Walnut/Rosewood Tele Build

[ChristopherG]

Thought I would consolidate my posting vis-a-vis my build since I have a pretty firm idea in my mind now.

The pics so far so you don't have to go looking.

I caught a really good deal on an unopened box of Planet Waves Locking Tuners in gold. $40, less than what I was going to spend on non locking. No tremelo to worry about tuning issues, but never having to use a string winder ever again is a damn fine selling point as well.

Soon to be ordered bridge will be made from brass by the communities master mill ninja, DangerousR6. As well as neck plate, trim rings, etc.

Body is getting control holes drilled today then she is off to a local luthier for finishing. Gonna miss her, but she will be coming back all poly-shiney!!

 

[ChristopherG]

Now with control holes. My main guy didn't feel confident in his ability to cut the blade slot with absolute neatness, so I will let the finishing guy do that.

 

[pabloman]

I'd use one of those extra control holes for a toggle.

 

[Cagey]

It's probably just my imagination or the angle the shot was taken from, but the forward and rear pairs of holes look awfully close together.

 

[ChristopherG]

Well, no closer than the back two. It's the angle. But the holes are a lot closer than on a SG or an LP. Didn't have much choice to keep form interfering with the jack or the blade switch. I am going to top the pots with barrel switches so it isn't quite as tight as it looks.

I have lots of confidence in Dan, the luthier doing the finishing, in cutting a good slot for the blade. Had to order the switch today direct from EMG so he could have it in hand on Monday. The guy is a perfectionist and doesn't want to do the job with a switch of the same manufacture--EMG switches are just switchcraft switches with a connector board bodged on--and have the thing be tough to move because of some slight deviation in parts.

As far as controls go it will be Master Volume, Master Active Tone, SPC--a mid boost, EXG--a frequency expander.

 

[ChristopherG]

Planet Wave's auto trim tuners arrived yesterday. Not as snug in the holes as I would like but they should be stable enough since I could leave a little of the Grover lip on to provide some snugness at the top.

Just waiting on the EMG switch so I can take the body to the luthier that is cutting the slot and doing the finish. Hopefully that trip will be tomorrow.

Edit. It has come up a few times but to establish the fact: A set of planet waves locking auto trim tuners weighs 8 and 1/8 ounces.

 

[ChristopherG]

Got an update from my luthier with pics. Grain filled and sealer applied.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

That's really starting to POP!

 

[ChristopherG]

Ok, this is taking longer than I hoped. Stupid real life.

Anyway, thought I would post some pics of the finished body. I had envisioned something darker, but I have to admit that I love the deep honey color that it turned out.

Will be a lot more progress once the intrepid Doug sends me gifts of brassy goodness.

Cheers.

 

[Axkoa]

Love the clean transition between walnut and rosewood between neck body and neck. Looks really good without fret markers.

 

[ChristopherG]

Well after six long weeks, my pickups and controls finally arrived from EMG. Here is a pic of the pickups and the more prominent miscellaneous hardware.

Starting at the upper left we have one genuine Electro-socket jack cup, below that a set of Marvel Strap locks. I really prefer these to Schallers. I like the way they work better and they are half the price. Plus the buttons will take a regular strap should one forget their lock equipped strap. In the middle starting at the top, set up in the positions they will go on the guitar, EMG 58-X, EMG SLV-X, and an EMG 85-X. Along the right are four lovely unplated brass control knobs. Not pictured are the EMG-EXG and EMG-SPC controls which will be going on in lieu of tone controls.

The intrepid Doug, aka Dangerous R6 has all my other hardware done and is merely waiting on his supplier to supply him with a brass block--that meets his exacting standards--for the bridge plate.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I wish EMG made all of their single coils with the same cap options as their humbuckers.

That's gonna be a sweet looking axe when it's completed!

 

[ChristopherG]

I wish EMG made all of their single coils with the same cap options as their humbuckers.

That's gonna be a sweet looking axe when it's completed!

I hear ya, Tony. It won't be too bad being surrounded in a brass ring plus having the black string saver saddles to match up with it a bit. I think she is gonna turn out alright.

 

[ChristopherG]

Just got good news from Doug last night, bridge under construction.

 

[DangerousR6]

Just about done... :icon_biggrin:

 

[ChristopherG]

That Doug sure knows his way around a mill.

And because the entire project is dedicated to my loving wife.

 

[Cagey]

That Doug sure knows his way around a mill.

He certainly does. Made a career of it, as I understand. Excellent work.

 

[Great Ape]

Beautiful work as usual, Doug! And good choice of aesthetics for that build-gonna be cool and unique.

 

[DangerousR6]

:headbang:

 

[ChristopherG]

The Sarah Sig model Tele is finished.