Sequence for Telecaster Build

[aarontunes]

Thanks so much. It has just been a while since my last build and I want to be sure I follow a reasonable process. I appreciate the links.

As far as being "sequentially correct", about the only thing I would absolutely recommend is making sure you get the strap buttons on before attaching the neck. (It sounds like you already did this.) Other than that, just keep adding parts until noise comes out the speaker.

 

[aarontunes]

Presto: More swearing you can use on something besides guitar assembly.

I also like to save my swearing up for one big breakdown.

 

[Hodgo]

I don’t drill the holes for the control plate and pickguard until the neck and bridge are on.

 

[Hodgo]

Other than that, and also having a straight edge to align the tuners, a Tele basically assembles itself*

*assuming you are using an Electrosocket the original input jack design is silly

 

[Ozopart]

As far as being "sequentially correct", about the only thing I would absolutely recommend is making sure you get the strap buttons on before attaching the neck. (It sounds like you already did this.) Other than that, just keep adding parts until noise comes out the speaker.

I did follow your video on that and installed them without the neck attached. I have a Fender Tele AVII 51 and I basically positioned the strap buttons on this build in the same places as on the Fender.

Dumb question here, but I can't recall if I install the pickups into the body without the pickguard on, or with it on. That is really the biggest question I have. I am still deciding on pickups but have (as I mentioned above) a first attempt at building a 3 way switch control plate. So I was thinking of drilling and installing the pickguard, drilling holes for the control plate, and also for the electrostatic jack.

 

[Ozopart]

I don’t drill the holes for the control plate and pickguard until the neck and bridge are on.

For sure, I will put the neck back on (the bridge is already on) and line everything up, then drill. My only question was if the pickguard needs to then be removed to install the neck pickup or not.

 

[Ozopart]

Other than that, and also having a straight edge to align the tuners, a Tele basically assembles itself*

*assuming you are using an Electrosocket the original input jack design is silly

I use Hipshot tuners which because of the plate they are installed on, basically align themselves.

 

[Hodgo]

The bridge pickup mounts to the bridge plate, the neck pickup either mounts to the pickguard (modern style) or direct to body (vintage style) and the pickguard is placed over the top after.

 

[Hodgo]

Unless you are asking “Do I solder the pickup in before I mount it to the pickguard?”

 

[stratamania]

For sure, I will put the neck back on (the bridge is already on) and line everything up, then drill. My only question was if the pickguard needs to then be removed to install the neck pickup or not.

Whether you screw the Tele neck pickup to the body (vintage method) or suspend it from the pickguard with screws (more modern approach and allows height adjustment. Either way, if you screw on a pickguard without a neck pickup installed, you would have to remove it to then install the pickup whichever method is used. In other words, don't install the pickguard until your neck pickup is mounted to either the pickguard or the body.

 

[Ozopart]

Whether you screw the Tele neck pickup to the body (vintage method) or suspend it from the pickguard with screws (more modern approach and allows height adjustment. Either way, if you screw on a pickguard without a neck pickup installed, you would have to remove it to then install the pickup whichever method is used. In other words, don't install the pickguard until your neck pickup is mounted to either the pickguard or the body.

Thanks, that is exacttly what I needed to know.

 

[stratamania]

Thanks, that is exacttly what I needed to know.

I would suggest you go for a pickguard mounted neck pickup.

But if you screw it to the body you also need to know where the pickguard will go in relation to it. You cannot position one accurately without knowing what the position of the other will be.

This video might be useful to you.