This recent project that was a big step outside of my comfort zone: a solidbody electric guitar. Specifically, a frankenstein telecaster with a walnut body. I composited the body shape from elements of a telecaster, a danelectro and a jaguar/tornado. Parts list and build photos below!
PARTS LIST:
Walnut body, made by yours truly. Body shape is a modified Telecaster, AKA Tele Frankenstein, AKA Frankencaster, with Danelectro and Tornado bits and pieces.
Toasted Maple modern/vintage Telecaster neck from Warmoth, stainless steel frets, white corian nut, and spezel type tuner drilling.
Fred Stuart “Lapwrap” Broadcaster Bridge Pickup
This was a cool item. A hand wound pickup from one of the original pioneers of the telecaster. Very solid quality, and it sounds amazing. Originally designed for a lap steel guitar, this is a really hot and bright sounding pickup. Compliments the minibucker in neck position very well.Dimarzio DP240 “Minibucker” neck pickup
Standard vintage Tele Bridge, with brass saddles
Hip shot Grip-lock 18:1 geared tuners, staggered heights
Side note on this item - they are freaking awesome. I will likely be putting these on every guitar I own from here out. Not only do they lock the strings in place, which makes changing them a breeze, they allow for super fine tuning control. On top of that, they're very sturdy and the open gear look is so cool.MISC
Dunlop Straplocks
non-fender Neck plate (I wanted a badgeless look)
Basic string trees
Basic steel string ferrules.
Basic Tele pickguard, modified using router and template in my woodshop.
Standard Control plate with cheap electronics for knobs and control plate. Ditched the cheap electronics (this was a cheaper option than buying each piece individually.
Deluxe wiring kit through Art of Tone:
-CTS 250K solid shaft taper pots (10% tolerance),
-CRL USA 3 position switch,
-Russian “paper in oil” capacitor
-Swithcraft Mono Jack
-22AWG tinned cloth push back wiringcopper tape for cavity insulation
