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James V. Roy | profile | all galleries >> Guitars and stuff >> The Projects >> Building a Telecaster tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Building a Telecaster

This was my last Homebuilt project, a Telecaster using a MusiKraft body and the rest Fender parts. I had initially seen the advertisements in Vintage guitar for Musikraft bodies and wanted to try them as a replacement for former homebuilt guitar. I wound up building this one complete instead.
50's style 2 piece ash body from MusiKraft in Sicklerville, NJ
50's style 2 piece ash body from MusiKraft in Sicklerville, NJ		 I started this project intending to just replace another body for this one.
I started this project intending to just replace another body for this one.		 The holes for the string ferruls did not come countersunk
The holes for the string ferruls did not come countersunk		 I like the squared off edges and edge radius similar to early Fenders
I like the squared off edges and edge radius similar to early Fenders
This body was considered paint grade and therefore only cost about a $100
This body was considered paint grade and therefore only cost about a $100		 The bridge mounting holes were tapped but not drilled (as were the neck)
The bridge mounting holes were tapped but not drilled (as were the neck)		 Note my super clean work area.
Note my super clean work area.		 To get the proper shade of filler for the ash I mix light with natural
To get the proper shade of filler for the ash I mix light with natural
The filler is applied into the grain and the excess wiped off
The filler is applied into the grain and the excess wiped off		 I'll clean the ferrul holes out later
I'll clean the ferrul holes out later		 It will hang to dry overnight
It will hang to dry overnight		 At this stage neatness is not a big concern
At this stage neatness is not a big concern
The next day I've taken it outside to sand the excess filler off
The next day I've taken it outside to sand the excess filler off		 I'll remove the filler from the surface leaving the pores and grain filled
I'll remove the filler from the surface leaving the pores and grain filled		 A sanding block helps keep the surface flat
A sanding block helps keep the surface flat		 A vibrating sander speeds things up
A vibrating sander speeds things up
I'm now ready to apply a lacquer sanding sealer.
I'm now ready to apply a lacquer sanding sealer.		 Brushed on it will hang to dry overnight
Brushed on it will hang to dry overnight		 Back outside again to sand off the sealer from the surface
Back outside again to sand off the sealer from the surface		 Nearly messed it up trying to rub on a tint coat (I also added the channel to the neck)
Nearly messed it up trying to rub on a tint coat (I also added the channel to the neck)
The lacquer is strong so will hang in the garage overnight
The lacquer is strong so will hang in the garage overnight		 Using a foam brush I was able to tint it a little more consistently
Using a foam brush I was able to tint it a little more consistently		 I now begin to spray several coats of clear nitro cellulose lacquer
I now begin to spray several coats of clear nitro cellulose lacquer		 It helps doing this in the sunlight lacking a proper booth
It helps doing this in the sunlight lacking a proper booth
a couple of coats, sanding in between and I let it harden overnight
a couple of coats, sanding in between and I let it harden overnight		 Back outside for a few more coats
Back outside for a few more coats		 A lot of the coats will come off during the wetsanding process
A lot of the coats will come off during the wetsanding process		 That's about it for spraying
That's about it for spraying
I used a Sherwin Williams lacquer and and amber tint
I used a Sherwin Williams lacquer and and amber tint		 after drying overnight outside its back in the cellar for a week
after drying overnight outside its back in the cellar for a week		 A week or 2 (I forget) to cure and I'm ready for sanding
A week or 2 (I forget) to cure and I'm ready for sanding		 Different grades will be used to smooth the finish
Different grades will be used to smooth the finish
The bucket of water is there to keep the paper clean and wet
The bucket of water is there to keep the paper clean and wet		 I do the top, back and then the sides
I do the top, back and then the sides		 After the sanding comes the rubbing compound
After the sanding comes the rubbing compound		 Its pretty much the same as automobile finishing
Its pretty much the same as automobile finishing
Lots of elbow grease
Lots of elbow grease		 Well, we got a body. Might as well finish it.
Well, we got a body. Might as well finish it.		 I most of the other parts (Fender) from Smart Parts (the pickguard will go back)
I most of the other parts (Fender) from Smart Parts (the pickguard will go back)		 A freind had a tool that allowed us to counter sik the ferrul holes very accurately
A freind had a tool that allowed us to counter sik the ferrul holes very accurately
I had to mod the pickup cavity a litlle to get things to line up
I had to mod the pickup cavity a litlle to get things to line up		 I drill a hole to run a bridge ground before installing the bridge
I drill a hole to run a bridge ground before installing the bridge		 I chose a vintage 3 saddle bridge with the Fender Noiseless pickups
I chose a vintage 3 saddle bridge with the Fender Noiseless pickups		 I begin to assenble the control plate but am awaiting a 4-way switch
I begin to assenble the control plate but am awaiting a 4-way switch
I got a Fender 50's MIM neck on ebay (this saved a lot of work)
I got a Fender 50's MIM neck on ebay (this saved a lot of work)		 The neck came finished, with a serial number and tuner screw holes drilled
The neck came finished, with a serial number and tuner screw holes drilled		 There is even a logo from the factory
There is even a logo from the factory		 After drilling neck holes I soap the neck screws for easier installation
After drilling neck holes I soap the neck screws for easier installation
The neck also came with a Fender neck plate and nickel plated screws (not slotted though)
The neck also came with a Fender neck plate and nickel plated screws (not slotted though)		 The necks on. The channel aids in truss rod access
The necks on. The channel aids in truss rod access		 Getting there.
Getting there.		 I had some strap buttons, the locking kind (but no locks)
I had some strap buttons, the locking kind (but no locks)
They'll do fine
They'll do fine		 The rest of the parts are here
The rest of the parts are here		 The drill press comes in handy pressing the tuner bushings in
The drill press comes in handy pressing the tuner bushings in		 The Vintage style tuners just screw on (slotted)
The Vintage style tuners just screw on (slotted)
With the VN pickup I found it necessary to dig out the the cavity a bit
With the VN pickup I found it necessary to dig out the the cavity a bit		 The ground strap will be removed and a third wire soldered as per 4-way switch spec.
The ground strap will be removed and a third wire soldered as per 4-way switch spec.		 The only non fender component is the RS ceramic .047 cap
The only non fender component is the RS ceramic .047 cap		 All soldered up and nowhere to go (4 way switch and a No-load tone pot)
All soldered up and nowhere to go (4 way switch and a No-load tone pot)
I've don't want to mount the controls without the pickguard
I've don't want to mount the controls without the pickguard		 The guard was on special order, but I cancelled and bought a 52 RI instead
The guard was on special order, but I cancelled and bought a 52 RI instead		 As I thought, the control cavity is too far back
As I thought, the control cavity is too far back		 I will have to mod the cavity to mount the plate
I will have to mod the cavity to mount the plate
I drill a hole with the press out of the ledge of the cavity
I drill a hole with the press out of the ledge of the cavity		 I then glue a piece of dowel in to build up the ledge
I then glue a piece of dowel in to build up the ledge		 Using another guitar as a template I've marked the slot positions on the nut
Using another guitar as a template I've marked the slot positions on the nut		 I start by cutting slots with a razor saw
I start by cutting slots with a razor saw
I use aneedle file set for the thicker string guages
I use aneedle file set for the thicker string guages		 I now have rough cut the nut
I now have rough cut the nut		 with strings installed I fine cut the nut slot depth
with strings installed I fine cut the nut slot depth		 Protecting the finish I intonate it
Protecting the finish I intonate it
From the back its complete
From the back its complete		 After finishing it, I loaned it to a studio for a couple of weeks and then 6 months later sold it.
After finishing it, I loaned it to a studio for a couple of weeks and then 6 months later sold it.
Roger 21-Apr-2006 17:20
Terrific tutorial! I have a Tokai ATE-52 so it was interesting to see how all this comes together. Dang, now I want to build a guitar after seeing what you've done. It's quite lovely. Thanks for sharing!
massimo terfani 19-Dec-2005 18:36
Unbelievable!!! You are an artist! I want to try to do the same, have you got the drawings for the body? if you had please post them to me!!!! Kind Regards
Terry Norman 15-Dec-2005 04:17
After reading through all of this, you made it seem so easy. I've always had to struggle with any project I undertake. I absolutely envy and admire your ability. Beautiful work.
zak 19-Nov-2005 22:59
how much did the the project cost?
Gregg in KanzaCity 02-May-2005 21:03
WOW!!!, Nice Work. Great photo diary. Inspiring. I hope to build my very own tele, and your pictures and words, really show the way. Thank You--Gregg of Netazine.com
Laurence S. Moore 23-Jan-2005 14:56
Very good work. I myself is trying to build a tele. Good Work

Thanks for the tips aswell.
Rick C. 05-Sep-2004 22:13
'Found this page via a Google search for a Tele body...as eBay can be so time consuming re: the same. (I had seen some "Musikraft" bodies there but they weren't exactly what I wanted). In any event, Mr. James Roy = Thanx! You've given me a good pictorial for the Tele Copy I've been planning on building for some time now; I've only "built" one of the Carvin (stock) Strat copies. But more than this is: 'excellent "flashback" to when I lived in Memphis...1991-2001. (Memories of Beale St., the Overton Park Shell (saw the Ozark Mountain Daredevils there)...and well, just thanx-a-lot! "Holler at y'all later!!"
Pat Fenis 29-Aug-2004 02:11
Hi! Nice guitar (until you put that Fender Noiseless piece of crap in it). You do excellent work, and it was great to see the website with all the pics in it.
keep up the good work.

PF
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