A Bender Telecaster for Bill

[mayfly]

Finally I turn my attention to the bender mechanism.  Back in the day, these HipShot benders required quite a bit of 'fettling' to make them work correctly.  This included machining and re-lubing the pivot point, modifying the stop bumpers, and some mods to the pull tower to prevent the mechanism from hanging up causing stiction during your graceful bend.  On examination on this new bender (from SportHiTech FYI) it appears that HipShot has addressed all of these older problems!  I didn't have to do anything except install a schaller locking strap button to the end.  Easy Peasy.

 

[mayfly]

Funny how photos will show you things your naked eye passes over. I noticed the other day a nut I had cut for the Tele I'm working on now had a slot out of place. I mean, obviously so. How I never saw that during all the work I did getting it to that point is beyond me.

I've since fixed up the rough edges.  Had to use my magnifying glass to do it!

 

[mayfly]

Getting ready to put on the bender and see if things really do line up (fingers crossed here).

I've got the string ferrules installed (used the soldering iron trick), put on the bridge, and installed the pull tower ferrule.  Although it has a snug fit, I installed this big ferrule using some good old titebond III around the perimeter.  I'll wait for that to dry then I'll put on the bender.  That might have to be a tomorrow job.

 

[rgand]

Good progress. It's nice to know they go in so trouble-free.

 

[Sovereign_13]

I'm slightly surprised that the bender mounting plate doesn't get recessed into the body.

Not that it needs to be, or that I would wish that routing job on anyone.  And I imagine it would mess with appropriate B-string action and all kinds of other things related to fitment and setup.  I'm just a little surprised it wasn't designed to fit in like a cover plate.

:dontknow:

 

[dmraco]

I'm slightly surprised that the bender mounting plate doesn't get recessed into the body.

I was thinking the same thing    Unless the action on  the bender would be too high.  I do now know the physics of that contraption.

 

[BigSteve22]

Wow Trevor, you've been a busy lad today! I'm really enjoying watching this come together.  :kewlpics:

 

[mayfly]

Thank you gentlemen for all your kind words!!

I'm slightly surprised that the bender mounting plate doesn't get recessed into the body.

wow - now that would be a very big job.  But - nothing on a Fender gets recessed into the body anyway

 

[stratamania]

That is a lot of progress since yesterday. Great job...  :icon_thumright:

 

[mayfly]

ok - kids are off at school.  Time to get the bender on and have the moment of truth:  Does everything line up?! 

Bill is still thinking of neck options, so I decided to pull the neck off my "Grandma Julie" tele to put on for now.

This neck is roasted maple with threaded inserts installed (natch).  This guitar lives on a stand in a sunny spot.  You can really see how the neck colour has changed with age!

ok truth time.  Does it line up?

Yes it does!  :headbang:

Looking a bit like a guitar now...

Been playing the guitar most of the morning tweaking the setup as I go.  It's got a nice lively ringing tone and the bender works flawlessly.  I'm pretty pleased!

 

[Cagey]

Looks good to me.

One thing I've been noticing, though, is it seems like that finish is awfully thick. Almost looks dipped. I even went back in the thread to see if it was a Warmoth body, because I know they don't normally go nuts like that. Does it seem like that to you, or is it just so glossy it's giving a false impression?

 

[rgand]

That neck with that body is a great combination. Perhaps he'll decide once he sees that on there.

 

[mayfly]

Looks good to me.

One thing I've been noticing, though, is it seems like that finish is awfully thick. Almost looks dipped. I even went back in the thread to see if it was a Warmoth body, because I know they don't normally go nuts like that. Does it seem like that to you, or is it just so glossy it's giving a false impression?

It does not seem that thick to me - it might be 15-20 thou or something.  It is very glossy though.  Needs some sweat on it...

 

[Cagey]

Mmm... sweat...​

 

[mayfly]

That neck with that body is a great combination. Perhaps he'll decide once he sees that on there.

Yep!  It looks even better with the pickguard laying on top!

 

[rgand]

That neck with that body is a great combination. Perhaps he'll decide once he sees that on there.

Yep!  It looks even better with the pickguard laying on top!

I'll bet! My first guitar was a blonde Tele with a black pickguard. It's a real classic look. This one will really pop when it's done.

 

[mayfly]

Thank you Gentlemen,

We're waiting for pickups to arrive (a set of Lollars), so time to work on the control plate.  We've got some bits including the plate, a set of knobs, a 5 way switch, and a set of CTS 250K pots from my stash. 

Unfortunately the 1/4" shaft on the pots do not play nicely with the knobs that Bill ordered (which have a 6mm hole).  My fault - I should have warned Bill of the difference.  But no matter:  my usual way of solving this problem is to drill out the knobs with a 1/4 bit on the drill press.  This worked just fine.

Once that's done, everything can be mounted and the preliminary wiring can be completed.  The Nashville tele is wired very much like a classic strat, which simplifies switch wiring:

 

[macegtr]

This is quite interesting project and flawless execution so far  :icon_thumright:

 

[mayfly]

Thank you Gentlepeople!

Pickups are in.  My favourite:  Lollars!

I like how the middle strat pickup blends in with the pickguard  :headbang:

Update:  In this shot you can also see where I've played that neck!

 

[rgand]

I really like that guitar. Butterscotch Blonde is one of my favorite colors, especially with the black pickguard.  Yes, that middle pickup blends very nicely with the p/g.