap on one side once the neck was aligned.

The finish on the body was very smooth and flat, I was unable to find any blemishes, runs, dents, scratches, etc. in it. (That is until I started working on it, and those were all my fault.

The only issues I had, were with the string through holes, and the neck bolt holes. The string through holes are set up for a standard Tele bridge. I wanted to use a humbucker bridge that had individual strat style saddles, but that would have given me a 26" scale length. If you're planning on using a standard tele bridge, you won't have a problem.

The second issue, was the neck bolt holes are too close to the edges for a Fender spec neck plate. I ended up using 15mm neck bushings, and it holds the neck fine. If you're willing to fill the holes with dowels, it would be easy to convert it, and the neckplate would cover all evidence of the modification.

I'm very pleased with the body, definately worth it for the price.

editorjuno · January 17th, 2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pesty

{snip}

The only issues I had, were with the string through holes, and the neck bolt holes. The string through holes are set up for a standard Tele bridge. I wanted to use a humbucker bridge that had individual strat style saddles, but that would have given me a 26" scale length. If you're planning on using a standard tele bridge, you won't have a problem.

{snip}

I'm very pleased with the body, definately worth it for the price.

The Gotoh humbucker bridge for Teles (sold by Warmoth, Stew-Mac, etc.) is a drop-in replacement for a "vintage" bridge, you just have to enlarge the pickup rout -- many otherwise-similar bridges (e.g. the steel ones sold cheap on eBay) have Strat saddles, and that results in that too-long scale length. All that's required to make those cheap bridges usable is a set of MIM Standard Tele saddles -- they're elongated like the saddles that come with the Gotoh and will shorten up the scale for you.

Pesty · January 17th, 2008, 02:54 PM

Yeah, I went cheapy on E-bay.

But it all worked out, I ended up putting a Tune-o-matic roller bridge and a Bigsby B50 on it instead. I had to shim the neck a bit, but I love having the bigsby.

My brother is a machinist, and he's making me a cover plate to go over the string through holes. I'll screw it into the two end ones, and hopefully he'll even CNC engrave it for me.

Ronkirn · January 17th, 2008, 05:24 PM

I’m not familiar with Delta Luthiery either. But I do see a few issues that makes me wonder.

For instance, the 90 degree corners on the neck pocket heel. I don’t know any one that actually knows anything about the tele body that would produce one like that. It suggests that the maker never really looked at a real Tele.

Also there are no string holes or ferrule routs. Getting those correct can be a bit tedious if you aren’t familiar with how to lay out the components and drill the holes correctly. Besides, if you can do that, you can make the whole body, then make another, and another… You don’t really think there is any way you can build ONE, and not do bunches more. Ever try to eat one Potato Chip?

Before buying raw parts from an unknown on eBay, check with some of his feed back a month or so back. Some will buy stuff, it looks great out of the box, so they post good feedback, then several weeks later when it’s time to mount the parts, they see the error of their ways, and have no leverage against the seller for selling a body that will not accept standard parts.

The Tele body is quite deceptive, it looks like it’s very easy to mount the parts, but in reality there are very close tolerances that must be held to. The neck heel against the Pickguard sets the location of the pickguard with only about 1/32 inch of wiggle room. The cutout in the Pickguard for the control plate fixes the location of the control plate with almost No wiggle room. Then the cutout for the forward edge of the bridge dictates that the bridge should be symmetrically set within that cutout, so ya gotta watch what you’re dooin’

USACG often runs specials on Tele Bodies for a 100 bux…. And if you order one custom made directly it’s only 150.00. The extra money is well worth the assurance of knowing that when you get ‘er painted, there will be NO issues as you assemble the guitar. Tell Tommy I said Hi..

Ron Kirn

mellecaster · January 17th, 2008, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronkirn

I’m not familiar with Delta Luthiery either. But I do see a few issues that makes me wonder.

For instance, the 90 degree corners on the neck pocket heel. I don’t know any one that actually knows anything about the tele body that would produce one like that. It suggests that the maker never really looked at a real Tele.

Also there are no string holes or ferrule routs. Getting those correct can be a bit tedious if you aren’t familiar with how to lay out the components and drill the holes correctly. Besides, if you can do that, you can make the whole body, then make another, and another… You don’t really think there is any way you can build ONE, and not do bunches more. Ever try to eat one Potato Chip?

Before buying raw parts from an unknown on eBay, check with some of his feed back a month or so back. Some will buy stuff, it looks great out of the box, so they post good feedback, then several weeks later when it’s time to mount the parts, they see the error of their ways, and have no leverage against the seller for selling a body that will not accept standard parts.

The Tele body is quite deceptive, it looks like it’s very easy to mount the parts, but in reality there are very close tolerances that must be held to. The neck heel against the Pickguard sets the location of the pickguard with only about 1/32 inch of wiggle room. The cutout in the Pickguard for the control plate fixes the location of the control plate with almost No wiggle room. Then the cutout for the forward edge of the bridge dictates that the bridge should be symmetrically set within that cutout, so ya gotta watch what you’re dooin’

USACG often runs specials on Tele Bodies for a 100 bux…. And if you order one custom made directly it’s only 150.00. The extra money is well worth the assurance of knowing that when you get ‘er painted, there will be NO issues as you assemble the guitar. Tell Tommy I said Hi..

Ron Kirn

+1..Couldn't agree more...Excellent post Ron...[as always].....

Telelicious · January 17th, 2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadMaster

Seems a bit questionable that even the thinline bodies weigh 5-6 pounds
(Approximately) What? They don't have a scale? It's the same old, same old.
Here's a picture of some body. We'll cut ya one, but it probably won't look like the *EXAMPLE* picture. Nor will it weigh what the ad says, but approximately is close enough.
Buy what you like and can afford, but other companies have paint grade bodies in this price range or will work with you to get what you need. There are even cheaper bodies on the sleazebay from time to time if you're in no time frame for completion. Agile has a complete thinline for $179.00. You pays your money and takes your chances.
Good Luck!

Approx 5-6lbs?
My complete Frankencaster thinline in playing trim weighs 5.5lbs I guess the wood might make a difference but that seems a bit heavy for just the body.

valriver 1940 · January 17th, 2008, 07:08 PM

I Just Finisted A Strat Using Eden Body And Neck,
Turned Out Great!. I Am Now Starting A Tel Build.
The Unfinisted Solid Tel Body Weighs 4 1/2 Lb.
This From Eden 60+18.00 Dollars Shipping. Stan.

blueshawk1 · January 27th, 2008, 12:32 PM

I bought one of the delta lutheiry bodies, this one;

The mention earlier of not having the string thru holes is definitely something to consider, as I found out. My drill press isn't deep enough to use for that, so I used a hand drill, try getting them straight that way. Mine are a little off, but having drilled small holes, and being very close, as I make them larger to accept the ferules, if I'm slow and careful about it, I might be able to get it to look half way decent.......or I might fill them in and not have a string thru body.

Other than that, it's a nice body. It's going to look sweet with a true-oil finish, and I test fitted parts, no problem there.

But with that said, I didn't find out about the Eden bodies until after I bought this one. I wish I had known about them before, they're cheaper, have the holes drilled and even have binding on the top.
I'm planning on getting a neck and body from them for another build after I finish this one I've got to work on.

boris bubbanov · January 27th, 2008, 04:46 PM

I'm squeamish about buying a body, however cheap, if I can't know for sure if the specifications are right. When you can pay as little as $ 85 for a body from Tommy at USACG and be quite certain all the dimensions that matter have been nailed? No, these were not all $ 85, I think $ 165 was tops.

I think money is best saved doing ones own finishing, and getting the best prices on the items that will perform best.

Bubbanov

January 17th, 2008, 10:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
wrw_tele TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Kansas City Age: 47 Posts: 16	Inexpensive Tele body - thoughts? Anybody have any experience with these bodies? Nothing turned up in my search for Delta Luthiers on any forum. http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZdelta.luthiery I may start a partscaster Thinline project and these showed up on ebay. Thanks! Bill

January 17th, 2008, 11:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
BroadMaster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: PARIS. REPUBLIC of TEXAS Age: 55 Posts: 1,519 4 Photos	Seems a bit questionable that even the thinline bodies weigh 5-6 pounds (Approximately) What? They don't have a scale? It's the same old, same old. Here's a picture of some body. We'll cut ya one, but it probably won't look like the EXAMPLE picture. Nor will it weigh what the ad says, but approximately is close enough. Buy what you like and can afford, but other companies have paint grade bodies in this price range or will work with you to get what you need. There are even cheaper bodies on the sleazebay from time to time if you're in no time frame for completion. Agile has a complete thinline for $179.00. You pays your money and takes your chances. Good Luck! __________________ {disclaimer} It's like EVERYTHING* else on this entire forum, it boils down to what *YOU* choose, to suit you. If the human mind was a simple thing to understand, we would be too simple to understand it. Last edited by BroadMaster; January 17th, 2008 at 11:04 AM. Reason: clarity

January 17th, 2008, 11:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 11,918 101 Photos	Eden Telecaster bodies are available on eBay for a lot less. I have no experience with them but others here in the forum have. http://search.ebay.com/search/search...ody&category0= __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras. Last edited by jwells393; January 17th, 2008 at 01:19 PM.

January 17th, 2008, 05:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ronkirn Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Age: 62 Posts: 2,570	I’m not familiar with Delta Luthiery either. But I do see a few issues that makes me wonder. For instance, the 90 degree corners on the neck pocket heel. I don’t know any one that actually knows anything about the tele body that would produce one like that. It suggests that the maker never really looked at a real Tele. Also there are no string holes or ferrule routs. Getting those correct can be a bit tedious if you aren’t familiar with how to lay out the components and drill the holes correctly. Besides, if you can do that, you can make the whole body, then make another, and another… You don’t really think there is any way you can build ONE, and not do bunches more. Ever try to eat one Potato Chip? Before buying raw parts from an unknown on eBay, check with some of his feed back a month or so back. Some will buy stuff, it looks great out of the box, so they post good feedback, then several weeks later when it’s time to mount the parts, they see the error of their ways, and have no leverage against the seller for selling a body that will not accept standard parts. The Tele body is quite deceptive, it looks like it’s very easy to mount the parts, but in reality there are very close tolerances that must be held to. The neck heel against the Pickguard sets the location of the pickguard with only about 1/32 inch of wiggle room. The cutout in the Pickguard for the control plate fixes the location of the control plate with almost No wiggle room. Then the cutout for the forward edge of the bridge dictates that the bridge should be symmetrically set within that cutout, so ya gotta watch what you’re dooin’ USACG often runs specials on Tele Bodies for a 100 bux…. And if you order one custom made directly it’s only 150.00. The extra money is well worth the assurance of knowing that when you get ‘er painted, there will be NO issues as you assemble the guitar. Tell Tommy I said Hi.. Ron Kirn __________________ Lord, give me a sense of humor. Give me the grace to see a joke, To get some humor out of life, and pass it on to other folks. The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing......

January 17th, 2008, 01:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
Shoved BassVIII Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Idaho Age: 26 Posts: 305	Eden bodies I think we could all use some insight on. USACG has some nice web specials going on

January 17th, 2008, 02:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pesty Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Manitoba Canada Posts: 305	My Tele, has an eden body and neck. I can't vouch for how well the neck pocket will line up with a fender spec neck, but with my body and neck there was barely 1/16" gap on one side once the neck was aligned. The finish on the body was very smooth and flat, I was unable to find any blemishes, runs, dents, scratches, etc. in it. (That is until I started working on it, and those were all my fault. The only issues I had, were with the string through holes, and the neck bolt holes. The string through holes are set up for a standard Tele bridge. I wanted to use a humbucker bridge that had individual strat style saddles, but that would have given me a 26" scale length. If you're planning on using a standard tele bridge, you won't have a problem. The second issue, was the neck bolt holes are too close to the edges for a Fender spec neck plate. I ended up using 15mm neck bushings, and it holds the neck fine. If you're willing to fill the holes with dowels, it would be easy to convert it, and the neckplate would cover all evidence of the modification. I'm very pleased with the body, definately worth it for the price.

January 17th, 2008, 02:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
Pesty Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Manitoba Canada Posts: 305	Yeah, I went cheapy on E-bay. But it all worked out, I ended up putting a Tune-o-matic roller bridge and a Bigsby B50 on it instead. I had to shim the neck a bit, but I love having the bigsby. My brother is a machinist, and he's making me a cover plate to go over the string through holes. I'll screw it into the two end ones, and hopefully he'll even CNC engrave it for me.

January 17th, 2008, 07:08 PM	#11 (permalink)
valriver 1940 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: winnipeg mb. canada Age: 68 Posts: 38	I Just Finisted A Strat Using Eden Body And Neck, Turned Out Great!. I Am Now Starting A Tel Build. The Unfinisted Solid Tel Body Weighs 4 1/2 Lb. This From Eden 60+18.00 Dollars Shipping. Stan.

January 27th, 2008, 12:32 PM	#12 (permalink)
blueshawk1 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Upstate NY Age: 50 Posts: 242 6 Photos	I bought one of the delta lutheiry bodies, this one; The mention earlier of not having the string thru holes is definitely something to consider, as I found out. My drill press isn't deep enough to use for that, so I used a hand drill, try getting them straight that way. Mine are a little off, but having drilled small holes, and being very close, as I make them larger to accept the ferules, if I'm slow and careful about it, I might be able to get it to look half way decent.......or I might fill them in and not have a string thru body. Other than that, it's a nice body. It's going to look sweet with a true-oil finish, and I test fitted parts, no problem there. But with that said, I didn't find out about the Eden bodies until after I bought this one. I wish I had known about them before, they're cheaper, have the holes drilled and even have binding on the top. I'm planning on getting a neck and body from them for another build after I finish this one I've got to work on.

January 27th, 2008, 04:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 7,664	I'm squeamish about buying a body, however cheap, if I can't know for sure if the specifications are right. When you can pay as little as $ 85 for a body from Tommy at USACG and be quite certain all the dimensions that matter have been nailed? No, these were not all $ 85, I think $ 165 was tops. I think money is best saved doing ones own finishing, and getting the best prices on the items that will perform best. Bubbanov