anybody ever made a double-f-hole thinline tele?

[arkansaspicker]

hello everyone out there, i'm a little new to online chatting so cut me some slack, but has anybody ever built (or i guess HEAVILY modifed) a regular telecaster into a thinline, but with no pickguard and two f-holes?

[arkansaspicker]

is anybody alive out there?

[arkansaspicker]

is anybody alive out there?

[sumgai]

'picker,

is anybody alive out there?

Yes, most of us are alive, but it's also true that most of us don't inhabit this board 24/7.

As Wing Luke said, "Patience, grasshopper, have patience."


And for the record, Thinline Telecasters all came with humbuckers that were installed into the pickguard, which also extended to the control cavity. An f-hole in that region is highly unlikely.

But that's for Fenders only. That's not to say that other builders couldn't make a clone, with the features you are requesting. Please stand by, our Master Craftsmen are all out back at the moment, one or more of them will be with you shortly.


sumgai

[ChrisK]

is anybody alive out there?

Uh, yeah, sure.

Thanks for checking.

However, this is not a chat room, but a free information site occasionally staffed and visited by experienced technical folk who are usually distracted by other folk that are most willing to give them sums of money to pay attention to what them there other folk want attention paid thereto.

There are periods of time (often longer than the 5 minute span that you experienced) where no one is actually on board.


Personally, I do stop in often, but I spend most of my days checking the internets on the google for them other folk. ;D


Welcome a'board.

[arkansaspicker]

alrighty then i'm sorry for my impatience i often get bored because i'm homeschooled and often have time on my hands please forgive me and dont be angry as for the guitar... my idea was to go buy a cheap squier telecaster, remove its parts, sand it down, saw 1/4 inch off of the face, router out the wings and behind bridge, get a sheet of maple(or other tonewood) and cut it to fit the guitar's shape cut the f-holes, tone&volume&selector holes, pickup holes, and then cut a hole in the back of the body (so i can acess the wiring,pickups,etc.) and then use some of the maple as a electronics cover, re-install everything and check that it fits, and the disassemble and clearcoat/paint and reassemble. now what do y'all think. (by the way i'm really not a stupid hillbilly, its just fun to portray one

[ChrisK]

Glad to see that you've got a good sense of humor.

as for the guitar... my idea was to go buy a cheap squier telecaster, remove its parts, sand it down, saw 1/4 inch off of the face, router out the wings and behind bridge, get a sheet of maple(or other tonewood) and cut it to fit the guitar's shape cut the f-holes, tone&volume&selector holes, pickup holes, and then cut a hole in the back of the body (so i can acess the wiring,pickups,etc.) and then use some of the maple as a electronics cover, re-install everything and check that it fits, and the disassemble and clearcoat/paint and reassemble. now what do y'all think.

I think that you're nuts (or at least real fond of woodworking).

I say this with full respect in that I have the tools necessary to do this, but wouldn't. First and foremost, what is your time worth? I think that this operation would take me at least a full day.

Anyway, to actually do this yourself, you need the right "stuff".

In example;
guitarnuts2.proboards45.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=repair&thread=1174090659&page=1

Dang, that is a lot of "stuff".

The problem with machining the front of the guitar is that you have to find the bridge location and pickup holes thru the laminate. Fender routed these bodies from the back and so could you. This would leave the bridge, neck pocket, and pickup routs intact.

You know, If'n I was to invest such time in this project, I wouldn't start with a cheap Squier, but with a decent plank.


The last TeleCopy that I built looks like this;
guitarnuts2.proboards45.com/index.cgi?board=music&action=display&thread=1163644536


If your still serious about trying this, don't hesitate to ask for suggestions along the way. I worked as a machinist before college and have been an electronic engineer for 30 years, so I can certainly help you get into some serious trouble. ;D

Remember, the only thing that I like more than spending my money on toys is helping someone else spend their money.


Good luck!

[arkansaspicker]

alrighty then thanks for the info. i'm glad that god gave me a sense of humor too. as far as the "stuff" goes, my gradpa built his entire house ( which has 3 stories, a separate basement, a shop, an art studio,and a carport.) he will gladly let me have acess to any of his tools ( just as long as i clean them off, use my brain, and put them back . and i'm sure he wouldnt mind to help me with measurements, experience, etc.
i have already looked at warmoth but i cant afford any of it anyway so it does me no good. and the reason i wanted to start with a squier is because A. i like them and own 2. B. they are cheap and they work good. C. if i really screw up and cant change it , then i'll still have some parts, knowledge, and i wont be out tooo much money. but thank your for your advice and yes i just like wood and working with my hands. if only you could see my drawings and read my mind, then you would still have to decide whether or not im genius/insane! (theres a very very thin line.

[arkansaspicker]

i also forgot to note that i would re locate the knobs and swithch to look somewhat like an ES-335 (minus 2 knobs.) keep sending me ideas and such as they are appreciated.

[crazymanandy]

So, basically, you want an ES-335/Tele fusion? Well, while not impossible to do, trying to start from a finished Tele body will be very tough. You would be better off buying a body blank and starting from scratch. You can still use the same neck you were going to, just route the neck slot to the specs of the neck. Not only will it be easier, but you will get better quality wood than is likely in the squire. And a body blank isn't that expensive, around $50, $40 if you really look around, for a 2 piece alder blank (which, along with ash, is the standard wood for Teles). You can check them out here:

www.galleryhardwoods.com/specials.htm

CMA

[ChrisK]

I'd take a standard Tele body (which are much more common than a rear routed one) and rout it from the top. I'd leave the center strip with the bridge, pickup routs, and neck pocket intact.

I would use Forstner bits to do the routing (well, drilling), making sure that the starting point on them does not come thru the back.


After routing out the body (remove the webs between the holes), I'd use an end mill bit (on a mill) and mill the top of the wings for the laminates with the "F" holes.

[crazymanandy]

ChrisK's method should work great if you intend to go ahead with using a finished Tele body. I'm assuming you'll finish it with an opaque? (If you don't, it might look a little odd.)

Here is something similar to what ChrisK mentioned, though it starts with a blank body:





He routed out the meat of the middle section (leaving a U-shape). That isn't really necessary, I assume he only did it to get rid of as much wood as possible. You would have to leave the center block whole for a Tele. Here are two pics of the body:






And this is the body finished:





You can see that he put the top on and then routed all of the pickup slots and what not, except for the f-holes which he did before hand.

As a little encouragement, this was the builder's first build ever (and it is completely from scratch, including the neck) and it is one of the nicest guitars I've ever seen. I don't think he has pics of the completed project up yet, but he probably will soon. I recommend reading the thread over at projectguitar.com:

projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=27131&st=0

[arkansaspicker]

alrighty then. thanks guys for the info i'll keep pondering it and figure it out in my head before i do it. ( seeing as i dont have the money rite now : ) ( trying to save up for a hot rod deluxe( see other thread). and yes when i got this hare-brained-scheme i was envisioning a tele fused with a 335 to end up with a ( tele335, 335 telecaster, thingamabob?).

[arkansaspicker]

also ( kind of off subject) scince i'm new to online... "talking"..... ( i was scolded about calling it a chat thing) why exactly are these posts called "threads"? sorry mabey its a dumb question, but have no fear it cant be that dumb because if i knew, i wouldnt be asking right?


( so which side of the line do y'all think i'm on now hehe)

[crazymanandy]

Let me try to explain. There are basically three ways to communicate across the internet:

(1) Forums (also called "Message Boards"): This is what we are on right now. A forum is usually made up of sections (e.g. Electronics and Wiring, Lutherie and Repair, Coffee Shop, etc.). Within those sections, you can create a thread. A thread is basically you posting a message and people replying to that message. A thread usually has a single topic which all of the replies are about (hence, it is called a thread). Forums are not fluid, like talking on a telephone. People may not be on at the time of your post, so you will have to wait until someone sees it and decides to reply.

(2) Chat Rooms ("chatting"): Chat rooms are different from forums in that all chatting occurs fluidly, because anyone you are talking to must be in the chat room at the same time. It is exactly as if you were having a conversation with buddies, except that you can't see them and you have to type what you say. When you send a message into the chat room, all the other chatters can see it and reply by sending another message into the room.

(3) Instant Messaging ("IM"): Instant messaging is fluid like chat rooms, but closer to a telephone conversation because it only occurs between two people (you and the other person). The "room" concept from above applies here, but only you and the other person can see what you're talking about.

Does that clear things up?

CMA

[crazymanandy]

Here ya go, I just found a double-f-hole Tele build:

www.reranch.com/reranch/viewtopic.php?t=11942

CMA

[arkansaspicker]

yes, thankyou very much that makes good sense. sorry for the stupidity level. i now understand internet communication. ( and henceforth and forever, if i call it chatting i shall be exiled to the corner)

[arkansaspicker]

sweet!

[ChrisK]

sorry for the stupidity level

No such thing. It's just different levels of awareness (of course my Internet savvy kids [well, 24 and 27 now] DO give me that "look" when I fail to keep up with them).

That is until I (re)remind them of the golden rule, "he who has the gold, rules....."

and henceforth and forever, if i call it chatting i shall be exiled to the corner

Nope, nada, never will happen.

The difference between posting and chatting is that no one can interrupt you when you do the former.

We're glad to have you aboard. I love puzzles, and thinking on how one might do the "ff" Thinline from an existing body was interesting, especially since it mirrors my "machining wood" tools project.

[crazymanandy]

chrisk said:

That is until I (re)remind them of the golden rule, "he who has the gold, rules....."

Lol! That sounds just like my dad.

CMA

[sumgai]

Andy,

That is until I (re)remind them of the golden rule, "he who has the gold, rules....."

Lol! That sounds just like my dad.

CMA

So which is it, are you the 24 or the 27 year old? ;D


sumgai

[arkansaspicker]

thanks guys. well chris k, i guess im not that average, because compaered to YOUR KIDS im still young (16) and i dont like computers all that much except for when they do what i deem necessary or useful. ( im not calling you old or anything, but i've always heard that grey hairs are a sign of wisdom .

[ChrisK]

but i've always heard that grey hairs are a sign of wisdom

And in Asia, so are bald heads.


.....and God only created a few perfect heads, the rest He covered with hair.....

[sumgai]

Chris,

.....and God only created a few perfect heads, the rest He covered with hair.....

The way I figger it, about a third of all heads are pretty much created bald, no?


;D


sumgai

[ChrisK]

One out of five men loose their hair quickly (wisest),

Three out of five go bald gradually (getting wiser all the time), and

One out of five men keep their hair (no hope what-so-ever). ;D


BTW, I think that I found a machining thingy for the f² geetar;
www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Planes/Wagner_Safe-T-Planer.html

[sumgai]

Chris,

The population is split approximately 50-50, genderwise. Are you with me so far?

Now, for the 64 dollar question, how many heads are there in 100% of the population?

Extra credit: How many of those heads never had hair to begin with?



sumgai