Want to make a partscaster as a complete newbie. Where should I source my parts?

[GearGeek01]

I suppose my brain works differently... my first step (which I may be making soon) is to buy one of the Squier Affinity Telecasters ($249.99). The one that has caught my eyes most recently is a Lake Placid Blue, laurel FB model...

Squier Affinity Telecaster

You can't go wrong with a Telecaster! This beginner-friendly Squier sports a pair of single-coil pickups with 3-way switching and a string-thru-body bridge.

www.zzounds.com

Now I'll explain why this model, etc...

First, I already know the wiring of a Stratocaster inside and out. Pop the PG screws, flip it over, and everything is right there. As far as wiring harnesses and copper shielding jobs, I've done several Strats, all with great success.

I've never done a Tele. That is to suggest to you, unless you know a Tele wiring, etc hands down, I'd start with the Squier Affinity as one of the cheapest "training tools" out there, and is still in the Fender family of parts.

One thing in particular I like about the Affinity model(s) is that they all have 6 solid steel saddle bridges. Most everything "Tele" now-days has a 3 brass bridge or some kind of offshoot thereof. I much prefer having 6 individual saddles to intonate. Plus, companies make replacement solid steel saddles if the stock ones aren't good enough. I imagine there is a conversion set to go from 3 saddles to 6, but the Affinity having 6 already, I'm probably going to change other things first... like the pots, switch, cap, and internal wiring... just so I can say "I did it"... not really wanting to get all fancy and expensive, but gives me an excuse to finally order that 40 watt soldering gun I've needed.

Then... I'll have a body, neck, a complete guitar for $250... some of those Warmouth, etc necks alone go for upwards of $300... then another (what) for the body, like $600-700 (sorry I don't know their products, going that way puts everything way out of my price range). Then a body that is roted and drilled, and you gotta figure out if your scale length and then the bridge you get will be right, etc... yo me, that's too much stuff needed to be done that I'm not interested in ever doing...

If you just hate the neck, Fender makes many replacement necks for Strats and Teles. Many different radii and neck profiles, 1-5/8" nuts, as well as 1-11/16" nuts..., C, D, U, Soft-Vee... If you want to stay in the Fender ballpark.

Might be the stock tuners don't suit you... so either you swap the neck and tuners at the same time, or you learn what aftermarket tuners fit the Asian tuner holes on the Squier. Pretty sure they are NOT the same diameter holes through the headstock as the USA models are... or, if you keep the neck, do you drill out the tuner holes to fit something USA made? (actually... "Grover" tuners are used a lot on a 3-to-a-side guitar... maybe some of the best... and are made in China... that country across the sea that gave us Shoalin Kung Fu)...

I did a similar thing when I recently bought a Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazzmaster. It was on sale right then for $399.00. I hope the Affinity Tele would be better quality than this JM.
- fret ends like little razors
- finish crack in the neck pocket (not structural)
- by far the noisiest guitar I've ever owned
- rhythm circuit volume roller on upper bout never worked right out of the box from the factory to me (well... from the factory... to a cargo ship... to a warehouse... to another warehouse (still on a pallet)... grabbed off that pallet, not looked over at all, shipped straight from the pallet to my house, dropped off by FedEx with a short knock on my door.) -- It's in a case, partially disassembled, I yanked the PG off, stripped the electronics, then built a complete "Faraday Box" dry walling every wall, floor and the underside of the PG with copper shielding tape. Now waiting to buy a set of Fender Pure Vintage 65 Jazzmaster pups, and I'll just buy an easy to solder in already-made wiring harness and be done...

Well, don't think perfection is guaranteed at $400... or at the Tele's $250.

Curious if they do a sort of smaller version of a "bathtub route" under the Affinity PG. That way they can just throw up a similar piece of wood on the CNC machine and it cuts the same, and a different pup can be placed in the neck position (like a humbucker)...

I have a 1993 MIJ Strat, and the body was routed for 3 individual single coils...

Once shielded, looks like this now...

That was a huge learning experience and it turned out fantastic. One of my first Strat re-wire and shielding jobs... this guitar was my workhorse 6 nights a week... and it became a way more versatile tone monster after the surgery... In the electronics, I swapped out everything BUT the pickups. -- Just a month or so ago I bought some Fender Pure Vintage '59 Strat pups to solder in... sort of waiting for an order of a 40 watt soldering iron I desperately need... I have a 25 watt, but it takes way too long to heat stuff up

So my suggestion to you is to buy a Squier Affinity Tele as a foundation (they also have a couple colors that have maple FBs). If you stay in the "Fender Camp"... you can re-sell the parts you don't need later and recoup some of your money. Might be similar with the Warmouth, etc stuff... you can try to sell anything...

But I am more thinking when I get the Affinity Tele in a couple weeks, I'll do a trussrod and string/pickup height adjustment, set the intonation (all stuff I can do myself, or pay a decent tech to do)... the guitar has to feel right, but I am not a neck police kind of guy... if it has 6 strings I can play it, any neck profile, any radius... I'm not at all "anal" about those things... so unless the neck is super warped, I probably wouldn't replace it any time soon... possibility of sharp fret edges... seems to be the Fender thing to do to cut corners on cost or something...

For fun and giggles, strip out the Asian electronics and replace pots, wires, etc... copper tape shield it every hole and seal it back up... later look into what pups I might want to swap in... -- Only if the tuners just don't hold would I want to replace them. Not a priority for my fiddling around-ness.

My project would be to build a stock Tele. I wouldn't change much off the typical Tele equipment list. No fancy switching or pots this time. I think Fender sells the Baja Tele pup set, so that might be for me down the road. Something loud and compressible, for anything from chicken-picken to the solo from Stairway to Heaven... and some cool Ted Greene influenced jazz to boot...

Starting at $250... of which zZounds will do a 6 month payment plan... you make one payment (no credit check, and no social security number), they ship the guitar to you 2nd day free (sometimes next day free)... then while you touch and fondle the guitar, you agree to make 5 more payments on the same debit/credit card... (6 payments of $46.49). You pay your state's sales tax rate, and for an item this price, probably a $10-15 setup fee to zZounds. It's no interest, and free shipping. So for less than $50 bucks, I can get this guitar sent to my house... I've bought a lot of gear from their online store (and American Musical Supply, a similar company that does similar payment and shipment plans)

I am thinking I'll have one on April 3rd, since I get my social security on the 1st...

Weeeeeee

 

[jdl57]

Yeah I know it'll probably be expensive, so I'm probably gonna do a lot of saving and swapping and modding the same project as time progresses. I appreciate the realism. With the people suggesting getting an old squier and modding it, I would want to swap out all the hardware and electronics and refin the guitar which is why I figured I might as well just dive in, but I'm still trying to weigh my options. Again, thanks for the realism.

I am only experienced because I have built two guitars. I, too was a complete newbie not long ago. If you care, I posted about it, lots of pictures:

I accidentally built a really good guitar. (In praise of Paulownia)

I had no intention of doing this. I didn't need another guitar, but when my wife asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I suggested a StewMac 335 kit. I had never finished, or even built a kit guitar, so I went to Guitar Fetish and bought a cheap body to practice on. Just for grins I bought an...

www.tdpri.com

Replacing all the parts will indeed be more expensive than just installing them in the first place. After trying to fit the G.F. XGP neck to one of their cheap blowout bodies, I would advise you get the neck and the body from the same manufacturer. Fender neck pockets are supposed to be standard, tell that to Guitar Fetish. Mine came from Guitar Mill, highly recommended. My body was poulownia, double bound, finished, and lightly reliced. That added quite a bit to the price over unfinished. The neck is perhaps the best I have ever played. In my opinion, an electric guitar is the neck and the pickups. Everything else is of little importance, as long as it works. Oh, and I wouldn't want the Squire either.

 

[Big_Vig]

I have been built and sold dozens of partscasters since 1993. I would recommend that you buy a kit from BYO Guitar (https://byoguitar.com) and obtain a hands on education without risking a lot of money. You can order BYO kits with upgraded parts, but the basic kit offering can produce a quality, good playing guitar depending on your ability. Thereafter, you can pick parts from the best of many vendors to build high quality guitars, don't limit yourself to one supplier. You can online research any part you decide to purchase for a future build after having some build experience.

 

[telemnemonics]

I suppose my brain works differently... my first step (which I may be making soon) is to buy one of the Squier Affinity Telecasters ($249.99). The one that has caught my eyes most recently is a Lake Placid Blue, laurel FB model...

Squier Affinity Telecaster

You can't go wrong with a Telecaster! This beginner-friendly Squier sports a pair of single-coil pickups with 3-way switching and a string-thru-body bridge.

www.zzounds.com

Now I'll explain why this model, etc...

First, I already know the wiring of a Stratocaster inside and out. Pop the PG screws, flip it over, and everything is right there. As far as wiring harnesses and copper shielding jobs, I've done several Strats, all with great success.

I've never done a Tele. That is to suggest to you, unless you know a Tele wiring, etc hands down, I'd start with the Squier Affinity as one of the cheapest "training tools" out there, and is still in the Fender family of parts.

One thing in particular I like about the Affinity model(s) is that they all have 6 solid steel saddle bridges. Most everything "Tele" now-days has a 3 brass bridge or some kind of offshoot thereof. I much prefer having 6 individual saddles to intonate. Plus, companies make replacement solid steel saddles if the stock ones aren't good enough. I imagine there is a conversion set to go from 3 saddles to 6, but the Affinity having 6 already, I'm probably going to change other things first... like the pots, switch, cap, and internal wiring... just so I can say "I did it"... not really wanting to get all fancy and expensive, but gives me an excuse to finally order that 40 watt soldering gun I've needed.

Then... I'll have a body, neck, a complete guitar for $250... some of those Warmouth, etc necks alone go for upwards of $300... then another (what) for the body, like $600-700 (sorry I don't know their products, going that way puts everything way out of my price range). Then a body that is roted and drilled, and you gotta figure out if your scale length and then the bridge you get will be right, etc... yo me, that's too much stuff needed to be done that I'm not interested in ever doing...

If you just hate the neck, Fender makes many replacement necks for Strats and Teles. Many different radii and neck profiles, 1-5/8" nuts, as well as 1-11/16" nuts..., C, D, U, Soft-Vee... If you want to stay in the Fender ballpark.

Might be the stock tuners don't suit you... so either you swap the neck and tuners at the same time, or you learn what aftermarket tuners fit the Asian tuner holes on the Squier. Pretty sure they are NOT the same diameter holes through the headstock as the USA models are... or, if you keep the neck, do you drill out the tuner holes to fit something USA made? (actually... "Grover" tuners are used a lot on a 3-to-a-side guitar... maybe some of the best... and are made in China... that country across the sea that gave us Shoalin Kung Fu)...

I did a similar thing when I recently bought a Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazzmaster. It was on sale right then for $399.00. I hope the Affinity Tele would be better quality than this JM.
- fret ends like little razors
- finish crack in the neck pocket (not structural)
- by far the noisiest guitar I've ever owned
- rhythm circuit volume roller on upper bout never worked right out of the box from the factory to me (well... from the factory... to a cargo ship... to a warehouse... to another warehouse (still on a pallet)... grabbed off that pallet, not looked over at all, shipped straight from the pallet to my house, dropped off by FedEx with a short knock on my door.) -- It's in a case, partially disassembled, I yanked the PG off, stripped the electronics, then built a complete "Faraday Box" dry walling every wall, floor and the underside of the PG with copper shielding tape. Now waiting to buy a set of Fender Pure Vintage 65 Jazzmaster pups, and I'll just buy an easy to solder in already-made wiring harness and be done...

Well, don't think perfection is guaranteed at $400... or at the Tele's $250.

Curious if they do a sort of smaller version of a "bathtub route" under the Affinity PG. That way they can just throw up a similar piece of wood on the CNC machine and it cuts the same, and a different pup can be placed in the neck position (like a humbucker)...

I have a 1993 MIJ Strat, and the body was routed for 3 individual single coils...
View attachment 1101084

Once shielded, looks like this now...
View attachment 1101085

That was a huge learning experience and it turned out fantastic. One of my first Strat re-wire and shielding jobs... this guitar was my workhorse 6 nights a week... and it became a way more versatile tone monster after the surgery... In the electronics, I swapped out everything BUT the pickups. -- Just a month or so ago I bought some Fender Pure Vintage '59 Strat pups to solder in... sort of waiting for an order of a 40 watt soldering iron I desperately need... I have a 25 watt, but it takes way too long to heat stuff up

So my suggestion to you is to buy a Squier Affinity Tele as a foundation (they also have a couple colors that have maple FBs). If you stay in the "Fender Camp"... you can re-sell the parts you don't need later and recoup some of your money. Might be similar with the Warmouth, etc stuff... you can try to sell anything...

But I am more thinking when I get the Affinity Tele in a couple weeks, I'll do a trussrod and string/pickup height adjustment, set the intonation (all stuff I can do myself, or pay a decent tech to do)... the guitar has to feel right, but I am not a neck police kind of guy... if it has 6 strings I can play it, any neck profile, any radius... I'm not at all "anal" about those things... so unless the neck is super warped, I probably wouldn't replace it any time soon... possibility of sharp fret edges... seems to be the Fender thing to do to cut corners on cost or something...

For fun and giggles, strip out the Asian electronics and replace pots, wires, etc... copper tape shield it every hole and seal it back up... later look into what pups I might want to swap in... -- Only if the tuners just don't hold would I want to replace them. Not a priority for my fiddling around-ness.

My project would be to build a stock Tele. I wouldn't change much off the typical Tele equipment list. No fancy switching or pots this time. I think Fender sells the Baja Tele pup set, so that might be for me down the road. Something loud and compressible, for anything from chicken-picken to the solo from Stairway to Heaven... and some cool Ted Greene influenced jazz to boot...

Starting at $250... of which zZounds will do a 6 month payment plan... you make one payment (no credit check, and no social security number), they ship the guitar to you 2nd day free (sometimes next day free)... then while you touch and fondle the guitar, you agree to make 5 more payments on the same debit/credit card... (6 payments of $46.49). You pay your state's sales tax rate, and for an item this price, probably a $10-15 setup fee to zZounds. It's no interest, and free shipping. So for less than $50 bucks, I can get this guitar sent to my house... I've bought a lot of gear from their online store (and American Musical Supply, a similar company that does similar payment and shipment plans)

I am thinking I'll have one on April 3rd, since I get my social security on the 1st...

Weeeeeee

I get your (very lengthy) point but if one cannot wire up a Tele from online pics or Tele control plates, one might just want to take up knitting instead!

My first Tele assembly was circa 1990 and I had never owned or really even played a Tele.
Saw some unfinished swamp ash bodies at the NYC vintage guitar show, bought one and bought a few other parts, then put the thing together.
Got a '69 Tele bridge pickup but that thing squealed into a Marshall so I got some paraffin and beeswax and potted it.

Seriously though, I keep seeing hobby assemblers buy a "wiring harness" and it seems to me there is a myth being promoted that it is hard to wire a Fender guitar.

Simply not factual, and if it does not work, a new assembler can start a thread with pics taken on their phone and we can help figure it out.

 

[Dannebrog53]

As you can see there's a lot of different ways you can approach a partscaster. You can buy Fender bodies and necks or Warmoth or any of the others out there. You can even make a body from a slab etc. In my case I've built?assembled 2 Teles, one a Fender body the other a Warmoth because I wanted the sculpted body with the hip relief and upper arm contour. I used A Fender neck and a Warmoth both are soft V. One thing you want to check very carefully is the neck heel to body fit and make sure that the neck is centered. You don't want your high or low E strings on the outer edge of the neck.

 

[David Menke]

if you're truly broke, buy some wood, and read some build threads and make a body. You can do it for sure. once you are done with that, think about a neck. there are certainly build threads that have been executed in apartment buildings. A dorm thread would be great.

/have jigsaw will travel.

Only issue is with making your own body, I have been doing woodworking for years, and have accumulated, many tools, and those tools, could have purchased at least 4 Custom Fender Guitars. If you did it as a hobby and bought the tools, made the bodies and necks, that is an investment in Guitar Making, IMO not a Partsguitar guru.

 

[David Menke]

As you can see there's a lot of different ways you can approach a partscaster. You can buy Fender bodies and necks or Warmoth or any of the others out there. You can even make a body from a slab etc. In my case I've built?assembled 2 Teles, one a Fender body the other a Warmoth because I wanted the sculpted body with the hip relief and upper arm contour. I used A Fender neck and a Warmoth both are soft V. One thing you want to check very carefully is the neck heel to body fit and make sure that the neck is centered. You don't want your high or low E strings on the outer edge of the neck.

One of the great things about Warmoth, is that they are licensed by Fender and their Necks are interchangeable with Fender. I believe where I read, that Fender did purchased Neck from Warmoth years back.

 

[David Menke]

Stratosphere definitely. Warmoth will cost you a bunch more. I have had great luck with Stratosphere with the handful I have built.

I just checked out Stratosphere and they have excellent assortment of Fender bodies and other company bodies, but the price is high. You are getting a Fender Guitar.
Warmoth is Fender Licensed, and you can purchase a neck, maple, for $177 and body no frills body $195, maybe have Warmoth spray the Neck and then do the body yourself. That may be a good start for making a parts guitar, or for $849 purchase a Fender Player Series, they are made over the border, but using the CNC machines, Fender uses and all the tools that Fender has. Training is done by Fender Techs. This could be a good start for the do it yourselfer wanting to dip into the expensive hobby of parts guitars.

 

[David Menke]

I'll see if there are any places in which I can ask around. In regards to finding a complete guitar for less, I'm completely aware that this costs more than it'd probably be worth, but for some reason, I really just wanna put one together. Haven't had a project where I've been able to build something with practical value in a while.

Good Luck, see my Icon and the cream color guitar at right is the first one I build, pickups electronics, body and painting supplies, somewhere around 800 back 20 years ago. Last one I did was over 1500. Practical value, sometimes costs more to have that value added. Good luck. I would recommend Warmoth body and neck $372 for a standard alder body and maple neck, no frills, and standard weight for the body. As you find a lighter body the price goes up.
Stew Mac has a builders kit, $189, but the neck is not the correct shape, and you get what you pay for. Time and energy, you want to be proud of the end product, and maybe able to use it for the next 30 years.

 

[GearGeek01]

I get your (very lengthy) point but if one cannot wire up a Tele from online pics or Tele control plates, one might just want to take up knitting instead!

My first Tele assembly was circa 1990 and I had never owned or really even played a Tele.
Saw some unfinished swamp ash bodies at the NYC vintage guitar show, bought one and bought a few other parts, then put the thing together.
Got a '69 Tele bridge pickup but that thing squealed into a Marshall so I got some paraffin and beeswax and potted it.

Seriously though, I keep seeing hobby assemblers buy a "wiring harness" and it seems to me there is a myth being promoted that it is hard to wire a Fender guitar.

Simply not factual, and if it does not work, a new assembler can start a thread with pics taken on their phone and we can help figure it out.

Wiring the Tele is the least stated anything in my post. Total money output of $249.99 for an Affinity Tele, and you got a complete guitar to fiddle around with. Then as you figure out what you want to make better, you spend whatever money you want to sink into it...

JUST a Warmoth body (UNFINISHED AND NO HARDWARE) is between $190-$255

Vintage Tele® Bodies - Guitar Bodies

Default Description

warmoth.com

Then you gotta buy all the rest on top of that, neck, hardware, electronics, etc... On a quick glance, their bodies are up in the $465 range, too... You can buy 2 x Affnity Teles for that much... us (hobby assemblers) might use some of that cash for other stuff... I have a hankering for an 18" deluxe pizza ...

You forgot to mention YouTube in your condescending remarks... I wouldn't possibly use my phone to learn anything... as far as I'm concerned, phone are for texting, calling people, and telling the time... LOL... as I am old and was not born with a laptop attached to my umbilical cord...

Meanwhile, you ultra professional assemblers (OMG, what, Fender Custom Shop Quality??? -- NOT) can simply buy a kit to assemble from StewMac (who's prices across the board are more expensive than everybody else)... for between $189.99 - $302.28...

T-Style Electric Guitar Kit - StewMac

If you're new to guitar building this kit's a great way to start: this is the classic electric guitar design that's fun to build, and you'll learn a lot.

www.stewmac.com

Or... you can buy a complete, already assembled and finished Affinity Tele for $249.99...

You pretty much totally missed my point in an attempt to troll my post...

 

[fenderchamp]

Only issue is with making your own body, I have been doing woodworking for years, and have accumulated, many tools, and those tools, could have purchased at least 4 Custom Fender Guitars. If you did it as a hobby and bought the tools, made the bodies and necks, that is an investment in Guitar Making, IMO not a Partsguitar guru.

you don't need $16000 dollars worth of tools to make a tele body.

 

[David Menke]

you don't need $16000 dollars worth of tools to make a tele body.

No, Just a good router, sabre saw and if the wood is the right width, no need for a planer. Maybe a good or decent sander, (some skills with wood working) maybe a table to work on. Place to spray finish, do it in a large garage and put up plastic sheeting, make sure you have a good respirator to protect your lungs. It helps to have a sander for the sides to smooth them out, (not necessary, you can hand sand and take your time. Clean up rags, maybe a shop vac to get rid of dust. Oh the polishing after the finish, well that depends on the finish. good measuring tools to make sure pocket are tight and correct depth. You could use another guitar for templates for the pickup and control routes, but most likely can get those online. What else, a few odds and ends. Pro wood workers spend 16k on just a saw. CNC machines, $$.
What you get is an amateur guitar. Unless you want to make multiple guitars, testing the waters, and have no interest in going to a luthier school, Maybe buy a 200 dollar body,
$200 neck and do it the easier way, all the hard work done for you. Signed long time WOODWORKER! and most of all patience.

 

[Fenderbaum]

You should source you parts from anywhere really. Amplified Parts is good for a lot of the hardware and plastic.
The first Partcaster you make should be a basic standard guitar to get the hang of it.
A Telecaster is a good start because they are so simple built and designed.
The second partcaster you build and from there on out, should be something "out of the ordinary"
Pretty boring building basic guitars that is identical with off-the-rack guitars. Pickup ideas, tremolo systems neck/body combos and ultimately Finishes.
I watch the used marked like a hawk. But only for parts. Once i come across something, i get ideas. and the build is on.
The Tele in my Avatar for instance. I wanted a Tele, but had to be something unique.
A Partcaster is basically built for you and your hands. When you get a build right, You tend to bond with them more than factory guitars. I never bought a Fender off the racks. Always assemble them.

 

[brenn]

Hey all! as the title says, I've been interested in putting together a partscaster and was wondering the best place to go to get parts. I know many swear by Warmoth and others say that their experiences haven't been that great. I know the same is true for GFS. So I'd like to ask, as a broke college student, what's a good idea in regards to tackling my first partscaster? thanks.

Warmoth is expensive. You can buy a nice Fender for less than you can build one with Warmoth parts.

Try Stew-Mac. As a bonus, you can buy the whole guitar as a git, if you want, and you can choose with or without finish. Plus they have every tool you might need.

As a a starting point, here are electric guitar kits, with a complete Tele kit for less than $200. You can step it up to the Wlkinson kits and still spend less for a whole guitar than a body from Warmoth.

Electric Guitar Kits - StewMac

Shop Electric Guitar Kits at StewMac. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Order today with StewMAX FREE Shipping!

www.stewmac.com

To start with a finished body and put together:

Finished Guitar Bodies - StewMac

Shop Finished Guitar Bodies at StewMac. Highest quality tonewoods. Order today with StewMAX FREE Shipping!

www.stewmac.com

 

[brenn]

Stratosphere definitely. Warmoth will cost you a bunch more. I have had great luck with Stratosphere with the handful I have built.

Stratosphere has good deals on high end guitars. I saved about $600 on a brand new Eric Clapton Blackie from them, by buying it in two halves and putting the neck back on. BUT you can still get a Stew-Mac complete kit cheaper than a body from Stratosphere.

 

[peterg]

The trouble with kits is that most of the hardware is of the lowest quality possible. They might be great for saving money but having tuners that bind, a switch blade that feels like it’s going to snap in two, and crappy sounding pickups gets tired real fast. Then the upgrade spending starts and you’re kicking yourself for not forking out a few more bucks in the first place.

 

[jvin248]

..., as a broke college student, what's a good idea in regards to tackling my first partscaster? thanks.

Buy a cheap used guitar and replace parts as you go. Eventually you will have a 'new' guitar.Save the old parts and you can build a second guitar.

Learn to set up that cheap guitar so it plays well. Assembling a bunch of dream parts at high cost will turn into a nightmare otherwise.

Too many think they need all the exotic woods and name branded forum-sponsored hardware parts to get the best tones, and it's not that way.

When you buy a thousand dollars of custom parts, the finished guitar is only worth about five hundred as used parts. Don't plan on trying to 'get my money out'. A Fender used guitar sells for more than an equivalent used 'warmoth' guitar.

Again, especially for a broke college student, find a cheap beater guitar to start with. Remember that Eddie Van Halen made his Frankenstrat from 2nds body and neck, a broken Gibson pickup, minimal wiring, and rattle can painted it himself -- and made boat loads of cash, fame, and made history.

.

 

[David Menke]

Warmoth is expensive. You can buy a nice Fender for less than you can build one with Warmoth parts.

Try Stew-Mac. As a bonus, you can buy the whole guitar as a git, if you want, and you can choose with or without finish. Plus they have every tool you might need.

As a a starting point, here are electric guitar kits, with a complete Tele kit for less than $200. You can step it up to the Wlkinson kits and still spend less for a whole guitar than a body from Warmoth.

Electric Guitar Kits - StewMac

Shop Electric Guitar Kits at StewMac. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Order today with StewMAX FREE Shipping!

www.stewmac.com

To start with a finished body and put together:

Finished Guitar Bodies - StewMac

Shop Finished Guitar Bodies at StewMac. Highest quality tonewoods. Order today with StewMAX FREE Shipping!

www.stewmac.com

"StewMac guitar kits are actually made in China. Now, before you write off StewMac guitar kits as being of inferior quality, let me assure you that this is not the case. The reason StewMac guitar kits are made in China is because it's simply more cost-effective to do so."
An inexpensive first time tryout. Yes Warmoth is more expensive, but you pick your options, they will cut and install the nut. Finish or unfinished. The neck is where you want to make sure the finish is great. You can finish the body yourself even the neck is not science. Parts for a tele about $200, pickups, on the inexpensive, good pickup $100

Fender Deluxe Drive Telecaster Pickup Set $79
Neck & body Warmoth 400
Parts 200
Paint and clear about $80
Inexpensive sander $50 Orbital
Sandpaper: different grades 150 to 3000 about $12 at woodworking stores.
Total appx $749
Pro Setup about $80
Out of pocket 829 + tax
Maybe misc expenses but appx. and time!
Save $200 get a stewmac, and neck is different profile, not licensed by Fender like Warmoth. Customer Service, well Warmoth has a great service department, making the guitars in the Great Pacific Northwest in Washington. Very easy to work with. Oh by the way, very interchangeable with Fender products. And you can pick the fret type, neck radius and width, 22 frets (if you care) You can also have a middle pickup cut, maybe later make it a Nashville tele if you want. The pickguard covers it up.

​

PLAYER TELECASTER $849​

First Warmoth Build.​

 

[fenderchamp]

No, Just a good router, sabre saw and if the wood is the right width, no need for a planer. Maybe a good or decent sander, (some skills with wood working) maybe a table to work on. Place to spray finish, do it in a large garage and put up plastic sheeting, make sure you have a good respirator to protect your lungs. It helps to have a sander for the sides to smooth them out, (not necessary, you can hand sand and take your time. Clean up rags, maybe a shop vac to get rid of dust. Oh the polishing after the finish, well that depends on the finish. good measuring tools to make sure pocket are tight and correct depth. You could use another guitar for templates for the pickup and control routes, but most likely can get those online. What else, a few odds and ends. Pro wood workers spend 16k on just a saw. CNC machines, $$.
What you get is an amateur guitar. Unless you want to make multiple guitars, testing the waters, and have no interest in going to a luthier school, Maybe buy a 200 dollar body,
$200 neck and do it the easier way, all the hard work done for you. Signed long time WOODWORKER! and most of all patience.

I've done it a few different ways, at this point, I've found it rewarding in all cases, at least I like playing the guitars I've both built and assembled.

I think it's worth encouraging almost anybody to try to build an electric guitar body, and even a neck, using any means at their disposal, finishing it any way they feel like trying.

What makes a guitar "pro" imo is the result (and maybe even the player I'm not sure) not how the guitar was made.

You can get a great result using any great variety of methods depending on how patient and how skilled you are.

I like to encourage people, who are fortunate enough to have found this forum to look at all the different build threads, as I did. The vast variety of detailed guitar building threads, in my opinion are what make this website a good one anyway. Then members can decide what valid options are, for buildings guitars, for themselves, or they might even come up with new options.

There is no one way or one right way to make a guitar, or to play one either, for that matter.

If you want to build a tele with a coping saw and a chisel and some paste wax, if you can do it and you can play it, there is nothing invalid about it.

hobby guitar building and playing is thankfully, an unrestricted arena.

 

[alexlaguna29]

Check out Wilkinson tele bridges with brass compensated saddles here. They are cheap, but awesome!