Tele kits are a great place to start, and your plans sound like great mods that shouldnt be too difficult.
I am lucky enough to have an 80's MIJ Tele, in my sig...
Thank you for the welcome Stan, Gav, Brendon and Scott!
I've owned some really nice top end guitars, Parker Fly, Gibsons, Fender custom shop, and I've owned some very cool guitars like an old Kramer DMZ 100 double cutaway, aluminum neck and split headstock. Weighed about 50 lbs but was a nice guitar. But no matter how many I won I always go back to Teles.
I love the thin neck cause I have short stubby fingers. The body fits me to a tee and I love the sound.
It's really good to know I have access to Tele knowledge!
I look forward to your new build Scott and while I do have G.A.S. my money says..not so fast there! I'll be able to get 3 kits this year and of course I will write a dairy of what I do!!!