Wokkas TL-1A

[wokkaboy]

Hi, there's been a bit of a flood of alder tele's since the Sunday special, why wouldn't you !
It arrived yesterday so I did a quick mock build at work (can't wait till I get home) and found the common problem with these kits the bridge pup route is a little too far south.
Happy with the grain of the body and on inspection not too much glue. Neck fit was pretty good with plenty of wiggle room if required.

[wokkaboy]

When I got it home I got out the router and a template that was the rough shape of the bridge pickup route and removed about 5mm of timber on the neck side of the bridge pup route so now the bridge plate can sit flush with the pickguard. The routing is rough but it will be covered by the bridge plate.

[wokkaboy]

Then looking at the body routes I wondered why the neck route was the size of a humbucker rather than a single coil pup, so thought what the hell there's no need for a pickguard with a humbucker in the neck. Show more of the nice alder grain, so thats the plan. I've ordered some chrome pup rings to keep the chrome theme going.
It's been sanded about 80% (probably 50% for DB standards - haha) so I'll finish that tonight and yet to decide the stain colours. Thinking a lighter stain will show more grain so stay tuned

[adam]

Wokka, I think with all that sexy chrome on there, you need to conside something like this Humbucker sized P90 Tonerider http://www.pitbullguitars.com/?produ...90-neck-nickel in the neck position.

What are aall those marks on the body? Are they in the wood, or is it stray glue of something?

[wokkaboy]

Hi Adam,
thanks for the R90 suggestion, so I presume they don't come with surrounds ? I'd need to get a P90 size surround, I've just ordered some full size humbucker rings but thats ok can order a P90 size.
The marks in the body top I think are part of the grain, its the 1st alder body I've built so I've never seen these shapes in timber. In the photo it looks like deep machine marks but its been sanded to 240 grit, so I'll do a bit more sanding. Think it should look fine once its stained. They only appear on the 2 outside pieces of alder

[adam]

Wokka, they are humbucker sized P90 pickups, so the surrounds you've ordered should work. I just like the look of all chrome.

[wokkaboy]

oh ok thanks Adam, I presumed they were a smaller P90 size. Sounds good I'll place a chrome bucker in and see how it looks with the stain colour I choose and if the chrome bucker looks good I'll order the R90.
Sure you didn't used to be a used car salesman Ads ? haha

[adam]

Maaaaate, have I got a deal for you...

There's also this one, which would look pretty sweet http://www.pitbullguitars.com/?produ...up-alnico-neck

[Scott J.]

Hi Wokks,

Great looking kit - it going to make a lovely axe. I hate to mention this seeing as you've just routed for it, but this seems to be a not uncommon misconception ... the problem with the "bridge being too far south" actually isn't really a problem at all.

With Standard Tele's (the original Fender one's) the bridge never sits up tight with the pickguard - there's always a noticeable gap of 2 or 3 mm (or so) between the front of the bridge and the pickguard and just a mm or two more than that on the sides ... which on these kits puts the bridge (and pickup) in the right position for a reproduction of a Tele.

Though on mine I did notice that the bridge pick-up routing was VERY tight - all most no clearance for the pick-up to sit in (but I'd guess you wont have that problem now! ) ... looking forward to you producing another great GOTM entry with this kit.

[wokkaboy]

thanks Ads the entwistles look good too.
There's no doubt now that you used to be a used car salesman, did you throw in a tele squier with every car you sold over $10k ?
You seem to take great interest in any tele build too. I've got some DB rated padlocks ready for this one !
You are only 70 posts away from 1000 Ads, well done.
When do I get maverick status ? I just hit 1700 and Gav/DB/Brendan are moderators