Tele-Caster Intepretation Build

[GreaseBox]

I actually threw that on the couch just for you

Sorry, off topic, are you going to build a v?

 

[C Squared]

Sorry, off topic, are you going to build a v?

I'm building it on paper and in my mind at the moment. Going to decide on a neck tomorrow for the tele, get the rest of the holes drilled for mounting bridge and neck, and shoot some clear lacquer on it over the weekend. While it's curing I'm gonna start another tele build, more traditional lines, but with a TOM, humbuckers, and a custom pickguard (like the blue one in the other thread)

But since Jackie keeps reminding me that I DON'T have a V, I've been sketching a few out trying to put my own stamp on it...

 

[GreaseBox]

I'm building it on paper and in my mind at the moment. Going to decide on a neck tomorrow for the tele, get the rest of the holes drilled for mounting bridge and neck, and shoot some clear lacquer on it over the weekend. While it's curing I'm gonna start another tele build, more traditional lines, but with a TOM, humbuckers, and a custom pickguard (like the blue one in the other thread)

But since Jackie keeps reminding me that I DON'T have a V, I've been sketching a few out trying to put my own stamp on it...

I love / respect how you really put your stamp on your builds / ideas!

 

[C Squared]

I love / respect how you really put your stamp on your builds / ideas!

Thanks man, that compliment is most appreciated. I'm very new at this whole woodworking thing, and practicing very slowly and enjoying the hell out of it (except when the guitar leaps to its death) There is a TON a tremendous talent here and I'm NOT in the same league as most of the craftsman and luthiers here, so whenever another soul enjoys my ideas, it really is a very inspiring feeling.

Rock On my friend

 

[Guitarsquirrel7]

So initially I was thinking the reverse headstock and sharkfins totally killed the vibe on this, but it has since grown on me

It does kinda kill the tele vibe, but it gives it a whole other one!
I actually think it looks great

And I have a question for you that I have been wondering lately. Why can't a tele-caster have a set neck? Does it have to do with the fact that the body doesn't have the space for a tenon?

 

[C Squared]

It does kinda kill the tele vibe, but it gives it a whole other one!
I actually think it looks great

Thanks man. It does kill the whole vintage tele thing, but it looks like a beast with the reverse and inlays

And I have a question for you that I have been wondering lately. Why can't a tele-caster have a set neck? Does it have to do with the fact that the body doesn't have the space for a tenon?

In the hands of a good luthier, I'm sure it could. I'm pretty sure I've seen set neck and neck through "tele" style guitars over the years

 

[C Squared]

Gonna go with the "metal" neck after all. With the rail pups and reflectors I'm feeling it

Time to set the drill press up in the kitchen and finish getting all the mounting holes set. Once that's done I'll shape the heel of the body a little more then take it all apart for some sanding and some clear. I'll try and get some pics up of the heel once its done.

Now the question is what to do with the "vintage" neck...

 

[shtdaprdtr]

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

 

[C Squared]

OK, update after some progress and some set backs

Got the rest of the holes drilled, neck mounted (came out super tight fit ) which was great

What wasn't so great was finding out my drill press is a about a hair too small to get at all the holes I Needed to drill for the ferrules and string through for the bridge. A slight challenge as I've been spoiled by the drill press, but I managed.

The biggest rookie mistake (or simple fever induced dumbassness ) was not to recheck my center line (with neck mounted) before mounting the bridge. Consequently when I first strung it up it was off enough to have the high E string right at the edge of the fingerboard.

Plugged the holes last night. Sanded everything nice and flat this morning, centered bridge properly to the neck (duh) and got it strung up now.

Need to get a chrome locknut (since the only one I had in the bin was gold). Anyway, time to disassemble everything and get some clear squirted on it. The only thing I'm not sure if I'm going to do first is wire it up and plug it in to check it out before giving it the clear. Football day today with the Packers hosting the Vikings, so not sure how much more time I'm going to invest in this today

 

[Guitarsquirrel7]

Looking Good!

Are you going to put anything on the headstock?

 

[C Squared]

Looking Good!

Are you going to put anything on the headstock?

I've been fiddling with a "logo" idea for a while. Keep going back and fourth between two ideas. 1) C3 Guitars (Chris Cote' Custom) or 2) Wolfs'Tone Guitars (since for years most of my friends have called me "the wolf")

I also thought about adding an oak veneer to the headstock and giving it the same "burnt honey" finish.

But in all honesty I'm waiting to plug it in and see how it sounds before deciding how much "extra" I'll put into it It was an experiment with wood, and I haven't heard much good about oak. Strung up I was pleasantly surprised at how loud it was and seemed to resonate forever. Def seems like a keeper, but at the very worst, the oak matches my living room and will make one hell of a wall decoration

Right now its on its second coat of clear, doing some of the wiring as well

 

[C Squared]

Joining the rest of the herd of guitars with the selector switch in the right place

 

[Skynyrdpicker]

Looks awesome except for that poker chip! The oak headstock veneer would look great too!

How does it sound?!

 

[C Squared]

Looks awesome except for that poker chip! The oak headstock veneer would look great too!

How does it sound?!

Thanks man!!!

I Like the poker chip personally And I'm thinking the veneer is def gonna happen when I do the nut

Soundwise: A lot of sustain, huge low end, some good highs, but the midrange is a little lacking in all honesty. If you're one of the metal players that scoop the mids right out of the eq, then this would be the guitar for you. May just be the pups that I have in it (GFS rails) and I want to get a bone nut to replace the locknut that's on there now. I Love the neck pup. Sounds like a strat with the neck and middle pup on. The bridge is more responsive to pick attack then I expected. Picking hard and close give a nice tele bite and twang, backing off mellows it right out.

 

[Skynyrdpicker]

I have some GFS rails in my LP and they have that sound too. Hard for me to get used to considering I'm not a metal guy. Still I love the build, really cool idea to combine such a traditional guitar with such a modern neck and appointments.