GREGMW

Hi again, What size blades and how many teeth per inch do you guys use to cut out bodies. I have just got a 14 inch saw with a 3/8 blade but I was thinking about getting a smaller (1/4) and finer blade. Any suggestions TIA

I was looking at Stew Macs site and see they have about 6 different styles of fret files ranging from $35 to about $90 What are you guys using and any suggestions? SAME QUESTION FOR NUT FILES TOO They have a 3 in 1 fret file (cat 0685) for $36.00 which I thought might be ok, Thanks Greg

Hi, This is probably obvious but what part of the bridge do I measure too from the nut. I know it is where the string leaves it but each saddle will be different .Do I line the saddles up obout centre then work off that. TIA Greg

Whoops Wrong Forum !Sorry

Hi. I am sure this will be obvious but when I am setting out the scale and neck,exactly what part of the bridge (Fixed) do I measure to as each string is adjustable? Do I take an average? I realise its where the string leaves the bridge but each one will be different. TIA Greg

Thanks Greg (and all) for your help. I had a look through Melvin Hiscocks book and he goes through building a Tele in that. Unfortunatly there is not a lot of BASIC detail on the neck.He talks about a "Neck Template" but ,unless I am missing something it doesn't actually go into any detail on HOW TO make the template.(I might be expecting too much ?) I realise its all just a matter of measurements and setting out but its kind of amazing that there is not more info on the subject. Any way I will have a go with the info you have posted.I might make it out of a bit of craftwood or something like that first up to see how it goes.I suppose the scond time around might be more straight forward. I will let you know how it goes. Regards Greg W

Sorry I should have been a bit clearer. I am going to build the whole guitar not just a neck . Mind you the body is sounding easier as I get into this, compared to the neck. It does not have to be 100% identical (and probably won't be) to a Tele as far as looks go but I wanted to keep the scale and size etc the same All of the info I have read is pretty well about angled headstocks and laminated necks. Maybe I should have picked that but I thought the Fender Style neck would be easier? Greg

Hi, I want to build a Tele style neck,I have a piece of maple 700 x 100 & 16mm thick. It has been machined .I also have a piece of maple for a fretboard & it is 7mm thick. (Somebody advised me to build this with a glued on fretboard because its easier than a one piece neck???) I have traced out a Tele neck BUT I cant see this being real accurate! Should I draw & measure this out instead if tracing it? After having all of the above where do I start? Should I make a template of the whole neck or mark it out on the maple? How do I set out the radius of the neck? Whats the best way to shape it? I had a look at the tutorials and there is some great info but not quite what I was after.I have a couple of books but they do seem to skimp over neck building or they dont relate to what I am building. Any info or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Greg

Where abouts in Australia is this woodwork school?

Great question! I have heaps of hand and power tools but when I read through the likes of the Stewmac catalog I see all these "specialty tools" like nut files,fret files,fretting saws and presses etc. It leaves an empty kind of feeling in your head.(and pocket) GW

Hi, I am going to build a "Hybrid" Tele and was considering using some Symour Duncan 52s pickups. I wanted a classic rock/country tone. Any suggestions on any other makes/models that would give me that tone. Would I be kind of paying extra for the "Seymour Duncan" name with the 52s as they are a lot more expensive than other brands that I have seen? Any Australian brands that anybody knows? Any web sites? Thanks again. Greg

How do you work out & know exactly where to put the pickups in a solid body. Is there some kind of measurements or formula to work it all out . How criticle would these be if any.Any other info would be appreciated. You can tell that this is my first attempt and I am learning from scratch Thanks AGAIN in advance. Regards Greg

Thanks very much for your reply. I am probably being a little fussy /worried ,but I do want to try to get it right with out to many problems to start with. I will follow your advise .Hopefully it won't cup any more. It was purchased from a pretty good supplier .Maybe I should have left it a bit longer before I glued it. Thanks again Greg

Hi all again. Firstly sorry about all the following dumb questions. I am attempting to build a Tele style guitar.This is my first one I have glued 2 pieces of American Ash together -as per my previous post. I find now that since I glued them together (about a week ago) they have slightly cupped probably about .5 mm .They were ok before. Is this normal and what is the solution -if any? They had been cut and machined about 3 weeks before I glued them then let stand. The normal tele body is 1 3/4 (43mm) thick but the boards I have are only 1 5/8 (41mm).Will this matter as far as assembly etc go? If I machine the body to get the cup out of it it will end up even thinner.Should I leave it go till I cut out the body then sand it flat and how flat should it be-does it really need to be 100% perfect? Thanks in advance Greg

Thanks all. It sounds like I may be a bit too concerned over nothing .Unfortunatly I cant post a picture at the moment but I like your replies .... I will try to fit it under the switch plate but if not I could end up making that section some kind of feature like you suggested. I will try to post a picture in the next week or so. Thanks again. Regards Greg

Yes I did plane it & square it all up .All ap you cant really see the join. I might be getting a bit picky with the joint. Its about 1/2 inch 0r 12 mm long and about 1/4 mm wide and deep. It is pretty hard to see but its there and it would probably be more noticeable when I finish it with a tung oil. My main concern is with the slight flaw on the grain. Its about 2 inches (50mm) and about 3/16 (3-4mm) deep. I never noticed this till I started sanding it . Thanks again for the replies. Regards Greg

Hi, Firstly I have stumbled across this site after a LOT of searching for info on building guitars and I just wish I had found it before.!!!It is terrific. Now for a really dumb question - I suppose. I have joined together 2 pieces of Ash to start making my first guitar.I dont own a bandsaw and I have not had a lot of luck finding anybody who does. Have any of you guys ever used a jigsaw to cut out a solid body (1 1/2 inch thick) or am I asking for trouble? Also when I glued the pieces together,their is a slight gap in a section of the join. and also a slight flaw in the board. What would I use to fill these with ?I was going to mix up a little glue and sawdust together as a filler -any thoughts. Thanks all in advance. Regards Greg