Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: TheIronBeast on September 03, 2009, 10:29:27 AM

Title: Celtic Esquire
Post by: TheIronBeast on September 03, 2009, 10:29:27 AM
I had a play with a Fender Custom Shop Esquire in my local store a few weeks ago and really loved the look and sound of it, but I couldn't afford the price of a CS one, so I contacted Wez for a quote on a custom build one.

Three things inspired me when thinking about the design of this guitar: The CS Esquire, Francis Rossi's telecaster and my love for football (more specifically Celtic FC). I had been considering getting Feline to do a Celtic Lion for a while but after playing the Esquire I just instantlly fell in love.

The spec for this guitar is:

Mahogany telecaster body
White top binding
Tele bridge with humbucker cut out
Green finish with the Celtic FC logo on the front
1-ply Esquire scratchplate

The Electronics:

BKP Black Dog humbucker
Chrome control plate with 3 way blade switching
500k CTS master volume control with push/pull split
500k CTS Tone control
LP style jackplate

We are going with an allparts maple neck too.

Dead excited about this one!  :D
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Twinfan on September 03, 2009, 10:54:11 AM
Nice one!

it sounds like my La Cabronita helped with some inspiration too  ;)
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: WezV on September 03, 2009, 11:03:09 AM
i am loving the tele's at the moment

i did a quick mockup to show the basic idea although didnt spend long on the colour - the final thing will not look like a sticker the way the logo does on this - just nice sharp white on the green background

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/01.jpg)
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: TheIronBeast on September 03, 2009, 11:05:15 AM
I was impressed with the build quality of your La Cabronita  and liked the look of a top bound esquire too.

Heres a mockup that Wez sent me, to give you an idea what the finished product will look like:
Edit: Wez beat me to it ;)
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Twinfan on September 03, 2009, 11:23:04 AM
Have you seen mine in the flesh then matey, or just the pics?
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: nfe on September 03, 2009, 11:29:40 AM
If we put that in our shop's window we'd get bricks through it  :lol:

You should get one in the famous (and now returned!) bumblebee away colours. You could even join Stryper.
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: WezV on September 03, 2009, 11:37:42 AM
i should say i dont really follow football, so i will leave all the teasing and shenanigans to you guys!!

TF - no-one has played yours except a guitar building friend i had around last night.  he said he wasnt keen on teh idea of a spangly guitar but seemed to change his mind pretty quickly :)
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: TheIronBeast on September 03, 2009, 11:41:42 AM
If we put that in our shop's window we'd get bricks through it  :lol:

You should get one in the famous (and now returned!) bumblebee away colours. You could even join Stryper.

 :lol:

As much of a Celtic supporter I am, I'm not a huge fan of the bumblebee away colours. I prefered last seasons away kit, just plain yellow.

Twinfan - Haven't seen yours in the flesh, just the pics. It does look mighty fine though I must say!
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Twinfan on September 03, 2009, 11:55:21 AM
TF - no-one has played yours except a guitar building friend i had around last night.  he said he wasnt keen on teh idea of a spangly guitar but seemed to change his mind pretty quickly :)

I've not got a problem with people playing it, I'm curious as to how it's turned out tonally.

Sounds like it's a bit of a hit though!  :D
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: AndyR on September 03, 2009, 12:04:41 PM
If we put that in our shop's window we'd get bricks through it  :lol:

:lol:

Do you reckon he's actually gonna take it out gigging around town?

Looks cute, btw, except for the Celtic logo - I don't really go for graphics/logos/stickers on my guitars or clothes (and before anyone points it out, yes, I know most guitars have logos on their headstocks - but that helps the tone :lol:... doesn't it? :roll:)
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: bucketshred on September 03, 2009, 12:30:14 PM
These Teles are killing me, so very tempted to get one with pig90s fitted...

TIB, yours will look killer!

Paddy
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Sifu Ben on September 03, 2009, 01:10:31 PM
When I saw the title I thought you meant one of these
http://www.elderly.com/items/30U-13008.htm
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Philly Q on September 03, 2009, 02:52:04 PM
When I saw the title I thought you meant one of these
http://www.elderly.com/items/30U-13008.htm

Yes, I was thinking the same!  :lol:
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: AndyR on September 03, 2009, 02:59:51 PM
When I saw the title I thought you meant one of these
http://www.elderly.com/items/30U-13008.htm

Yes, I was thinking the same!  :lol:

I wasn't aware such a thing existed, but I must admit that I was thinking Blarney Stone, leprechauns, etc :lol:
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Jonny on September 03, 2009, 03:04:09 PM
I've gotten KISEKAE crazy again cause of that Telecaster picture. Although not my thing I've come up with a few custom ideas that I might want to take into fruition.

But to each their own on the design, it'll be cool to see it go from picture to reality.
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: nfe on September 03, 2009, 03:11:09 PM
These Teles are killing me, so very tempted to get one with pig90s fitted...

TIB, yours will look killer!

Paddy


Likewise.

The Doomsquire.
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: WezV on September 03, 2009, 03:27:26 PM
I've gotten KISEKAE crazy again cause of that Telecaster picture. Although not my thing I've come up with a few custom ideas that I might want to take into fruition.

But to each their own on the design, it'll be cool to see it go from picture to reality.

its great for this kind of thing, just a good way to get ideas flowing and i like the diy option that lets you import pictures
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: WezV on September 03, 2009, 03:30:30 PM
the link for anyone with time to kill

http://www.nymphusa.com/kisekae/kisekaeE1.asp
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: bucketshred on September 03, 2009, 04:03:34 PM
These Teles are killing me, so very tempted to get one with pig90s fitted...

TIB, yours will look killer!

Paddy


Likewise.

The Doomsquire.

In sparkly black. Oh good god.

Paddy
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: FernandoDuarte on September 04, 2009, 02:33:38 AM
Lovely! Think the neck should be flamed, just because Irish makes me things in hellish flames :lol: Never met a irish, but here we say: "if you see a guy in a fight and 300 armed guys going beat him and he start yelling "LET KICK THEIR ARSES", well, that is a bloddy irish" :lol: Think the imaginary red hair would help on the mental image :D
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: TheIronBeast on September 13, 2009, 10:36:57 PM
So Wez has started on the build! He has glued the two peices of mahogany together. It looks like a really nice peice of wood too, with a lovely, near straight grain.

dry:
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/TIB1.jpg)

wiped down with spirits to show the grain:
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/TIB2.jpg)
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Twinfan on September 14, 2009, 07:53:29 AM
Lovely!
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: WezV on September 14, 2009, 05:49:17 PM
it really is - almost perfectly quartersawn as well.

this was a big roughsawn plank that i chose mainly based on weight and tap tone - no idea it was going to plane up quite this nice
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: indysmith on September 14, 2009, 08:48:58 PM
Football themed guitars. A real low point in taste.
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: WezV on September 14, 2009, 09:34:28 PM
thanks indy :)
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: indysmith on September 14, 2009, 10:02:13 PM
Telling the truth since 1989. :P
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Will on September 14, 2009, 11:26:40 PM
I do agree with Indy, sorry :P
Don't quite understand football's fanaticism... good reason to go with a custom order though, bet it will turn out just as yo uwant it.

Lovely planks there too
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Philly Q on September 14, 2009, 11:28:23 PM
It is nice mahogany!  So will it be green on top and natural on the back?
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: FernandoDuarte on September 15, 2009, 02:18:20 AM
Awesome Mahogany over there! :D
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: WezV on September 15, 2009, 07:13:07 AM
Don't quite understand football's fanaticism

personally i dont watch football or even know  how to pretend i like it in those situations where there are no other man things to talk about.  i just dont get it

but i thought this was a nice idea.  i am not too worried what the logo represents as its not for me, only that it can be worked into the design.  i dont think its a low point of taste at all, and even if it was that would probably be more reason to do it ;)

i guess i am just not used to such a negative attitude on this forum towards something someone is obviously excited about
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Philly Q on September 15, 2009, 08:58:15 AM
Don't quite understand football's fanaticism

personally i dont watch football or even know  how to pretend i like it in those situations where there are no other man things to talk about.  i just dont get it

Interesting that you say that, I've noticed over the years that football is the one and only thing a bunch of blokes who don't know each other will feel comfortable talking about.  I find it funny but also a little bit sad.  :lol:

I'm not a big fan, but I've worked with a bunch of football fanatics for many years and I've learned first to bluff it then, eventually, to take a genuine interest.  I still haven't really got a "feel" for the game, though - I can't watch it and say what they're doing right or wrong tactically!
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: TheIronBeast on September 15, 2009, 10:02:49 AM
Well for me football has been apart of my family for my whole life. My great great Grandfather used to be a Celtic player, my little brother plays for an under 19s local team and we have always both been big Celtic supporters, been to many a game too.

This custom build was an idea of mine to combine both my biggest interests, football and guitars. Everybody has different tastes though, it would be a boring place if we all liked the same thing ;)
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Plexi Ken on September 15, 2009, 10:05:17 AM
I think the guitar will be great, ignore the doubters  8)

[snip] ...and I've learned first to bluff it... [/snip]
Did you use this method?  :lol:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uoM6p7ueao
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Philly Q on September 15, 2009, 10:54:34 AM
I think the guitar will be great, ignore the doubters  8)

[snip] ...and I've learned first to bluff it... [/snip]
Did you use this method?  :lol:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uoM6p7ueao

I'll have to wait until I get home to watch that!
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Ted 'N' Leo on September 15, 2009, 11:14:17 AM
I think the guitar will be great, ignore the doubters  8)

[snip] ...and I've learned first to bluff it... [/snip]
Did you use this method?  :lol:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uoM6p7ueao

lol, i've actually used that on unsuspecting football fans. It works!
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: TheIronBeast on September 15, 2009, 11:34:09 AM
I think the guitar will be great, ignore the doubters  8)

[snip] ...and I've learned first to bluff it... [/snip]
Did you use this method?  :lol:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uoM6p7ueao

Haha, love the IT Crowd! Great show  :D
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Philly Q on September 15, 2009, 09:36:45 PM
I think the guitar will be great, ignore the doubters  8)

[snip] ...and I've learned first to bluff it... [/snip]
Did you use this method?  :lol:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uoM6p7ueao

 :lol:  That's pretty much it!
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: TheIronBeast on September 20, 2009, 07:28:04 PM
Wez has now cut out the body and done the routing for the neck joint, pickups and control plate:

My esquire is on the right, the one on the left is another one similar to mine that Wez is working on:
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/tele1-1.jpg)

And my one with the parts in place:
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/tele2.jpg)

Looking great so far I think. Very impressed with Wez's work!
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Philly Q on September 20, 2009, 07:30:25 PM
Is that a pre-built neck, or has Wez knocked one out already?  That boy is quick!  :)
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: TheIronBeast on September 20, 2009, 07:32:37 PM
It's a maple neck from allparts ;)
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: FernandoDuarte on September 20, 2009, 07:38:55 PM
Looks cool!
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: WezV on September 20, 2009, 07:40:58 PM
i like using allparts or warmoth for the standard stuff but am also happy to make the neck from scratch if someone wants something a bit different (like my solid mac ebony neck on the other tele i am doing this year).  it certainly does speed up the build when i buy them in, but thats because i am a fussy bugger when making necks.  i like to have rest periods of a week or so in between major steps like doing the neck carve or fretting




Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Philly Q on September 20, 2009, 07:44:43 PM
i like to have rest periods of a week or so in between major steps like doing the neck carve or fretting

I like to have rest periods of, oh, six months or so in between... doing anything, really.  :oops:
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: WezV on September 20, 2009, 07:49:56 PM
just to clarify - i did mean that i like to give the wood chance to settle in after major steps

glueing a fretboard can add moisture and cause movement,  carving a neck can release internal tensions in the wood and cause movement.  a week or so's rest between stages like this helps save problems later
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Philly Q on September 20, 2009, 07:54:37 PM
Oops.  Bit of a misapprehension there.

But I see your point about speeding up the build by using stock parts when appropriate.
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Plexi Ken on September 20, 2009, 08:36:11 PM
Lookin' good  :)
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: AndyR on September 21, 2009, 01:50:04 PM
Tis looking very good :D
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: tomjackson on September 21, 2009, 02:18:55 PM
just to clarify - i did mean that i like to give the wood chance to settle in after major steps

glueing a fretboard can add moisture and cause movement,  carving a neck can release internal tensions in the wood and cause movement.  a week or so's rest between stages like this helps save problems later

I though you meant it really tired you out when you carved a neck so you would need a bit of R&R in the Cotswolds or something.  But now I see :)
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: WezV on September 21, 2009, 04:43:17 PM
with the mac ebony neck i have just carved that may be true
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: TheIronBeast on March 23, 2010, 12:50:55 PM
I thought I would revive this old thread now that the guitar is finally complete! :D

I have had it for almost a week now and have been playing it every night, it honestly sounds brilliant. The BKP Black Dog sounds great in full series and in parallel and it also has a push/pull pot on the tone control for the 'c--ked wah' effect which also sounds great and is fun to mess around with.

There are so many different sounds you can get out of this guitar. I played for at least a few hours last night jamming along to some Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, Deep Purple, Judas Priest and even some Ted Nugent (cat scratch fever!)

This was most definitely worth the wait, the craftsmanship is top notch, kudos to Wez for that ;). And as it has my favourite football clubs logo on the front just makes it that bit more special to me.

I hope Mike is as happy with his Rangers Esquire as I am with mine.

As I don't have a working camera at the moment I will post a pic that Wez sent me of it before it was sent out:

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/SDC13234.jpg)
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on March 23, 2010, 01:14:56 PM
Nice one Jonathan ..... hope it kicks ass

I'll have to post a thread on the Aston Villa Flying V I'm making
It's gonna be like Michael Schenker's black and white V but in Claret and Blue with V shaped inlays
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: TheIronBeast on March 23, 2010, 01:34:31 PM
That sounds like a cool guitar, Jon! You should definitely post a thread about that guitar.

Is it going to have the Aston Villa logo on it somewhere? Or just the team colours and V inlays?
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on March 23, 2010, 02:36:17 PM
Just the colour scheme......he didn't feel the need for the badge

(http://www.felineguitars.com/guitar_images/V%20-%20Villa%20Jason/villa-v.jpg)
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: WezV on March 23, 2010, 04:46:47 PM
just posted mike's off to him so i hope he likes it too- will find out tomorrow :)

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/teleday5-1.jpg)

Thanks jonathan and jonathan (just remembered i need to phone feline!! ;)

Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Twinfan on March 23, 2010, 04:55:03 PM
Top work Wez - they look superb!
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: marantz1300 on March 23, 2010, 05:26:34 PM
Hail! Hail! Looks great,surley it should be hoops though. I dont like the look of that "forces of darkness" blue one . :lol:
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on March 23, 2010, 07:10:10 PM

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/teleday5-1.jpg)


Are these two "self-relicing" guitars?

Leave them overnight in a room together and they will beat the cr@p out of each other
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: Philly Q on March 23, 2010, 07:23:13 PM
I have to say colour-wise I prefer the green, although I don't really have a Celtic/Rangers preference.  :)
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: nfe on March 23, 2010, 07:30:36 PM
Does the Celtic one have a soul detector to make sure only the right people can play it?
Title: Re: Celtic Esquire
Post by: FernandoDuarte on March 23, 2010, 10:07:56 PM
Nice guitar! :)