Sequence for Telecaster Build

[Ozopart]

Can someone either provide a sequencial list, or point me to a previous post where the steps for completing a Telecaster build are detailed?

I found an old thread from 2008 where Mayfly listed a sequence, but I don't know if he or anyone else still would do it that way.

I have so far installed the tuners on the headstock, screwed the bridge on the body, checked to be sure the neck fits correctly, and installed the strap buttons.

It has been a while since my last Tele build and I can't recall how I did some basic steps. Specifically, do I now put the neck back on, put the pickguard and control plate on the guitar, tape to hold in place, then drill the holes and screw on both parts to be sure all is OK, then remove them prior to wiring the pickups to the control plate and putting the pickups in the body?

I know this is basic stuff, but I just can't recall what I did.

 

[supertruper1988]

Here is a flow chart:

Are all the parts on?

If Yes, congrats you're done

If no, add more parts


All kidding aside, what kid of list are you looking for? Electric guitars and especially teles aren't particularly hard to assemble and there is no one way to do it "right"

 

[supertruper1988]

Also watching a few of the videos that @aarontunes puts on the Warmoth YouTube will show you a general process of how he chooses to order the assembly.

This is a good one. Aaron show installing everything on the body.

 

[Ozopart]

Here is a flow chart:

Are all the parts on?

If Yes, congrats you're done

If no, add more parts


All kidding aside, what kid of list are you looking for? Electric guitars and especially teles aren't particularly hard to assemble and there is no one way to do it "right"

Mostly the part about installing the pickguard, control plate, and pickups. Basically, do I install the pickguard minus the pickups, remove it, install the pickups, then reinstall it.

 

[supertruper1988]

Mostly the part about installing the pickguard, control plate, and pickups. Basically, do I install the pickguard minus the pickups, remove it, install the pickups, then reinstall it.

There is no right way.

 

[Hagwood]

Here is a flow chart:

Are all the parts on?

If Yes, congrats you're done

If no, add more parts


All kidding aside, what kid of list are you looking for? Electric guitars and especially teles aren't particularly hard to assemble and there is no one way to do it "right"

LMAO - that's definitely my order..... I don't think I've ever done the same order on any guitar I've built. It depends on what parts you have / don't have and what you feel like doing that day. I've actually installed pots and soldered up everything minus the pickups just because I felt like soldering that day and was still waiting on pickups. Not the text book way to assemble, but that's half the fun of building our own......

 

[Ozopart]

LMAO - that's definitely my order..... I don't think I've ever done the same order on any guitar I've built. It depends on what parts you have / don't have and what you feel like doing that day. I've actually installed pots and soldered up everything minus the pickups just because I felt like soldering that day and was still waiting on pickups. Not the text book way to assemble, but that's half the fun of building our own......

Basically that is what I have done so far. I wired up the control plate (my first attempt, quite ugly but seems to all be connected!?).

 

[bagman67]

I don't favor any particular order, but one thing I (now) invariably do on Telecasters is to fit the neck, and then make sure the control plate and pickguard are actually lined up correctly. Tape both parts down a the same time, then mark with a center punch where to drill. Presto: More swearing you can use on something besides guitar assembly.

Edit: If I can, I will do this before I install pickups or electronics, because it's just easier to do when you don't have knobs and pickups and stuff protruding. But that's not necessarily a dealbreaker. I mean, you also need to know you've drilled your holes in such a way that the pots and pickups will actually align with and fit into their respective cavities. If you're using electronics or pickups one ordinarily wouldn't find on a bog-standard Telecaster, this can be a big deal.

Same approach will apply to Jazz basses and any other guitar style where you need a metal control plate to butt cleanly up against a plastic pickguard edge without gaps.

Relatedly, ask me how annoying it is to find out your control plate wants to be under your pickguard by about 1 millimeter because you drilled the pilot holes for each part separately.

 

[Spud]

One thing I do that hasn't yet been mentioned, but is crucial is to rub the various parts on my face so we become acquainted with each other.

 

[bagman67]

On your face? Weird. I thought you were supposed to rub the parts on your CENSORED.

 

[Spud]

On your face? Weird. I thought you were supposed to rub the parts on your CENSORED.

No bagman67, it's definitely the face!

 

[bagman67]

Well, it's no wonder I'm not getting any better at guitar playing, then.

 

[Spud]

Well, it's no wonder I'm not getting any better at guitar playing, then.

I did try your way once, when I submitted to be an official Warmoth spokesman/model. (I was turned down for whatever reason)

 

[bagman67]

Prob'ly because you tore the sleeves off your Warmoth swag t-shirt. But you can't fault a man for being fashionable.

 

[Spud]

I may have to take that down soon, it was my Angus Young tribute pic

 

[Hagwood]

I did try your way once, when I submitted to be an official Warmoth spokesman/model. (I was turned down for whatever reason)View attachment 66075

You're a sick man Spud.....

My most important step is to make sure I get my blood somewhere on it. I usually 'try' to get it in the control cavity while I'm cutting / soldering wires......

I do that with everything I make

 

[Spud]

You're a sick man Spud.....

My most important step is to make sure I get my blood somewhere on it. I usually 'try' to get it in the control cavity while I'm cutting / soldering wires......

I do that with everything I make

I actually do too! That is a Warmoth boatneck in the picture, but they said I may not be stable enough for the job. I still hope to come visit soon Hagwood!

 

[Spud]

 

[stratamania]

Can someone either provide a sequencial list, or point me to a previous post where the steps for completing a Telecaster build are detailed?

Here is a detailed Tele build thread.

Thread 'Natural Ash Tele'

Jun 18, 2014

If you saw the out of the box thread yesterday the discussions of tea and a T type guitar continues in this work in progress diary thread. I will try and give some tips as I go so it may be useful to someone at some point.

Here is the out of the box thread for reference... https://unofficialwarmoth.com/threads/time-for-tea.23713/

First up is grain filling. Just prior to that I gave the body a quick once over with some 320 grit, for the most part it was already fine so did not need much work out of the box.

I have moved my workmate out to the garage as the weather now is OK for...

• stratamania
• Replies: 61
• Forum: Builds in Progress

• 
• 

This and other build threads etc are linked in my Welcome to the Forum post linked in my signature, which has links to lots of other information etc.

 

[Ozopart]

Here is a detailed Tele build thread.

Thread 'Natural Ash Tele'

Jun 18, 2014

If you saw the out of the box thread yesterday the discussions of tea and a T type guitar continues in this work in progress diary thread. I will try and give some tips as I go so it may be useful to someone at some point.

Here is the out of the box thread for reference... https://unofficialwarmoth.com/threads/time-for-tea.23713/

First up is grain filling. Just prior to that I gave the body a quick once over with some 320 grit, for the most part it was already fine so did not need much work out of the box.

I have moved my workmate out to the garage as the weather now is OK for...

• stratamania
• Replies: 61
• Forum: Builds in Progress

• 
• 

This and other build threads etc are linked in my Welcome to the Forum post linked in my signature, which has links to lots of other information etc.

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.