Telecaster Final Review

[WisconsinStrings]

I believe I have just about my final parts list for my first build. So far I've relived heavly on the knowledge of everyone here and the search button.

I hope this isn't too much to ask, but if some of you guys would take a look at my list and let me know if there are any problems or suggestions. Things like a) missing parts, b)wrong parts, c) bad suppliers, d) less expensive suppliers, e) anything else that comes to mind.

The goal here is a vintage sounding telecaster. I'm a little nervous about the neck working, and I still need a souce for my pickups, but other then that it's pretty much wrapped up. The only two things I've ordered are the templates and the body blank.

This is my first build, but I've been playing guitar and woodworking for quite a while. So far the process has been enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to making some sawdust and eventually hearing some notes.

Thanks.

The List:

Template: Telecaster Template 25.5" scale $58.00 $12.00

http://www.guitarbuildingtemplates.com/teletemplates.htm

shipping

Neck: Birdseye Maple Tele Neck (warmouth pro series) $193.00

http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/necks/necks....tele_warmothpro

white corian nut (precut and installed) $25.00

mother of pearl inlays $15.00

25.5" scale, right handed, 22 frets, double expanding truss rod, Gotoh side adjuster

no scallops, no peghead veneer, no finish

nut width = 1-11/16"

back contour = standard thin

fingerboard radius = 10" to 16" compound radius

tuner holes = Gotoh / Grover 11/32" - 13/32"

frets = 6150 .096" x .047" (narrow and tall)

Body: Swamp Ash 1 Piece Blank $97.50 $14.00

http://guitarmill.com/blanks.html

Tuners: Gotoh SG38 $25.50

http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/tuners/tun...n=guitar_tuners

String Retainer: Graph Tech String Retainers (with mounting screws) $4.78

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardware,_part..._Retainers.html

Neck Mounting Plate: Chrome Neck Mounting Plate (with mounting screws) $6.38

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardware,_part...ing_Plates.html

Bridge: Wilkinson Adjustable Compensated Vintage Tele Bridge (with mounting screws) $61.75

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailp...ele_Bridge.html

String Ferrules $5.04

http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/parts/part...string_ferrules

Pickguard: Warmouth Silver Pearl $28.00

http://www.warmoth.com/pickguards/pickguar...pickguards_tele

Control Plate: TCP1C $10.00

http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/parts/part...=include_plates

Knobs: Chrome Pearl Top Custom Dome Knobs $6.70

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Knobs/Dome_kno...Dome_Knobs.html $6.70

Switch Knob: SSK1P Parchment $1.50

http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/parts/part...n=include_knobs

Strap Button: Schaller Strap Locks Set of 2 chrome $12.00

http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/parts/part...e_strap_holders

Strap Button Felt Washer $3.20

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardware,_part...lt_Washers.html

Pickups: Fender Nocaster $100.00

Pots: 2 CTS 250k pots (CTS250) $10.00

http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/parts/part..._potentiometers

Switch: CRL Brand 3 Way Switch Includes 2 Chrome Mounting Screws $14.00

http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/parts/part...nclude_switches

.050uf capacitor: .047uf $0.50

http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/parts/part...lude_capacitors

.001uf capacitor: .001uf $0.50

http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/parts/part...lude_capacitors

Wire: 1' of blk, white and red 22 gauge stranded wire. 3' of 22 gauge stranded coaxial wire w/ braided shield and thin clear jacket over the braid $5.95

http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/parts/part...=include_wiring

Shielding: 12" of 8" wide copper tape $8.40

http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/parts/part...opper_shielding

Jack: Electrosocket for Tele $10.00

http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/parts/part...n=include_jacks

Total: $651.40

Edited January 14, 2007 by WisconsinStrings

[Drak]

You did a nice job compiling that list.

The only thing I see on the fly that I might mention is the warmoth double-expanding truss rod.

Seems I remember someone telling me, or I read it somewhere, that these necks are appreciably heavier than a single-expanding rod neck.

Not knocking Warmoth at all, I've bought over 10 necks from tham and love 'em all, just a note about the style of truss rod you picked. They do offer other options with everything lese being the same.

[WisconsinStrings]

You did a nice job compiling that list.

The only thing I see on the fly that I might mention is the warmoth double-expanding truss rod.

Seems I remember someone telling me, or I read it somewhere, that these necks are appreciably heavier than a single-expanding rod neck.

Not knocking Warmoth at all, I've bought over 10 necks from tham and love 'em all, just a note about the style of truss rod you picked. They do offer other options with everything lese being the same.

Thanks. I can't tell you how many hours I have in that list. This site was my starting point. The forums and link section have been very valuable.

Great tip on the truss rod. That's one of those things I would have never known until the guitar was finished and hard to hold. I'll ask them about the vintage truss rod when I order.

Has anyone had any playing experience on the compound radius neck? Great idea in theory.

[crafty]

Check out USA Custom Guitars, too. They have some guys there that used to work at Warmoth and word is their necks are pretty tight, too.

[WisconsinStrings]

Check out USA Custom Guitars, too. They have some guys there that used to work at Warmoth and word is their necks are pretty tight, too.

Yeah, they look nice. A little more expensive though. I looked long and hard at their body blanks too, but ended up with guitarmill.com. Isn't it nice to have choices? This would be a really rough hobby without the Internet.

[crafty]

Yeah, they look nice. A little more expensive though. I looked long and hard at their body blanks too, but ended up with guitarmill.com. Isn't it nice to have choices? This would be a really rough hobby without the Internet.

http://www.usacustomguitars.com/neckfeatures.html

Check out this page again. Word is their fretwork is a lot better than Warmoth and they originally set out to improve upon what Warmoth was doing with their necks. If you're saving money on the body and pickups, it definitely won't hurt to put a little more into the neck. It's up to you, but I'd at least call up USACG and ask 'em point blank why you should buy their neck over Warmoth's for the price, and see what justification they give you.

Quick note: Warmoth does supply great parts. They used to make the necks for the Yamaha Pacifica and the quality IS there. But they don't level the frets and the nut work leaves a lot to be desired--so much so I wouldn't pay the money they're asking for a pre-cut nut and do it myself or pay someone else to do it.