Fender Telecaster: Question for those who have had them.

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  • dudeman
    dudeman Posts: 3,159
    Over the years, I have done a number of "rebuilds", but I never built a guitar from a kit like that. It looks like a lot of fun!

    I always wanted to build one of the Carvin Bolt Kits but never got around to it. 

    Good luck with yours! 

    If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
  • mfc2006
    mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,489
    bbiggs said:
    mfc2006 said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    mfc2006 said:
    It looks like the kit is set to arrive tomorrow. I'll post a picture of it here when it does. I'll probably start working on it this weekend!
    Good luck!
    Thanks! I'll need it! Haha

    I think I'm a pretty handy guy, but I've never done anything like this. I'm sure I'll feel better about it once it arrives.

    That's an awesome project to take on.  Look forward to hearing about it.  Once complete, you'll appreciate that guitar like none other!
    I think you're right! Ha!
    I LOVE MUSIC.
    www.cluthelee.com
    www.cluthe.com
  • mfc2006
    mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,489
    dudeman said:
    Over the years, I have done a number of "rebuilds", but I never built a guitar from a kit like that. It looks like a lot of fun!

    I always wanted to build one of the Carvin Bolt Kits but never got around to it. 

    Good luck with yours! 

    Thanks, man!
    I LOVE MUSIC.
    www.cluthelee.com
    www.cluthe.com
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,657
    dudeman said:
    Over the years, I have done a number of "rebuilds", but I never built a guitar from a kit like that. It looks like a lot of fun!

    I always wanted to build one of the Carvin Bolt Kits but never got around to it. 

    Good luck with yours! 


    I'm a little bit in awe of people who can take apart guitar electronics and rebuild them!  I'm nervous simply changing guitar strings (which is why my Martins are overdue for fresh strings!)
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni











  • whoanelly15
    whoanelly15 Posts: 742
    edited May 2020
    mfc2006 said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    mfc2006 said:
    It looks like the kit is set to arrive tomorrow. I'll post a picture of it here when it does. I'll probably start working on it this weekend!
    Good luck!
    Thanks! I'll need it! Haha

    I think I'm a pretty handy guy, but I've never done anything like this. I'm sure I'll feel better about it once it arrives.
    Cool - project builds are fun! I would strongly recommend that both you and your sister practice soldering on some spare parts before trying it on an actual guitar. General handiness is enough for assembling a kit guitar, but poor soldering will trash the electronic parts that you have, requiring more cost on replacement parts and, most significantly, slowing down your project and getting in the way of playing the guitar. There are loads of useful tutorials on the Tube to help you.

    On the other hand, a bit of practice, the proper tools and setup (so none of your components are moving, at all), soldering is really useful for guitar maintenance/modification and can be done very quickly and cleanly in the future. Good luck!

    edit: I would also recommend TDPRI.com - many forums full of many lifetimes' worth of knowledge and expertise there.
  • mfc2006
    mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,489
    whoanelly15 said:
    mfc2006 said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    mfc2006 said:
    It looks like the kit is set to arrive tomorrow. I'll post a picture of it here when it does. I'll probably start working on it this weekend!
    Good luck!
    Thanks! I'll need it! Haha

    I think I'm a pretty handy guy, but I've never done anything like this. I'm sure I'll feel better about it once it arrives.
    Cool - project builds are fun! I would strongly recommend that both you and your sister practice soldering on some spare parts before trying it on an actual guitar. General handiness is enough for assembling a kit guitar, but poor soldering will trash the electronic parts that you have, requiring more cost on replacement parts and, most significantly, slowing down your project and getting in the way of playing the guitar. There are loads of useful tutorials on the Tube to help you.

    On the other hand, a bit of practice, the proper tools and setup (so none of your components are moving, at all), soldering is really useful for guitar maintenance/modification and can be done very quickly and cleanly in the future. Good luck!

    edit: I would also recommend TDPRI.com - many forums full of many lifetimes' worth of knowledge and expertise there.
    Thanks for the info!

    She & her husband actually do it quite a bit, but I don't think they've ever done it with a guitar. Thanks again for the info!
    I LOVE MUSIC.
    www.cluthelee.com
    www.cluthe.com
  • mfc2006
    mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,489
    The kit just arrived here in KC. Can't wait to dive in!


    I LOVE MUSIC.
    www.cluthelee.com
    www.cluthe.com
  • bbiggs
    bbiggs Posts: 6,964
    ^ So cool, man.  Enjoy that project.  It will be damn satisfying once it's done I'm sure!
  • dudeman
    dudeman Posts: 3,159

    mfc2006 said:
    The kit just arrived here in KC. Can't wait to dive in!


    Nice! Do you plan on shaping the headstock?
    If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
  • mfc2006
    mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,489
    dudeman said:

    mfc2006 said:
    The kit just arrived here in KC. Can't wait to dive in!


    Nice! Do you plan on shaping the headstock?
    Not sure yet. Need to think that through a bit.
    I LOVE MUSIC.
    www.cluthelee.com
    www.cluthe.com
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,657
    mfc2006 said:
    dudeman said:

    mfc2006 said:
    The kit just arrived here in KC. Can't wait to dive in!


    Nice! Do you plan on shaping the headstock?
    Not sure yet. Need to think that through a bit.

    That's the one major change I would make to the non-electronic components.  There's just something about the sensual curve of a Tele headstock! Probably a lot easier said than done though!
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni











  • mfc2006
    mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,489
    brianlux said:
    mfc2006 said:
    dudeman said:

    mfc2006 said:
    The kit just arrived here in KC. Can't wait to dive in!


    Nice! Do you plan on shaping the headstock?
    Not sure yet. Need to think that through a bit.

    That's the one major change I would make to the non-electronic components.  There's just something about the sensual curve of a Tele headstock! Probably a lot easier said than done though!
    Definitely easier said than done. We’ll see what happens!
    I LOVE MUSIC.
    www.cluthelee.com
    www.cluthe.com
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,657
    mfc2006 said:
    brianlux said:
    mfc2006 said:
    dudeman said:

    mfc2006 said:
    The kit just arrived here in KC. Can't wait to dive in!


    Nice! Do you plan on shaping the headstock?
    Not sure yet. Need to think that through a bit.

    That's the one major change I would make to the non-electronic components.  There's just something about the sensual curve of a Tele headstock! Probably a lot easier said than done though!
    Definitely easier said than done. We’ll see what happens!

    Will look forward to hearing/ seeing how it goes!
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni











  • mfc2006
    mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,489
    brianlux said:
    mfc2006 said:
    brianlux said:
    mfc2006 said:
    dudeman said:

    mfc2006 said:
    The kit just arrived here in KC. Can't wait to dive in!


    Nice! Do you plan on shaping the headstock?
    Not sure yet. Need to think that through a bit.

    That's the one major change I would make to the non-electronic components.  There's just something about the sensual curve of a Tele headstock! Probably a lot easier said than done though!
    Definitely easier said than done. We’ll see what happens!

    Will look forward to hearing/ seeing how it goes!
    Me too! Ha! I think the first step will be to stain the body/neck. It has a pretty thin coat on it & I'd like to give it a bit more protection. Just need to pick out the stain & go from there. There's some light sanding that needs to be done before I stain it & I think I'll tackle that tomorrow as step one.
    I LOVE MUSIC.
    www.cluthelee.com
    www.cluthe.com
  • gimmesometruth27
    gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 24,008
    good luck with the project!

    if i was doing it i would make that baby lake placid blue with a white pickguard, but i do not know the first thing about painting/lacquering guitars....
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • gimmesometruth27
    gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 24,008
    or soldering for that matter.
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • cp3iverson
    cp3iverson Posts: 8,702
    edited May 2020
    Placed an order for a new Tele today.  Can’t wait.  
    Will actually be my first Fender after 25 yrs of playing.  Always loved playing these when friends/bandmates owned them.  
  • mfc2006
    mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,489
    Project Update:
    I'll be staining the wood this weekend. After that, I will be lacquering the wood and staining the fretboard with finishing oil. I just ordered those products from StewMac (a great resource!). Once that's all done (2-3 weeks from now), I'll start putting it together. The soldering will be last and my sister & brother in law will be helping me with that! I'm going to keep the natural wood finish with a black pickguard. I thought about painting it, but the more I thought about the more I liked the idea of a natural finish. Will be sure to keep y'all posted!
    I LOVE MUSIC.
    www.cluthelee.com
    www.cluthe.com
  • cp3iverson
    cp3iverson Posts: 8,702
    mfc2006 said:
    Project Update:
    I'll be staining the wood this weekend. After that, I will be lacquering the wood and staining the fretboard with finishing oil. I just ordered those products from StewMac (a great resource!). Once that's all done (2-3 weeks from now), I'll start putting it together. The soldering will be last and my sister & brother in law will be helping me with that! I'm going to keep the natural wood finish with a black pickguard. I thought about painting it, but the more I thought about the more I liked the idea of a natural finish. Will be sure to keep y'all posted!
    that's exciting.  i'd like to get the skills to do that one day.  Post pics!
  • whoanelly15
    whoanelly15 Posts: 742
    mfc2006 said:
    Project Update:
    I'll be staining the wood this weekend. After that, I will be lacquering the wood and staining the fretboard with finishing oil. I just ordered those products from StewMac (a great resource!). Once that's all done (2-3 weeks from now), I'll start putting it together. The soldering will be last and my sister & brother in law will be helping me with that! I'm going to keep the natural wood finish with a black pickguard. I thought about painting it, but the more I thought about the more I liked the idea of a natural finish. Will be sure to keep y'all posted!
    That’s gonna look great! And indeed, Stewmac has some great stuff. Good luck!

    Big strat headstock like a 70’s tele deluxe?

    (Sadly, a stock photo - not my guitar, or my pool. Nor would I put my guitar by the pool. Still jealous.)

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