NGD. My Pine Guitar Build...with Pics!

[Danb541]

I already had a bunch of tele parts and really only needed a body so I picked up a pine tele body from Tonebomb. Excellent value. I think it was about $100 delivered.
Sanded it a little, didn't need much. Then rattle can shellac around 6 coats, light sanding in between every few coats.
Then two tone rattle can burst. Hawaiian pin up waterslide.
I already has a mighty might 22 fret neck with laurel board. I had previously finished it. Had it on a different guitar for a short time so doweled the holes to start over. It has gotoh tuners.
I had some Kent Armstrong tele pickups in the drawer. I did the 4 way switch wiring. I am not happy with the pickups at all. Very Ice Picky... I'll mess with heights a bit but will probably gut it and do standard 3-way with different pups.

 

[Danb541]

more...

 

[Danb541]

finally...I am not a luthier, just a self taught guy who really enjoys this. I'm sure it reflects in the finished product, go easy on me, lol.

 

[Raising Arizona]

I think it’s cool!! I have 4 tone bombs.. best bang for the buck period! The neck pockets with their necks are spot on, super tight fit. I’ve nitrocellulose rattle canned 10 guitars now and each one I get better….

Your paint job looks great! If you want more gloss, buy some clear (same chemicals) and shoot a can on there and then wet sand and buff it out… If that’s your thing…

 

[Raising Arizona]

Pic

 

[El Tele Lobo]

finally...I am not a luthier, just a self taught guy who really enjoys this. I'm sure it reflects in the finished product, go easy on me, lol.

View attachment 1100024 View attachment 1100025 View attachment 1100026 View attachment 1100027 View attachment 1100028

Very nice. I would be very proud of that as a novice. The girl is cute too! Enjoy!

P.S. I wouldn't be too quick to ditch the 4-way. It sounds great with the right pickups. What kind of sound are you going for and what music do you play? You might try a higher wind like Cavalier Nashville or Fat Lion and Fat Lion King neck...or a Nocaster A3 type thing. That series position sounds great with higher wind pickups...can sound like a P90 or humbucker...very handy.

 

[Danb541]

I think it’s cool!! I have 4 tone bombs.. best bang for the buck period! The neck pockets with their necks are spot on, super tight fit. I’ve nitrocellulose rattle canned 10 guitars now and each one I get better….

Your paint job looks great! If you want more gloss, buy some clear (same chemicals) and shoot a can on there and then wet sand and buff it out… If that’s your thing…

I did hit it with semi gloss actually. Didn't buff or anything. I'm wanting it to sort relic quick.

 

[Danb541]

Pic

Dayum! Nice paint job!

 

[Raising Arizona]

I see that you did, but if you want that car like sheen…. You have to add a ton of clear or you’ll sand through it. If it’s your deal… I always buff mine out ultra glossy and let the natural settling happen… nitrocellulose does dull out a lot over time
A Few more I’ve done.

 

[P Thought]

Sweet-looking tele. Wear it out!

 

[Fendereedo]

Beautiful, hngd build.

 

[Sax-son]

It looks pretty cool to me. If you are comfortable with how it performs then that's all that matters. Good job!

 

[Raising Arizona]

I didn’t mean to sandbag your thread… sorry

 

[Diminished7]

Two tone looks great with the natural pine knots. Congrats on the build.

 

[bassballz]

Great job Dan. I'll learn from your experience here too.

 

[trandy9850]

Totally badass guitar…and I love the bomber nose art decal.

 

[Lies&Distortion]

Cool. Very nice. I wouldn't spend any more time on the finish. Or a lot on replacement pickups.

 

[sloppychops]

When I saw the raw body with all those knots I was really "meh" on the whole thing. But, holy crap, it turned out great! the fade on the body and the satin finish look fantastic. And the decal! It looks like it's been on there since 1957. Nice job!

Only thing I'd suggest is darkening the fretboard with stain or leather dye.

 

[davo8411]

I love it. I have to resist building one now!

 

[badscrew_projects]

That's a big knot there on the back! I would have fears of it falling out