T-bird's TLA-1R Ash Tele

[wazkelly]

That bridge plate is also a string through from on top so no need to re-drill string through if you don't want to.

[Simon Barden]

Though it won't sound quite like a Tele without them.

For a nice neat line of string ferrules on the rear of the body, you really need to drill from both sides.

Start by getting the bridge positioned correctly on the top of the body, then mark the position of the six string holes.

Ideally using a drill press, or else a drill stand to keep the drill vertical, drill the two outer holes all the way through the body, but the four inner ones only 2/3 of the way through (mark the drill bit with tape to stop going too far.
Turn the guitar body over and using the bridge as a template, position the two outer string holes over the holes in the body and mark the position of the four inner string holes.

Now drill these string holes, again going about 2/3 the way through the body (so don’t remove the tape from the drill until you’ve done this).

Now you should have a nice neat row of string holes on the back, all ready for widening to fit the ferrules in.

[Thunderbird]

Though it won't sound quite like a Tele without them.

For a nice neat line of string ferrules on the rear of the body, you really need to drill from both sides.

Start by getting the bridge positioned correctly on the top of the body, then mark the position of the six string holes.

Ideally using a drill press, or else a drill stand to keep the drill vertical, drill the two outer holes all the way through the body, but the four inner ones only 2/3 of the way through (mark the drill bit with tape to stop going too far.
Turn the guitar body over and using the bridge as a template, position the two outer string holes over the holes in the body and mark the position of the four inner string holes.

Now drill these string holes, again going about 2/3 the way through the body (so don’t remove the tape from the drill until you’ve done this).

Now you should have a nice neat row of string holes on the back, all ready for widening to fit the ferrules in.

Thanks for that Simon, I will ask the mechanic to do it like that, but haven't seen his press yet

Whilst waiting for second lot of filler to dry, I did a bit of levelling:

[Thunderbird]

Last try:

I think this will be OK:

[Thunderbird]

I put it together again, but this time tuned to pitch (top load configuration only, no electronics). I am happy to report everything fine and quite loud acoustically I still need to drill holes for the PG, but it is too cold and damp for painting ATM, anyway.

[wazkelly]

Looks good.
On my phone the scratch plate looks pale mint green?

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[FrankenWashie]

I put it together again, but this time tuned to pitch (top load configuration only, no electronics). I am happy to report everything fine and quite loud acoustically I still need to drill holes for the PG, but it is too cold and damp for painting ATM, anyway.

Lovely work Tbird!

[Thunderbird]

Looks good.
On my phone the scratch plate looks pale mint green?

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

It is mint green but I can't remember if it was pale or not, Waz. I took it off my old sunburst Monterey Tele for test purposes, will probably opt for white or pearl white (subject to change without notice).

[wazkelly]

The mint looks cool and cannot remember what you had in mind for colour scheme?

[Thunderbird]

The mint looks cool and cannot remember what you had in mind for colour scheme?

Ocean Mist