Pete's Ponce progress pics

Fat Pete

Fat Pete

Hero Member
Messages
1,656
Following on from here: www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=21865.0, I'll be posting some details of this build. No finishing or anything very difficult to do so this is probably more for my benefit than anybody else's.

Firstly, the in-house name for this project is 'The Ponce' - a word with various meanings. I'm using it in the sense of something 'excessively or unnecessarily flashy'. As far as I can tell this guitar has no intention of procuring people for prostitution. Nor does it have tendencies towards inappropriate behaviour of a deviant, sexual nature. I hope that's clear.

The guitar does have a proper name which will be revealed at the decal application stage...
 
So...

2 of my least favourite jobs done. First, string ferrules. Had some to hand - not Warmoth-supplied and not going in with just the soldering iron trick. These measured 8.2mm and the holes 7.5mm (pardon my metric). So some grinding/sawing/hammering etc was needed. Luckily there were no injuries and they're in and looking ok.

DSCF0039s.jpg


DSCF0040s.jpg


 
Next up, tuners. Just in case anybody reading this doesn't already know this stuff from wiser people than me, I'll detail my method...

(Bushings already fitted )

Line the tuners up nice and straight and mark where the screw holes need to go with a metallic marker pen.

Carefully drill the holes - not too big obviously but the screws don't need to be that tight a fit. The screws are there to stop the tuners rotating and/or falling out; they not going to have to deal with much force in the 'through-headstock' direction - unless you're planning on using the front of the headstock as a hammer (don't). Also, try not to drill all the way through.

Wax the screws and use a jeweller's type screwdriver to fit them. If you can't get them in with one of these, then they're too tight. Try forcing them in with a larger screwdriver and you risk sheering the heads of and leaving the screw stuck. Major PITA.

Luckily I have learnt a little from other's mistakes and managed to attach the tuners reasonably straight and with all screws etc intact. One blister on finger, no other injuries.

DSCF0035s.jpg


DSCF0036s.jpg


Tuners are Gotoh - both height adjustable and auto-locking. The height adjustment works ok but might be more tricky now that they're installed. I just roughly set them from low to high and they look ok. I'll 'fine-tune' them when it's ready for stringing.

DSCF0038s.jpg


Next instalment anon...
 
I haven't, so this is going to be very helpful. Thanks Pete!

Going to put a decal on the headstock? Not that it needs it...
 
"2 of least favourite jobs..." sounds like I do this all the time but now I think about it, this is the first time I've installed ferrules. I must have just worried about it a lot.

Unfortunately the only real skill I have - in guitar building terms - is for messing things up. I can deal with the 'mechanical' stuff ok - I've been around guitars for 30 years or so and worked in a music store for 20 - if it can be done with a screwdriver or allen key etc, I can probably do it. Anything requiring any degree of actual craftsmanship, forget it. Without wishing to sound like a kiss-a$$, I'll leave that stuff to guys like Cagey.

So I'm just taking things slow and, for some reason, documenting it here. Hopefully it won't be something I'll read back in a while and see where it all went wrong. If anybody finds something helpful or interesting then that's cool.
 
It's always nice to see the "fine tuning" steps of a build documented. I have the same tuners (Gotoh SD91 HAPM) waiting to be installed on a neck, so I'm glad to read about them (esp. the height adjustment). Plus, we get to see more of this stunning Tele. So, keep it coming!
 
Test-fitted the pickups and it's starting to look a lot like an electric guitar.

DSCF0048s.jpg


The pickups are from here: http://www.catswhiskerpickups.co.uk/ - a Firebird-style mini-humbucker neck and a 'T-Bucker' bridge. I've had other pickups from here and have been really impressed so fingers crossed these will suit the guitar well. Allan, the guy who is Catswhisker Pickups, is very approachable and does all kinds of custom work.

DSCF0051s.jpg


I really like these Duesenberg knobs. I thought they might look too big but I think they're fine. Very nice quality parts.

DSCF0049s.jpg


The top hat switch knob does look too big to me though so will probably be swapped for a barrel type. Also not sure about the brass saddles, I might have to look at some Glendale or Callaham parts - possibly a whole bridge though I'm by no means convinced that the cost is justifiable.

I'm waiting on a pickup ring, just in case I decide to go scratchplate-less. Highly unlikely - and it may not cover the rout - but I'll see how it looks before starting to drill holes in the front...
 
Fat Pete said:
Also not sure about the brass saddles, I might have to look at some Glendale or Callaham parts - possibly a whole bridge though I'm by no means convinced that the cost is justifiable.
Click to expand...

You might want to look at these Gotoh parts...

TB1C_side.jpg

They're only $44, and it's a far superior bridge. You get better intonation, no side breaks to get in your way, and they fit right where you've got what you're doing now without modification. The only caveat I would offer is that they use saddle height adjustment set screws that are simply too tall, so you will probably want to replace those with something a little more realistic. Unless, of course, you like ripping new holes in the side of your palm and bleeding all over the place. But, set screws are cheap. You can get them here.
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys but the issue isn't 'vintage-ness' - I'm certainly no purist. I have a Gotoh here if fact and may yet use it. I'd just prefer to have all the hardware nickel. This might be seen as nitpicking but to me it's just attention to detail.
 
Looking good Pete! Love the Duesenberg knobs  :eek:ccasion14: and even better, the fact that you are reversing the plate!  :icon_thumright:

The catswhisker pickups look very nice too, let us know how they sound! I can definitely understand about the nickel and attention to detail. But, like Cagey I like the look of the Gotoh much better than the traditional ashtray! But, to each his own!  It is defintely an fine looking Tele! :rock-on:
 
fretless said:
Oh yeah Awesome ! Love those knobs ! Where did you get those ?  :sign13:
Click to expand...

Got them on ebay. There were quite a lot of Duesenberg parts - trems etc - available, but that was probably a couple of years ago. I've looked since and couldn't find any.
 
Cagey said:
Fat Pete said:
Also not sure about the brass saddles, I might have to look at some Glendale or Callaham parts - possibly a whole bridge though I'm by no means convinced that the cost is justifiable.
Click to expand...

You might want to look at these Gotoh parts...

TB1C_side.jpg

They're only $44, and it's a far superior bridge. You get better intonation, no side breaks to get in your way, and they fit right where you've got what you're doing now without modification. The only caveat I would offer is that they use saddle height adjustment set screws that are simply too tall, so you will probably want to replace those with something a little more realistic. Unless, of course, you like ripping new holes in the side of your palm and bleeding all over the place. But, set screws are cheap. You can get them here.
Click to expand...

+1

I almost didn't get the Gotoh because it was so cheap.  I thought it had to be a gimmick.  Wrong.  It is now on my Tele with some Graph Tech saddles and it could not be any better.
 
Just in the spirit of full disclosure...

One of the first posts I made here was in response to somebody querying the dimensions of mini-humbuckers - I replied with something along the lines of 'they're all about the same' and was quickly shot down by somebody wiser, pointing out that they vary quite a lot from brand to brand etc.

So, guess what? When it came to pickup-fitting time, it didn't fit the scratchplate. I hadn't ordered the wrong size (Gibson), it wouldn't have fitted the SD rout either. No kind of issue - 2 minutes with a file and I'll call it a positive as it fits nice and snug now - but it's funny how things come back to bite you!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Diabolus Armarium
Replies
4
Views
2K
chrisg
C
Back
Top