Tele Build

DUDE--- I waited more than 24 hours to check back in on this thread and BOY WAS I REWARDED--- whata great build!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you have inspired me --- I hve a direction for MY next kit ----- thank you Ninja !!!
 
Thanks eSGEe! You are more than welcome!
Plenty of you guys have inspired me so I'm happy if I can return the favour!
 
JohnnyGoo said:
I love beat up yellow Teles with the black bakelite pickguards.
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As do I. I already have a Keef Micawber style tele, but this & Sysco kid's tele build is really inspiring me to maybe do another. Just out of interest ninjaking, I just looked & found that cloth reinforced bakelite sheet is still readily available, in thickness from 1.5mm up & in single sheets from 250mm X 250mm up. How cool would an actual bakelite 'guard be on your build. Cheers
 
ivan H said:
As do I. I already have a Keef Micawber style tele, but this & Sysco kid's tele build is really inspiring me to maybe do another. Just out of interest ninjaking, I just looked & found that cloth reinforced bakelite sheet is still readily available, in thickness from 1.5mm up & in single sheets from 250mm X 250mm up. How cool would an actual bakelite 'guard be on your build. Cheers
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That would definitely be very cool, though I believe that bakelite is difficult to work with as it is brittle and prone to chipping and cracking. Any experience with it? I can use the existing guard as a template.
 
ninjaking67 said:
That would definitely be very cool, though I believe that bakelite is difficult to work with as it is brittle and prone to chipping and cracking. Any experience with it? I can use the existing guard as a template.
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I have cut & drilled the 1/8" thick cloth reinforced sheet, for use as "turret boards" in valve amps. I simply cut it with a hack saw, but only needed straight cuts (I'll find an offcuts later & post a pic of). I've used both the redish/brown material & black. After posting yesterday I looked a little more & found it available in thickness of 0.4mm up. Used in electrical applications as insulation, mechanical applications as gaskets etc. Available in a couple of colors so you would need to specifically look for "black" sheet. Possibly a fine toothed coping saw would cut it well. Cheers
 
Thanks for the info Ivan. I am familiar with bakelite as I work in the electrical industry. As you mention, it has been used for many years as an insulating material. It is very durable but brittle. I have never had to shape a piece of it before.
 
I have ordered a neck plate so I am just waiting for it to arrive. Canada Post has just voted to go on strike so my wait might be longer than anticipated!

The above photo still has the old nut installed. I have obtained a Tusq XL nut and will try to find time to install it this evening. I may just have to temporarily steal a neck plate from one of my other guitars to finally give this a play!
 
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I received the new neck plate yesterday by Canada Post. No strike yet, I guess! I installed it last evening.

As is typical with any of my projects, guitar related or otherwise, I ran into another issue. When I relic'd the bridge (in bleach) I made the mistake of leaving it in too long. I forgot about it, in fact. Instead of being in the bleach for 3-4 hours it was more like 18 hours. Ooooops! The height adjustment screws in the brass saddles are so rusted up that they are seized in there. They have been soaking in penetrating oil for 3 days now but no luck so far. I have stripped 2 of the Allen heads trying to free them up.

Solution......I ordered a relic'd Fender tele bridge complete with compensated Wilkinson brass saddles. It should be here by the end of the week. This is the last piece of the puzzle so I'm getting anxious now.
 
DUDE looking AWESOME....love the aging--

if you want some metal aging techniques-- PM me -- I have a secret method--
kustom clean7.jpg
the chrome is only a couple years old........this dulls and smooths --and "tempers" unevenly ---with NO scratching
kraken2.jpg
this bass was BRAND SPANKING new when above pic was taken ;)
 
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