JPs TL-1

[J.P]

G'day folks.
Got my TL kit yesterday, thanks to Adam and the guys at pit bull for accomodating my numerous requests! Great customer service guys. Looking forward to getting stuck in to my first ever geetar build.

Fist impressions are the body and neck are pretty nicely done right out of the box. The neck fits nice and snug in the pocket and the body is free of dings or blemishes.

My plan for this build is a metallic gold finish using automotive aerosols, most likely with the black pick guard, blade or single coil humbucker in the bridge and full humbucker at the neck. Not sure of the wiring configuration yet but I'd like a push pull arrangement so I'll be upgrading the switch and pots. All this is of course subject to change and probably far exceeds my abilities! Plan B is a traditional Tele set up with some hot toneriders.
Any opinions on the kit supplied tuners or is it worth the $ to get an upgrade ?

I hope to get the sanding completed this weekend, and possibly primer. Will I need a sanding sealer before the auto primer ? Will they be compatible ? All suggestions welcome.

[Dedman]

I haven't used grain filler under auto primer (yet) but I can tell you it takes a lot of primer coats to fill the grain even after sanding to 800grit. I'll be trying filler on my next build

[Andy40]

Noting wrong with the PBG tuners....but I got a set of those grovers and they are definatley worth the $$$

[wokkaboy]

welcome to the forum JP, kit looks great and like your plans. Think a grain filler or sealer may save you a couple of coats or primer so worth doing
+1 on Andys suggestions the Grover tuners are worth the upgrade

good luck with the build and ask any questions here on your build diary

[gavinturner]

Hey JP,

Personally I use White Knight Rust Guard all purpose primer on my guitar bodies and I am very happy with it. I have had no compatability problems with it any a number of spray colour finishes. Its available from the big green shed. I would also recommend doing a grain fill with a slurry of Timbermate (and sand back flat) before applying the primer. It's the only way to get a nice smooth finish. Again you will get zero compatability problems with Timbermate, and it is also available at the big green shed. Your plan for the Tele sounds great and I'm interested to see how she comes out!

cheers,
Gav.

[J.P]

Thanks Gav

At what stage of sanding should I apply the timbermate ?

[gavinturner]

Personally I sand 120, 240, 360 and 400. Apply the Timbermate and re-sand with 400 until only the pores are filled. Then the primer can go straight on. If you are doing a solid colour, the good thing is the pseky scratches in the end grain (usually about 80 grit and left over from the factory) can also be filled with the Timbermate saving you hours of end-grain sanding .

cheers,
Gav.

[wokkaboy]

Hey JP I'd follow Gav's advice sounds good. Worth the pre-sanding before the timbermate. Let the timbermate dry overnight and sand it nice and flat with 400 grit and it will be ready for primer
I've had good results with White Knight Rust Guard primer too.
I'd probably start on 180 grit paper, only use 120 grit if the surface is pretty rough

[J.P]

Thanks gents.

Looks like I'm off to the big green shed.

I take the B word is not liked round these parts 😜

[andrewdosborne]

Gav's advice is on the money. I'm also now off to the big green shed (and hopefully score a sausage sizzle on the way in..)