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In keeping with the tradition of the members of this forum I have ordered another kit before finishing the one that I've got.
I've always wanted a tele so looking forward to this building and having a play. I dare say this will be my main guitar after it's built so I can retire my much-loved and over-worked Maton Mastersound MS500.
LOL!!! Good on ya!Quote:
In keeping with the tradition of the members of this forum I have ordered another kit before finishing the one that I've got.
Good to see you keeping with tradition!Quote:
Originally Posted by glenwilliam
I got that sweet sweet notification from Aus Post this morning that my kit is there to be collected. Goodbye friends and family, I have a new love now.
Haha love that! Have fun!Quote:
Originally Posted by glenwilliam
Alright! New kit!
First things first I did a count and quick layout to make sure I had the bits and pieces. Again featuring my friend/assistant, Harrison.
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Looks good.
Onto the headstock shaping. I'm was going for the traditional tele shape. A little wonky but then again so am I, so I like it.
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Now time for the infamous bridge positioning. I measured a few times, and I think I have come across the same issue as most people in that the hole for the bridge pickup is just a little too far back:
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I also noticed that the pickguard is a little off - it doesn't sit around the neck completely straight so i'm going to have to trim a little off the inside.. nothing major, maybe half a mm.
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I picked up a little Ozito rotary tool from Bunningtons this morning as recommended by a couple of people here so looking forward to getting that out and giving it a burl this afternoon! Wish me luck!
Best opening post from any build diary ever.Quote:
Originally Posted by glenwilliam
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Should be ready for anything then. I've had mine for a couple of years now and it gets regular use.Quote:
Originally Posted by glenwilliam
Out-lasted the Dremel that it replaced (of course you can use Dremel attachments in it).
You'll get better and better with practice.
cheers, Mark.
Just double check and measure a couple of times before making any mods. Your 'to remove' markings look a bit larger than I expected.
Remember that the bridge (unlike the control plate) does not touch the pickguard (there should be a 3-4mm gap between them) and that the top B/E saddle should be moved forward almost to the end of the screw before measuring scale length. Measure the scale length in one go, from the front of the high E nut slot to the middle of the high E saddle.
Cut out too much, then find the bridge needs to come back a bit, and you could end up with a visible hole.
Cheers Simon!
I started on the tru-oil a little while ago now and finally rested on 12 coats. I got a really good level of shine out of it. For those who haven't used tru-oil and after 4-5 coats thinking you're not gonna get something shiny - keep going. Follow the process and you'll be pleasantly surprised. I could have stopped at around 9-10 i think but I kept doing it uneven and had to fix some stuff-ups.
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Then onto the copper tape!
I actually enjoy doing this part even though its a bit fiddly. I like the look of the copper against the body colour. Could even see this with copper hardware!
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I also replaced the standard nut with the bone nut. I had to file the nut down ever so slightly as it was a little thicker than the standard one. But it fit in very tightly after some light sanding! No pics of that though :)
Now I am stuck.
I'm a little confused on the wiring of this one as the wires are slightly different to the diagrams provided in the build manual links.
Edit: I've seen a few other threads about this so I will do some reading :)
Yellow wire from the middle tab of the volume knob to the outside tab on the output jack. 1 black wire to the inside tab on the output jack. 1 black wire to the bridge plate.
I need to see the switch from a different angle, as I can't see the tangs from those pics - but one of those tangs on the body goes to earth. It looks like the output from the switch is already wired to to the outer tang on the volume pot (blue wire). Hot wire from each pickup to opposite tangs, earth wire (usually bare I think in these kits) from each pickup to the back of the volume or tone pots.
If you throw up some more pics of what you have coming out of the pickups and another shot of the switch, I or someone else can further clarify.
Looking good! FWIW, I do a minimum of 24 coats when I do Tru Oil. That doesn't mean you have to, but I'm one of many that due more than 10-12. I've seen lots that are 30+.
re: your shielding -
You need to run the tape up over the edge of the route onto the body in at least one place on each cavity. (I overlap around the entire cavity if I can - but that's just me)
Secondly, you need to put shielding on the back of the pickguard (if it doesn't have it already) where guard goes over the neck p/u.
It's also a good idea to tape (or wire) so all three cavities have continuity. It's not visible in the photo, but the control cavity is also shielded and contacts with the neck p/u cavity.
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Thanks McCreed! I will update my shielding - makes sense to have some over onto the body and on the pickguard!
Thanks Sonic. I think from the wiring forum I have what I need but if I get stuck I'll chuck up a photo of the switch :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonic Mountain
With a proper shielding job you're creating a "Faraday cage". Think of it as a 6-sided metal box (in this case, copper) to keep out the bad mojo (RFI).Quote:
...makes sense to have some over onto the body and on the pickguard!
If you don't have a lid on the box (the shielded pickguard) you may as well not have the box at all.
I finished this off last week and have been playing it daily since.
One of the machine heads was a bit dodgy (I think from the manufacturing process) which Adam replaced super quickly (actually gave me 2 replacements to try). I whacked that on and strung the thing up. I think I'd really love to get a professional setup for this guitar as, while its great to play as it is, could do with a bit better action which I'll leave up to the professionals I think (once this COVID stuff is past us!)
Thank you all for your assistance and suggestions that made this build relatively easy! I love the guitar and look forward to many years of terrible solos!
Anyway, here's some pics of the final product:
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Good work! Nice looking axe.Quote:
I think I'd really love to get a professional setup for this guitar as, while its great to play as it is, could do with a bit better action which I'll leave up to the professionals I think (once this COVID stuff is past us!)
re: set-up
Probably no better time to hone your own set-up skills than right now.
It's a great opportunity jump in and wrap your head around how all the points of adjustment work and how they all affect each other/work together.
Take note of your present "settings" then start tweaking. You can always reset to where it is now, and whilst you can temporarily end up with a foul playing instrument, chances of wrecking it are reasonably low. Just be sure to leave the BFH (big f'ing hammer) in the toolbox! ;)
Cheers McCreed.Quote:
Originally Posted by McCreed
I did consider this, and you might be right! I do have a lot of spare time on my hands now :)
Your bridge pickup could certainly come up a bit higher.
And your control plate seems to be resting on the edge of the pickguard, rather than flat against the body. Something you don't really want as apart from aesthetics, you are loosing some shielding benefits for the control cavity. Something that should be easily fettled.
Thanks Simon, I noticed the control plate from the photos too and have adjusted accordingly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Simon Barden
I'll look at the bridge pickup, cheers! :)
Hah! That's happened to me a couple of times.Quote:
Thanks Simon, I noticed the control plate from the photos too and have adjusted accordingly.
I've "finished" a build and thought "Yep, done & dusted". Take pics to show it off... and, D'oh!!! Forgot the truss rod cover, or something equally silly (or bleeding obvious when you see the photo!).
Haha yep.. a second set of eyes, even in photos, helps!Quote:
Originally Posted by McCreed
It was actually a wire that was causing it to not sit flush on the body.. tucked that bad boy in and its looking much better.
Your guitar looks great. A nice natural finish. Here’s to the terrible solos 🍻.
Great job.
I know it’s a bit scary setting the action on your first guitar. But it’s definitely a skill worth acquiring. Just do it by degrees. You’d be surprised the difference a fraction of a mm can make to playability.
Cheers! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkMark
Thanks mate :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Fretworn
Looks great! I can only hope that my own comes out looking as nice.
Cheers!Quote:
Originally Posted by gpjt
Yours is coming along nicely and seems you're being very patient with it so I'm sure it's going to be great!
Close enough. I've been trying to come up with an original headstock shape, but the Telecaster is probably my favourite. Or maybe second to Rickenbacker.
Strangely, I replied to someone here a few months back that hated the Tele shape. Go figure?
I never used to like teles at all 15+ years ago but I love them now :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Simon_B
Could have been me. I don't exactly hate them, but I do find them pretty boring. I've built a couple and I can see the appeal for sure, but man, they are EVERYWHERE!
Great kit to start with, but I see a lot of people doing scratch builds and basically doing exact copies and I just don't see the point of not at least trying to do something original if you've got all the tools and materials.
My 2 cents on them anyway