Hefner Tele Bodies

[Crazy John]

Hey!

Has anyone ever had any experience with the Tele bodies available thru Hefner? They are advertising ash bodies for $119.00. Let me know. Thank you.

Popeye

 

[Mike Simpson]

I have never used one but if you search the forum you will find a couple of unhappy customers. I don't know if their issues were resolved.

 

[TheKingBee]

I have never used one but if you search the forum you will find a couple of unhappy customers. I don't know if their issues were resolved.

His Tele bodies don't line up right with pickguards. When I called him he was like "sure it does, you're just not doing it right". Another builder asked me if he was doing something wrong because the pickguard wouldn't fit right. I guess he wasn't doing it right either??? Oddly enough, the best body I've ever received was a Hefner Tele body. Get this: 1-piece swamp ash, 3 lbs 2 oz. I didn't get it for $119.00. The pickguard didn't line up right. I just put the pickguard on the router table and shaved a little off the horn.

Trying to remain positive.

USACG will sell you a completely perfect body for a few dollars more and I promise you will be more than satisfied. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. YOU WON'T FIND ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT USACG.

 

[boris bubbanov]

USACG will sell you a completely perfect body for a few dollars more and I promise you will be more than satisfied. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. YOU WON'T FIND ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT USACG.

I'm not sure there is such a thing as a "perfect" body but USACG comes so much closer, I can't tell ya.

What a reduction in one's blood pressure to know the standards are so very high. So nice not to be constantly remeasuring, rechecking things because you already know it is a close as anyone's ever gotten them. You can finish and assemble them with so much confidence. Knowing that you're covered and that the surprises are just not coming is really worth the extra bread - but strangely in many cases the USACG is very reasonable. There's a 2 pc light mahogany Tele body on the Specials page right now for $ 139 that will make someone a very happy camper, I am certain.

 

[SixShooter]

I used a Hefner body for my first Tele build. Unlike some others, I had no problems whatsoever with his service. It was prompt & timely. The body was a nice 3.5 lb swamp ash. I compared it to the Terry Downs drawings and it was quite a bit off. Standard Fender pickguards did not fit at all. I ended up making my own pick guard and that took lots and lots of time. The neck pocket (using a Fender neck was pretty good. It took only minor adjustments for a perfect fit. In the end it turned out to be a fantastic guitar that I love. But after that I decided that I would go for a higher quality (more accurate) body in the future even if it means paying $30-40 more. I love the USACG neck I got for my current Strat project. I will use USACG for any bodies I purchase in the future.

 

[mrmorrison]

Stay away from Hefner!!!

 

[Crazy John]

Thanks, guys. I really appreciate the info.

 

[Strat62]

I got a real nice ash body from him for my 73 Deluxe clone I built, but I learned a few things about the man while I was waiting. It may not be apparent when you first order, but the average wait time is 6 weeks. DO NOT call up the man and bug him or try to hurry him along, you will get a bad attitude and I understand in some instances sloppy workmanship as a result. I just kept my mouth shut and bided my time and got a beautiful piece every bit as good as a Warmoth for less than half the price.

 

[jmclaren]

I've purchased two necks from Bernie over the years. The first was built and delivered more quickly than the second, but both have worked great for me.

 

[boris bubbanov]

I got a real nice ash body from him for my 73 Deluxe clone I built, but I learned a few things about the man while I was waiting. It may not be apparent when you first order, but the average wait time is 6 weeks. DO NOT call up the man and bug him or try to hurry him along, you will get a bad attitude and I understand in some instances sloppy workmanship as a result. I just kept my mouth shut and bided my time

I think these words are priceless. I have heard essentially the same thing from a significant number of people for whom I have much respect.

And I guess I would just as soon have a Hefner body than a Warmoth. Although Warmoth is less prickly you can basically guarantee they will send you a "Warmoth" shaped body and not a Tele shaped body, no matter how nice you are. But as long as Tommy is so good, and Guitar Mill, Brian Poe, Rutters, Allparts and quite a few others, plus Musikraft are out there next in line, I can only suggest "don't hold your breath".

 

[TheKingBee]

I used a Hefner body for my first Tele build. Unlike some others, I had no problems whatsoever with his service. It was prompt & timely. The body was a nice 3.5 lb swamp ash. I compared it to the Terry Downs drawings and it was quite a bit off. Standard Fender pickguards did not fit at all. I ended up making my own pick guard and that took lots and lots of time. The neck pocket (using a Fender neck was pretty good. It took only minor adjustments for a perfect fit. In the end it turned out to be a fantastic guitar that I love. But after that I decided that I would go for a higher quality (more accurate) body in the future even if it means paying $30-40 more. I love the USACG neck I got for my current Strat project. I will use USACG for any bodies I purchase in the future.

So there's another person saying that the pickguard didn't fit. Funny because Bernie told me that I must have done something wrong - and yet I've met half a dozen people who say otherwise.

I just couldn't get over how rude the man is if you question anything he does. ON THE FLIP SIDE -

Tommy at USACG is fast, does the best work in the business, has fair prices, and stands behind his products. He's nice, he makes time for his customers, and he always answers the phone when you call his shop. That is what you call service.

 

[blacktri99]

Bought a Strat body from Bernie and I thought it was off but he was patient and very knowledgable in helping me resolve my bad measurment. His wait time was longer than I thought but I was totally satisfied.