Dedman's first build TLA-1

[Dedman]

Well, my first kit arrived today. I had wanted a TL-1AR but Adam had some mis -marked boxes so I settled on a TLA-1 with a rosewood fretboard neck. It won't make much difference as I plan to do the guitar solid white, but I did want the contrasting fretboard. As you can see I have all ready rounded up a few bits from around the place to up grade it, a set of Kluson tuners with white knobs, a full ashtray bridge with cover and a 3 ply pick guard. Still in transit are a set of Benson Custom Vintage pick ups and upgraded pots and switch and a bone nut.

I don't expect progress to be real fast for a while,with humidity and temperatures high and a crook set of lungs I'll concentrate on the neck for now, cutting the headstock to a vintage Tele shape and leveling frets, once the weather cools off I'll start on the body.
The guitar will be solid white including the back of the neck and headstock both sides. It will be the opposite of my other evil black guitar, I'm calling this the Spell-E-Caster (and have headstock script worked out when I can find a water slide maker)
I had planned to put this together all stock and mod it later but figured....do it once , do it right.

[wokkaboy]

plans sound good Dedman, upgrades look good. Should look cool black pickguard and white body/neck

[Andy40]

The TL kits are a great build...like the upgrades...look forward to hearing the bensons

[Dedman]

The pick ups arrived today along with the pots and switch upgrades. I did the walk of shame to the Shed of Green, picked up some fresh jigsaw blades, sand paper, sand paper and sand paper, masking tape and some solder. Just need a day when it's not so humid and I can start work.
I looked at all the spares I had left over (should have ordered no hardware) and an idea for a fun scratch build has entered my mind, all I'll need is a neck from PB

[wokkaboy]

sounds good Dedman, what pups did you order ?

Expect to be extradited to the Naughty Warehouse when DB reads your last post hahha

[Dedman]

Benson Custom Vintage pick ups

[wokkaboy]

Hi Dedman, thanks, I found out by reading the start of the thread. They should sound great. Is the bridge pup a single or mini humbucker ?

what is your brew of choice I can line it up for you when you enter the naughty warehouse ?

[Dedman]

It's a single

I don't drink except Tea and Coffee and water. It's odd, people always offer me alcohol and drugs based on my appearance. Last time I got stopped for a roadside.
'When did you have your last drink ?"
New Year 2000
When did you last take drugs?
1981
* looks at breathalyser* You were lucky today, on your way>"
ummm right and you just made yourself look like a right dick to everyone in the car that knew I was telling the truth LOL.

[wokkaboy]

haha no worries Dedman, the NW bar has a good range of non alcoholic beverages

[Dedman]

Finally had a cool morning so I got a start !
First off the end of the fretboard behind the nut was crooked so after going through all the spray cans on the shelf I found one that matched the radius and sanded it straight. Removed the plastic nut while I was at it.
Before * I taped it up and didn't get a shot of after just yet.

I then did a basic fret leveling with a straight edge, level and a 1000grit Japanese water stone that was dead flat. I'll finish the dressing later when I can afford some more tools.
Next I cut out the head stock shape. Its a 72 Tele Deluxe shape. then I sanded, sanded, and sanded a little more before putting a guide coat of primer on both the neck and body. Most of this will get sanded off.


Then it clouded up and I decided to have the rest of the day off as it's my birthday