Esquire ish to Tele ish thinline conversion

impmann

So I bought @DrBob Esquire body the other day…

The thing is… I’m not a big fan of single pickup guitars so buoyed by enthusiasm, bravado and bloody mindedness, I deployed power tools to it this morning to slot in a PAF style humbucker I had loitering in a drawer.
Now, I hate routers… they scare the bejiggers out of me, as I’ve had a few “exciting moments” using them. Plus precision isn’t my middle name so I was quite pleased with the outcome it’s by no means perfect but it’s straight and functional.

Pics or it didn’t happen, I know…

Outline scrawled on masking tape, and out to the garage… Gracie, the 1967 Hillman Imp looks on in horror.

Stop taking pictures and get on with it….

Ooh eck, too late now. Bloody gert big hole in the front.

Trial fit of said humbucker is encouraging. Note Aldi special router - massive £23 investment about ten years ago.

Back in the house for a mock up… it’s wrecked as it’s now upside down… or is that the picture?

Additionally I’ve recessed the neck bolts into the body. It’s a deeper than standard thickness and so regular length neck screws only tickle the neck heel. I’m not showing that as it’s rough as a badgers arse due to cheap tools, incompetent operator and boundless enthusiasm.

If I get any more time this weekend I may try putting it together properly… then again, I may not!! 

lovestrat74

Looks like a fun project! One thing I have learned already... I really need to get down to Aldi  

DrBob

Great to see it being brought to life rather than lying forgotten in the corner of my shed ! 

Funkfingers

impmann said:

enthusiasm, bravado and bloody mindedness … 1967 Hillman Imp

These things go together - especially if you have to manually balance twin carburettors.

impmann

Funkfingers said:

impmann said:

enthusiasm, bravado and bloody mindedness … 1967 Hillman Imp

These things go together - especially if you have to manually balance twin carburettors.

Amen brother!!

meltedbuzzbox

Stop building telecasters man!

I have a set of WRHB sat here doing sweet FA if you fancy making that neck route a bit bigger 

impmann

meltedbuzzbox said:

Stop building telecasters man!

I have a set of WRHB sat here doing sweet FA if you fancy making that neck route a bit bigger 

Oooh, now that’s a thought…

guitargeek62

Funkfingers said:

impmann said:

enthusiasm, bravado and bloody mindedness … 1967 Hillman Imp

These things go together - especially if you have to manually balance twin carburettors.

Try balancing four…!