Just for fun guitar build
BlueMDPicker
Posts: 7,569
I’ve never owned, or for that matter played, a true hard tail strat. So, while quarantined in the COVID gulag I figured why not build one? I didn’t want a string through body, trem block locked hard tail. My friend Chip at SixKiller Guitar graciously made an Alder body for me with no tremolo route and the project began in earnest. Other parts include:
- All Parts licensed by Fender maple neck with Indian rosewood fingerboard,12” radius, jumbo frets, Black Tusq nut, Fender vintage tuners, American Standard string trees
- Schaller top load hard tail bridge
- Van Zandt Blues Model pickups with reverse wind and reverse polarity
- 5-way switch, 500k pots, orange drop caps, vintage Fender cloth insulated wiring
Comments
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Build a Tele. I have a friend of mine building a Tele for me now.
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I love Telecasters. Tell me about the one you’re having built. If I were forced to only keep one guitar, it would be my ‘52 reissue. Just acquired a limited edition, set neck Tele with split coil humbuckers (pictured here with my ‘52).
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White blonde lacquered ash body, Maple with rosewood neck. Vintage-style hardware and electronics. It will look a lot like Page's before he painted it. And no top load bridge.
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@BlueMDPicker How much did the Strat kit run you?
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Cool! The only basic improvement I advocate for a Tele (to improve intonation especially on the B and G) is a bridge with separate string saddles. I did recently finish a Tele build and gave it to my grandson, Dylan. It has the improved bridge I mention.
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afterburnt wrote: »@BlueMDPicker How much did the Strat kit run you?
- Body - $100 (not representative, friend discount)
- Neck - I’ve had it a few years, I believe it was $140
- Pickups - $210
- Bridge - $80
- Misc pieces and parts - Around $100 estimated. I had many items in parts bin
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BlueMDPicker wrote: »afterburnt wrote: »@BlueMDPicker How much did the Strat kit run you?
- Body - $100 (not representative, friend discount)
- Neck - I’ve had it a few years, I believe it was $140
- Pickups - $210
- Bridge - $80
- Misc pieces and parts - Around $100 estimated. I had many items in parts bin
Thanks. Why did you choose Alder? -
Alder is lighter than ash (the other slab blanks my friend had in stock) which is a consideration for geezers like me who like to strap up and play. It also has a whole other vibe to me than ash when given a good “thump”. I have a swamp ash, limited edition American Standard strat that can be described as mellow in tone which I attribute to that wood variety. IIRC all the early strats were alder.
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This guy does some neat history vids. https://youtu.be/mWFw23PLr-Y
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Fellow Tele aficionados will enjoy my friend Chip’s best seller. The Hohner Madcat replica.
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Funny that most of my guitar heros play Strats but I love the Tele sound. I wish I could play like Vince Gill.
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afterburnt wrote: »This guy does some neat history vids. https://youtu.be/mWFw23PLr-Y
Loved it, thanks!
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Josh is one of my favorites as is Tim Pierce. This video from Tim features them both and @KennethSwauger might enjoy the tape gear in Josh's studio.
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afterburnt wrote: »Funny that most of my guitar heros play Strats but I love the Tele sound. I wish I could play like Vince Gill.
Ever checked out Ritchie Kotzen of The Winery Dogs?
--Gary--
Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out. -
afterburnt wrote: »Funny that most of my guitar heros play Strats but I love the Tele sound. I wish I could play like Vince Gill.
Ever checked out Ritchie Kotzen of The Winery Dogs?
https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/comment/2477017#Comment_2477017 -
I just ordered a matching Strat!
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I am such an idiot, I just got this.
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afterburnt wrote: »I am such an idiot, I just got this.
Huh? I'm a little slow on the uptake from lack of sleep.
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BlueMDPicker wrote: »afterburnt wrote: »I am such an idiot, I just got this.
Huh? I'm a little slow on the uptake from lack of sleep.
It's an American Fender Jeff Beck Signature Strat. $1600 or so. -
Looks like a great instrument. Congrats! I'll be interested to hear your impressions of the noiseless pickups, roller nut and locking tuners.
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Very nice Mike!
In case folks always wondered....
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 * -
Well Rich, the cat's out of the bag now.