Waz's TL-1AR Spare Parts Swampy Caster

[wazkelly]

Was quick enough to put my hand up for this kit being offered as a giveaway by Tony aka vh2580 before Xmas which has turned out to be a PBG TL-1AR. Just needs PUP's and for now will use some stock Chinese ones I have spare from the Blue Tele build plus Tuners which will be purchased soon and leaning towards similar stock type units from an Aussie supplier to cut down on postage time. I have some spare 500k bourns pots and orange drops, will buy an Oak Grigsby 4 way switch, Real Parts 6 saddle ash tray bridge plus a couple other minor bits of hardware. I know it might be heresy to have 500k's with single coils but they might just brighten up the stock Chinese PUP's. Always up for a bit of experimentation and shall recycle whatever I can from what has been left over from previous builds. Unfortunately the stock Tele Bridges are not good enough and the 4 way switch mod does provide another useful sound.

Initial thoughts were to do a replica of my Red J Bass but then I started thinking about a natural finish as that has been the one 'look' missing from any electric I have owned over the past 35 years.

Upon opening the box this is what I found....


What it looks like damped down....


Hmmm, mismatched coloured planks used has me now thinking something more dark & sinister.

I loved what Kenfu did on his LP-1S with the spalted maple top and traditional mahogany neck & body using a natural chemical wash and then Arzi produced his awesome Ash Barncaster. For this build I will attempt to do the natural chemical wash using Tea, steel wool & white vinegar and see how it reacts with Alder hoping it comes out quite dark grey/black. If it looks crap plan B has already been drawn up and plan C would end up solid black. Also have a couple of radical bling ideas in mind too, but more shall be revealed on those as we move along.

[Andy40]

Waz, lookin good. I've got a bunch of PBG stock stuff you can use. I don't have a control plate but I've got all of the stock PBG tele pups, and PBG tone and volume rig and more than one set of PBG chrome tuners.

[wazkelly]

Waz, lookin good. I've got a bunch of PBG stock stuff you can use. I don't have a control plate but I've got all of the stock PBG tele pups, and PBG tone and volume rig and more than one set of PBG chrome tuners.

Geez thanks mate. The only standard bits I would be chasing are a set of 6 inline tuners, no hurry as they may not be required for a month or two at least. Will see if the stock 3 saddle bridge works better on this one otherwise I may have to buy another 6 saddle unit. Need to to purchase a 4 way switch and also wanting cup style jack socket and know where I can get both at a reasonable price. Really appreciate your offer Andy.

[wazkelly]

Mock build earlier tonight



Apologies for the poor lighting in some shots. I really wanted to do the natural with black scratch plate however the rear shot picks up the lighter stripe that almost lined up with the neck which would have made it look like a neck through job. Looks like scale length is OK and should not require the usual 5mm additional northwards sanding out of the bridge PUP rout. Those saddles screws still have about 5mm or so travel left so pretty confident everything is all good down that end of things.

[Andy40]

Geez thanks mate. The only standard bits I would be chasing are a set of 6 inline tuners, no hurry as they may not be required for a month or two at least. Will see if the stock 3 saddle bridge works better on this one otherwise I may have to buy another 6 saddle unit. Need to to purchase a 4 way switch and also wanting cup style jack socket and know where I can get both at a reasonable price. Really appreciate your offer Andy.

I'm sure I'll be up your way in the next month or so, I'll drop the tuners in.

[Dedman]

I have STACKS of chinese tuners if you want some

[Fretworn]

If you put a racing stripe down that seam and had natural on either side you possibly won't be able to tell that the top piece of wood is that much darker. Not sure what that would end up looking like though. Maybe run a piece of black electrical tape down the seam and see what it looks like.

[wazkelly]

Wow, more Tuners than a long line fishing boat. Obviously not too popular but I find them ok to use.

Nice idea Fretty but I have already committed to the Dark & Sinister side of things now and looking forward to heading back into the lab (aka garage) and eagerly infuse the right amount of energy to bring this creation to life.

[FrankenWashie]

Wow, more Tuners than a long line fishing boat. Obviously not too popular but I find them ok to use.

Nice idea Fretty but I have already committed to the Dark & Sinister side of things now and looking forward to heading back into the lab (aka garage) and eagerly infuse the right amount of energy to bring this creation to life.

If its any help, I found my electrodes and Igor is keen for a sunshine coast vacation, mwah ha ha ha HA AHAHA AHAHAHAAA!

[wazkelly]

Lucky this one is a 'Bolt-on' job as those electrodes may come in handy at some stage.