This is the fourth and final installment of a series of posts on a lovely custom neck-through Telecaster-style guitar I've been working on since the beginning of this year.
Now that the job is done, I have time to reflect on the many fine features found on this custom instrument. Among these is the use of quality wood and sturdy construction. The body is of dark-stained wood, while the chunky neck (think: baseball bat) is a five-piece sandwich of maple and the same wood used for the body. This neck extends through the center of the body right to the butt end -- definitely a neck-through build.
The body feels solid and is of good weight, somewhere between that of a Strat and Les Paul. The top is capped by a rather thick layer of attractively-grained veneer; stained darker than the rest of the body for good contrast. I just can't get enough of the wood grain pattern -- it's raw yet sophisticated. Initially harboring the thought that this was a quarter-inch solid wood cap as on Les Pauls and the like; I was disappointed upon closer inspection of the sides.
Stringing is through-body, a feature that definitely enhances sustain. The only let down here is the haphazard arrangement of the string ferrules. Surely the person who handled this task could have done some research online, and then practiced on scrap wood beforehand.
I suspect that he or she simply used a hand-held power drill and bludgeoned through the body in one go. In any case, here's a step-by-step video tutorial by Fletcher Handcrafted Guitars on how to get the job done right. Key word: drill press!
The maple fretboard features a bone nut, 12" radius, 25.5" scale, 22 medium-jumbo frets, black plastic binding; and intricate abalone inlays. Abalone has also been used for the gorgeous floral inlays along the butt end of the body and in between the pickups. A classy touch indeed!
This custom Tele came to me in rather poor shape, silent testament to the various ill-executed mods, rough handling and neglect suffered over the years. I'm blessed to have been part of its rehabilitation and return to a giggable state. Well, that's about it for this post. Stay home, stay safe; and do enjoy the pics :)
Now that the job is done, I have time to reflect on the many fine features found on this custom instrument. Among these is the use of quality wood and sturdy construction. The body is of dark-stained wood, while the chunky neck (think: baseball bat) is a five-piece sandwich of maple and the same wood used for the body. This neck extends through the center of the body right to the butt end -- definitely a neck-through build.
The body feels solid and is of good weight, somewhere between that of a Strat and Les Paul. The top is capped by a rather thick layer of attractively-grained veneer; stained darker than the rest of the body for good contrast. I just can't get enough of the wood grain pattern -- it's raw yet sophisticated. Initially harboring the thought that this was a quarter-inch solid wood cap as on Les Pauls and the like; I was disappointed upon closer inspection of the sides.
Stringing is through-body, a feature that definitely enhances sustain. The only let down here is the haphazard arrangement of the string ferrules. Surely the person who handled this task could have done some research online, and then practiced on scrap wood beforehand.
I suspect that he or she simply used a hand-held power drill and bludgeoned through the body in one go. In any case, here's a step-by-step video tutorial by Fletcher Handcrafted Guitars on how to get the job done right. Key word: drill press!
The maple fretboard features a bone nut, 12" radius, 25.5" scale, 22 medium-jumbo frets, black plastic binding; and intricate abalone inlays. Abalone has also been used for the gorgeous floral inlays along the butt end of the body and in between the pickups. A classy touch indeed!
This custom Tele came to me in rather poor shape, silent testament to the various ill-executed mods, rough handling and neglect suffered over the years. I'm blessed to have been part of its rehabilitation and return to a giggable state. Well, that's about it for this post. Stay home, stay safe; and do enjoy the pics :)
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