TL-1TB Build

[Storm1822]

Wokka - Thanks for that, 2mm at the 21st fret helps a lot - Ill do some measuring and math when I get home to establish at what height the bridge should be - I think I expected that this should've been like a normal tele where strings lay parallel to the body which appears to not be the case on this guitar. Also I agree, I think there is value in having predrilled all the holes initially so that I can fix any bump before a stain blocks the wood (A bit of water on small knocks can re-swell them back into shape!). Basically setting the guitar up with playable strings would dispell any concerns I have early on too.

WeirdBits - Provided I just did the maths correctly (I will redo this when I get home), The increase between the back and front of the pocket has a 2mm increase over a 76mm distance, which equals a gradient of 1.5 degrees, So this angle is correct.

Ill work out the projected height of the bridge saddle and post it here again later so you guys can reassure me if that is the expected height.
Once again, Thank you very much!!!

[wokkaboy]

no worries Storm, there is a fair bit of adjustment in the tune o matic bridge heights so you should be fine.
The 2mm string height is a personal preference. Some players like low action and some prefer a higher action.

[Storm1822]

I found this nice little graphic which for future builders if they look at this thread which would be a good visual explanation of whats going on here


Your Build is Looking great! Yeah, I didnt know that the bridge should sit so relatively high with a tune o matic. I think 2mm sounds like a good goal to aim for initially then I can adjust the saddle from there!

[wokkaboy]

great diagram Storm, you can see in figure 2 what the string action would be like with no neck break angle !

[Storm1822]

Yeah Diagram 2 would be awful / Unplayable. Initially I thought that all guitars are like is displayed in diagram 1, so I've already learnt something new!.

So I got home and started checking out the relation of the neck angle to bridge. At the same time I also realised I should inspect the neck and I adjusted the truss rod in the end noticing that the neck was bowing slightly in the centre.
I put the bridge up way higher than earlier and with a bit of eyeballing everything is actually OK!. :



So for a 2mm play height I've ended up with the low E string sitting in the saddle at around 19mm ish.


The bridge wobbles in place currently, mostly from the threads on the posts. I think later on adding a little plumbers tape will help keep this from twisting around when playing.

So next steps I plan on doing will be :

1. Identify the centre of the guitar.
2. Install the bigsby tremolo arm (And work out how that spring assembly works which I'm sure everyone is confused by when first receiving one of these). - I can use the bridge saddle and the centre line for positioning of this.
3. Work on the neck / Shape the headstock (THIS is a tough decision, I'm open to suggestions) / properly install the tuners.
4. String the E strings and find the holes for the neck.
5. Locate where the pickup screws, input, strap lugs, pickguard and knob plate screws go.

From here is disassembly and moving onto staining. I should mention my plans for staining. I've already done the walnut grain filler and sanded back, the plan for the color win be Minwax Red Sedona stain followed with Minwax handwipe gloss polyurethane. At this stage I will be keep the neck its natural color - I haven't researched what to use for this yet but i've got over a month at least until I will be doing this.

[Storm1822]

Made some progress this week!

Cut the headstock shape out with a coping saw, and spent a few hours shaping it and cleaning it with a file and sandpaper. Pretty stoked with how its turned out!

[pablopepper]

Tidy work, Storm.

[wokkaboy]

headstock shape looks spot on Storm, well done, keen to see what stain colours you will be using ?

[Storm1822]

Thanks Pablo and Wokka!

I've got Minwax Sedona Red for the body. Will be keeping the neck natural so ill just be coating it with Minwax wipe on poly.
Red should look something like this : http://s144.photobucket.com/user/Dre...uxeII.jpg.html

I've read that i can cover the wood of the frets with wipe on poly along with the neck itself - Would I have to cover the metal frets themselves when doing this?
Or is there a better method I should do for taking care of the neck?

[pablopepper]

No finish on rosewood! Rosewood needs an occasional oil so it doesn't dry out, but otherwise leave it alone.