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phloggy
22-04-2013, 12:08 PM
Hi All,

I didn't get at far as I wanted to this weekend. I had some emergency birthday celebrations to attend to.

So anyway, I've been thinking I need some more single coil love in my life, and it doesn't get much more single coil than a tele. After some hints (and a direct link the kit in question) by wife bought me a TL-1 kit for my birthday.

I've got a specific look in mind and although it's had a few tweaks here and there, the general theme has been the same, so I'm not going down the Wudtone path this time around.

So anyway, the obviously the first thing to do is to get all the bits out and make sure they all fit together, right?

The bits:

http://i.imgur.com/wWhp2tE.jpg

The initial laying out.

http://i.imgur.com/wB1Xm6a.jpg

Son of a bitch. The pickguard doesn't fit. I mean, look that this:

http://i.imgur.com/3qSDFl7.jpg

Wait a minute....

http://i.imgur.com/XxYg0x0.jpg

Never mind. Ahem.

Anyways. Protect the neck! Lucky there's plenty of padding with the kit.

http://i.imgur.com/nWX8ipq.jpg

Now, I *hate* the standard Tele headstock, and I like it more than the normal Fender headstock, so I spent hours upon hours drawing and refining all manner of headstocks until I had that magic moment where you see one you like in a magazine, so you just completely rip it off.

http://i.imgur.com/wMWBcM4.jpg

You're probably looking at that thinking "You know, that's not all that different to the regular Fender headstock that he just said he hates" and you're right. The difference is, you haven't seen the pictures that are in my head of the finished product, that are probably way beyond my abilities as a woodworker. Never mind. If you're going to cock it up, you might as well cock it up big, yeah?

Next step. Shed preparation. It gets cold in the shed, so you need to keep your vice warm, right?

http://i.imgur.com/krwEzJE.jpg

Then there's really nothing left to do except take a deep breath and start with the cutting. Can't put it off any longer.

http://i.imgur.com/1ZKURbt.jpg

She's a bit rough, but should sand out alright.

http://i.imgur.com/kMkIjdt.jpg

I forgot to take pictures between the sanding and the taping up, but she's all ready for painting.

http://i.imgur.com/KONXS81.jpg

The body is all sanded as smooth as a baby's backside as well (well 1200 sand paper anyway), but there's no real point in taking photos of that, as it looks just the same.

And that's where I'm up to. I need to stick a few coats of paint on the thing, and then I can hit phase two of the headstock! Yes! Multi-phase headstock. It will be exciting.

keloooe
23-04-2013, 01:06 AM
Awwww.... Should try using Wudtone for the next build... But anyways, the routs aren't perfect looking until you attach everything, then it looks better, as you found out!

sfkhooper
23-04-2013, 10:27 PM
What was the problem with the guard? What did you differently to make it fit? In the first shot it looked like it was nicely up against the neck. I've had a problem with my guard because of the way the pickup holes were routed; not so easily solved.

phloggy
23-04-2013, 11:21 PM
There was nothing wrong with it at all.

I'd been reading some threads on here about people having trouble with their pickguards and having to cut them to size or getting custom ones made, so I was watching it pretty carefully. You can see in the initial layout picture above that it doesn't line up with the control panel routing, so I was silently swearing to myself and trying to figure out how to fix it. Then I put the control plate on too see just how bad it was, and it turns out everything lines up just fine.

Gavin1393
23-04-2013, 11:23 PM
Hey SFK,

It did fit. It was more of a play on the expectations that it might not have fitted properly. The metal cover overlaps the routed area by a fair bit and fits snugly into the pickguard cover. I did have to alter mine ever so slightly though!

phloggy
24-04-2013, 05:20 AM
Put the first coat of paint on earlier. Was a bit heavy handed in some sections and got some sagging and dimpling so there'll have to be some proper sanding over and above the "smoothing" sand that I was hoping for, but that's OK. I'm loving the colour. No pictures yet though.

maxaxe
27-04-2013, 08:50 AM
Hey Mr Phloggy

I'm with you on disliking the original headstock shape.
Yours design looks pretty cool though.
Q: What colour(s) do you plan using?

phloggy
05-05-2013, 05:49 AM
Wow, compared to some my build is taking forever it seems! Oh well, I guess that comes with having a job and a family that wants to spend time with me. I also did a headstock that needs 5 separate stages so that doesn't help matters. Anyhow, I've finally finished the painting stage! Almost, anyway. The "paint" bit is finished, I've just unmasked the neck today and I'm putting a few coats of clear Wudtone on it. Next week I should be ready to rock an roll.

I didn't get the finish I was looking for, but I think what I've ended up with is even better. I was going for the high gloss, shiny thing, but I've got a satiny semi gloss end result. It feels like silk when you run your hands over it. Awesome.

And sorry, maxaxe, I didn't see your question earlier. The design as cut out looks cool, but I think what I've done looks even better.

It might be slow going, but I'm pretty happy with it so far.

Here's a picture!

http://i.imgur.com/4eopudp.jpg

I've made one cock-up though. I had the neck in the vise when I was shaping it and I must have tightened it too much. I've dented the 8th fret and lifted the end a bit. Hopefully nothing a dressing won't fix, but I fear there's going to be a bit of a flat spot there. :(

phloggy
05-05-2013, 06:02 AM
I can get on with soldering and fitting the hardware to the body, can't I? There's no requirement for the neck to be fitted for any of that stuff to happen is there? Except for maybe the bridge, but even then I can do everything except put the screws in, correct?

phloggy
05-05-2013, 06:38 AM
Quote from phloggy on May 4, 2013, 14:49
Wow, compared to some my build is taking forever it seems! Oh well, I guess that comes with having a job and a family that wants to spend time with me.

That was a poor choice of words. I don't mean to imply anyone faster than me doesn't have a job or a loving family. ;)

adam
05-05-2013, 06:46 AM
It's looking good Phloggy, but you need some more light on the guitar when you photograph it. Also, you need to get some close ups... so get right in there and let us see some of the detail.

phloggy
05-05-2013, 07:02 AM
Yeah, it was just a progress shot. Once it's in one piece I'll try a few more "glamour" shots.

maxaxe
05-05-2013, 09:34 AM
I didn't get the finish I was looking for, but I think what I've ended up with is even better. I was going for the high gloss, shiny thing, but I've got a satiny semi gloss end result. It feels like silk when you run your hands over it. Awesome.

And sorry, maxaxe, I didn't see your question earlier. The design as cut out looks cool, but I think what I've done looks even better.


Your headstock looks brilliant - The photo is a little indistinct, but it appears to have a "stepdown" which I reckon is very cool.
The overall finish looks pretty slick too - great work.

keloooe
05-05-2013, 10:08 AM
Hey phloggy, you can do the soldering, the neck and bridge can be done at the end!!!

phloggy
05-05-2013, 11:56 AM
Quote from maxaxe on May 4, 2013, 18:34
Your headstock looks brilliant - The photo is a little indistinct, but it appears to have a "stepdown" which I reckon is very cool.
The overall finish looks pretty slick too - great work.


Yep, I carved it out. I'll try and get some better pictures of that tomorrow. I'm super happy with the way that worked.

Brendan
05-05-2013, 01:04 PM
Great idea and love the colours. The use of natural colour timber at the bottom of the step is great. Good job and looking forward to seeing the finished product.

phloggy
06-05-2013, 09:42 AM
Here are some better shots of the headstock

http://i.imgur.com/ayQ4zDh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/rhqFhVj.jpg

Gavin1393
06-05-2013, 10:44 AM
Love this headstock -its such a great idea.....

keloooe
06-05-2013, 09:11 PM
Quote from Gavin1393 on May 5, 2013, 19:44
Love this headstock -its such a great idea.....
I think Adam's Tele stealing vibes are tingling now!!!!
Phloggy, get that thing under extremely high security!!!

glenno3228
07-05-2013, 04:24 AM
Put another vote in the "love the headstock treatment" column. Very nice! :)

dingobass
07-05-2013, 01:09 PM
Nice one Phloggy!

It is great seeing folk work outside the square. Ten out of Ten :D

keloooe
07-05-2013, 09:05 PM
I think you made an error there DB, should be at least 11/10!

dingobass
08-05-2013, 12:32 AM
11/10?....... I thought you were doing advanced math, Pest ! :P

wokkaboy
08-05-2013, 12:54 AM
Quote from dingobass on May 6, 2013, 22:09
Nice one Phloggy!

It is great seeing folk work outside the square. Ten out of Ten :D

Hey Phloggy,
that headstock looks really cool, did you use a pattern following tapered router bit to cut that ?

I agree DB its 10/10 and yes Pest go back to your maths class, everyone knows 110% is a myth !

phloggy
08-05-2013, 01:00 AM
Nope. I did all that by hand via possibly criminal misuse of a Dremel-like rotary tool and lots of sanding out the mistakes, but I got there in the end.

You can see some dings on the end where it got a bit away from me.

wokkaboy
08-05-2013, 01:40 AM
Quote from phloggy on May 7, 2013, 10:00
Nope. I did all that by hand via possibly criminal misuse of a Dremel-like rotary tool and lots of sanding out the mistakes, but I got there in the end.

You can see some dings on the end where it got a bit away from me.

cool Phloggy, must have taken quite a few hours. Did you paint the whole headstock black then cut the wood out or paint after ?

phloggy
08-05-2013, 10:14 AM
The actual carving didn't take as long as you'd think.

I started by shaping the outline with the coping saw, then sanding like all getout. Then a few coats of the blue, letting it dry properly every time. That took about two weeks, because I wasn't rushing and had a few things on. Then I went out to the shed at about 8pm one night with the intention of marking out the carving and maybe getting the paint off. When I came in at 11pm it was done. Then a couple of coats of clear (again with the drying), then sanding and polishing.

Once all *that* was done I was unable to unmask it all, give the neck another good sanding and two coats of of Wudtone clear base coat. I just put on one coat of the top coat today, so I guess another coat tomorrow night and I'll finally be finished on the neck.

In other news, I'm now sold on the Wudtone (assuming you're not going for a solid colour, I guess). It's way easier to put on than paint.

And I've just finished wiring up the body. The tap test works, so it's full steam ahead! Almost! After I gussy up the scratch plate a bit, which will again require clear coats and drying.

Might have it at least ready for a setup on the weekend!

dingobass
08-05-2013, 11:41 AM
Great stuff Phloggy. You can do solid colour finishes with Wudtone.... as long as you like white, green, blue, pink..... but I am sure that darker colours could be arranged if required :D

phloggy
12-05-2013, 04:57 AM
Had a bit of a push on today. Had a few hours up my sleeve, and made some progress! In fact, as far as putting the thing together goes, it's done!

Pictures!

http://i.imgur.com/WWuBW7G.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6IUjcR9.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VYvZgFE.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2TBtInb.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Q8RYRrC.jpg

It stills needs a good fret dressing though, particularly where I clamped the 8th fret too hard, and I think I messed up the wiring. It works, but there's a heap of buzzing that doesn't sound like a shielding issue. Maybe I've got a bad solder joint. I'll see if I can record it to see if anyone can give me a clue.

stui
12-05-2013, 05:07 AM
I love this. Love the colour, love the pick guard, love the headstock shape. Doesn't matter about the dings in the headstock, just gives it character. Great job!

phloggy
12-05-2013, 05:28 AM
Here we go. This first recording is a reference recording using my Epiphone Les Paul. Just so you can hear a what I'd expect the recording to sound like. It start with nothing plugged in, then the plugging in, then just a few chords.

https://soundcloud.com/phloggy/lp-recording

This is the problem child. Exactly the same settings as for the LP recording, just the different guitar. Again, nothing plugged in, then the plugging, then the bridge pickup, then the neck.

https://soundcloud.com/phloggy/tele-recording

Any ideas of what that might be? I might start at the jack and work my way back. It doesn't quite feel like the plug is quite "gripping" enough.

phloggy
12-05-2013, 05:30 AM
Quote from stui on May 11, 2013, 14:07
I love this. Love the colour, love the pick guard, love the headstock shape. Doesn't matter about the dings in the headstock, just gives it character. Great job!

Thanks! The pick guard is a bit of a nerd filter :)

phloggy
12-05-2013, 05:59 AM
Oop! Spoke too soon. I just found the string trees. So not *quite* finished.

adam
12-05-2013, 06:45 AM
Hey Phloggy, listened to your recordings and, to me, it sounds like a bad solder or the guitar isn't earthed properly. Did you run the earth wire to the bridge plate?

Gavin1393
12-05-2013, 09:54 AM
Hi Phloggy

You have a grounding issue, possibly even a double grounding issue. There was hum coming through from the moment you plugged the guitar in and then when you touched the strings the hum became louder.

Post the wiring diagram you used as well as some pictures of the wiring and we'll have a look for you!

phloggy
12-05-2013, 10:08 AM
Quote from adam on May 11, 2013, 15:45
Hey Phloggy, listened to your recordings and, to me, it sounds like a bad solder or the guitar isn't earthed properly. Did you run the earth wire to the bridge plate?



Yeah, I did. Unless it slipped out while I was fixing it. I certainly hope not.




Quote from Gavin1393 on May 11, 2013, 18:54
Hi Phloggy

You have a grounding issue, possibly even a double grounding issue. There was hum coming through from the moment you plugged the guitar in and then when you touched the strings the hum became louder.

Post the wiring diagram you used as well as some pictures of the wiring and we'll have a look for you!


I just followed the one here:

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/TL-1.pdf

I'll pull it to bits later in the week and have another stab at it with the bigger soldering tip. I had the fine one on and didn't realise until it was heated up and ready to go.

Thanks guys!

Gavin1393
12-05-2013, 12:39 PM
I'd need to see a picture/photo of what you did in terms of your actual wiring to be sure, but it looks simple enough.the sound was also very bright....little warmth, so definitely a photograph would be helpful.

pablopepper
12-05-2013, 01:10 PM
Sweet! I really dig the theme of this guitar. Did you buy the pickguard like that or did you do the print?

phloggy
12-05-2013, 11:45 PM
Quote from pablopepper on May 11, 2013, 22:10
Sweet! I really dig the theme of this guitar. Did you buy the pickguard like that or did you do the print?

It's a waterslide decal. Well, lots of them really. One per line. I thought it might hold up better that way. My early experiments showed that they've got a tendency to peel off. Then a couple of coats of clear poly.

keloooe
13-05-2013, 01:21 AM
Hey Phloggy, are the solder joins neat and shiny???? If they are just messy, grey, horrible looking blob, then it's a bad solder joint that is making some problems, post a pic of the wiring

dingobass
13-05-2013, 08:44 AM
When you pull it all down, a trick I use to ensure good grounding on the bridge is to wrap the bare wire around the closest mount screw and make a loop. I then solder this loop and when I replace the bridge mount screw through this it ensures a permanent un pulla outerable ground :D

phloggy
13-05-2013, 09:28 AM
Quote from keloooe on May 12, 2013, 10:21
Hey Phloggy, are the solder joins neat and shiny???? If they are just messy, grey, horrible looking blob, then it's a bad solder joint that is making some problems, post a pic of the wiring

Nah, the solder joints are all good. One of the things I learned during 4 years of electrical engineering is how to solder well.

Apparently what I *didn't* learn is how to read simple wiring diagrams to make sure you don't wire the jack up backwards, even after you've triple checked.

So after fixing that, it ends up like this: (Make sure your volume is down for the plug in bit)

https://soundcloud.com/phloggy/tele-wiring-sounds-2

It's still very bright, but that's exactly what I'm after. The thing quacks like a duck, and I love it!

Now I've just got to give it good fret job, and it's all apples.

dingobass
13-05-2013, 09:41 AM
D'OH!

That is one of my favourite mistakes.... I should have thought of that earlier....

Gavin1393
13-05-2013, 11:19 AM
Quote from dingobass on May 12, 2013, 18:41
D'OH!

That is one of my favourite mistakes.... I should have thought of that earlier....

Nah! We just thought Phloggy wasn't going to make such a basic mistake like we both did! Phloggy, I have gone so far as to make a reverse jack plug which allows me to check everytime I plug in and get hum! If the hum goes I know I stuffed up again! You are in good company on this one!

That guitar sounds great at the neck!

adam
13-05-2013, 11:23 AM
Phloggy that sounds fantastic! Are they the stock pick-ups?

Sounds like my prized workhorse, a '78 Tele.

dingobass
13-05-2013, 01:17 PM
Quote from adam on May 12, 2013, 20:23
Phloggy that sounds fantastic! Are they the stock pick-ups?

Sounds like my prized workhorse, a '78 Tele.

Your baby is a '76 Adam.... i worked this out when I did the work on her 8-)

keloooe
13-05-2013, 09:08 PM
Sounds nice there Phloggy!!!!

phloggy
13-05-2013, 11:18 PM
Quote from adam on May 12, 2013, 20:23
Phloggy that sounds fantastic! Are they the stock pick-ups?

Sounds like my prized workhorse, a '78 Tele.

Yep! There's nothing on there that didn't come in the box, including the strings.

I'm honestly really suprised. I've played tens of Telecasters in the shops looking for "the one" in a whole range of price points, and pretty much decided that I'm just not a Tele man. Never found one that was comfortable to play, and none had the "sparkle" that I normally associate with classic single coil Teles.

I got this to get the Tele GAS out of my system so I can move onto to other things. Wasn't expecting great things out of a $120 kit. I mean, hell, you can get single pickups that cost more than that.

But this one is ticking all the boxes. I suspect the playability is the scale length. I need to verify, but I think the scale length is shorter than the standard Tele scale.

Of course it might also be the fact that I put it together, but I like to think I'm more detached than that, and that's got nothing to do with the way it sounds.

Except for the strings. I'm glad they're "disposable no-names". Seriously, are they repurposed pickup windings? I've never felt strings so thin. Pulling them off tonight to level the frets, replacing them with the "Pit Bull" packet that's there, then if all's OK fret wise it'll be a nice set of 10s on there.

phloggy
14-05-2013, 11:11 PM
Had a go at leveling the frets last night. There's one problematic fret, so it took a bit of work and for a while there I thought I'd succeeded in making a decorative wall hanging. On all frets from the 2nd to the 9th were the same note, which meant I'd taken too much from the top of the board. I was gutted, but I only had one string on.

When I finished putting on the rest of the strings and got some tension on the neck it *mostly* fixed itself. I still have that problem fret, but I think with some judicious spot filing and maybe a bit of bridge and truss rod action it'll come good.

Gavin1393
15-05-2013, 09:51 AM
Hi Phloggy, did you follow my thread on "levelling frets"' was the truss rod tightened and was the neck straight to begin with?

phloggy
15-05-2013, 12:36 PM
Yep. The troublesome fret is my own fault. I took a shortcut when painting the head and clamped it too hard. Now the edges are high and the middle is low.

dingobass
15-05-2013, 12:48 PM
Bugger! Been there and done that myself...
A short sharp tap with a plastic faced hammer will re seat the ends, but you will need to support the neck on a caul or a sand bag,
(You can make the perfect sand bag with an old jeans leg).
The sand bag will support the neck perfectly and absorb the energy from the hammer, thus stopping the fret from bouncing back out of the slot.

keloooe
15-05-2013, 09:13 PM
Best option is to use the StewMac Deadblow Hammer, it has shot in it, so that will absorb a ton of energy!

Gavin1393
15-05-2013, 10:54 PM
Actually, the best option is to use a fret press, but not everyone has access to one.....

dingobass
15-05-2013, 11:04 PM
Hence my suggestion of plastic faced hammer and a sand bag, an easy and affordable fix without having to wait for tools to arrive from the US....

Gavin1393
16-05-2013, 09:55 AM
Quote from dingobass on May 15, 2013, 08:04
Hence my suggestion of plastic faced hammer and a sand bag, an easy and affordable fix without having to wait for tools to arrive from the US....

Exactly!

keloooe
16-05-2013, 09:07 PM
Quote from Gavin1393 on May 15, 2013, 07:54
Actually, the best option is to use a fret press, but not everyone has access to one.....
Maton use the SM one for their fret pressing, they have some neat SM toys tools!!! :P

dingobass
16-05-2013, 10:05 PM
The fret arbour is a nice tool.
I use the Stewmac fret thingys in my drill press, works a treat!
One day I will buy an arbour press from Hare Forbes, actually a bit cheaper than the Stewmac one, especially now with the dollar below parity......

phloggy
16-05-2013, 10:34 PM
I used a padded hammer, padded the fretboard and a sand bag. I think I pulled my punches though, it just feels wrong to be laying into a guitar with a hammer.

No matter, a combination of that, some filing and raising the bridge a 1/2 mm or so and some heavier strings seems to have mostly sorted things out. Still a bit of weirdness if you bend on the 10th fret, but aside from that it all good. I'll just call it a lesson reminder.

Took it to my guitar lesson last night. Bloody thing wouldn't stay in tune. I suspect I should have given it some more time for everything to settle and stretch before trying to show it off. Of course it's been all good since I've had it home again.

keloooe
17-05-2013, 09:05 PM
You could save the $$$ and get the StewMac Fretting Kit, has everything you need to start fretting guitars, you might also want to get the Fret Beveler as well, to get the frets nice and uniform!

glenno3228
18-05-2013, 05:39 AM
Quote from phloggy on May 16, 2013, 07:34
Took it to my guitar lesson last night. Bloody thing wouldn't stay in tune. I suspect I should have given it some more time for everything to settle and stretch before trying to show it off. Of course it's been all good since I've had it home again.

Hi Phloggy. I found my RC also lost tune for the first couple of days while everything bedded in after fitting the pitbull strings. No problems since then and the guitar sounds fantastic for an out of the box build. Like yours, it's very bright, particularly the bridge pickup but the neck sounds beautifully smooth. I might change the pick ups one day but for now its decision time. Fender jag copy or a tele with a string breaker. :)

dingobass
18-05-2013, 01:07 PM
Maybe try a .047uf capacitor on the bridge tone, this will take a bit of the brightness off and warm up the tone a touch.
If it still seems a tad bright, replace the pot with a 250 ohm will warm the tone a little more....

glenno3228
18-05-2013, 08:25 PM
Quote from dingobass on May 17, 2013, 22:07
Maybe try a .047uf capacitor on the bridge tone, this will take a bit of the brightness off and warm up the tone a touch.
If it still seems a tad bright, replace the pot with a 250 ohm will warm the tone a little more....

Sorry for the hijack Phloggy but thanks DB I'll give this a try too.

Glenn

phloggy
18-05-2013, 11:57 PM
Nah, I love how bright and twangy it is. It was the whole reason for doing a Tele. I've got plenty of humbucker darkness on hand already.

Gavin1393
19-05-2013, 01:31 AM
Quote from dingobass on May 17, 2013, 22:07
Maybe try a .047uf capacitor on the bridge tone, this will take a bit of the brightness off and warm up the tone a touch.
If it still seems a tad bright, replace the pot with a 250 ohm will warm the tone a little more....

...or add a 500k resistor to the 500k pot which in effect turns it into a 250k....saves on some soldering!!!

phloggy
12-07-2013, 03:48 AM
Right, well the tuning never settled down, and sorting out the frets has proven beyond me, and I didn't like playing it, so I've taken it to "a guy".

He took one look and said he'll be replacing the bent frets, cutting down the nut, giving it proper fret dressing and setup.

Probably cost more than the guitar itself did, but at least it will more than just a wall hanging.

Brendan
12-07-2013, 05:17 AM
Phloggy - I think DB has a deal for new kits where he'll dress your frets and put in a bone nut for you when you buy your kit for a bit extra. Just check the extras tab on the bar above. May be a cheaper option for your next kit... It'll also be spot on and delivered with the kit, so let you kick off in style...

phloggy
12-07-2013, 05:24 AM
Heh. He just posted me a new kit yesterday and all.

To be honest, if it was *just* the nut and the fret dress I'd have had a crack. The fact the frets were actually damaged just put it a touch beyond me at this stage.

Brendan
12-07-2013, 08:26 AM
D'oh! Sorry to hear that.

phloggy
25-07-2013, 03:53 AM
It's back! And now it's brilliant. Have only had a short fiddle so far, but he seems to have worked a miracle. The new frets have allowed him to drop the action by more than half, and it's in tune all the way! And the bends! I've standardised my strings now so I've got the same strings on all my guitars. I bend on this thing to my normal spot, and then it keeps going!

I am happy.

Brendan
25-07-2013, 02:24 PM
Great news! Good to hear Phloggy...