First build ATL - 1S or FB not sure; Thinline Tele lookalike

[Laurie Sinagra]

This isn’t so much a build diary as a “built” diary.

Got this kit as a Christmas present from my kids at the end of 19. Just “finished” about a week ago (June 2020).

I’ve made a video which I will try and link to this as it basically explains my journey.

I had no idea what I was doing to begin with and started by applying the finish to the wood. I should have done that much later. I think I have managed to get away with that.

The only other issue I came up against was the placement of the pick ups, particularly the bridge pick up as I felt it was too far away to allow me to achieve the 25.5” measurement for distance from nut to saddle. I did a bit of routing and was well pleased with myself. Not so sure I am now.

Anyway, the end result is that it looks great and actually makes a noise and roughly stays in tune. I still need to make sure my efforts at intonation were okay, so I’ll check with an expert or two. I may need to tackle the truss rod.

I’ve just used all of the parts that came with kit and haven’t done any special modifications. I bought a treble bleed circuit (from Pitbull) and wired that in, but that’s about it.

Did the Dingotone finishes for the body and neck.



https://youtu.be/LbqxScAtPm0

[Fretworn]

Good job Laurie. How does it play?

[Laurie Sinagra]

It’s not too bad. In all honesty I can’t say that I am familiar enough with what a Thinline might typically sound like, but it sounds pretty good to me. I’m quite surprised for the price tag.

[Simon Barden]

They sound just like a normal Tele, they just weigh a bit less. Too solid to have any semi-acoustic style edge to the sound.

[JohnH]

Looks good!