My First Build - TLA-1

[supapuffin]

Hi everyone,

I nearly always read forums from a distance and leave the posting to others but thought in the case of guitar building it was time to make an exception.

I have had my tele kit for a couple of weeks and have managed to get the neck prepared and the shape of the headstock done. It nearly went pear-shaped when using the jigsaw - it was so lucky I had built in a lot of space for final sanding otherwise I would have added an 'artistic flourish' to the traditional tele shape. I think a coping saw will be the go on the next build.

I have been sanding the body today and am planning to avoid any power tool usage wherever possible. From the reading I have done it looks like I need to set the sanding sealer on the ash body fairly early on - as I sand I notice some parts will smooth but it opens up new grains in the wood so I can see what that is the recommendation.

Have been videoing the build and putting it on YouTube but will take some photos as I go and post them here.

Thanks for having me on board.

[Andyxlh]

welcome! you are right re the sanding sealer, if you want to get a smooth finish. I have used the Feast Watson stuff with success.
hope you have fun!
A

[supapuffin]

welcome! you are right re the sanding sealer, if you want to get a smooth finish. I have used the Feast Watson stuff with success.
hope you have fun!
A

Thanks for the reply - happily thats exactly the sealer I have bought so I am glad I am on the right track

[supapuffin]

Thanks for the reply - happily thats exactly the sealer I have bought so I am glad I am on the right track

Hi all,

these are the two videos I have done so far covering the build - I hadn't gone for high production value as initially it was just for my own future reference. However, they may be of some interest for others doing their first build to see common mistakes and possible solutions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J6CVnvI6t8&t=2s

AND

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psF72MkqX-c&t=1s

[emuflats]

Hey supa - keep the vids & pics coming. Enjoying your experience as I'm a newbie builder too. The detail in your vids is very helpful, Cheers.

[I’ll give it a go]

These are great videos, keep em coming thank you and good luck.


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[G-Axe]

Looking good so far, and the videos are pretty comprehensive.

[supapuffin]

The paint for the Tele build arrived this morning. Despite these four cans costing about as much as the base kit I hope it will be well worth the investment. Whilst it's not everyone's cup of tea, I think the Fender Surf Green colour is one that is iconic for vintage Strats and Teles.

Now just to finish the surface prep and apply very carefully.

[I’ll give it a go]

Nice choice of colour, that’s what I was originally going for but found it difficult to get the right colour at the right price.
Might end up going for a very light blue now.


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[supapuffin]

Nice choice of colour, that’s what I was originally going for but found it difficult to get the right colour at the right price.
Might end up going for a very light blue now.


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I had exactly the same thoughts about the price of the paint. The way I justified it to myself was thinking if this turns out to be my one and only guitar build then I want it to be a colour that I will always be very happy with.

Which just goes to show that you can justify anything to yourself if you think hard enough about it.