Telecaster with an all ebony neck; too top heavy?

[Punxsutawney]

That body is over 5lbs  It may not be that bad and adjusting the strap buttons does help....

Good advice. You have a heavy body and that's before hardware and pickups are on, 99% you won't have an issue. Both my Telecasters are way lighter and they don't have that issue. Just to be sure when you assemble the guitar don't screw the strap buttons, put a strap with duct tape and check for neck dive. I did the same when I changed the strap buttons location on my Flying V, it helped me to see where I liked them.

I now feel neck dive is one issue I'm unlikely to worry about, but I didn't think about the final position of the guitar.  That's great advice you have given me and I really appreciate that one.  I feel so silly to not have thought of that .... lol!  This is the problem when guitars are built for you already!  I'm just going to have to take my time and make absolutely sure I get it right.  I might have to get junk parts and see what I stuff up in the process; build two guitars so one actually works! 

 

[Punxsutawney]

That body is a fine one. Looks great and with that neck, it'll really be something special.

Thank you for kind words about the guitar body; I do like it and I'm pleased with the purchase.  An all ebony neck would be beautiful with it.

 

[musicispeace]

Even with an exotic like an all ebony neck you should be fine for balance assuming an average weight tele body (4 pounds to 5 pounds). I have an alder strat with a Bubinga neck and there is no balance issue. I was at another parts maker in my area a couple months ago and they had an all ebony neck they had made for someone and I got to give it a heft and it was heavier than maple but not worrisome. It was Macassar Ebony and looked really nice. The customer sent them the neck blank but Warmoth does not work like that. As long as your tele isn't a three pound body your should be fine with anything. Keep an eye on the Showcase. If you decide to go with something else I am sure you will enjoy it. I think I'd like an all Rosewood strat neck but don't know what I would put it on. Time will tell.

 

[BroccoliRob]

I mean, dont put it on a hollow thinline and you'll probs be just fine. I think people over exaggerate the exotic wood balance concerns.