Which Tele?

[I’ll give it a go]

I’m going to buy a Tele solid body but unsure which one. Either the TL-1 or the TLA-1.
Has anybody got any experience with either. Any feedback would be appreciated.

[FrankenWashie]

I built a TLA, finished in dingotone natural clear. It’s a solid unit, the ash finishes well but has a tendency to splinter and tear out when drilling or routing.
if you want a flat finish you’ll need to grain fill. The ash in mine had some nice grain feature that ended quite prominent as the finish sunk into it.

[Sonic Mountain]

Ash is also a fair bit heavier than basswood if that is a consideration. I've built 2 basswood tele's and they are a lot of fun and very straightforward. Sometimes the bridge cavity needs slight enlargement, in which case the basswood is far easier to work if you have limited access to tools.

[I’ll give it a go]

Thank you both for your feedback, it was really helpful. Gonna order mine today.

[wazkelly]

I have built a Basswood and Alder Tele and both are quite light but reckon Alder is the lightest. It can have an interesting reddish colour and grain but on mine there was too much variation with light and darker strips of timber used and it ended up looking like this.....


Have done a J Bass in Ash, and yes it is a much heavier wood with stunning grain that does tend to shrink back any grain filler which I left as a feature on mine. You can check it out in my signature.

Cheers, Waz

[TZK321]

That might be the nicest looking Tele I've ever seen.

[I’ll give it a go]

Wazkelly, that is definitely an awesome looking Tele, you did well.
I actually ordered the basswood yesterday so I’ll see how she goes.
Thanks for your feedback.


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[wazkelly]

Basswood is a good place to start with. Just remember not to oversand if you are planning a stained finish as it polishes up way to easy. Suggest stop sanding after 180. I usually go nuts with 80 to knock down machine marks then as smooth as possible with 120 before deciding next step. Maybe light 180 and the apply 1st coat of stain.
Multiple top coats help to smooth things out plus all the wet sanding sessions akong the way.
Cheers, Waz

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[I’ll give it a go]

Thanks Waz, I’m going to paint it like a very light blue, almost vintage like.


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[I’ll give it a go]

Then finish with this.


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