Drummerdude's first build.. TLA-1Q. Wish me luck

[Drummerdude]

Ok I have received and installed my new pickguard. I had to do some modifications around the neck and the pickup was a little too tight so I had to remove some material there as well as sand off the rear side of the neck pickup cavity but got it to work. I have adjusted the neck a little like John recommended and it helped a tad. I think it will be ok. I will be moving on to lacquer next week hopefully. I took a couple more pictures with it dampened to see how it may look with clear on. I am also gonna do a complete fret job, level, crown dress and polish. I think they angle the frets too much from the factory. You loose precious playing area when you cut them so flat.

Thanks for the help and comments so far I am loving my first build and got email that my two bass kits that I customized are shipping so gonna be a busy summer.

[Kick]

Wow! Looking great and the top is georgious but I like what you did to the back of the body. I'll be trying to do the same and hopefully it will come out as good as yours.

[Drummerdude]

Thanks kick. I wish that the grain on the back was a little more consistent. With the multiple pieces of ash and when they cut them at different angles it makes the dark blotchy areas where it is more of end grain instead of side grain. I am happy with it but think it could be better..

[wazkelly]

Thanks kick. I wish that the grain on the back was a little more consistent. With the multiple pieces of ash and when they cut them at different angles it makes the dark blotchy areas where it is more of end grain instead of side grain. I am happy with it but think it could be better..

Looking good with the pearloid scratch plate.

Judging from the latest photos it would appear that the back is made from Basswood not Ash as it does not have as much grain definition, and for what little grain there is it looks like the basswood on the back of my Tele. And yes, the up to 5 timber sections glued together do not help with getting an all over even grain pattern either. Still looks good.

Cheers, Waz

[Drummerdude]

Oh thanks Waz I didn't think it looked like ash but the listing on pitbull said it was an ash body with maple veneer.. I ordered 2 bass kits that should be here this week and I upgraded them to ash. I will be building and IB-5 in a short scale 30" neck and a PBH-4 also with an ash body and short scale 30" neck. I ordered trapezoid inlays and will be upgrading all the hardware and making active.. but first I need to finish this guitar for my best friend and pastor.. I hope he likes it. He currently plays a 60th anniversary American Fender Tele in Natural finish ash body. I hope this one doesn't disappoint.

[wazkelly]

Cheers Buddy.

Here are a couple of shots to help see the difference between Basswood & Ash....

They were Basswood....

Notice the grain definition in Ash both before and after staining?

Cheers, Waz

[Drummerdude]

Thanks Waz, yes the back of mine is definitely the bass wood. I noticed on the pitbull site that there is two listings for the quilted tele. One has a binding front and back and it doesn't state what the wood is on the back , which is basswood that's what I got and then there is another one that states ash body and maple veneer and it only has binding on the front. That is what I thought I was getting. That red bass looks killer.. did you build that one Waz? I hope my two ash kits are not 4 or 5 piece bodies...

[Simon Barden]

That top looks stunning. I'd be happy if I got given that!

[Drummerdude]

Thanks Simon. I expect he will be pleased but not sure how it will stack up to his American tele..

[wazkelly]

That red bass looks killer.. did you build that one Waz? I hope my two ash kits are not 4 or 5 piece bodies...

Yeah, the J Bass is the best finish of my 4 completed builds with the Swampy Tele that is nearing completion looking smoother and shinier, which proves things do get better with each subsequent build. From memory, and also those shots above I recall that the Ash body was 3 pieces of timber where upper and lower sections had similar grain waves. Unfortunately the scratch plate is hiding some good bits and would have preferred a naked look but the neck pickup rout was too large.