GUITAR BUILD PROJECTS, CUSTOMISATION & DIY TECH
Seems like it's setup week in Garageland. Both the Jaguar and Telecaster projects are nearing completion at the same time. With thoughts turning to possibilites for the next project, it's time to setup the Tele and see if it sounds in keeping with its' looks.
The Telecaster control circuit is about a basic a circuit as exists for electric guitars. There's an additional modification in this case - the addition of a treble bleed - but the circuit is simple, and ideal for a relative beginner in guitar electronics like me, to get to know how things get connected
The pickups need to be screwed into place so they can eventually be wired into the guitar circuit. There are a few bits and pieces of hardware to follow up as well, before I need to move on to building and connecting up the switching circuit.
The "Ignore Alien Orders" sticker on Strummer's guitar is iconic. Whilst I'm not out to make an exact replica - I want this crucial part of the build to look authentic.
With the neck, scratchplate, body and now hardware, all having been "aged", and with other bits and pieces in various states of preparation - a couple of days focus should see the Strummercaster finally start to come together.
The neck and body have been evolving and developing separately. I'm keen to get to the point where I can join everything together, and start to work on the guitar as a whole. It makes sense to dress the frets while the neck is off. It's cold in the workshop - and I can get this done on the kitchen table, where it's warm.
The hardware for the telecaster is a collection of old re-used, newly purchased and the odd faux-reliced piece from eBay. The hardware needs to look like it's been around the block a few times - and needs to be in keeping with the look of the build. Time to see if I can work out how to age metal.
I figure the body is about 75% of the way done. It's a good idea to bring the whole project along to the same level - so I want to concentrate on the neck and scratchplate to bring them up to speed.
Having taken a brand new Telecaster body, and faked a bit of a paint job on it - I now have to find a way to convincingly reproduce 40+ years of use and abuse. Of course, I could just sit and play the guitar for 40 years - but I want faster results than that. Could I do it in a day?
I didn't like this decal from the off. I'm pretty sure it isn't right for a '66 - but I don't like the look of it anyway.
Garageland 