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I'm planning a new Telemaster project and over time I've made some decisions about what I want to build but I can't make my mind up about the final touches. The things I'm decided on are that it'll have an Olympic white body, a Powertron Plus in the bridge (sorry, Tim) but BKP Strat pick-ups at the middle and neck positions. I think if I choose a maple neck I'll go with an Apache at the neck and maybe a Sultan in the middle and if I go rosewood it'll be Irish Tours in both slots. I'm also thinking I might pin-stripe the body a bit too.
So, the question is, which configuration does everyone like best?
Also if people have pick-up advice or any other ideas I'm all ears. The only thing ordered thus far is the body. :)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5039064058_5b9d0a95ef_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5039064058/)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5039064124_802589d7d4_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5039064124/)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5039084536_6a94bcbae7_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5039084536/)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5039084630_439551f75b_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5039084630/)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/5079049652_6b00beefb7_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5079049652/)
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Funny, I was just looking at this on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Telemaster-Replacement-Alder-Body-/320594176694?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4aa4e6eab6
Then I though, could you have it with 3 pickups with something like a filtertron in the bridge and when I flick back here you created it for me, thanks :D
I've picked rosewood as I have a Tele with a maple neck and would want something closer to a strat, but looks wise I do like the maple neck / black guard option. What about rosewood and a black pickguard?
So where are you getting your body from?
I'm also thinking P90 in the neck would be good
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blackguard, but please CBS-headstock :)
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I like the first one best, I think.
But if you're going rosewood, I would have a 3-ply "mint green" scratchplate to give it something of an early-'60s Strat look.
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Funny, I was just looking at this on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Telemaster-Replacement-Alder-Body-/320594176694?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4aa4e6eab6
Then I though, could you have it with 3 pickups with something like a filtertron in the bridge and when I flick back here you created it for me, thanks :D
I've picked rosewood as I have a Tele with a maple neck and would want something closer to a strat, but looks wise I do like the maple neck / black guard option. What about rosewood and a black pickguard?
So where are you getting your body from?
I'm also thinking P90 in the neck would be good
Great minds etc. etc. etc. I'm getting the body from MJT as it'll have the nitro paint job done on it already plus some artful wear and tear.
I'm never convinced that rosewood and blackguards work on guitars with light coloured bodies, just looks odd in my eyes. I did try it in Photoshop when I was mocking these up and I dismissed it for that reason.
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1st option for me, looks cute, job done :D
Oh, yes, and a Sultan middle pickup is extremely yummy (it's right up there with the Blackguard Flat 50 bridge and the Yardbird neck in my personal pantheon of BKP faves)
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first one for me too. :)
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Another vote for the first option, looks good!
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I liked no 2.
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Definitely the first one for me.
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first one but with RW board, for tone and looks!
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first one but with RW board, for tone and looks!
+1
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An anodized guard, a la 50s Fender, would be another option.
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First one looks great, since I am a rosewood-addict, I would want it with RW. Second option isn't bad either, but I would love it with a brown turtle-pickguard with cream or parchment pickup-covers. Would give it a little more color.
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I like the later 2 the best.
I'd like to see it with 3 filtertrons though. in my head it would be a bit firebird. but not.
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To me the first one is surely the best looking of the batch.
I also think that I'll choose the apache and sultan option, but that's only based on what I've read about the single coils you mention.
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To me the first one is surely the best looking of the batch.
I also think that I'll choose the apache and sultan option, but that's only based on what I've read about the single coils you mention.
Will complement the TV Jones in the best way, I think
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Last one for me - late 50s style looks really good!
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I voted for the first. Gotta be a black guard.
But if I may be so bold, I'd go for a regular Powertron instead of a plus. The plus sounds too much like a Gibson humbucker (IMO) and those single coils might not match the output. Forget about the DC ratings of Filtertron pickups, they're louder than you'd expect.
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Maple board, white scratchplate, white pick-up covers... late '50s FTW
Though I think the above suggested 3 Filtertron could look cool 8)
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(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/5078295686_1b13f84a52_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5078295686/)
So the body for the project arrived today from MJT in the States. I got a good deal on it I think as the auction didn't make reserve but I was the highest bidder so I got it for a reasonable second offer price. The weight seems good, which will make a huge and pleasant difference over the previous Telemaster I built using the very hefty Xaviere body. The relic job is very good, if they did NOS finish I'd probably prefer that but actually I rather like the look of this body and I won't have to be so precious and careful when I install the rest of the bits about not scratching the top. :)
Next step is acquiring the right neck, I'm looking for a 21 fret (if poss), soft v profile (if poss), 9.5" radius neck. Apart from trawling eBay, which is what I'm currently doing, does anyone have any suggestions or tip-offs for other sources of good quality necks in the UK? I'm also keeping an eye on the Warmoth Showcase just in case.
That said, I'm still undecided on maple or rosewood. Until I saw the body in the flesh today I'd pretty much made up my mind that maple was the way to go but the Olympic white isn't as yellowed as I'd thought so rosewood might be a better option visually. Again any advice welcomed.
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Cute :D
Not sure on the fingerboard question. I see what you mean, but where are you leaning for the pickguard? I think I originally voted blackguard... if you were going rosewood board that would rule out a black guard for me, I'd be thinking variations on white 3-ply, either greenish or whatever the other -ishes are. Is the pick guard going to be lightly reliced too?
Having said that, I assume it's nitro, how fast will it yellow? Why not book book yourself in for a few tanning sessions while you're waiting for the other stuff and sneak the body in with you? :lol:
The wear on that is very tasteful though - none of this accursed "arm-wear" which is the only thing that winds me up about my Roadworns if concentrate on it too much :lol:
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I like the last one.
That kinda reminds me of one of my NDMs which has a A2 Tele pup, Strat pup and a GFS retrotron. Yes, I was bored ;) Sounds better than it should really. I actually feel sorry for the things I subject those two poor guitars to. Gaffer (http://www.juansolo.demon.co.uk/misc/Gaffer.jpg) & Table (http://www.juansolo.demon.co.uk/misc/Table.jpg)
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Cute :D
Not sure on the fingerboard question. I see what you mean, but where are you leaning for the pickguard? I think I originally voted blackguard... if you were going rosewood board that would rule out a black guard for me, I'd be thinking variations on white 3-ply, either greenish or whatever the other -ishes are. Is the pick guard going to be lightly reliced too?
If I go for a rosewood board I wouldn't choose a blackguard, it just looks weird to me. I've just tried this idea out, i.e. a minty guard and I've colour corrected the body to be closer to its actual hue.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/5079049652_6b00beefb7_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5079049652/)
Better? Worse? I've added it to the poll if anyone's still looking at that. :)
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I'd still go white and maple I think :)
The body looks top!
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Cute :D
Not sure on the fingerboard question. I see what you mean, but where are you leaning for the pickguard? I think I originally voted blackguard... if you were going rosewood board that would rule out a black guard for me, I'd be thinking variations on white 3-ply, either greenish or whatever the other -ishes are. Is the pick guard going to be lightly reliced too?
If I go for a rosewood board I wouldn't choose a blackguard, it just looks weird to me. I've just tried this idea out, i.e. a minty guard and I've colour corrected the body to be closer to its actual hue.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/5079049652_6b00beefb7_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5079049652/)
Better? Worse? I've added it to the poll if anyone's still looking at that. :)
I dig the look of that!
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Don't want to say "told you so", but I'm going to quote myself:
But if you're going rosewood, I would have a 3-ply "mint green" scratchplate to give it something of an early-'60s Strat look.
Mint looks cool!
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Don't want to say "told you so", but I'm going to quote myself:
But if you're going rosewood, I would have a 3-ply "mint green" scratchplate to give it something of an early-'60s Strat look.
Mint looks cool!
I agree 100%.
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Yep, the new minty look is the one :D
A few years back I was hunting for a "Steve Cropper" type 60s tele. Never found one I wanted, ended up filling the guitar slots with other things instead. But that's the colour scheme I was thinking of.
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So it's down to the last 2, and I've amended my blackguard image so that the body colour is closer to what I actually have thus:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5080662446_c52ff112fe_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5080662446/)
-OR-
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/5079049652_6b00beefb7_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5079049652/)
I have to admit now I'm looking at the whiter body I'm starting to lean toward the rosewood and the minty guard, I've always liked Strats with that combination and (here's me trying to justify things to myself :)) all my other Fender style guitars have maple necks so perhaps I should try something different.
Here's a follow-up question. I think if I go with a maple board I will choose an Apache neck and Sultan middle with the Powertron (I'm taking Ratrod's suggestion not to pick the Plus) in the bridge. If I chose rosewood what would everyone advise for the two Strat pick-ups? Irish Tours front and middle perhaps? Would they pair well with a Powertron?
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Minty looks cool to me :)
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I came in to change me vote to minty... that is what you need to get full appreciation/drooling/etc from us... but the option to change seems to have gone?
Ken - that is Mr Cropper in your avatar isn't it? That was the kinda tele look I was after to sit beside my Baja. Instead I went for a black custom. Several times I've nearly bought a 50s Roadworn, they're gorgeous to play, but that would kinda invalidate my existing Baja (and it's sister, a CIJ "52"). So I'm not in the tele market at the moment...
But if they ever do a 60s Roadworn (not a custom), in, might we suggest, white...? :lol: My credit card probably won't touch the sides as it leaves my wallet!
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Yes, my avatar is Steve Cropper (circa 1967 Stax Volts Revue... I think) my all time favourite guitarist. I'm still not sure why I don't own a '60s custom in white :? Count me in if they ever make a Roadworn :)
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I came in to change me vote to minty... that is what you need to get full appreciation/drooling/etc from us... but the option to change seems to have gone?
OK, I've reset the poll with the two remaining options so you can have a go again if you like :)
It's interesting that, judging on eBay alone mind you, that Tele maple necks turn up about 8-10 times more frequently than rosewood ones. I would have expected more maple necks to get listed but probably not by that margin. I'll be a veritable goldmine of second hand Tele parts statistics by the time this thing's done!
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The rosewood for me, there's something that makes it standout to my eyes.
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Well I did the deed. Actually my missus did the deed as she bought me a rosewood boarded neck from Warmoth for my birthday present (she's a keeper :)). The neck arrived yesterday and here's how it looks with the body:
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1073/5139660368_4167d59f76_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5139660368/)
The neck is a teeny smidge too wide for the pocket so I'll have to get the pocket fettled into shape. The question now really is what to do about pickups? For the bridge pickup it's going to be a Powertron and I think I shall opt for the TV Jones Savalas bridge with the 6 saddles rather than the classic Tele style three brass saddle one, mostly because that style of bridge is what Fender put on the Cabronita Especial and I like how that sounds. What's up for grabs is the middle and neck positions. I'm leaning towards BKP's '62 Strat pickups (if they can still be got) but I'm really open to suggestions. Tonally I'm thinking SRV, Hendrix and Trower if that provides any kind of guide?
The other thing I need to figure out is pots and caps as the PowerTron will want 500K pots and the Strat single coils will want 250K. I really don't know what the standard operating procedure for this is? Can you install 500K pots and use 250K resistors on the single coil connections? Would that even work?
As always, your sage words of wisdom are really appreciated!
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Just an off-the-wall idea, the Blackguard neck pickup is really stratty and can SRV well. You could have one of those in the neck since it's already routed for that or even one on the neck and middle. They are low DC wise but not low output.
No idea what the in between sounds would be like.....
Pot wise you could go with a 250k but use a no load tone pot to get a bit of extra brightness back into the Powertron (if it lacks it)
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The other thing I need to figure out is pots and caps as the PowerTron will want 500K pots and the Strat single coils will want 250K. I really don't know what the standard operating procedure for this is? Can you install 500K pots and use 250K resistors on the single coil connections? Would that even work?
Some more knowledgeable guy will chime in, but AFAICT it should be the other way 'round : using 250K pots and adding a (serie) 250K resistor for the 'bucker.
Also and FWIW, tomjackson's suggestion is far from stupid - the (old- ) blackguard flat 50s neck is indeed very stratty, splendid clean yet raw and powerful (for a vintage SC at least). Don't know if it would rock your boat but...
- from what I've understood it's now the BG 52s neck - check this out with Tim.
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Would it be possible to add an extra pot so that you get two volume knobs like a LP? Then you could go for 500 and 250 at the same time...
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Would it be possible to add an extra pot so that you get two volume knobs like a LP? Then you could go for 500 and 250 at the same time...
That is a good thought but it will mean ditching the classic Tele control plate and since the front is already routed I couldn't do controls a la Les Paul. I could design a big scratch plate that covers the whole area... I might give that a go.
Still really interested in how anyone else has solved the HSS layout in the past.
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Would it be possible to add an extra pot so that you get two volume knobs like a LP? Then you could go for 500 and 250 at the same time...
I've put this together in a rush just to see if the idea might work and I don't hate it but I'm unconvinced thus far. It would solve my wiring dilemma though...
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1050/5148172005_94a43af366_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5148172005/)
Is this the sort of thing you meant?
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That's not bad at all, the big scratchplate looks OK on the Jazzmaster body shape (I tried something very similar on an LP Jr shape and it looked weird).
I think you could extend it a bit further down below the bridge, maybe? More like a Custom/Deluxe Tele.
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That's not bad at all, the big scratchplate looks OK on the Jazzmaster body shape (I tried something very similar on an LP Jr shape and it looked weird).
I think you could extend it a bit further down below the bridge, maybe? More like a Custom/Deluxe Tele.
I think this is an improvement, is this the kind of thing you meant?:
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1045/5149167532_33afea5aaa_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5149167532/)
How did anyone design anything before Photoshop? :)
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I agree, that's better. :)
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Good grief - he's right!
I saw it earlier, before the slight extension, and I really didn't think it would make much odds...
But yeah, the magic of Photoshop (what is it by the way? :lol:)(it's ok, I know, just never seen it running), and suddenly all is clear...
Looking good.
If it was for me, you'd need to angle the blade switch more like a strat.
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If it was for me, you'd need to angle the blade switch more like a strat.
I'd actually already thought the same and updated the picture, as you can now tell!
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Nice one, "great minds" and all that!
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needs a tele deluxe neck - moan moan moan :)
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I like the neck, but a seventies stratheadstock wouldn't be bad either.
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Here's a bit of update related threadnomancy. Having done as much as I could on the guitar I took the bits to Jonathan at Feline who's done the heavy lifting in technically finishing the project: routing, custom minty pickguard and electrics plus a set-up on the finished beastie. Jonathan was kind enough to send me these pictures of the work done as I'm in Singapore at present so can't get to Croydon to collect it yet:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5509040094_6ea64e1dd1_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5509040094/)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5175/5508441247_e756827d18.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5508441247/)
I can't wait to pick it up.
I have a few bits of paint work I want to add but I think I'm nearly there. If it does Stevie Ray at the neck, Robin Trower in the middle and the Revd. Willie G at the bridge all my dreams will have come true! We had to change the switching a bit as what I wanted tonally couldn't be done with a single five way switch. So what happens now is one of the switches toggles between the bridge and the single coils whilst the other does the switching between the single coils a la Strat. I like this arrangement - I think it adds a bit of Gretschiness that complements the TV Jones well. And I'm really excited to hear what the Mothers Milks sound like too of course. I just need to get back to London and get down to Croydon now.
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Oooh, tasty!
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that look so good!
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That looks great, it's nice to see it going from drawing board to reality! :D
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Nice one :D
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That looks great :D
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Yep- thumbs aloft from me too.
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that is so cool!!!! 8)
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Nice plank man.
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So having returned to the UK I finally had time to head down to Croydon yesterday and collect the finished guitar from Jonathan at Feline. It's great, the work they did is top notch following the design but improving it where needed and the fret-dress is just lovely. It's a great guitar and tonally just what I wanted - SRV/Jimi at the neck, Robin Trower in the middle and the Rev Willie G at the bridge plus with a bit of push from a Tubescreamer gets me into AC/DC territory. Very very happy with it. I need to spend some time playing with pick-up heights and it's my intention to do some pinstriping on it but basically it's all done and I'm thrilled. I'll record some clips when I've experimented a bit more. In the mean time I took some pictures:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/5543234090_649bc42f0b_z_d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5543234090)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5543235206_05c48f0f09_b_d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5543235206)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5134/5542657809_e26a3b15e9_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5542657809)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5543238260_32feac4d1d_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/5543238260)
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That looks brilliant.
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That has turned our really well, it looks even better in those new pics.
I'm going to go an hide my credit cards now...
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That looks very good, very good indeed. If it were my guitar I would keep it as is and not bother with the pinstriping - all personal preference though!
My GAS fires have been seriously stoked with this one.
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Awesome! That looks really good, man.
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It looked good on paper, and even better in reality!
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My GAS fires have been seriously stoked with this one.
Same here, I keep seeing Fenderish Strat/Tele hybrid guitars that ignite the GAS flames.
I'm thinking maybe if I order a Warmoth body one month, neck the next month, spread the cost a bit the damage to the wallet won't feel so severe. And down that road lies madness.
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Madness indeed! My thoughts keep returning to doing things like that. I must remove Warmoth from my favourite websites list!
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Liking that a lot!
EDIT: Holy thread ressurrection! I followed it from a link, no idea how I missed it first time around.
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Liking that a lot!
EDIT: Holy thread ressurrection! I followed it from a link, no idea how I missed it first time around.
It is worth a resurrection though!
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Liking that a lot!
EDIT: Holy thread ressurrection! I followed it from a link, no idea how I missed it first time around.
It is worth a resurrection though!
Well since this has been brought back from the dead, I don't feel bad about posting a link to the noises it makes :) : Here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXejOuvmLWg)
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How about an action shot?
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Beautiful guitar, congrats!
Cheers Stephan
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How about an action shot?
Something along these lines?
(http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/graphics/FenderJazzmaster1965.jpg)
I dunno, I don't have much of a head for heights.
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Nice clip and nice guitar...
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Liking that a lot!
EDIT: Holy thread ressurrection! I followed it from a link, no idea how I missed it first time around.
It is worth a resurrection though!
Well since this has been brought back from the dead, I don't feel bad about posting a link to the noises it makes :) : Here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXejOuvmLWg)
Awesome - great to hear it in action
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PDT_010 That my friend is a masterpiece, can't wait to hear it
.....he says jealously waiting for his own feline to get back from paint shop
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What Feline is this you talk of? Maybe I've missed it on the forum.