Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Ratrod on May 26, 2007, 10:50:32 AM
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I'm struck with Tele GAS. For some time I've been wanting one and thinking about building it myself. There are some cheap kits, but I think you get what you pay for. Then there are some more expensive kits like Rockinger but those are hardly kits.
That's when I found WD guitar kits. They seem to offer good quality without being very pricey like Warmoth. Does anyone know more about WD's stuff?
There's a cool virtual guitar builder on the site too. Check it out: http://www.wdmusic.com/electric_guitar_kits.htm
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I've had a couple of WD necks - they're good but not as good as Warmoth. They feel like they could have done with a tiny bit more hand-sanding before the finish was applied.
Those kits are a good price, but the hardware isn't the greatest quality. I just wonder if you'd end up with a load of parts you'd want to replace? It might be better to just build from scratch. Or buy a Mex Fender.
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I've used WD many times, but only for parts such as tuners, pots etc. Nevertheless, they are excellent to deal with and very helpful (I'm refering to the UK operation here, just to be clear).
Or you could try a Fender Lite Ash Tele - swamp ash body, birdseye maple neck D****n pickups (which are pretty damn good ). If you can live with the three saddle bridge and the small colour choice, they're great. I've had mine almost a year, and barely a day has gone by when I haven't picked it up.
Here's a link http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_lite_ash_telecaster_mn_blk.htm If a build project is truly what you've set your heart on then you could probably do a lot worse than the WD kit, but I'd argue strongly in favour of at least trying a Lite Ash.
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The Lite Ash Tele is on my shortlist. The Sparrow Twangmaster is on it too.
I was kinda hoping the WD kit would be of greater quality than MIM Telecasters.
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I've been having GAS for a Tele myself.
The old guy I jam blues with has a Tele deluxe with the 3 single coil configuration.
You should have heard us Sunday trading licks. That Tele and my Paul sounded great together!
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I was kinda hoping the WD kit would be of greater quality than MIM Telecasters.
Maybe, but I dunno - realistically, how much are you going to get for $400? :?
I was thinking of the more upmarket MIMs like the Classic series, especially the Classic Player Baja Tele (http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0141502389). Real Custom Shop pickups, 4-way switch, only £400 from Thomann.
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Nice v neck as well
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I fancy a tele
The Highway 1s any good or am I better off saving cash and going with a light ash or saving for a proper US one? I was thinking of this http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_highway_texas_tele_mn_2tsb.htm
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^ Personally, I'd say go with a Lite Ash over a Highway One. The neck profile and radius will be the same, you get a brass three saddle bridge (slightly better sustain) and a set of decent pickups you won't want to swap out straightaway, and you'll pay no more than about £360. For some reason Fender attach a premium price to the Highway One series, but I honestly wouldn't say they're £200 better than a Korean Lite Ash.
When I was shopping for mine, I tried several of both types, and was far more impressed overall with the build quality, fretwork and tone of the Lite Ash.
If you decide to go for a US however, be sure to play the one you buy, as the US Teles I tried out varied from very good to distinctly mediocre - eventually went for the Lite Ash because I couldn't justify £650-700 on a Tele at the time.
Hope this helps.
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Here's something interesting: http://www.internationalluthiers.com/electrickits.php
A wide variety of woods, upgrades and colors. They can do sunburst and transparent green so they can also make me a dragonburst body.
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this might be of some use. There is very little in terms of pictures to see what your actually looking at.
Ive not used them myself... yet... but they have a wide selection of gubbins floating around, some painted bodies and unpainted etc...
http://www.brandoniguitars.co.uk/
If anyone knows what the products or service is like, it would be cool to get some feedback.
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Well, I went to the shop yesterday for a new set of strings. And there stood a white Lite Ash Tele..........calling to me...: "Take me home with you".
I need to sell my Dean Psychobilly first and save up a little. Hopefully it won't take too long. This little guitar really spoke to me.
I haven't tried it yet, 'cause it would have made me go nuts and I would have bought it right there and then. Wich would have gotten me in the red figures again.
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The WD kits are very good just be careful about the neck you select 'cos there's a quite a range of profiles fret sizes and radii in there. It's also wise to upgrade the tuners and bridge from the standard finishing kit unless you want it to be really vintage looking (playing).
Give 'em a ring there relly a nice bunch of guys.
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Thanks for the usefull info, Bob.
The info on the www wasn't very usefull. A lot of mixed opinions.
I'm still trying to decide between the kit or the Lite Ash.
I tried the Lite Ash and I was surprised. The neck was nice enough, the fret work was the best I've ever seen on a Korean guitar and the tone was to die for.
I tried in on a Fender Blues Deluxe. A very cool amp, btw. The guitar screamed 'La Grange'. I used to have a MIM deluxe Tele but this Lite Ash is way better. It put a smile on my face.