1st Guitar Build

Hello!

I recently started my 1st guitar build. This will be my 3rd overall build, but I am a bass player, and have therefore built only basses so far, so this will be my 1st guitar. I decided to go with a standard Telecaster style in a mahogany body and maple neck/fretboard. I also changed the hardware from chrome to gold, and changed the bridge to a Wilkinson Tele Bridge with compensated saddles. This bridge can be set up as thru-body stringing or strung through the bridge. I do not have the tools available for thru-body, so I will string through the bridge. Because of the limited space and tools I have available in my apartment, I have been using Wudtone's Hot Auburn stain for the body, and the Original Vintage Yellow for the neck.

I did, unfortunately, forget to upload the original pictures to my build diary, but wanted to put them out as I've progressed a little through the build. I am open to ideas and constructive criticism to help improve this build. So far I've been extremely happy with the process, but would love to hear any suggestions if things appear incorrect.

As you'll see in the images, I have attached a picture of the body and neck prior to staining, what they look like in the middle of the staining process (please forgive the multiple necks in the picture, I also have a couple bass projects right now), and what it all looks like put together in another mock build.

Thanks everyone and happy building!

Looking good, and welcome.
The good thing about that Wilkinson bridge you got is you can change it to a string-through any time in the future.
If you tool collection expands one day, you just need to drill the holes and add the string ferrules. No mucking around with re-fitting new bridge.

I think the stain on your tele looks great. I normally don't like gold hardware, but with the stain you have chosen and the black pickguard it works well.

Also, I love how some build diaries have a near completed build on page 1. It takes me 7 pages of advice and questions to get anywhere! Maybe I over share ...

I love that colour combination . Going to be a sexy beast when you’re done


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It's been awhile since I originally posted this, so quick update! The body has officially been completed, it has 6 layers of the Wudtone extra gloss top coat. I am re-doing the fretboard on the neck, the last layer of finish went on way too thick and had to be sanded off. Unfortunately with the Wudtone stain/finish (maybe all run-in stains are like this, I'm not sure), removing the finish coats took off some of the vintage yellow stain with it. I am re-applying those layers along with a couple of finishing coats to get the beautiful shimmer it had before. The nut is upgraded too, it was a white plastic nut, it is now a black Tusq XL nut.Attachment 35429Attachment 35430

I am curious about one thing: I've read that some builders choose to wait up to a month after completing the top coats before proceeding with the build. From my understanding that is when I would do the final sanding and buffing. Does anybody happen to know if this is the same process for the Wudtone finishes? They are very thin layers and the instructions never specifically mention any kind of sanding whatsoever other than using fine grade steel wool between coats to remove dust/lint and get the wood ready to accept more stain. I am worried sand paper would cut right through the finish, even at higher grades. I'm also going banana sandwich with impatience to keep going on this build, so that might be why I don't want to wait another 3 weeks.

Thanks to everyone in advance!

Reading through, they say the finish is self-levelling, and don't talk about polishing. If you want more of a shine than you currently have, as it does look smooth already, then I wouldn't sand at all, just go straight to some fine polishing compound. But rub slowly and keep moving the area you are working on to stop heat build-up. They talk about burnishing the ageing finish with standard photocopy paper, rubbing it to build up heat, to take the edge off the shine. But to polish it further, the finish does need to be as hard as possible, and apart from UV cured finishes, almost all other finishes take at least 2 weeks to get hard enough to get and take a good polish.

The finish must be based on a polymerising oil, like boiled linseed or tung, along with some other additives. So it should harden in a generally similar way to those oils do (also in related products like Tru Oil).

But if you want to put it together to play, and really can't wait, then do so, and then take it apart again in a month or so. I'd start on a small bit of the rear, before dismantling, just in case there's something strange about the way the finish responds to a polishing compound, so that at least it happens to a bit you won't see much and you don't take it apart if you don't have to.

You may always come to like the finish as it is in the meantime!

Thank you for the helpful answer! You are correct, it is already very smooth, so using just the fine polishing compound makes sense. I'm very happy with the color so far, it's a little less of the auburn color I was hoping for, but it's still gorgeous, so I've been very nervous about accidentally screwing up the color/clear coats with the final sanding. This is week 2 since the top coat went on, so it should be ready for polishing soon, I'll update with more pictures as it moves forward!

Well it's been nearly a month since the last time I posted in here. As impatient as I was to keep working, I gave the guitar another few weeks to sit before I waxed it, I didn't want to rush and ruin the color and top coat I ended up with. I used Renaissance Wax to polish it up. Based on info from the Wudtone website, I knew not to expect a mirror-like finish once I was done, however, the sheen is absolutely gorgeous, it practically glitters. When I take final pictures I'll use a better camera, as my phone's camera really doesn't do the finish justice. It certainly isn't perfect, but I learned a ton with this build, and have ideas on how to improve on the next build.

The last step I think I have is to install the control plate. The kit came with a pre-wired control plate, but based on the schematic that was provided it looked wrong, and I'm guessing not great hardware. I recently learned about the 4 switch upgrade for Telecasters, and was immediately intrigued. The wiring is on the way and should be here Wednesday afternoon. I'm hoping to wire it up and have it up and running this weekend!

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Looking really really good!

/me Googles telecaster 4-way switch. I guessed series/parallel switching for both pickups. Should be interesting to see how it sounds.

Or hear how it sounds, or maybe even just read about how it sounds to other people...

Awesome!

When your 4 way switch arrives, dont be surprised if you need to extend the control plate slot a little on one or both sides to enable the switch to have it's full throw. On my TeleMaster build I was convinced my wiring was shot, however the problem was that the slot wasn't allowing the switch to reach full throw at either end. It was just enough to stop it short and not make proper connections with the outer most 2 settings.

It's totally worth it though..the series and parallel options give you another tonal pallette to play with. I think the single coil bridge and P90 neck in series is my favourite setting on that guitar [emoji16]

Thanks for the kind words. Jugglindan I'll post some audio once I have it completed as I'm also very curious to hear how this tone will work out. I'll even try to write out the tone so people can read how it sounds!

Bakersdozen, thank you for the tip on the cavity, I hadn't even thought about that. The wiring should be in tomorrow, my goal is to solder it all this weekend if possible. I may try a dry fit with it once it comes in before wiring it up. I bet single coil and P90 sounds incredible! That sounds like a fun future upgrade project when I don't have two other projects on hold haha

The updated wiring came in a few days ago, and created some unexpected issues. Had to get new knobs to fit the full size pots, had to get a new switch cap for the larger size switch, and had to drill out the holes on the control plate to fit the pots too. So far it's good to go now, just waiting for the cap and knobs.

The new wiring has raised a question about the output jack (the original jack is with the gold washer and nut). The new output jack is larger than the jack that came with the kit, it also looks more sturdy, but maybe not. The problem is, it seems like the jack needs another nut to keep it secure to the jack plate. The original jack came with two washers and two nuts, one nut and washer went below the jack plate, the others went on the outside. The new wiring only has two washers and one nut, when I tighten the plate completely the jack sticks out about 3/4 of an inch. Would using the original smaller jack cause any sound problems? I'd prefer the original if there's no sound loss as the gold pieces match the rest of the hardware. Sorry if it's a dumb question, I just have no idea. Thanks in advance for any help!
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Probably not the answer to the problem, but I got a couple of these for the tele's...

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Quality-...frcectupt=true

cheers, Mark.

Those electrosockets are good. But note that they do come in two thread sizes (the socket size itself is otherwise identical). The metric thread one will fit the original kit jack socket, whilst an imperial thread one will fit your new (presumably Switchraft) socket.

Thank you both for the helpful answers! Mark, thank you for the link, I may look into those as a future option, unfortunately with how many other pieces I had to swap out to make this change I'd prefer not to spend more money on the output jack right now haha.

As long as there is no sound loss, I have no problem sticking with the original metric thread and original plate. This is one (of many) times I wish we in the US would just get on board with the rest of the world and use the metric system.

There's a little bit more to work out as far as the intonation, but I think I've finished my first guitar! It took a couple of hours for me to wire up the 4 way switch. This was my first real soldering experience outside of just attaching a pickup to a pot, it's not the prettiest wiring job, but it sounds great so far. The wiring kit I bought came with an optional treble bleed too, so I wired that up as well.

The 4th position sounds great! To be honest I've previously never had much desire for a tele, I've always like the sound of LP's better, but this seemed like a good starter guitar. With the pickups in series it sounds more like the LP than any tele I've heard, so I'm very happy!

I'll post some better pictures when I have a better camera and more time, but I was excited to post this update! Thank you to everyone for the help along the way, I couldn't have done it without the help.

Attachment 36478

I'm way, way behind on posting some nicer photos of this guitar, but having no decent photography equipment made it a struggle. I was finally able to coordinate with our graphic design manager at work and have her take a few "glamour shots" for me. They turned out beautifully so wanted to update the build diary.

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Damn, that's nice. Wish mine were so tidy.

Thanks Jim!

She definitely took some dents and dings in the finish because I waited to do all the wiring and drilling holes until the finish was done. But I just look at the dents and dings as the first of many battle scars!

Very nice, clean and simple. A great effort.

Well worth adding your own headstock logo!

Thank you for the kind words Simon! I agree, a headstock logo is needed at this point. I've always been more partial to Gibson vs. Fender styles, so I wasn't sure what I was going to do with this build once I was done, so I didn't bother with a logo at the time. It turned out so great though, and I ended up putting enough time and energy into it that I've become very attached haha

Looks great. The gold hardware really goes well.

Nice job c0ffinspire! Really like the body colour.

I know I've been spruiking about "no new builds" recently, but I'm coming around to the idea of doing something tele-esque when I do get around to it again. Good on ya!