Carved Top Telecaster Goodness

[deajo]

I just want to say (before I get to the deets/pics) that I remember sending a crisp $2.00 Canadian dollar bill (or was it $5...hmm) back in the 80's to a company called Warmoth that advertised in the back of GFTPF.  They did send me a catalogue (even though I sent them funny money, and the ad insisted on US funds).  I kept that catalogue and drooled over it for the next few years.  I lusted after my dream build for 20 years after getting that catalogue before I got around to building in my 30's.  This is my 4th or 5th build...not sure...great company, great staff to deal with and a great forum...thanks for what I am sure will be a lot of kind remarks and suggestions.  Cheers!

Body
Carved Top Tele
Flame Maple on Mahoghany
2 F Holes
Contoured Heel
720 Mod
Brown to Clear Burst

Neck
Pro Conversion 24 ¾” Scale
Mahoghany with Black Ebony Fingerboard
1 11/16” Nut
59 Roundback Profile
Stainless SS6150 Frets
Black TUSQ Nut
12” Radius
No inlays, Side dots only

Misc
LR Baggs Fixed Piezo Bridge
Bare Knuckle “Mule” with Nickel Cover
Schaller Locking Tuners
Ebony Pickup Rings/Knobs



FRONT 1 by orldea, on Flickr


TOP 10 by orldea, on Flickr


TOP 12 by orldea, on Flickr


TOP 25 by orldea, on Flickr


TOP 4 by orldea, on Flickr


TOP 1 by orldea, on Flickr

 

[deajo]

Just a few more pics...I would have taken some nice outdoor pics...but it's cold out there, and there's at least two feet of snow...


TOP 8 by orldea, on Flickr


TOP 6 by orldea, on Flickr


TOP 3 by orldea, on Flickr


FRONT 2 by orldea, on Flickr


BACK 1 by orldea, on Flickr

 

[deajo]

flame maple in the back route...this amused me


TOP 9 by orldea, on Flickr

 

[bagman67]

Congratulations!  She's a beauty!

 

[SustainerPlayer]

Even for a Warmoth this is pretty unique.  :icon_thumright:

 

[DslDwg]

That's pretty damn awesome - great looking guitar  arty07:

 

[hannaugh]

Good lord, that is beautiful! 

 

[stratamania]

That's a very nice body and neck.... Look forward to seeing it progress.

 

[Cagey]

Very sharp! I loves me a carved top Tele. This one's going to be exceptional.

 

[Nando Vallart]

flame maple in the back route...this amused me


TOP 9 by orldea, on Flickr

These guys are really good
And the guitar ir purrty!

 

[fretless]

That is stunning !

 

[bagman67]

flame maple in the back route...this amused me


TOP 9 by orldea, on Flickr

If anyone ever accuses you having a cheap veneer, just pop off the control cavity cover and show 'em this angle. 

 

[klangster]

I love every thing about that guitar so far!!!!

 

[drewfx]

Looks fantastic.

 

[rapfohl09]

That, is just soooo sexy.

Really looking forward to seeing this done up.

 

[deajo]

Well, the kids are down to bed (girl 3, boy 1) and I knew there would be some comments.  Thanks.

Even for a Warmoth this is pretty unique.  :icon_thumright:

The choices for wood and shape (telecaster "ish") are pretty tradishional.  The inspitation for this build came from a PRS hollow body (with piezo) that I tried in a guitar shop...mahoghany, maple cap, rosewood and ebony neck...conversion scale.  I just wanted a warmer sounding tele...a nice 12" radius (ala gibson) with a ebony board (i had a les paul with an ebony board as my only electric for 15 years...i miss that guitar). This is the first 59 neck profile that i have ever gotten.  I have had 4 or 5 necks, and all with standard thin.  I am going out on a limb here, and this is the first neck I have ordered with SS fret (again, just because I am listening to you guys).

[/quote]
If anyone ever accuses you having a cheap veneer, just pop off the control cavity cover and show 'em this angle. 
[/quote]

I am so glad that I sent the body and neck back to warmoth for finishing.  I was going to tru oil it myself (first timer here) and I just got afraid I would mess it up.  I just love the flame maple binding.  It is inspiring to look down and see all those flames "peeking" out from the edges.  It is a nice flame...the charactor of the lines around the edge add alot of personality.  The top has some mineral streaks.  It is not a "10" top per PRS standards, but I like it.  The inside of the cavity control actually gave me a bit of a chuckle.

Very sharp! I loves me a carved top Tele. This one's going to be exceptional.

Cagey, I had a hard time finding good pics of the actual contours of the carved top teles.  Your pics helped me the most in making up my mind.  I really wanted a PRS type of guitar with a bit more of a traditional shape and headstock (something about the PRS lower horn that always bothered me...and the headstock is fine, but borderline "pointy" imho).  The choices of electronics in this build are minimal.  There is one volume for the humbucker, and one for the piezo...no tone.  I haven't used my tone knob for 27 years...why would I start now...lol.  Why only one 'bucker?  I personally can't remember a time I have used the neck pickup.  I know it's simple.  I like simple.  Too many knobs and switches, and I get confused...lol.

The guitar is at the builder's now for assembly.  With two young ones, there isn't alot of time for me to putter around with it.  I remember reading an old article about Randy Rhoads saying that he didn't want to see the process of putting his signature guitar together for fear that it would ruin the magic for him (or something like that).  I like designing...i am not 'per say' handy, and my time is better off practising.  Lord knows I need to...lol

Thanks guys, I will post pics when she comes back.  Cheers!  John

 

[Mor Paul]

Those carved tops are really something, aren't they?

 

[elgravos]

Very nice build, really like the brown to clear burst.  Quite unique.

I have more classic though somewhat similar build - carved top tele / conversion neck / 12" straight radius / ebony with SS frets.  It makes for an extremely comfortable guitar to play.  I'm sure you'll love it.

 

[deajo]

finally some pics to share...

http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=23282.0

enjoy!