Kinda New

[PCR985]

Hi All,

I'm not exactly new new, but just kinda new. Joined up in Aug; and here's my story.

My first guitar was a 78 Stat that I bought new. I played for a few years and then eventually stepped away from playing. Fast forward +20 yrs... my son started playing about 3 years ago. It looked like fun, so I tracked down my old Strat from a buddy I lent it to (for +10 yrs) and started taking lessons again. I have since 'acquired' 3 more Strats.

To be honest, I had never even considered owning a Tele until last June.... when I happened to find this site. After about 2 months of lurking, my interest in Tele's began to perk...you know, that gassy feeling in your stomach. I started to hear that distinctive twang, everywhere; I even started to dream of owning a Tele. Eventually I started playing every Tele I came across. Finally, after playing a '62 AVRI, I decided I 'needed' a double bound tele w/ a rosewood neck. But rather than just plop down the $$ for a new one, this site has inspired me to 'assemble' my own (yes, I've been indoctrinated to the 'assemble vs build' distinction). I figured I would enjoy the guitar a lot more if I put some time and effort into this guitar, instead of just pulling out the credit card.

I decided I would take my time, and only acquire the specific parts that I wanted. I decided rather than rush and buy all the components at once and slam one together in a evening on my kitchen table, that this process would be a 6-9 month journey.

Officially, today I still don't own a Tele (only lots of Tele parts). So far my progress has been:

- Acquired a '62 AVRI Tele neck from a player in TN
- Acquired a light Musikraft swamp ash body
- Sent body to Guitar Mills to be double bound and sprayed in a Honeyburst (still waiting to be completed)
- Acquired parchment pick guard, tuners, neck plate, and strap buttons
- Ordered Don Mare Hayride Set
- And just today, I sent my neck off to get inserts installed

If everything goes according to my loose plan, I should be done with everything around March '09.

So far, the journey has been a lot of fun. I have learned a lot from this forum, and I would have never taken on this project without TDPRI.

Thx to everyone. I'll keep posting updates of my progress (just don't hold your breath).

Pete

[giginthesky]

what are inserts and how are they installed? welcome pcr985! sonds like it's gonna be a mighty fine tele when you're done!

[ROADMAN]

great lesson in patience PCR985 and a very nice choice for a first tele
WELCOME Aboard...here's my 62 RI

[Westerly Sunn]

Hey, Pete... That (forgive me) sounds like it's gonna be a honey of a Tele!
Only thing I would question is having the body finished in one place and simultaneously having inserts put in the neck somewhere else. I would prefer having the drilled body to accurately place the inserts for the neck. Course, if they're both really tight to standard spec's...
To the poster who asked, the inserts are basically small metal cylinders that are course threaded on the outside to be threaded into the heel of the neck (in this application) and machine threaded on the inside. This allows the neck to be attached using machine screws instead of wood screws. This allows one to remove and replace the neck repeatedly without fear of stripping the screw holes in the neck. There are many different variations of inserts available.
Here are some to illustrate the part a little more clearly.
http://www.drillspot.com/contractors...or+Use+on+Wood

[fenderix]

Welcome to the TDPRI, PCR985! This is the best place on the internet - you'll like it here.

Sounds like your Partscaster will be one heck of a guitar. Already looking forward to the pics.

Enjoy!

[PCR985]

Thx all.

Roadman, it was pics like that, that sent me down this slippery slope. :)

Westerly, I had thought about that. My neck had came off of a '62 AVRI, so it was already drilled. When I bought my body, it was not not drilled for the neck. Before I sent off the body, I set up neck to the body, and drilled the body for alignment with wood screws. I figured I could always shave or shim the finish after it came back.

I didn't initially plan on inserts from the beginning, but I had always wanted to try them. I just figured, oh well, this partelcaster would be the one to experment on. If I mess it up, I'll chaulk it up to a learning experience.

[e-merlin]

Welcome!

[aunchaki]

I admire your patience and slow-and-steady approach to building. It sound like this Tele's going to be a beaut!

Post pics of the body when it's done. I love bound Teles!

[Westerly Sunn]

Originally Posted by PCR985

Thx all.

Roadman, it was pics like that, that sent me down this slippery slope. :)

Westerly, I had thought about that. My neck had came off of a '62 AVRI, so it was already drilled. When I bought my body, it was not not drilled for the neck. Before I sent off the body, I set up neck to the body, and drilled the body for alignment with wood screws. I figured I could always shave or shim the finish after it came back.

I didn't initially plan on inserts from the beginning, but I had always wanted to try them. I just figured, oh well, this partelcaster would be the one to experment on. If I mess it up, I'll chaulk it up to a learning experience.

Sounds like you should be good to go. If anything at all, you might need to drill out the body holes with a slightly larger bit to get a little breathing room.
Sounds like you got a great axe on the run! I've got a bunch of inserts but I haven't tried installing any.