TLA-1F (First Build)

[Dedman]

1. you can do moderate reshaping of the neck.
2. Talk to your local trphy center or some key cutting places about engraving. Also gun shops if you want really fancy stuff.
3 RealParts had some engraved tele bits
4.h As Waz said don't sand the veneer. I haven't sanded any of mine, clear coats will grain fill and level it .
5 Best to test fit everything before any finishing, that way there is less chance of accidental damaging of your finish. Most aftermarket pickups and bridges will need some slight work to make them fit. Can be achieved with sandpaper on a dowel or a dremel tool or sanding drums.It's not much material to remove.

welcome to your new addiction ;D

[jsergeant]

Cheers Waz and Dedman. All advice taken on board, especially re: veneer. Never thought about gun shops for engraving, will look into it. I just came across Duncan Vickers Engraver, not sure I want to know how much that would cost... Guess I'll have to decide on pickups asap.

Since those questions have already been answered, here's round 2 Certainly no rush to answer.

1) what is the best piece of advice for a first time builder?

2) I decided against purchasing a bone nut from PBG as I found them rather cheaper in a variety of other places. I will definitely be swapping it out but just curious if anyone knows the reason for the price difference? Is it unicorn bone?

3) How should the body and neck be stored while working on it and before any sealing? Is there risk of swelling particularly in humid environments?

Edit (more questions):

4) are there any weak components in PBG kits you'd highly recommend swapping out? e.g. Pots etc.

5) Any staining tips with regard to keeping the binding clean?

I'll leave it there for tonight. Cheers again.

[wazkelly]

Hi Sarge, I will try to answer some of your questions.....
1) Read lots of the build diaries as some will be very, very helpful and also highlight what not to do. Best advice is to take your time, it is not a race and you will make lots of forum friends along the journey.
2) PBG Bone nuts are worth every cent of that $28 as I have bought several cheapies and for the amount of time and frustration wasted on them not being up to standard explains why they are so much cheaper but also lesser quality too.
3) While doing the initial sanding prep work I tend to put mine back away in the box they arrived in so that nothing falls on them or get accidentally damaged. Eventually they get 'hooked' on plant hanger brackets in my garage where one of the tuner holes does the trick on the neck and a scrap bit of timber is screwed into the neck pocket with a hole at the other end for the plant hanger hook to go through. Swelling may occur if body gets too damp or wet and best to leave it out to dry in a fairly stable environment which is not too hot or moist. If you live in OZ as we head into winter things should be ok, just takes longer for coats of finish to dry and cure.
4) Weak/cheap components.....I am on my 2nd Tele and recommend replacing these items in this order if on a budget....upgrade to Bourns 250k audio taper pots and grab an orange drop capacitor, tone bleed fidelity upgrade, Switchcraft jack socket. Maybe an AllParts 6 Saddle Bridge as intonation on these things can be a pain. A better 3 or 4 way switch is also a good idea plus make sure you buy the vintage cloth push back wire in black & white. Tuners are ok enough unless you feel the need to spend a further $50 to upgrade those too.
5) Use water based stains and wipe the binding down after each stain coat application. You can mask with some latex stuff but I didn't bother on my blue Tele and the binding looks fine.

Hope this helps whilst you await the arrival of you new toy.

[Dedman]

questions are good, they prevent head and benchtop coming together

1.PATIENCE. Decide what you want and try to stay on course (which I rarely do)
2. DB actually wrestles a pack of pitbulls to get the bone fragments from their last meal. Not sure, I just use Pitbull ones because it's convenient and puts $ in an Aussies pocket.
3. I live in QLD and don't have a humidity problem. Bear in mind the wood will shift a little just after you get it because its been in WA, then in the hold of plane at several thousand feet. I leave my projects either hanging or laying on the work bench.
4. I throw everything away except the neck, body and pickguards and sometimes the pickguard too Depends on your budget but electrics are the cheapest bit to replace(pots, capacitors, switches)
5. Mask it with plastic/pvc masking tape (no grain for the stain to sneak under like paper tape), be as careful as you can, be prepared to do some scraping with a Stanley blade or similar anyway.

[jsergeant]

Legends! Will leave it there for now. Next post will hopefully be the kit delivered and mocked up

[wazkelly]

Hi Sarge, just wondering which part of OZ do you live and how long for your kit to arrive from Perth?

[jsergeant]

I'm in Brisbane. I ordered on Wednesday. I haven't had any word on it being dispatched as yet. Not sure what the normal process is. Any idea roughly how long it takes to ship to Brisbane?

[pablopepper]

Depends on Aus Post, anywhere between 5 days and 2 weeks.

[jsergeant]

Thanks for the info pablopepper

[Dedman]

usually a week for me