8 Ball Tele

[mayfly]

So the question is the tool worth the money?

I installed the same tuners on my first build and just did the layout by hand. Wondering if I spring for the tool.

I personally think it's worth the $30 or so - just so I didn't have to futz with it to get things just right.  Time is at a premium for me these days, so I like time saving things.

 

[mayfly]

ok, kids are asleep, so I got it stringed up, and did a basic setup.  Still need to dial in the nut, but so far so good:

No string trees for this guitar, because the tuners have staggered posts.  This is cool, but I find that I miss the string tree for behind the nut bends - the different heights of the strings guided my finger to the correct string to bend.  No matter - just something to get used to.

I fired it up, and immediately noticed two things:

1 - I wired the pickup selector backwards  :doh:

2 - this guitar is a mooder-forkker!

It's got a really dark and thick sound, but not muddy like some humbucker guitars can me.  It really fattens up solos, but still has enough top end.  I used A lollar p90 in the neck, and a lollar Charlie Christian at the bridge, and they are fairly well matched (although I needed to lower the bridge pickup a bit to get them in balance).  It's really addictive!  Sadly, there is no tele spank anywhere.  But that's cool - I wanted something different and this sure delivers.  It sounds like 500 lbs.

And the Earvanna nut?  You can tell.  Those Bm shapes are suddenly in tune.  I'm not going to go out and switch my other guitars, but I do like it on this one.

Here's a pic of the whole thing:

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Sweet!!!  :headbang1:

I say put the string tree on it.

 

[blue313]

Now that's some fast progress!

Looks pretty nice and certainly seems to match up to your original concept.  No Bigsby?

 

[mayfly]

Now that's some fast progress!

Looks pretty nice and certainly seems to match up to your original concept.  No Bigsby?

Nah - decided against it.

 

[DangerousR6]

"8 ball" in the corner pocket...... :icon_thumright:

How sweet would it be to have some of the other ball numbers inlayed in the fretboard, maybe like the 1,3,5,7 and 9 with the corresponding balls.... :headbang1:

 

[DangerousR6]

Like so.... :icon_biggrin:

Anyone for a game of 9 ball.... :laughing7:

 

[NLD09]

i'm always up for a game of 9-ball.

 

[Nando Vallart]

Lovely! How are you liking the P90?

 

[CrackedPepper]

Just out of curiosity, what do you think of the Sperzels?  Do you find them heavy?

 

[DslDwg]

I have those same sperzels on a Tele. getting ready to put them on two more. They are actually very light.

 

[mayfly]

Liking the P90.  It's not as heavy as I was expecting - it's well balanced and very musical.  The bridge pickup is a monster.

Yea, the Sperzel tuners are very very light.  This guitar is not remotely neck heavy.  Oddly, I find I miss that on a Tele.  No matter - still very playable and fun.  Gonna use it on the next gig in late January (at the Elmdale Tavern!  Yea Haw!)

Update:  got the nut dialed (it's a bit weird though - my usual feeler gauge method did not work so well), and the pickup selector fixed.  Now this thing rocks!

 

[Unwound G]

Sweet Tele, Mayfly.  I bet it still has that twang even with a P90- and a Charlie Christian.  It will be instant Bill Frisell if you listen to any of his playing.

 

[tfarny]

Very nice! Another Lollar P90 fan.

 

[Nando Vallart]

Cool! Any chance of you recording a clip after the holidays? On one of your AC30 (can't remember how you call it )

 

[DangerousR6]

One day Imma do a tele with 3 p90's and a Floyd...... :headbang1:

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

One day Imma do a tele with 3 p90's and a Floyd...... :headbang1:

Don't forget to get the middle one RWRP.

 

[DangerousR6]

One day Imma do a tele with 3 p90's and a Floyd...... :headbang1:

Don't forget to get the middle one RWRP.

:icon_scratch:

 

[Death by Uberschall]

One day Imma do a tele with 3 p90's and a Floyd...... :headbang1:

Don't forget to get the middle one RWRP.

:icon_scratch:

Reverse wound for humbucker tones when combined.  :icon_thumright:

 

[DangerousR6]

One day Imma do a tele with 3 p90's and a Floyd...... :headbang1:

Don't forget to get the middle one RWRP.

:icon_scratch:

Reverse wound for humbucker tones when combined.  :icon_thumright:

:glasses9: