Tele Build

ninjaking67

ninjaking67

Ambassador of Good Will
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I have posted this in Luthier's Corner but I am by no means a luthier! Just getting that out of the way now!;)

I mentioned in the Squier/Fender section that I had sold my Tele FMT and that I was setting out on a tele build. I thought I would post a teaser for you folks.

Here is the base for my project. It is an ash butterscotch blonde body I just received from GuitarFetish. It is quite heavy and the grain shows through well. Perfect for a vintage looking build.
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I know where some of you stand on new "reliced" guitars so I hope that I don't offend your sensibilities here but this is hopefully going to end up similar to Micawber, Keith Richards' 52 Tele.
I have already begun the body relic process and have to say that I am a bit disappointed in the body finish. I had really hoped for a thinner finish but am finding that it is quite thick. This will change the way that I will have to do some of the relic work. It will definitely slow down the progress.
The neck is a Tele style maple neck pulled from a Canadian made Sparrow tele Custom. It is already got the vintage tint to the finish and will suit this project well. I have already almost completed the work on the neck and will post pics when I get home.
The bridge is a Wilkinson chrome unit with 3 compensated brass saddles.
 
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That will be a awesome looking Tele, Artificial relicing dont bother me if it looks real.I have a 2015 Mark Jenny 50s Tele clone that looks like it was dragged behinda truck. Ive had people think it the real deal its done that well. Keep us posted.Im a Tele fan myself
 
JohnnyGoo said:
That will be a awesome looking Tele, Artificial relicing dont bother me if it looks real.I have a 2015 Mark Jenny 50s Tele clone that looks like it was dragged behinda truck. Ive had people think it the real deal its done that well. Keep us posted.Im a Tele fan myself
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Maybe I should drag it behind my truck! Good idea Johnny!
 
ninjaking67 said:
I have already begun the body relic process and have to say that I am a bit disappointed in the body finish. I had really hoped for a thinner finish but am finding that it is quite thick. This will change the way that I will have to do some of the relic work.
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Here's an excellent tutorial from Chicago Music Exchange on relicing guitars:
 
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smitty_p said:
I’ll suspend the stink-eye that I normally direct toward relics and encourage you in your quest:

Belt sander!
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if you want authentic.......like my 70's Peavey T-40 bass......... you must find a gravel road---- put the BODY (only the body) in a DENIM bag--- place this bag in a burlap bag---tie the bag to the back of a Ford Dually truck (diesel preferred) -- a Dodge will work in a pinch---tie to the bumper -- -drive 47 mph (not 50-----not 35--- down said road for 18 miles(if you go 19 your an ASS) --- now open bag and assemble guitar------ (on roadside--- not at home-- not in an easy to assemble area with air conditioning) and done-- relic work in good order-
 
jtcnj said:
Good luck on your build, hope it turns out right.
Are you planning to route the neck for HB?
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jtcnj,

I didn't route for the HB as I don't have a template. Instead I marked out the location and hogged out the material with a drill press and Forstner bits. I then cleaned up the cavity with a chisel. It is somewhat crude but will be covered by the pickguard. I will try to remember to take photos when I get home. Life has a habit of getting in the way, though!
 
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