First Build, where to begin??

[wormofthesenses]

First post ever:

I've been thinking about a custom Tele build for some time now. I've heard good things about Warmouth so I came here.

The only issue I've really had is making sense of all the different options, specifically the different bridge sizes, the input jack sizes, etc. Honestly I never realized how many different directions you can go with a custom build. Is there really a particular advantage or is it just a matter or preference?

My question is for anyone that's built an axe with Warmoth parts, how you do guys generally go about making these decisions? Do you pick the hardware first and then get the dimensions to match? Or is there a general spec guideline that "most" parts will fit?

Honestly I would think it should be relatively straight-forward, I don't want a tremolo/Bigsby or anything, just a standard hard-tail and decent tuners (don't need them to lock). I have enough setup experience where I'm confident I can put it all together, wire the pups, etc without an issue. I just don't really know where to start with all the different specs you can choose.

Would also like to hear anyone's thoughts on a Mahogany/Flame Maple body and a RoseWood/Ebony neck. As you can probably tell I want the warmth and heaviness you get from Mahogany but I like the look of Flamed Maple.

Basically the idea is a dual-humbucker Tele with a darker tone than you will get with Alder body and Maple neck from Fender.

If there's an existing thread for this type of question please let me know and I'll post it there.

Thanks in advance.

 

[stratamania]

We need to break this down a little.

Dual humbucker tele...

Flat or carve top ?

What's your bridge preference ?

Do you want a more traditional tele look or something else ?

mahogany / maple, Gibsons been doing it for years and the rosewood/ebony combo for the neck seems as good as any and you would not have to finish it.

You could even make it look like a Tele Gib, with a tune o matic.

Your right there are a lot of choices so we need to narrow it down to specifics.

 

[wormofthesenses]

Thanks. I'll probably go with flat, just for price considerations. Do you have any experience with carved tops, is there a tonal advantage at all?

My bridge preference I actually like the idea of the "Tele Gib" with the tune-o-matic, just for simplicity's sake. I guess I prefer the Tuneomatic style because I don't really like the 12-screw, individual saddle bridges, it just requires too much adjustment for me. Plus it seems almost impossible to get all 6 strings perfectly level on those.

For the look, I'm kind of torn between a traditional burst-style (hence the flame maple) or a flashy, Gretsch-type sparkle look (I play in an country band). Obviously if I'm going the sparkle root then the flame maple top wouldn't be necessary.

Thanks

 

[stratamania]

I haven't owned a carve top since 1978 when I traded a Les Paul copy as a deposit on my first Strat. I've played LPs belonging to others and variants since that time. The nicest one for me was a Ruokangas Unicorn.

Anyway I think a carve top isn't going to make a massive difference to tone on a tele body all things being equal. Looks good having said that.

So let's say you get a Standard tele body with tune o matic and two humbucker rout, then the next question would be what type of controls, tele, Strat or LP. And rear or front rout.

Being torn on the look is the beginnings of GAS and multiple builds, because we all have more ideas than can be fitted onto one guitar.

Of course you could dispense with the maple top and go for a metallic sunburst, kind of a bling version of a 59

 

[wormofthesenses]

It would be Tele controls and a rear rout.

Haha yeah, I think everyone on here is in some stage of GAS.

 

[stratamania]

Ok looks like thats got you started...  ccasion14:

 

[rgand]

If you are already going with a TOM bridge, you may want to consider the LP control locations (V2, T2, upper toggle). It costs a little extra but gets them completely out of the way.

 

[musicispeace]

I think you could also go with the vintage narrow flat mount bridge that would be more traditional looking and supposedly work with the humbucker string spacing. (Warmoth has it in their hardware/bridges section) Also I believe Callaham makes a well machined version of that bridge and lists it under their Tele parts. Variations on the Tele platform are seemingly endless but there is a strong appeal for the basics, in my opinion. Flat body is absolutely classic. And I (even in my layman's knowledge) sincerely doubt carved top has any appreciable effect tonally. I am of the necks and pickups matter most camp. I keep toying with the idea of a white tele with the grain showing somewhat, maple neck, Kingwood or Macassar Ebony board, Klein pickups.......