Tele project

[Son of Magni]

Ok, I'm starting a guitar based on the Tele. Main differences are that the shape will be based on the shape I've been using for my basses and that it will be through-neck.

I will be using Tele pups in the standard positions and they are Alembic replacement pups for Tele.

Body core: Bloodwood
Body front/back: Claro Walnut
Body highlights: Maple

Neck: Bloodwood, Ebony, and Maple lams


Does anyone here have a tele that they can measure to give me the basic dims? Like overall length/width of the body, and pickup placement???

Here's pics of the front/back/core wood with my bass template drawn on it. Will need to be reduced for guitar...

http://www.thorbass.com/images/t1front.jpg

http://www.thorbass.com/images/t1back.jpg

http://www.thorbass.com/images/t1bloodwood.jpg

[Daniel#2]

so the only thing thats gunna be the same are the pups

[Son of Magni]

so the only thing thats gunna be the same are the pups

Right, the pups, the pup positions, and the scale length.

[johnb73]

remember when i was going to order this from you... Kinda

How much are you planning to sell it for? is it going to be for sale?

[Son of Magni]

remember when i was going to order this from you... Kinda

How much are you planning to sell it for? is it going to be for sale?

Sure, I remember talking about it. I'll either sell it to my brother at a discount, or put it up for sale. I don't play guitar so I won't be keeping it. I'm guessing I'll want to retail it at about $1,400. Depends partly on what I end up using for a bridge.

What's the best guitar trem made?

[Spazzout22]

What's the best guitar trem made?

Don't take my word... but Http://www.kahlerusa.com

Victor wooten uses their bass trem system, so I can only imagine that the guitar system is just as good.

[fortyseven]

Parker make incredible bridges/vibrato things for their Flys. But. You cant buy them. The fixed/bend down/floating switch is so cool.

[CCR90]

How is bloodwood to work with?

[mnemonic]

yeah, i'd go with a kahler aswell for the trem.

[Son of Magni]

Ok cool, I guess I'll be going with a Kahler 7300 bridge :thumb:

About working with bloodwood, I'm about to find out :eek:

Also with that top wood I'm really tempted to bookmatch to center. What do you guys think?

[Nick]

Kahlers are awesome if you (whoever's getting it) want a floating bridge


hardtail I'd probably go with hipshot or something



Or go RMC piezo + synth

[HELLonWHEELS]

Also with that top wood I'm really tempted to bookmatch to center. What do you guys think?
I think that would look awsome. You can't really go wrong with this wood.

[johnb73]

SoM if you are willing i plan ordering a tele a lot like this on,depending on how pour i am from college, and id like it to look like a tele just with your influence and id like a bigsby(sp) bridge on it.

[CCR90]

Ok cool, I guess I'll be going with a Kahler 7300 bridge :thumb:

About working with bloodwood, I'm about to find out :eek:

Also with that top wood I'm really tempted to bookmatch to center. What do you guys think?

Oh, when you get to it let me know please:chug:

[Efrim]

I've asked my friend to take some measurements, if you haven't already got some. Don't know when he'll take them.

[Jimbobntnr]

that's some beautiful wood.

[Son of Magni]

that's some beautiful wood.

Yeah, it's pretty amazing what nature can create for us :)

So, after getting some guitar measurements from my brother I created a guitar template for the body. Lucky for me it turns out that I can fit both the front and back on the first piece of wood. It's always nice when you know the colors will be almost identical.

Today I also ordered a Floyd Rose locking nut, Gotoh Vintage Scalloped-knob machines, and Kahler Hybrid 7300 trem.

The core will be Bloodwood, and Maple highlights between the core and the front/back. I haven't really decided on the neck though. I'm thinking maybe a simple Maple/Ebony/Maple/Ebony/Maple stackup, with the center Maple being thinner, and all the Maple being flamed. But possibly I might use Bloodwood instead of the Ebony.

progmegood, I still need the measurements for the pup positions (nut to center of poll pieces) if your friend can do it...

Edit...
Another thing I'm thinking of doing on this project is illuminated neck dots. I have light pipe and aluminum tubing, so I'm thinking each dot will be an aluminum ring with the light pipe in the center. All the pipes will go back into the body where they'll be bundled together and aimed at a LED.

[AG]

SoM, if you're going to do that, make the LED a RGB one and have three trim pots in a cavity somewhere so whoever owns the bass can choose the exact colour they want.

[fenderstratocaster22]

^that would be really cool

[Nick]

you know that kahler makes their own locking nuts...?

also I don't think the 7300 is kahler's top model, if that was what you were going for

[thelowsoundofbass]

I would have gone with a FR bridge, but everything else looks killer. Love the woods. One question though, NT or bolt on?

lowsound

[Son of Magni]

you know that kahler makes their own locking nuts...?

also I don't think the 7300 is kahler's top model, if that was what you were going for

I wanted the hybrid model... (and $160 seemed like enough for a bridge)

I would have gone with a FR bridge, but everything else looks killer. Love the woods. One question though, NT or bolt on?

lowsound

It's to be a thru-neck...

More about the LED system later as the project progresses :)

[johnb73]

have you started this project yet SoM? if not when do you plan on starting it?

[Son of Magni]

have you started this project yet SoM? if not when do you plan on starting it?

I'm in the process of collecting parts. I basically have everything except the bridge and some maple. I don't really need the bridge yet, but I need to get maple for the body highlights and plane it down to .100. Then while I have the planer set up I'll plane the wood for the neck.

But the shop is pretty cold these days :mad:

[johnb73]

thats why i haven't worked on my tele, the shop(a space behind the bobcat in my 2 car garage) is mighty cold, Damn new england

[Son of Magni]

thats why i haven't worked on my tele, the shop(a space behind the bobcat in my 2 car garage) is mighty cold, Damn new england

If you need more room I'll take the bobcat off your hands...

btw, I have pencil lead in my hand too. Got stuck in there probably 35 years ago and I can still see it :smoke:

[johnb73]

i love the bobcat haha, its my dads but hes disabled so he cant use it. my pencil lead has been there for about 10 years, its just as dark as the day the bastard stabbed me in school haha..

would you be willing to build me an experimental neck for my tele project..
i don't know exactly what specs i want but i think i want red LEDs in the neck(if not thats fine) no idea what i want for the fingerboard, i want something that is nice that can be used on a different guitar when i get better at building. The body of the guitar is made of oak(it was free)
give me a price or send me an email or somethin...

Johnb73 @ Gmail.com

[Son of Magni]

Ok, well I finally got off my a$$ and worked on this guitar. (Actually it's because the temp finally made it into the 30's.) So I cut out the body parts and glued it up and shaped the edges. I almost got the neck lams cut out too but ran out of flame maple. Anyways, here's the body pics.

Also check out my auctions:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Michael-Kelly-Fretless-5-String-Acoustic-Electric-Bass_W0QQitemZ260090980372QQihZ016QQcategoryZ4713Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=016&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=260091016149&rd=1&rd=1
/blatant spamming...

http://www.thorbass.com/images/tele1/bodywings1_.jpg

http://www.thorbass.com/images/tele1/bodywings3_.jpg

[moghes69]

so its going to be a tele bass?

[Son of Magni]

so its going to be a tele bass?

Oops, no it's a guitar...

[megadeth456]

If you need more room I'll take the bobcat off your hands...

btw, I have pencil lead in my hand too. Got stuck in there probably 35 years ago and I can still see it :smoke:

noice. I have 3 pieces stuck in my hand. I think they were all my fault too. I used to keep my pencils in my pocket. The oldest has been in there for about 5 years.

[jordan-z]

^^^ lead poisening????

your work looks amazing like always som...

[mnemonic]

there's no lead in a pencil

[Bajs]

If i were to buy a guitar, id have you make one for me :P

[zhyla]

there's no lead in a pencil

True story, in 2nd grade some bully was shoving me around in class on my first day at a new school. I stabbed him in the forehead with a #2 pencil. The teacher flipped out and started yelling at me about lead poisoning. I calmly pointed out that pencil lead is graphite, not lead (I was/is a bit of a nerd).

I got 15 minutes in timeout. Pansy-*** teacher.

[mnemonic]

hha, thats awesome

[johnb73]

som i love your work

you use a solid piece of wood then cut it to the right shape then boar the "pocket" and THEN you put the laminates(if thats the correct word) or w/e over it right? or am i completely wrong

[Son of Magni]

som i love your work

you use a solid piece of wood then cut it to the right shape then boar the "pocket" and THEN you put the laminates(if thats the correct word) or w/e over it right? or am i completely wrong

Not completely wrong, but there's no boring pockets the way I do it. Everything's done with the bandsaw. Hopefully this post will explain:

http://www.sputnikmusic.com/forums/showpost.php?p=13840506&postcount=251

[Nick]

So how easy would it be to persuade you to try a "sleek" design?

[mnemonic]

exceedingly difficult

[johnb73]

Not completely wrong, but there's no boring pockets the way I do it. Everything's done with the bandsaw. Hopefully this post will explain:

http://www.sputnikmusic.com/forums/showpost.php?p=13840506&postcount=251

actually helped a lot, thanks man

im going to attempt to build a neck through this summer, ill prolly buy the neck from you haha

[CCR90]

christ I want you to make me a guitar. If I get a job this summer, you're building me one k?

[Son of Magni]

christ I want you to make me a guitar. If I get a job this summer, you're building me one k?

GET A JOB!

[CCR90]

4 srs. I'm paying about 30 bucks a week in gas just to go to my co-op placement. WTH.

[johnb73]

Som, if my parents ask me what i want for graduation, im telling them i want a thor(sp) guitar

[Son of Magni]

Som, if my parents ask me what i want for graduation, im telling them i want a thor(sp) guitar

I hope you're doing your studying :)

Here's the body wings with the neck bandsaw'd out.

http://www.thorbass.com/images/tele1/roughneck1.jpg

[mnemonic]

wait, i thoguht you were making a telecaster?

[johnb73]

i believe its going to have the same specs as a tele but look like his design

[Son of Magni]

i believe its going to have the same specs as a tele but look like his design

Yeah, and 24 frets too...

So I finally had some warmer weather and some time to get some work done.

Got the neck surfaces planed and the neck rough carved and the body glued on.
http://www.thorbass.com/images/tele1/bodyneckglue1.jpg

http://www.thorbass.com/images/tele1/bodyneckglue2.jpg

Here's a shot of the neck transition pretty much done.
http://www.thorbass.com/images/tele1/necktrans1.jpg

[Son of Magni]

Gluing the laminates onto the headstock is kind of tricky because on the back it's not flat. So I use a foam block to distribute the pressure.

http://www.thorbass.com/images/tele1/veneerclamp2.jpg

And later after some time at the sanding station.
http://www.thorbass.com/images/tele1/headfront1.jpg

http://www.thorbass.com/images/tele1/headback1.jpg

[CCR90]

Thats looking pretty good man! I wouldn't mind a 8 string like that. Only with a different kind of headstock.

[Trevo]

Hmmm, the bass looks really nice, and I'm sure it'll sound really nice too, but I'm just not a big fan of that headstock.

[Aussie_rocker]

Go for a Caparison type headstock that would look pretty killer

If not thats cool

[lilcurtis]

that thing is gonna be mad sexy.

[johnb73]

i think i actually like the headstock as apposed to everyone else

[Son of Magni]

i think i actually like the headstock as apposed to everyone else

Well, I appreciate that. For most people designing a unique body shape is much easier than a headstock. I don't think mine is anything amazing but it does incorporate some of the same shapes as the body, and goes well with my logo.

Oh yeah, pics prolly tomorrow...

[abandonthetruth]

Wow, i'm a drummer but i come around in this forum a little ... i'm absolutely amazed with your work. Very very nice!!!

+rep

[d-basser]

I cannot wait to see the final product

[Son of Magni]

Wow, i'm a drummer but i come around in this forum a little ... i'm absolutely amazed with your work. Very very nice!!!

+rep

Thanks...

I cannot wait to see the final product

Me too!

I really love the way gold hardware looks with walnut :)

http://www.thorbass.com/images/tele1/startingfinish2.jpg

http://www.thorbass.com/images/tele1/startingfinish1.jpg

[johnb73]

i reallllly like that, can you identify all the woods for me

you are 100% correct in saying gold with walnut looks real good like

[PietroCrespi]

you are 100% correct in saying gold with walnut looks real good like

This.

[purple_hazer]

SOM youve basically made the same color scheme im after

[marcoze]

wow man, thats one freakin amazing looking instrument you have there. I love it!

[Son of Magni]

i reallllly like that, can you identify all the woods for me

you are 100% correct in saying gold with walnut looks real good like

The walnut is "Claro" walnut, which is a variety that grows in CA. The rest is maple and bloodwood...

[darrell]

It looks awesome... keep up the good work.

Do you have a shop in NH or is this out of your house?

[Patrick O)))]

Nice one man :thumb:

I'm not a fan of the hardware choice though, but that's because I'm not a fan of gold hardware full stop. I can appreciate it's attractive though :D

rep++ indeed

[Son of Magni]

It looks awesome... keep up the good work.

Do you have a shop in NH or is this out of your house?

Actually both. I have a shop in NH and it is out of my house, actually it's in my barn...

[joe_spenny]

dude this is amazing
i love it! the wood looks great with the gold hardware
where abouts is your shop in NH? and do you just make custom guitars/basses?

[Son of Magni]

dude this is amazing
i love it! the wood looks great with the gold hardware
where abouts is your shop in NH? and do you just make custom guitars/basses?

Newton, NH... Guitars and Basses, what else is there?

It's not really done, still need to finish the controls door and attach the logo. Also take better pictures, these didn't come out very good with the flash...

http://www.thorbass.com/images/tele1/head.jpg

http://www.thorbass.com/images/tele1/body.jpg

http://www.thorbass.com/images/tele1/neck.jpg

[joe_spenny]

Newton, NH... Guitars and Basses, what else is there?what i meant is do you only make custom instruments or do you sell other brands aswell?

[CCR90]

that is ****ing amazing, the headstock actually looks rate nice with that guitar.

[Patrick O)))]

That's gorgeous in a weird way

I can't decide if I like it

[Trevo]

Wow, I said the headstock didn't look nice before, but it looks sweet on it. Great work!

[marcoze]

i agree, i wasnt a fan of the headstock to begin with but now that i see it done i love it.

[marcoze]

i agree, i wasnt a fan of the headstock to begin with but now that i see it done i love it.

[purple_hazer]

jesus SoM

basically exactly what i want

[Son of Magni]

So, yesterday I put on the strap locks, the controls cover, and the nut locks. When I put on the nut locks it snapped the high E string. I didn't have another set of strings so I went off to a local music store (very small store). Got some more strings and a separate E string. Meanwhile some guy comes in and starts playing an acoustic off the rack. Turns out he's been to a couple luthery schools and does repairs for the store. So, I replace the E string and get him to try out the guitar. (I can't play guitar for shlt so I really wanted to hear someone play it.) He plugs it into a Hughes and Kettler 20watt tube combo and starts playing. It sounds amazing! He ends up playing it for like 20 minutes and he really liked it. Amazing range of sounds, everything from mellow rhythm guitar to steel string acoustic.

Now I can't wait to get my brother up from Cambridge to jam :smoke:

[Flex of the Yellow]

Wow, man, that is a proper nice guitar.
:thumb:

The headstock is much better than I thought it'd be too :)

[johnb73]

Now I can't wait to get my brother up from Cambridge to jam :smoke:

Cambridge as in MA?

i will be living in Brighton next year, maybe when i buy one from you, you can just bring it when you go to visit your brother :naughty:

[Son of Magni]

Cambridge as in MA?

i will be living in Brighton next year, maybe when i buy one from you, you can just bring it when you go to visit your brother :naughty:

Sure, actually I have a customer who goes to Berklee that lives on Allston St. during school. What will you be doing in Brighton?

[johnb73]

im going to be going to school at AI in Brookline, i will living on Cambridge street(literally 1 mile from Cambridge lol) due to its closeness to the T and my school... im 90% positive Allston St is the next block over from my apartment.

[FireItUp]

DAMN i just sh*t my pants from looking at that guitar. How much would that go for because im seriously interested in a guitar with these specs, although i probably cant afford it till i graduate high school in 2 years.

[mnemonic]

i'm intrested in how much something like that would cost too.

[Son of Magni]

My brother has first dibs on this guitar, and a discount. Second chance will be for anyone here or at TB, and a discount. Then, if I don't keep it to play myself, it'll go on ebay probably with a reserve of about $1500.

[johnb73]

SoM if i wanted a quote would i email you? or would i IM you? or somethign else?

[Son of Magni]

SoM if i wanted a quote would i email you? or would i IM you? or somethign else?

try yelling real loud ;)

email is best - karl.thorkildsen (at) sonofthor.com

[johnb73]

email has been sent, its not amazingly precise tho im kinda confused about what i want still

[Son of Magni]

email has been sent, its not amazingly precise tho im kinda confused about what i want still

I'll get back to you tomorrow with a price and some more details...

[Son of Magni]

And better pics:

http://www.thorbass.com/images/tele1/front2d_.jpg

http://www.thorbass.com/images/tele1/necktrans1d_.jpg

http://www.thorbass.com/images/tele1/back2d_.jpg

http://www.thorbass.com/images/tele1/head2d_.jpg

[Jake=Suck]

Wow, that awesome, nice job. One of these days when ive got more money im gonna ask you to build me a bass,I've always loved the looks of your instruments.

[Golan]

I'd hella play punk rock on that geetar.

Nice build.

[AG]

You churn these instruments out so fast, looks great. Did you break the high E string and replace it with a non coloured one?

[Son of Magni]

You churn these instruments out so fast, looks great. Did you break the high E string and replace it with a non coloured one?

Yeah, stupid nut lock broke it. I should have deburred it before clamping it down :p

[Miek]

It'd be awesome if you came up with a singlecut variant of the Mjolnir

[johnb73]

It'd be awesome if you came up with a singlecut variant of the Mjolnir
thats a good idea man

[stevalicious]

ccr90...best pic ever!

[Jimbobntnr]

that is beautiful som.