|
Post by 469roadking on Jun 5, 2010 10:39:20 GMT -5
Phil, that looks fantastic. Thanks for posting the details as well. I polish my frets every so many months but I've never done a fret level and crown before. My new neck is on and acclimating to string tension. but I know it's going to need a minor fret level before all is done. I really want to do it myself to save money (I could be Scottish as well). I may have to send StewMac some more of my money I guess. This will be my 3rd order to them in the last two weeks. I think I've paid more to these companies in shipping charges than in parts. BTW I found a cool electronics website. A little pricey but they have top notch stuff. The new switch, pots, caps and wiring will be in next week. But I have a few weeks left before my pickups come in. Patience is a virtue, patience is a virtue, a virtue I tell you.
|
|
|
Post by pwfirst on Jun 5, 2010 16:27:18 GMT -5
Thanks guys for the support. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get everything the way I like it, but the neck is in it's final stages. Just finished spraying coat #6 of nito, that is a total of 10 coats. One small problem is the Nitro they sent me is gloss not satin, says it satin but it's not. It looks great and once it is sanded down with 600 it feels really good so I'll sand the final coat and buff it and I think it will have that feel I am am looking for. I am tired of sanding. Roadking the easiest thing I did was the fret leveling with that contoured sanding block. The fret file is also easy to do just take it slow. The fret file can remove a lot of metal in a hurry. I taped the fret board be for using the file just in case it jumped off the fret.
|
|
|
Post by 469roadking on Jun 5, 2010 18:02:04 GMT -5
Can you crown with say 400 grit and do a good job? or is the file a must?
|
|
|
Post by pwfirst on Jun 5, 2010 20:46:29 GMT -5
A file makes it much easier but sand paper is possible. The way you might do it would be to make a small sanding block with a Popsicle stick. and do each side by it's self. The file I got does both sides at once. and you can do the whole neck in about 20 min. I decided to put a different plug in on my teli, a friend showed me his and I got a gold one. Very well made with a tight plug in. As you can see I had to make some plugs so it would fit my opening I mounted it on the plugs and trimmed it until it fit the opening. Added just a little gorilla glue and they should never come loose. My neck has it's last coat on it and I will let it dry over night and finish it tomorrow. I can hardly wait.
|
|
|
Post by 469roadking on Jun 7, 2010 0:23:43 GMT -5
Great idea on the sanding block. Thanks for that, I may give it a try. I took the half finished product to rehearsal tonight. w/o a backup of course and bingo wouldn't say squat. Just buzzed like crazy. Had to pull the control panel and found the one of the jack wires had come loose from the back of the tone pot. Quick resolder and I was back in business. But I was aggrevated for a moment or two. This was her first time out and I love the neck. I ended up with the Warmoth modern vintage with the standard thin profile. Can't wait to get the new switch and pots and pickups in so I can finish it. I'll post pics but they won't be quite as impressive as the job you've done. BTW, i like the new jack. I haven't seen one like that before. Never have understood the wisdom of the standard recessed Tele jack. Too much poking about to get things plugged in. Thanks again for your help bro.
|
|
|
Post by pwfirst on Jun 7, 2010 12:40:41 GMT -5
New guitars are always a challenge to get them working just the way you want. The look of the neck are nice but it is the way it feels and play that is important. I have played Warmoth necks before and they are the best out there. I will be done by the weekend except for the water slide decal. I am going to Tulsa to see relatives this weekend so I will complete the set up while I am there. Good luck with your new baby. Phil
|
|
|
Post by pwfirst on Jun 8, 2010 20:37:08 GMT -5
It's DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!! After hours of sanding and spraying and buffing, I am Done. After putting the neck back on, the neck needed a small shim to get it parallel with the strings. I did this by putting the strings on and placed a shim between body and the neck and it needed .010 to change the angle enough. Tightened up the neck screws and tuned it and measured the distance between strings and the 1st fret and the 20th fret until they were about equal. I then lowered the stings to a desired height and checked to see if any of the strings were buzzing. I repeated this about 5 times and finally had no buzzing and a good playing height. I then loosened the strings and the neck screws and placed a shim of the same thickness at the front edge of the body where the neck fits and re-tightened up the screws. After setting a ruff height of all the strings it played pretty good. Still need to do the full set up but this is a good start. I down loaded the teli set up instructions from the fender web site and I will do this while I am visiting relatives this weekend. I have to say this teli is starting to grow on me. When I get back I will do a photo shoot and record this bad boy. Did I mention this is a great feeling neck, soft as a babies bottom. ;D
|
|
|
Post by pwfirst on Jun 21, 2010 19:53:05 GMT -5
Hi guys, I am as done with this Tele as I can be. I played it at Church and listen to the recording and I must admit that Tele's do belong in church. I ran it with a little TWANGE effect, reverb and a short delay and it sounded very good with the Blackface amp setting . I think the final product was well above the quality of a mass produced unit, even though I did the work my self. The Mighty Might body is just great. The neck was more than cool and very straight. I used Fender classic tuners that gave it a more vintage look. The 6 pin bridge really helped give it that high end look and I like the 6 pin adjustmets. The pick ups were from Torries industries were better than I expected. The 5 positions with mid range tuning is very versitle. I also put on the new style plug in that is stable and easy to plug in with out fishing around for the factory type. I also put starp locks on it. So what is the final cost. $714.00. The last picture is of my grand daughter that just becamed potty trained and I always get my grand kids a big girl or big boy toy. I got my grand son a John Deere tractor which he is still using when he comes to visit. My grand daughter is all about pink so she got a Barbie Mustang. It comes with a radio and horn. The sell for $350 new and they went on sell for $249 and when I went to the local Walmart they had a last years model for $199.00 So I bought it for her. Now I am broke again so I am saving up for a new amp.
|
|
|
Post by pwfirst on Jun 21, 2010 19:56:01 GMT -5
I forgot, I will make a recording of the guitar soon and see what all you Tele lovers think.
|
|
|
Post by 469roadking on Jun 21, 2010 23:30:41 GMT -5
Outstanding Phil!!!! Really a beautiful instrument. Now send it down here so I can give her a test run......yes, no, yes................OK, I won't hold my breath. Great job nonetheless.
|
|
|
Post by pwfirst on Jun 22, 2010 12:30:09 GMT -5
Nice try, but I don't think it is going to leave my side.
|
|
|
Post by 469roadking on Jun 22, 2010 17:12:19 GMT -5
Can't blame a brother for taking a shot.
|
|
|
Post by gasman on Jun 28, 2010 13:04:30 GMT -5
Beautiful Phil! You and RoadKing should go into business together! Great job!
|
|
|
Post by pwfirst on Jul 11, 2010 7:13:21 GMT -5
Well after a lot of pondering I went simple on the water slide. In about 1-2 months I will take it to my luthier for the final neck adjustments but this bay plays very nice now. My tele has it's own unique look that I really like, from the vintage tuners to the amazing neck. All and all the build was less complicated that I expected. I did a lot of reading and studying before I started and that saved me a lot of pain and confusion. So I know have a Tele and it continues to grow on me. I doubt that it will every replace my Strat but time will see. I will do a recording some time soon to give you an idea of the pick up configuration. Hope you guys have enjoyed the build, I sure did. Phil ;D ;D ;D
|
|
|
Post by 469roadking on Jul 11, 2010 17:32:53 GMT -5
Awesome finishing touch Phil. Very classy indeed. Once again you inspire me. Hope you're feeling well brother. Blessings, RK
|
|