NGD - Cheapy Ebay Donner HH Tele

[jtcnj]

I've been considering an HH Tele build; saw this on another forum and for $87.03 delivered with coupon code, took a chance.
I had sworn off bottom budget guitars, but hope to use the body, bridge, pickguard, etc.
I have another neck and some other parts, and a set of Gibson 490 R/T pickups.

Surprisingly good overall after set up and some nut slot file work. The neck profile is in my Goldilocks zone; C shape, .870" 1st fret. The stock pickups are not bad either.
Needs a de-gloss. Neck may just stay.

Small frets take some getting used to, but the ends are reasonable / not jagged and pretty good for level as is.
One bad tuner - B string binds, clicks; the gears slip. The rest is well good enough I won't send it back.

ð¸ Donner DJC-1000 Jazz Tele Electric Guitar Solid Body HH Pickup With Gig Bag | eBay

String-through Body Bridge ãMaple fingerboard, Canadian maple neck, solid poplar body. 22 copper-nickel frets with Fret position Marks on neck and top of the fingerboard. DJC-1000S Jazz Thinline Guitar ã Doesn't give the "traditional" jazz tone, still warm but more "modern" sounding.

www.ebay.com

 

[fitz]

HNGD!
Not a bad price for the thinline body alone.
I probably couldn't resist upgrades if I already had the parts just laying around....

 

[Thatbastarddon]

@jtcnj Sweet score! Looks like a fun project! I’m glad to see that you’ve found something fun to play around with.
I’m with you on the “de glossing” thing…I do like the color though.
Congratulations!

 

[Session 5]

Congrats John! Looks like you have something good to work with. Hard to believe they can make something, that looks that good for cheap.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

What is the nut width on it?

 

[JohnnyGoo]

Ya not bad for that price.Hell the woods worth that.

 

[SG John]

Happy new mod day!

 

[Mitch Pearrow SJMP]

HNGD
Congratulations on a great project

 

[jtcnj]

What is the nut width on it?

41.5 mm
I used to struggle with nuts under 43mm, but it just resolved over time.

Couldn't sleep this morning so I filed the top of the nut to pretty close, and tried one of the defective Squier CV tuners I have on hand, no good.
I have 3 more to try. I think 1 or 2 of them were ok. Gotta get to work soon.

Took #0 steel wool to the back of the neck and fretboard to de-gloss / sticky poly feel. Left some small swirl scratches but that's ok as it feels great - smooth, not sticky.
I just covered the neck pickup with my fingers (I know better to mask it off), but I don't care as I have a pickup swap on deck.

I have a $15 partial credit coming from ebay. If one of the spares is not adequate, I will buy these tuners. I have used them before and happy:

EDIT: I don't know why I can't post a link; I used the link tab, idk.
They are Musiclily Pro inline Vintage Tuners

Sorry pic - nut is a bit out of focus

 

[dmatthews]

Cool lookin' axe!
I've got small frets on my SE ONE and they seem to be fine.
Anyway, congrats!

 

[jtcnj]

Found a dodgy spare tuner that works but is very stiff turning. Better than a broken tuner for now.
A little file work on the fret ends / bevels - were a little scratchy but not bad.
Swapped in the used Gibson 490 R/T I had from a while back. Chipped the treble side of the neck pocket, but ehh, so what.
Fresh strings and function check - everything works, very pleased.

The steel wool rub down on the back of the neck and fretboard, the profile, and dimensions make this neck feel really good to me.
It is still shiny but the sticky poly feel is gone.

Final adjustments and playing to commence this evening.

 

[TVvoodoo]

Congrats! Always nice to have a winter project. She's a looker too