FINISHED: WezV Tele build

WezV

I recently found some pics of the first time I did this to a kit many moons ago, by removing the top of the guitar with a handsaw, but that was a thicker top and i had a lot less tools to play with

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zps0fbff6a0.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zps1fdc9235.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zps184fc65d.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete guitars/wv2.jpg

Andyjr1515

I think I remember you doing this, WezV. I remember the " handsawing the top off". It was then that I realised that you were from another planet

ThePrettyDamned

Wow!

WezV

I found those pics last year and I think I did post them in my other thread in making & modding.  they were never seen online before then, although I may have told the story before.   I think it was around 2002 when i actually did it.

shuikit

Great stuff @WezV, I've found this thread very interesting and informative

WezV

lots more done today

I do actually have some thinline templates, but did not use them for this because its not quite a proper tele shape.   so I decided to freehand shape the chambers

To do this i start with a small router with a round nosed bit, the round nosed bit is a bit safer as its less likely to grab the wood  so it gives more control.  I am not aiming for perfection here as I have no plans to add F-holes

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zpsa277c4a8.jpg

I then switch to a bigger router with a longer straight cutter, notice the bearing on top of both the router bits used so far, this will mean i can use the top 5mm already routed as a template for the rest of it.  The bigger router is used for its bigger base here, it spans the cavities quite nicely so won't tip like the smaller one could, it also means i can start deepening the cavity as it will reach the middle bits of the chamber 

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zps1f339cab.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zps2e5c1c71.jpg

now its time to thickness the guitar down ready for its new top.  I could have done this before the chambering, doesn't really matter which way its done

I have a thickness planer, but it only does up to 10" wide so no good for the average guitar body, so i use a homemade router thicknesser instead..  Here it is, its just a few bits of steel  attached to a offcut of worktop and the router screws onto it, The rails have an oil before use to keep it running really smoothly.  Notice I am using a much heftier router bit for this 

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zps2ecb587d.jpg

And here it is ready for a new top, its a bit messy in the horn and behind the bridge, but  am happy with the rest

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zpsd34ff567.jpg

WezV

top goes on.  I have a neck blank as a clamping caul going along the middle, with a big clamp eitehr side and the wooden one aiming for the bridge location, then I have a load of homemade spool clamps to glue the edges

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zpsa7c7dc33.jpg

Andyjr1515

Fabulous.  I told you - you're from another world, @WezV  

WezV

I think I will be taking this down the top bound esquire route

sinbaadi

Serious job that, how many times have you done that sort of thing? (hollowing out a body, I mean)

WezV

A fair few times now, although not often this extensive.   the old one i showed at the top of this page was the first, so this is kinda done in memory of that one.  

TTony

Excellent tutorials again @WezV

WezV

not so good for this bit because i forgot to take pics of the tools and focused on the results.

I trimmed the new top back using a router bit with a bearing on the bottom, obviously being very careful near the jack socket.  this bit went into the neck pocket too so retrimemd that for me at the same time.  I then marked on the position of the bridge pickup, drilled through the centre and used the same router bit to trim that back.  I marked where the control cavity was going, drilled through again, but switched to a top bearing router bit and used a template to route through

which gets us nicely to here

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zps8689c13a.jpg

I have not routed the neck pickup yet because i am unsure if its going to look like this:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zpsb4b1df0d.jpg

or this:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zps259a6414.jpg

looks nice on the edge too, except where the binding pulled out... but no matter because I do intend on rebinding in white

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zps5ead0180.jpg

Its now a much nicer weight

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zps1a6ec917.jpg

sinbaadi

Think it's worth swapping the saddles if I stick with the stock bridge for now?

Also I'd go "With" the pick guard.  Nice contrast with the wood, plus white binding to tie it in.  Just me though, tis a nice piece of wood you'd be covering up.

WezV

I am going for a complete new bridge but only because i want the trad tele look.   if not I would just be swapping the saddles, loads of options out there for under a tenner

I agree it looks better with the guard but its always a hard choice to cover up wood like this so I always have to look at both options first

the look I think I am going for is a mix of this:

http://static.music123.com/derivates/19/001/295/430/DV020_Jpg_Jumbo_517890.118_antique_burst.jpg

and this:

http://www.garysguitars.com/sites/default/files/styles/uc_product_full/public/FEE0651bodft-Fender Esquire-Custom.jpg?itok=3dYawz3q

TTony

WezV said:

I have not routed the neck pickup yet because i am unsure if its going to look like this:

or this:

Definitely like that ^^

Why would anyone hide a beautiful piece of wood under a piece of horrible white plastic.

sinbaadi

WezV said:

I am going for a complete new bridge but only because i want the trad tele look.   if not I would just be swapping the saddles, loads of options out there for under a tenner

Thanks,  Compensated, I'm assuming.  I hate asking the question but if you could suggest something specific or from somewhere specific that would be very useful. 

WezV

axesrus have these compensated ones

http://www.axesrus.co.uk/Compensated-Brass-Saddles-Suitable-for-Telecaste-p/compsadd.htm

and these solid ones

http://www.axesrus.co.uk/Smooth-Brass-Saddles-Suitable-for-Telecaster-p/b-s3-6-ts.htm

i would go for something like this without string grooves to give better control over the final string spacing

I am going for solid, but slightly angled ones like the 2nd set here

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brass-Telecaster-Compensated-Saddle-Set-2-styles-/280902768621?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&var=&hash=item41671c17ed

juansolo

Better with the guard IMO.

ThePrettyDamned

Better without the guard for me.

That's 2 vs 2 so far... But both ways looks great!