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

Rather than spend $5000+ on surface planers, thicknessers, etc, i got the essentuals, and pay $27 (aussie dollars) an hour at a local wood work school. I only need an hour a month, maybe two, and i got the keep another $5000 in the bank . ****, when im real busy, for an extra $10, they do all the machining themselves...

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