New Telemaster project in the works (NOW FINISHED!)

[Mr. Air]

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.

[Telerocker]

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

[Twinfan]

Last one for me - late 50s style looks really good!

[Ratrod]

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.

[Plexi Ken]

Maple board, white scratchplate, white pick-up covers... late '50s FTW

Though I think the above suggested 3 Filtertron could look cool  8)

[Andrew W]

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.

[AndyR]

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:

[juansolo]

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 & Table

[Andrew W]

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.

Better?  Worse?  I've added it to the poll if anyone's still looking at that. :)

[Twinfan]

I'd still go white and maple I think  :)

The body looks top!

[Mr. Air]

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.

Better?  Worse?  I've added it to the poll if anyone's still looking at that. :)

I dig the look of that!

[Philly Q]

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!

[Telerocker]

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%.

[AndyR]

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.

[Andrew W]

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:

-OR-

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?