Teleburster TL-1A aka G-special

[WeirdBits]

Hi guys,

I've finally got some time to start on my kits, so I guess it's time to start build diaries too.

I'm building this TL-1A kit and a LP-1SS. This one is the 'test' kit, mainly to try out the Wudtone finish etc., but I'm still treating the kit as a keeper... at least I hope it will be.

First step is a mock-up build just to get an idea what it will look like, make sure everything fits, and to spot any potential issues that I'll have to deal with *before* drilling holes or starting the finish etc. I'm swapping out some of the parts (bridge, tuners etc.) and making it a string through body, so I'm trying not to rush and stuff it up too much.

First things I've noticed:

1. The neck fit to the body is fantastic, very impressed.
2. Great looking wood for the body and neck, however there are quite a few spots with filler and glue.
3. The bridge pickup rout is a couple of mm's too small to fit my aftermarket tele pup, but the stock pup fits fine.
4. Neither the supplied pickguard or my aftermarket 5-holer are perfect fit with the bridge and control plate, so I'll be cutting some plastic as well.

Overall, I'm pretty happy. The quality of the kit has generally exceeded my expectations and I can't wait to really get into it.

Here are some quick pics:

[WeirdBits]

As mentioned above, there are quite a few spots with filler and glue on the body... so looks like I be digging it out, sanding away and playing with some good ol' Timbermate.

A couple of the spots are on the back and under the pickguard, but others on the top will need more care to do the Wudtone justice. Pics:

[WeirdBits]

There are also a couple of fill/glue spots on the high E edge of the fret board... not sure how I'll deal with them (pic below). I won't see them while playing but I don't want to feel them either.

Anyway, as I said, this build is mainly to test the Wudtone finish for my spaulted LP-1SS build... so below is a pic of the mockup virtually painted... the Teleburster TL-1A. Goldenrod front and back, with Black Magic Woman sides and edges with a Vintage Amber Neck.

[Gavin1393]

Might be an idea to try colour the Timbermate with the Wudtone before filling?

Judging by the pictures of the glue, i'd be determined to get rid of it as it will leave failry large patches as it will resist the Wudtone.

[wokkaboy]

Quote from Gavin1393 on March 1, 2013, 12:58
Might be an idea to try colour the Timbermate with the Wudtone before filling?

Judging by the pictures of the glue, i'd be determined to get rid of it as it will leave failry large patches as it will resist the Wudtone.

Hi Scott,
my friend Wayne got a TL-1TB kit and that has alot of filler on the side and bottom of the body and wudtone does not soak into filler or glue, take it from myself and Gavin have experienced glue problems near the binding on a PBG ES kit.
It really detracts from the wudtone look so I think Gavin's suggestion of colouring the filler could work better than trying to wudtone over dry filler

hope your spalted LP kit is immaculate, mine was, see February guitar of the month

good luck Scott, sounds like u know a fair bit about guitar builds

the paintshop of golden rod and black magic woman sunburst looks great, hope it can turn out similar to that

cheers Wokka

[WeirdBits]

Yep, sage advice guys, thanks.

I plan on experimenting a bit with the Timbermate and Wudtone... maybe even with some sawdust in the mix perhaps. It's mainly those two spots on the top that worry me as they'll be the most obvious.

This is actually my first ever build, so consider me a complete newb.

As such, any and all advice, criticism, and/or public ridicule will be appreciated... and maybe even accepted after I've stuffed something up

[GlennGP]

From one complete noob to another, you could hope for the sort of good luck I had with the fill spots on my TL-1 - they were each no more than a mil deep, and I was able to sand back to smooth having removed the fill. If your fill is not too deep and you're willing to put in the work, you can avoid the whole Timbermate thing.

Good luck - I love the colour-scheme!

[adam]

Hi WeirdBits, welcome to our humble community.

I have to say that I really dig your virtual paint jobs... is that just in Photoshop? It's a great idea and one that I might steal, err borrow.

I'm also pleased reading your first few posts that you understand that these kits do come with some flaws, which is expected in this price range, but nothing that is beyond the skill of the average chippy (or experienced kit builder).

For everyone's information, we've asked the factory to NOT fill any dings or dents with their wood filler, I think everyone here would prefer to sand out the dings or use their own filler. Yes, I know we'd all prefer no dings at all, but I'm afraid that's just the nature of these kits.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the guitars you put together.

[WeirdBits]

Quote from adam on March 1, 2013, 17:23
...
I have to say that I really dig your virtual paint jobs... is that just in Photoshop? It's a great idea and one that I might steal, err borrow.

I'm also pleased reading your first few posts that you understand that these kits do come with some flaws, which is expected in this price range, but nothing that is beyond the skill of the average chippy (or experienced kit builder).
...

G'day Adam,

Photoshop or any graphics program that has layers and opacity capabilities could be used. For my 'virtual paint jobs' above and in my LP-1SS posts I actually used GIMP (GNU image Manipulation Program) on a Linux install, but I could have easily fired up Photoshop instead. I just created different layers from various parts of the base photo, then added colour, filters/effects, and opacity adjustments until I got something close to what I wanted. It was a bit of a rough job, so the colours and grain contrasts aren't quite at the standard that I wanted... but it was more just to get an idea of how things would look.

Regarding the filler/glue/imperfections, I fully expected to be dealing with things like that when I ordered the kits. To me, that becomes the difference between 'assembling' something and 'building' it... I prefer the latter, so I'm happy. I decided to post photos of the filler and glue marks to show other builders the type of things to look out for and, hopefully, how a newbie can deal with them and produce a beautiful looking guitar. At least, that's the plan

As I said in my first post, the kits have so far exceeded my expectations... especially the LP-1SS. I'm a happy customer.

[keloooe]

Hey Scott, I use Paint.Net to do my editing, it's basically Paint.Net but with a different interface! And it's funny how you can't decide on what to do in terms of Wudtone for the splalted maple LP!!!