Moo's TLA-1 - My First Build

[Simon Barden]

The better ones state the dimensions (at least width and thickness), so as long as you have a good ruler or calipers then its fairly easy to order the right one. I've never found one (yet) that came with the fret slots cut too deep, and I do have the right tools to cut the slots (a painful purchase but I've never looked back).

[wazkelly]

Looking at my latest Tele build the stock plastic nut appears to be seated quite deep in the fret board and the spare bone nut I have may be too shallow? You only find out once you have extracted the original plastic one exactly what you are dealing with hence why I bought a few and ended up with a brass nut on the last Tele. Geez, filing & sanding the base down on that sucker took a lot of work.

[Moo]

Went ahead and bought myself a bone nut from PBG. Bit of a treat haha. Hopefully that will mean it fits well

[wazkelly]

Wise choice Moo.

[Moo]

Okay so school has meant I have had to put the build on hold for quite a while now (it is sitting sadly in the box) but I'm considering some hardware upgrades so I don't have to install anything twice (after deciding to upgrade later). Realistically, on a budget what are the most important things to upgrade, and what are people's recommendations?
I was stupid enough to not take advantage of the discounted machine head upgrade when I bought my kit so any decent-brand upgrade is now crazy expensive.

My thoughts are probably pickups and tuners... Thoughts? And what specific products/sources do you recommend?

Thanks in advance Nice to be posting again.

[wokkaboy]

Hi Moo, I would recommend a Tonerider Hot Classics or Vintage pickup set ($99 from the PBG shop). Tuners I'd get Grovers (start at $22/set or $45 locking tuners at PBG shop).
If the budget allows a bone nut is a definite and recommend a bridge upgrade, the Babicz are very good but pricey. Have a look on Realparts website and have a look at something like a Wilkinson bridge are good value for money

EDIT another budget option is a 6 saddle bridge but note it's a string through so you will have to drill through the body and get 6 string ferules

http://www.realparts.com.au/bridges-...ge-chrome.html

[Moo]

Tuners I'd get Grovers (start at $22/set or $45 locking tuners at PBG shop).
If the budget allows a bone nut is a definite

Cheers Wokka. I forgot to say, I have already bought a bone nut
I have heard good things about toneriders, so hopefully I can find the money to fork out.
But where on earth can you find grovers for $22?! The cheapest I can find is around $60... And unfortunately all tuners in the PBG shop have to be bought at the same time as a kit (they have some deal which makes them cheaper)...

[wokkaboy]

Hey Moo, no worries. The tuners are under hardware upgrades-> machine heads

https://www.pitbullguitars.com/machine-heads/

look for the Grovers, assume you want chrome hardware ?

Note the cheapest ones ($20.75) mini rotomatics you choose 3 a side, 6 inline or 6 inline reverse

the Toneriders are cheaper to buy the set of 2 pups compared to individual pups

[Moo]

Hey Moo, no worries. The tuners are under hardware upgrades-> machine heads

https://www.pitbullguitars.com/machine-heads/

look for the Grovers, assume you want chrome hardware ?

Note the cheapest ones ($20.75) mini rotomatics you choose 3 a side, 6 inline or 6 inline reverse

Unfortunately when you read the description for these it says they are only available when you purchase a kit, and they switch out the original tuners for these. This is why I'm kicking myself for not upgrading them initially. I might chuck Adam an email and see if there's any way I could get around this...

[wokkaboy]

ah ok sorry Moo I didn't read that part. Send Adam an email, I'm sure if you post him back the stock tuners he will sell you the Grovers at the cost shown