Greetings & a question re: plans/templates

CCreyeder · February 8th, 2008, 12:39 PM

Greetings all! Sorry for the long post, but I am so excited lol

Stumbled across this board about a week ago looking for info on pickups and have to say this is one amazing site! Wow, a way to combine two of my favorite hobbies, music and making sawdust

I've been mesmorized by reading all the great build threads and wanted to say I am sincerely thankful for those of you who take the time and effort to share your knowledge via all the pictures and descriptions.

My original plan was to find a pawn shop/ flea market beater and just mess around with it and see what I could come up with, while learning in the process. Now, I am very excited about ditching that idea and "rolling my own" Especially after reading (and reading... and reading... Buck's Emeraldcaster" build lol). I am thinking something purple-ly and sparkley :)

I guess I am an "advanced-beginner" when it comes to woodworking. I enjoy it very much and was getting a good feel for it, until my neighbor had the audacity to move away and take his wonderful workshop with him.

My question is... after I get one or two "assemblies" under my belt, I would really love to attempt to cut out my own body (that sounds weird lol) and so where/what is a good source for templates and plans. I can figure out most of it by just looking at what you all have done, but it would be nice to have more detailed explainations since I would be doing this all by myself without someone more experienced watching over my shoulder.

Also, do you all have any suggestions for schooling myself on the various nuances and differences of the tele (or electrics in general) out there. For example: one builder was talking about using a "3 barrel, top loading bridge... ' HUH? lol.. I am an acoustic player, I am used to a wooden bridge and a bone nut and that is it lol..

thanks, and once again, congrats on a great site!

hankseiz · February 8th, 2008, 12:52 PM

Welcome aboard CC.

Quote:

any suggestions for schooling myself on the various nuances and differences of the tele (or electrics in general)

I can tell you I learned a whole heckuva lot about tele's & electrics in general either right here, or 0le Fuzzy's site, for starters.

It's amazing how much I found here....the "search" function is your friend.... Kindly, Hank

voodoostation · February 8th, 2008, 05:53 PM

Ron Kirn, a member of this site sells templates at very reasonable prices. There is also a .pdf file floating around here in the TDPRI ether that could be made into a template as well, if you have the desire and the skill.

Oh, I forgot my manners. Welcome aboard!!

Ronkirn · February 8th, 2008, 06:40 PM

Welcome CC.... I'm sure you will find more than enough help around here... I hope I can give ya my share.

Ron Kirn

SEK_Hakuna · February 8th, 2008, 07:09 PM

I started by taking apart one of my MIM teles to get the body template started. A lot of careful measurements and a few test routes and I was ready to go. All did not go that well however. Template materials are important as well as the template thickness. The router tool itself can prove to be frustrating, (think cheapo Sears brand). Router bits are important considerations too. I purchase Freud bits because my local hardware store is really good about warranty. The guide bearings go bad relatively fast, ( lots of bodies being made), and they would always give me a new bit or a new bearing.

I won't give too much away here. Some of the fun in guitar building is the discovery of tools and techniques. I simply wanted to point out how important it is to start with quality tools and materials. Trying to improvise to save a few bucks ends up costing more in the long run. Take your time and think things through and always test new ideas on scrap pieces. Buy some cheapo PINE at the lumber yard and make a few bodies with that. When the process is refined then move on to the good stuff.

Trimmed&Burnin · February 8th, 2008, 07:27 PM

Welcome!!

jwells393 · February 8th, 2008, 08:02 PM

There's this guy who used to sell templates on ebay. He doesn't have any listed at the moment. I don't know if he still sells them. Here's an old listing. Scroll down the page to the red printing to get his contact information. You could e-mail him to see if they're still available. He also had regular Telecaster templates as well as the Thinline templates shown in this listing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=260188990950

fletch · February 8th, 2008, 08:21 PM

Send Ron Kirn a PM - I bought a strat and tele template from him - very pleased. Plus he's a good guy.

guitarbuilder · February 8th, 2008, 08:40 PM

Get a copy of Melvyn Hiscock's book, "Make your own electric guitar". It is the bible of the solid body guitar world.

woodman · February 8th, 2008, 09:05 PM

the good thing about Ron Kirn's templates is that you also get thorough instructional material that walks you through it -- value added! i'm just now embarking on a project based on his temps.

Buckocaster51 · February 8th, 2008, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fletch

... Plus he's a good guy.

Shhhhh!

He works really hard at cultivating his image!

All seriousness aside, Ron is the real deal. His little corner of the world should be one of the first places to stop on this journey.

Nick JD · February 8th, 2008, 09:14 PM

When you get your templates sorted out, grab a six-pack and get comfortable and let Buckocaster show you how it's done, starting with a piece of wood.

He's a brilliant and infinitely-patient teacher.

Ronkirn · February 8th, 2008, 09:48 PM

I took 'em off ebay for a while.. their rates are getting crazy, plus I was getting so many requests, I couldn't get any work done.

But if ya want 'em.....

Ron Kirn

dugalo · February 8th, 2008, 11:32 PM

+1 on RK. Very helpful! From one newby to another, welcome and enjoy this bottomless glass of knowledge.

Taipan · February 9th, 2008, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCreyeder

My question is... after I get one or two "assemblies" under my belt, I would really love to attempt to cut out my own body (that sounds weird lol) and so where/what is a good source for templates and plans.
Also, do you all have any suggestions for schooling myself on the various nuances and differences of the tele (or electrics in general) out there.

Welcome CCreyeder
+100 on Ron Kirn's Templates. Do not look any further as they are the best that are out there.

Just keep reading the build post on here and use the search feature to find answers to your questions. You will find many Master Builders very willing to not only share their knowledge but also very willing to answer PM's you send them.

aunchaki · February 9th, 2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taipan

Just keep reading the build post on here and use the search feature to find answers to your questions. You will find many Master Builders very willing to not only share their knowledge but also very willing to answer PM's you send them.

You've found a new home! This is the best online community I've ever been a part of. Good folks who you'll come to know and love. You start (like all of us) asking questions and eventually start answering them! It's great!

Take pics, ask questions, have fun, and Welcome Aboard!!

jwells393 · February 9th, 2008, 10:58 AM

The Hiscock book is good. Another great book is Build Your Own Electric Guitar by Martin Oakham. It's full of great color pictures.

CCreyeder · February 9th, 2008, 01:40 PM

Hi all!

Thanks for the warm welcomes and the advice. This is crazy, I have been dreaming about color schemes and different pickup configurations lol

Mr Kirn: Thanks for the offer, I will def be taking you up on that!

Nick JD: A 6 pack, AND a couple of sandwiches lol.. It took me days to get through the emerald-caster post lmao.. but I learned a lot :)

SEK: I thought of doing that very thing. While driving back and forth to work, I have been visualizing how lol. I was thinking.... let's see, trace the body, cut out the cavities.... missed my turn a couple of times lol..

Buck and jwell and all you others: Thanks so much for your willingness to do what you do. I know it adds alot of time to a build and I certainly appreciate it.

I will be posting pix (if successful lol) once I get started. Now the hard part is deciding where to start.... standard? Custom? Thinline? hmm.. one of each!!! :)

Thanks again all!

February 8th, 2008, 12:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
CCreyeder TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA Age: 45 Posts: 10	Greetings & a question re: plans/templates Greetings all! Sorry for the long post, but I am so excited lol Stumbled across this board about a week ago looking for info on pickups and have to say this is one amazing site! Wow, a way to combine two of my favorite hobbies, music and making sawdust I've been mesmorized by reading all the great build threads and wanted to say I am sincerely thankful for those of you who take the time and effort to share your knowledge via all the pictures and descriptions. My original plan was to find a pawn shop/ flea market beater and just mess around with it and see what I could come up with, while learning in the process. Now, I am very excited about ditching that idea and "rolling my own" Especially after reading (and reading... and reading... Buck's Emeraldcaster" build lol). I am thinking something purple-ly and sparkley :) I guess I am an "advanced-beginner" when it comes to woodworking. I enjoy it very much and was getting a good feel for it, until my neighbor had the audacity to move away and take his wonderful workshop with him. My question is... after I get one or two "assemblies" under my belt, I would really love to attempt to cut out my own body (that sounds weird lol) and so where/what is a good source for templates and plans. I can figure out most of it by just looking at what you all have done, but it would be nice to have more detailed explainations since I would be doing this all by myself without someone more experienced watching over my shoulder. Also, do you all have any suggestions for schooling myself on the various nuances and differences of the tele (or electrics in general) out there. For example: one builder was talking about using a "3 barrel, top loading bridge... ' HUH? lol.. I am an acoustic player, I am used to a wooden bridge and a bone nut and that is it lol.. thanks, and once again, congrats on a great site!

February 8th, 2008, 05:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
voodoostation Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2007 Location: Midlothian, Va Age: 35 Posts: 393 2 Photos	Ron Kirn, a member of this site sells templates at very reasonable prices. There is also a .pdf file floating around here in the TDPRI ether that could be made into a template as well, if you have the desire and the skill. Oh, I forgot my manners. Welcome aboard!! __________________ "The Blues is what you get for what you lost" Last edited by voodoostation; February 8th, 2008 at 05:55 PM. Reason: additional info

February 8th, 2008, 06:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ronkirn Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Age: 62 Posts: 2,880	Welcome CC.... I'm sure you will find more than enough help around here... I hope I can give ya my share. Ron Kirn __________________ Therefore I can say, absolutely definitively the following statement is true and empirical. Anything you choose to change about your guitar will absolutely change it, making it sound better and you play better, unless it doesn’t. RK

February 8th, 2008, 07:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
Trimmed&Burnin Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bellingham Wa Age: 54 Posts: 815	Welcome!! __________________ Keep your lamp Trimmed And Burnin Shannon,

February 8th, 2008, 08:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,506 101 Photos	There's this guy who used to sell templates on ebay. He doesn't have any listed at the moment. I don't know if he still sells them. Here's an old listing. Scroll down the page to the red printing to get his contact information. You could e-mail him to see if they're still available. He also had regular Telecaster templates as well as the Thinline templates shown in this listing. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=260188990950 __________________ 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.

February 8th, 2008, 07:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
SEK_Hakuna Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Kansas Age: 52 Posts: 182 15 Photos	I started by taking apart one of my MIM teles to get the body template started. A lot of careful measurements and a few test routes and I was ready to go. All did not go that well however. Template materials are important as well as the template thickness. The router tool itself can prove to be frustrating, (think cheapo Sears brand). Router bits are important considerations too. I purchase Freud bits because my local hardware store is really good about warranty. The guide bearings go bad relatively fast, ( lots of bodies being made), and they would always give me a new bit or a new bearing. I won't give too much away here. Some of the fun in guitar building is the discovery of tools and techniques. I simply wanted to point out how important it is to start with quality tools and materials. Trying to improvise to save a few bucks ends up costing more in the long run. Take your time and think things through and always test new ideas on scrap pieces. Buy some cheapo PINE at the lumber yard and make a few bodies with that. When the process is refined then move on to the good stuff.

February 8th, 2008, 08:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
fletch Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Corrimal, N.S.W , Australia Age: 41 Posts: 125	Send Ron Kirn a PM - I bought a strat and tele template from him - very pleased. Plus he's a good guy.

February 8th, 2008, 08:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
guitarbuilder Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hemlock, NY Age: 54 Posts: 376	Get a copy of Melvyn Hiscock's book, "Make your own electric guitar". It is the bible of the solid body guitar world.

February 8th, 2008, 09:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 63 Posts: 6,235	the good thing about Ron Kirn's templates is that you also get thorough instructional material that walks you through it -- value added! i'm just now embarking on a project based on his temps. __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)

February 8th, 2008, 09:14 PM	#12 (permalink)
Nick JD Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2007 Location: North NSW, Australia Age: 36 Posts: 2,900	When you get your templates sorted out, grab a six-pack and get comfortable and let Buckocaster show you how it's done, starting with a piece of wood. He's a brilliant and infinitely-patient teacher. __________________

February 8th, 2008, 09:48 PM	#13 (permalink)
Ronkirn Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Age: 62 Posts: 2,880	I took 'em off ebay for a while.. their rates are getting crazy, plus I was getting so many requests, I couldn't get any work done. But if ya want 'em..... Ron Kirn __________________ Therefore I can say, absolutely definitively the following statement is true and empirical. Anything you choose to change about your guitar will absolutely change it, making it sound better and you play better, unless it doesn’t. RK

February 8th, 2008, 11:32 PM	#14 (permalink)
dugalo TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 23	+1 on RK. Very helpful! From one newby to another, welcome and enjoy this bottomless glass of knowledge.

February 9th, 2008, 10:58 AM	#17 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,506 101 Photos	The Hiscock book is good. Another great book is Build Your Own Electric Guitar by Martin Oakham. It's full of great color pictures. __________________ 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.

February 9th, 2008, 01:40 PM	#18 (permalink)
CCreyeder TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA Age: 45 Posts: 10	Thanks Everyone! Hi all! Thanks for the warm welcomes and the advice. This is crazy, I have been dreaming about color schemes and different pickup configurations lol Mr Kirn: Thanks for the offer, I will def be taking you up on that! Nick JD: A 6 pack, AND a couple of sandwiches lol.. It took me days to get through the emerald-caster post lmao.. but I learned a lot :) SEK: I thought of doing that very thing. While driving back and forth to work, I have been visualizing how lol. I was thinking.... let's see, trace the body, cut out the cavities.... missed my turn a couple of times lol.. Buck and jwell and all you others: Thanks so much for your willingness to do what you do. I know it adds alot of time to a build and I certainly appreciate it. I will be posting pix (if successful lol) once I get started. Now the hard part is deciding where to start.... standard? Custom? Thinline? hmm.. one of each!!! :) Thanks again all!