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1959 ES-335TD proto build

Discussion in 'Tele Home Depot' started by preeb, May 3, 2011.

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  1. May 3, 2011 #1
    preeb

    preeb Poster Extraordinaire Vendor Member

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    After a long wait and a lot of work involved with getting the many unique specs of the early 335's it's about time to start the build thread.
    Let me begin by saying that this time I'm not doing this project alone.
    I've been very fortunate having Ken McKay, a master builder with a lot of experience in making hollow bodies, building the body to my required specs and we also had the one and only Bharat Khandekar on the loop which helped us achieve the goal.
    Ken already made my entire first proto body and the result is striking and super accurate down to the finest details.
    I have asked him to post the first section of this build showing how the body was made and I hope he will kindly agree to post it here.
    Soon after I'll continue with the rest of the build.
    Please note that this is the first proto and many things can go wrong or take a little time so please be patient... lots of specs, drawings, tooling and jigs are required to get it done correctly.

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    imploration likes this.
  2. May 3, 2011 #2
    '59_Standard

    '59_Standard Tele-Holic

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    Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Or something along those lines... :cool:
     
  3. May 3, 2011 #3
    Nick JD

    Nick JD Doctor of Teleocity Ad Free Member

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    Someone else is building the bodies?
     
  4. May 3, 2011 #4
    preeb

    preeb Poster Extraordinaire Vendor Member

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    LOL. I knew you'd say that (-;
     
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  5. May 3, 2011 #5
    preeb

    preeb Poster Extraordinaire Vendor Member

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    boredguy6060 likes this.
  6. May 3, 2011 #6
    telemcCaster

    telemcCaster Tele-Holic

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    It is my pleasure to be working with Gil on this ES 335 TD project. In case you don't know my name is Ken McKay and I go by Telemccaster here on TDPRI. I hope to make contributions to this thread that will be half as interesting as Gil's other build threads. I am anxiously waiting to see his work and the finished product. It might even be a surprise that Gil is not building the body himself but I assure you there is plenty of work to be done yet that requires a good deal of expertise, careful planning, tooling... yea, the rabbit hole goes pretty deep. And as Gil wrote, we worked together to get this vintage correct! So stay tuned for my method of building the body, I hope you find it interesting. I have the photo's on my hard drive and will be uploading them with explanations later today as time permits.
     
    boredguy6060 likes this.
  7. May 3, 2011 #7
    free2rock

    free2rock TDPRI Member

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    Here we go.... :)
     
    Last edited: May 3, 2011
  8. May 3, 2011 #8
    Fred_Garvin

    Fred_Garvin Tele-Holic

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    Bravo, Gil and Ken! I've been looking forward to this.
     
  9. May 3, 2011 #9
    kidmo

    kidmo Friend of Leo's

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    This will be the build of the year for me as I explore my various GAS options I am now at the point of being very much in love with 335's. Looking forward to this thread immensely!
     
  10. May 3, 2011 #10
    telemcCaster

    telemcCaster Tele-Holic

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    Replicating a stringed instrument requires a good original. I chose this 1959 beauty.
     

    Attached Files:

  11. May 3, 2011 #11
    telemcCaster

    telemcCaster Tele-Holic

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    And taking it apart screw for screw as careful as possible, it is ready for a plaster cast to be poured.
     

    Attached Files:

  12. May 3, 2011 #12
    telemcCaster

    telemcCaster Tele-Holic

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    Measurements are taken and tracings are rubbed for the ff holes and control points. The outline is carefully traced. A drawing is made of the body to use as a master template.
     

    Attached Files:

  13. May 3, 2011 #13
    telemcCaster

    telemcCaster Tele-Holic

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    Next installment...the master mold is made and materials are discussed.
     
  14. May 3, 2011 #14
    Bluessoldier

    Bluessoldier Tele-Meister

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    Man preeb, now a 335!?

    One day you'll get a Nobel prize for guitar building. ;)
     
    boredguy6060 likes this.
  15. May 3, 2011 #15
    MRJ.

    MRJ. Tele-Meister

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    Thanks for this thread Gil and Ken!
     
  16. May 3, 2011 #16
    PapaLion

    PapaLion Tele-Afflicted

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    Preeb, excellent choice. I will enjoy watching you complete it. Red with a Bigsby? would be nice.
     
  17. May 3, 2011 #17
    Bolide

    Bolide Friend of Leo's

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    New Preeb build thread, with special appearance by hollow body specialist Ken McKay?
    No doubt the best news of the week.
     
  18. May 3, 2011 #18
    SackvilleDan

    SackvilleDan Tele-Holic

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    This is going to be fantastic... I can't wait!
     
  19. May 3, 2011 #19
    Mike Simpson

    Mike Simpson Doctor of Teleocity

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    I am interested in watching this project. For many years I played a 1962 ES-335TD and I still have it. My 335 has a factory bigsby and there were no stop tail holes ever drilled. Also 1962 is the first year of block inlays.... ya I know everyone wants a dot neck but nobody would pass up what I paid for this 1962...
     
  20. May 3, 2011 #20
    deaconque

    deaconque Tele-Meister

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    I've been anxiously awaiting this build for a while. Can't wait to see the progress.:D:D:D
     
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