GlennGPs Tele #2 ("Tanias Red Menace")

[GlennGP]

This topic is to document the build of a TL-1A kit, being built for a friend. We're tricking this one out with a few quality upgrades, because there's every chance Tania might want to take this on stage with her band, and it's got to stand up to that treatment. Since we're on a budget, upgrades are mostly to enhance the sound and longevity rather than aesthetics, though it will (hopefully!) still look the goods.

Finish will be Wudtone Carmine Gypsy, as saturated as I can get it to go - no highlights, extra gloss top coat. Neck is Wudtone Vintage Yellow. We're going for a white-black-white 3-ply pickguard. Other upgrades:
- Switchcraft jack plug
- CRL 3-way switch
- full copper shielding
- bone nut
- Wilkinson compensated Tele bridge
- Wilde Bill's Deluxe Keystone T-set pickups (I love the sound of these, and they are unbeatable at the price)

I know there's nothing technically wrong with the parts that come with the kits but I really want to make sure this plays well and reliably, and for that I think an investment in some quality parts is justified.

There's scope for further upgrades in future (e.g. pots, cap, tuners), but I'm trying not to make it too complex - after all, this is only the second guitar I've ever built!

All kits and parts have been ordered, so it's time to sit back and wait for happy parcels!

Oh, and since I started a theme with the "Yellow Peril", this one naturally has to be the "Red Menace".

[Gavin1393]

Tania is a lucky girl! Looking forward to seeing this one develop Glenn!

[stui]

If you're upgrading the pups I'd be inclined to upgrade the pots and caps. It does make a difference and its a reasonably small outlay. Well worth the extra few dollars imo.

[keloooe]

To echo wot Gavin said, Tania is one very lucky girl!!!
To add on to Stui's comment, maybe you could try making some Paper in Oil Caps??? Looks at my thread in the wiring sub-forum and you will find the link to the instructions!

[GlennGP]

Thanks guys - for the price, you've convinced me it's worth taking the the pots and caps route now rather than later. Ordered - from StewMac, of course!

Sorry Callum, I'm not going to risk reliability by trying to make oil in paper caps for the first time, and I'm already time-poor for this project, so not this time. You'll have to live vicariously through someone else!

At this rate I'm going to be close to having a complete set of spare electronics and most of the hardware for an electric guitar. Whatever will I do with it?

EDIT: stoopid interface replaces my link with this thread, regardless of what I put in there. The original link was to an electric cigar box guitar thingy.

[Gavin1393]

Quote from GlennGP on April 23, 2013, 07:02

At this rate I'm going to be close to having a complete set of spare electronics and most of the hardware for an electric guitar. Whatever will I do with it?

Buy a chunk of wood?

[keloooe]

Then the next logical step would be attempt a scratch build, although I'm most definitely wrong!

[wokkaboy]

Quote from keloooe on April 23, 2013, 14:26
Then the next logical step would be attempt a scratch build, although I'm most definitely wrong!

Yes Good idea build a scratch build #3 project Glenn. You learn so much more than building a kit. Sounds like all you need is a neck. Didn't take us long to make a tele template. U just need a router and pattern following bit. This is a pine scratch Wayne cut in an afternoon on left next to tl-1b

[wokkaboy]

Quote from wokkaboy on April 23, 2013, 16:27

Quote from keloooe on April 23, 2013, 14:26
Then the next logical step would be attempt a scratch build, although I'm most definitely wrong!

Yes Good idea build a scratch build #3 project Glenn. You learn so much more than building a kit. Sounds like all you need is a neck. Didn't take us long to make a tele template. U just need a router and pattern following bit. This is a pine scratch Wayne cut in an afternoon on left next to tl-1b

Glenn try again with photo

[GlennGP]

OK guys, we're on our way. I got two packages today: the kit from PitBull, and the pickguard and bridge from Guitar Fetish. I've done a quick test fit, and all seems in order. Checked the length, and that's good. The TL-1A kit differs from the TL-1 not just in the type of wood - there is a diagonally drilled hole from the bridge rout up to the surface, under the bridge, I assume for the ground wire, instead of coming up and over the edge of the rout. And the neck is different, in that the fretboard extends beyond the neck proper, to overlap the body (and the pickguard) by 5-10mm.

I'm pretty happy with this chunk of wood - no fill anywhere that I can see and some nice figure in the grain. On the back there are some deeper diagonal grain features near the top edge that'll pop right out with the Wudtone. Thanks Phil, for picking this one off the shelf for me!

Here are some pics I took tonight.

Overhead shot of the mock-build. The upgraded bridge and pickguard are pictured here, all else is stock.