Gday from SA

[Cobba21]

Hi Guys, its Ryan here (AKA Cob) from the Clare Valley in SA. My TLA-1 Ash kit arrived yesterday, this will be my first guitar build, looking forward to getting into it and being part of the community here. Still waiting for some third party components to arrive (which I just ordered tonight), I will get a build diary started ASAP and start reaching out for guidance. Cheers!

[Dedman]

welcome Ryan. Tele is a great kit to start with.Enjoy your build and keep us posted on progress.

[WeirdBits]

Welcome Ryan, good luck with the build. Plenty of help around here if you need it.

[Simon Barden]

Welcome Ryan. All the best with your build.

[wazkelly]

Welcome Ryan. An Ash Tele always looks good.

Living in the Clare Valley, does that mean you work in the wine industry or just enjoy the local produce?

[Cobba21]

Welcome Ryan. An Ash Tele always looks good.

Living in the Clare Valley, does that mean you work in the wine industry or just enjoy the local produce?

yeah I do some work in the wine industry, also do a fair bit on the consumer side too!

Thanks for the welcome messages guys

[FrankenWashie]

yeah I do some work in the wine industry, also do a fair bit on the consumer side too!

Thanks for the welcome messages guys

Welcome Ryan, look forward to seeing your build progress. What are your plans? You mention some other parts, are you hot rodding this TLA? As for advice, there is a squad of really helpful folk on here and all you need do is ask the questions, everyone loves to help. And make bad jokes.😄

[Cobba21]

Welcome Ryan, look forward to seeing your build progress. What are your plans? You mention some other parts, are you hot rodding this TLA? As for advice, there is a squad of really helpful folk on here and all you need do is ask the questions, everyone loves to help. And make bad jokes.��

Thanks FrankenWashie. Just a few minor enhancements, I have ordered a new 6 saddle bridge also with the string through the back function, also ordered some Tonerider HC's. For the finish on the body I am thinking a deep/dark red, almost burgundy, slightly transparent with high gloss finish, with Black picguard (hopefully that makes sense). Have the maple fret board so want to keep the neck pretty natural looking with a satin type feel. I welcome any suggestions on the body finish and how to go about it, I am a complete novice at wood finishing...

I was thinking that when the other gear arrives and I do a mock build I would actually bolt the neck on and the bridge to get all the holes drilled and everything in the right spot before I start on the finishing side. Would this be a recommended approach for a first timer?

[FrankenWashie]

Thanks FrankenWashie. Just a few minor enhancements, I have ordered a new 6 saddle bridge also with the string through the back function, also ordered some Tonerider HC's. For the finish on the body I am thinking a deep/dark red, almost burgundy, slightly transparent with high gloss finish, with Black picguard (hopefully that makes sense). Have the maple fret board so want to keep the neck pretty natural looking with a satin type feel. I welcome any suggestions on the body finish and how to go about it, I am a complete novice at wood finishing...

I was thinking that when the other gear arrives and I do a mock build I would actually bolt the neck on and the bridge to get all the holes drilled and everything in the right spot before I start on the finishing side. Would this be a recommended approach for a first timer?

Nice. Love the sound of that already!

Yeah best thing to do is get the kit, and do a dry fit of everything. The obvious things you want to look for are any shipping damages, any weird cracks or stuff that looks like manufacturing defects, and if you spot something notify Adam straight away and he'll sort it out one way or another.
When you mount the neck, you need to check the neck pocket in the body for fit, it should be a snug fit, but you shouldn't need to force it in.

Then you can check if the neck sits centrally by placing your bridge at the required spot (Measure from the middle of the 12th fret to the edge of the nut, the saddles of your bridge should sit approximately that distance from the middle of that 12th fret, give or take)

Run the e-strings up the neck to the nut and into the 6th and 1st machine heads (place these in the headstock finger tight) and just see if there is an even gap both sides to the edge of your fretboard. If not the neck may need shimming one way or the other or you may need to adjust it. If its way way out then you need to have a conversation with Adam.

This may also tell you if you are going to have issues with the routing of the bridge pick up. I seem to remember blokes saying it can vary with the TL kits dependant on whether you use after market parts or the kit bridges, for some its the right spot but for others the cavity needs to be shifted forward or back. If you hunt up some of the older build threads for TL's you should be able to find some discussion on it.

If all of that is okay then you can mark out where things need to be drilled and do that before you start your finishing. The general consensus is to mark and drill before completion of the finish, because if you make a boo boo, you don't have to strip back and then re-finish. That can be ball aching.

Pretty sure if I've missed anything someone else will bring it up, other than that, Take and post many photos of your build, ask as many questions as you feel you need to and above all enjoy the building process!
You'll have as much support here as you need, especially given you work with wine and may be a handy bloke to know!

[Fretworn]

Welcome Ryan