WisconsinStrings

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.

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.

Sorry, I can't help you with your problem, but that is a nice looking color. You'll have to post some pics when you get it complete.

Use the search. You're the fifth guy this week to ask for that song. Just kiding. I did some Google searches and was unable to come up with anything either. Maybe look for a really good instructor to help figuring the song out with you.

I play through a 15-watt tube amp (like the Blues Junior)-- don't be fooled, they're way too loud to use at home, if you want that overdriven power tube sound. I have no problem making myself heard with the band either. Only thing I really need is a larger cabinet for it. But Wisconsin, buying real Fender pickups for a telecaster isn't skimping, it's buying the right pickups for the guitar. I can understand looking at different brands/models if you're after a different sound, but it really does sound like you're looking for that true tele tone. I found a pretty good deal on some new nocaster pickups on eBay last night. I think that will be the only actual Fender part on this "Fender" style guitar.

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

Well, if that's the case, why all the anguish over which pickups to choose? Really, just go for basic Fender pups...they're easy to get (since all the tone-voodoo chasers are swapping out theirs for those super overpriced boutique jobs). And hell, if Fender can't give you the tele tone you're after, what's the point? Besides, with that little amp, and at the low volumes required to allow the baby to sleep, just about any tele style pickup will do for you. Don't buy into the hype. I can understand that, and I've probably gone a little overboard on this project. Right now this should be a pretty nice instrument and I'd rather not skimp on the pickups. (Assuming I can execute the build). I've had the same Applause electric guitar for 18 years. It's time for a grown-up one! Besides, the G-Dec isn't the only amp this guitar will ever be played though.

Thanks for all the replies. Lots of opinions! I'm sure all of them are good. After reading though this and reading the forum from Drak's suggestion, I think I'll go with the Nocasters. As far as the G-Dec. It is going to have to work for me for now. I'm not in a band, and I have a wife and 3 kids (one of them a baby) at home. The little G-Dec is about all the punch I can have in the house at this point in my life. I do have friends though, and I'm sure I'll be running this guitar though some bigger stuff when it's complete! Now, the next question... Does anyone have any recommendations for a vendor? I'm not seeing many people selling Fender pickups on-line. Thanks again. You guys are great. -Jarrod

Hello all, I'm planning a tele build and I think I have all the parts figured out except for the pickups. I'm really confused here on which ones to get. To narrow my search so far, I've only been looking at Fender, but I'd be open to other companies as well. What sound am I looking for you might ask? Well... vintage country twaing for sure! It would also be nice if it had a nice overdriven rock/blues sound. I played some teles at the music store and I liked the Texas Special pickups, but I'm not sure how vintage they are. If I had to pick today, I'd probably go with the OV although I've never actually heard them. Just basing that on what I've read. Few other details that might help. One piece swamp ash body, Wilkinson adjustable compensated vintage (3 saddle) bridge, 25.5" scale length, maple neck and fingerboard. Oh... G-dec practice amp. I've read a ton here and you guys have been a great help. I just need a little guidance on this one. I realize this is probably the single most important decision for getting the right sound, and I don't want to mess it up. Thanks! Jarrod

I'm from Arcadia. Between Eau Claire and LaCrosse.

Thanks for all the replies. After some consideration, I think I'll drop the kit idea. I think I'll order a tele neck and hardware and make my own body. Probably cover it in some figured maple veneer and dye it blue. It should be an interesting project. I guess I'll be spending some more time around here and bug you all for advice. Thanks again.

I jumped on the Internet to find out some information about a guitar kit and found this great forum. From the reading and searches I did, it looks like there are some real experts and helpful folks here. Anyway... onto the question. Does anyone have any experience with the Grizzly Strat kit? http://www.grizzly.com/products/H3123 It looks like a pretty good deal. I've purchased Grizzly tools in the past, but never any of their guitar stuff. I also know their owner Shiraz Balolia builds guitars, so I'm hoping his kits are decent quality. I'm not sold on Grizzly though. If there is a better bang for the buck out there, I'd love to hear about it. Any ideas, insight, advice, tips or questions are welcomed. Thanks!