Esquire Build

[Talheid]

After about 9 years of playing I decided it was time to get a Tele type guitar. Since it’s so difficult to get nitro finish, ash bodied telecasters with fat necks without paying custom shop prices, I went the partscaster route.
The pieces are as follows:
-MJT finished Ash body, 3T SB
-Fender MIM road worn 50’s neck
-Gotoh in-tune bridge
-Seymour Duncan Broadcaster pickup
-Esquire wiring with Eldred mod

 

[Esquire Jones]

Hey that’s sweet. Esquire Jones approves.

 

[985plowboy]

Yes.
On every level.

 

[Lef T]

Very nice.
All it needs now is a black pickguard.

 

[jlott]

That looks awesome.

 

[archetype]

Very nice.
All it needs now is a black pickguard.

I'm on the fence about that, since I'm assembling a sunburst Esquire, as well. By the time they were offering 'bursts the pickguards were white. I may have to get black and white.

 

[Lef T]

I may have to get black and white.

You mean like this?

 

[KelvinS1965]

Looks great, custom built to your own spec but not at CS prices.

I had a sunburst Classic 50s a few years ago. It came with a white (3 ply) pickguard and I changed it for a black Bakelite one, though of course mine had a neck pickup (I put a neck humbucker in it). It really does change the look, but it's a quick swap if you fancy a change back to the white, or some other colour for a change.

This was my 'custom' built Classic 50s. Sadly I ended up putting it back to standard and trading it in for a Gibson SG, which I love, but I did like the custom Tele:


I think it lends a certain 'don't mess with me' style, that would look even better on a stripped down Esquire.

EDIT: I guess you've probably seen the 70th anniversary model in Sunburst, but I found this picture on line to give you a better idea:

 

[archetype]

Looks great, custom built to your own spec but not at CS prices.

I had a sunburst Classic 50s a few years ago. It came with a white (3 ply) pickguard and I changed it for a black Bakelite one, though of course mine had a neck pickup (I put a neck humbucker in it). It really does change the look, but it's a quick swap if you fancy a change back to the white, or some other colour for a change.

This was my 'custom' built Classic 50s. Sadly I ended up putting it back to standard and trading it in for a Gibson SG, which I love, but I did like the custom Tele:
View attachment 944017

I think it lends a certain 'don't mess with me' style, that would look even better on a stripped down Esquire.

EDIT: I guess you've probably seen the 70th anniversary model in Sunburst, but I found this picture on line to give you a better idea:
View attachment 944026

I've never seen a Classic 50s in 'wideburst." Those are cool.

 

[JDRNoPro]

Really nice job - congrats & enjoy!

 

[KelvinS1965]

I've never seen a Classic 50s in 'wideburst." Those are cool.

I think it was from around 2008, didn't realise it was anything unusual, but I see what you mean now.

 

[Telekarster]

Great job! I did the same thing. I wanted a historic correct 51 Nocaster but didn't want to pay the $ for one already built, so built it myself I'm very proud of her and she's my #1 guitar today, 3 years running

 

[archetype]

I think it was from around 2008, didn't realise it was anything unusual, but I see what you mean now.

Some of the early, burst Teles in the 50s had a wide black band. Not common.

 

[Talheid]

Looks great, custom built to your own spec but not at CS prices.

I had a sunburst Classic 50s a few years ago. It came with a white (3 ply) pickguard and I changed it for a black Bakelite one, though of course mine had a neck pickup (I put a neck humbucker in it). It really does change the look, but it's a quick swap if you fancy a change back to the white, or some other colour for a change.

This was my 'custom' built Classic 50s. Sadly I ended up putting it back to standard and trading it in for a Gibson SG, which I love, but I did like the custom Tele:
View attachment 944017

I think it lends a certain 'don't mess with me' style, that would look even better on a stripped down Esquire.

EDIT: I guess you've probably seen the 70th anniversary model in Sunburst, but I found this picture on line to give you a better idea:
View attachment 944026

It is a great look, I was on the fence between the white and bakelite. My original intention was to make a clone of David Gilmour’s Esquire with the 3T burst and maple neck, but I ended up going with the classic look instead. Easy enough to swap out if my tastes change in the future

 

[Sax-son]

I have a similar setup, Eldred harness with a Cavalier Holy grail Nocaster pickup. I like it a lot. Not sunburst though!

 

[shallbe]

Nice job! I did the same thing, took my time and learned a lot. Built 2 fatnecked E's because I did not want to spend $3k plus for one. Now I have 2 guitars I would put up against anything, for less than $2K.

 

[Frisco 57]

Yes, nice work! I like the white single layer pick guard!

Finished my Esquire project a couple of months back. A very similar build scheme MIM Fiesta Red body, MIM '51 Fat U neck, Eldred harness with a 4-way switch and a Cavalier Holy grail Nocaster pickup.

Play it everyday, I can't put it down!

 

[Fenderdad1950]

Two thumbs up

 

[drmordo]

I love it! Nice work.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

OP, please don't put a black pg on that beautiful guitar.