robs TL-1A (Lyn #5)

[robin]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from stan on September 8, 2013, 08:25
carved body Tele, nice touch - said by someone with a Fender one

Thanks Stan, I'm quite jealous, would love to have a real one.

rob

[robin]

Thanks Warren,

Call me a masochist, but I enjoy doing it all by hand. I think I'm one of the few around that actually enjoys sanding, so now I can add rasping to the list. Better than therapy.

Yes I might venture down the T-O path again with this one. As it would seem that the Alder might be a bit more dent resistant and require less protection than Basswood I may take DB's advice and try fewer coats this time.

It's all a learning process and I will make those decisions on the fly.

cheers mate
rob

[stan]

Dont have to be jealous of a "real " Fender Rob. It's just wood, and metal. If yours is made carefully and well (and it looks like it is to me)and you use quality fittings and finishes, you'll have a comparable instrument - but yeah, thanks, I love it. Keep up the good work

[robin]

Thanks Stan,

I know what you're saying, but there's just something about having a guitar with Fender on the headstock. Not that I'm ever likely to know lol.

Cheers mate
rob

[robin]

Well, after a few distractions, I finally got Lyn#5 finished.

After seeing so many beautiful and unique guitars here at PBG I realised that despite adding tummy and forearms cuts I am a traditionalist at heart. But I am glad I went with a more traditional colour as I think is suits her quite well. She’s not as flash as most, but then again neither am I. ?

As already mentioned above Lyn#5 got a little bit of extra love with the body cuts, Tonerider pickups, CTS pots, 4 way switch, Orange Drop cap and an individual saddle bridge. The only thing left to do is file down the saddle height screws, and they protrude quite a bit above the saddles and make playing a tad uncomfortable. I have ordered some replacements and when they arrive I’ll get stuck into them.

All in all I am really happy how she turned out. She plays beautifully, and as far as I can tell sounds OK as well. I had never owned a single coil guitar until I started building these awesome PBG kits so I have no reference point for the sounds, but I’m happy.

As the control panel is so easy to access I will probably use her as a bit of a test bed for trying out electrical mods. I know the theory, but I really need to “hear” how different pot and cap values change the character of a guitar.

The Alder body and neck was stained Maple to get a bit of a vintage thing happening, but I left the fretboard untouched for a bit of contrast. Finished in my usual “finish” of choice I have already put a few dings in her during a somewhat troublesome assembly. But each ding and scratch reminds me that she is unique and as she was finished on Lyn’s birthday she is VERY special.

Cheers
rob

[robin]

and a few more

[wokkaboy]

looks awesome Robin, how many coats has the body got ? I love the arm and tummy cuts gives it a unique look, does it make it more comfortable to play compared to a normal tele ? Lucky you are miles away from the tele napper !

[robin]

Thanks Warren, 13 coats on the body.

Yes mate, so much more comfy than a standard Tele. I think it was more luck than good judgement but when I was shaping the cuts I tried to copy my (very bad) playing posture. I managed to get the cuts just right.

rob

[wokkaboy]

well done with sizing the shaping cuts to suit your posture. The 13 coats has given the body a nice gloss. So you are happy with the tonerider pickups ? I'm going to have to try a set out !

[WeirdBits]

Another great result Rob, very nicely done. I think the colour really suits it and gives it an 'old but new' look with the gloss of the body and pickguard.