The Texas Tele Project

[horologist]

Mark,
In the Feb 2008 issue of Fine Woodworking there is a finishing article on how to bring out the figure in your curly maple. My dad and I plan to use this method on the flintlock rifles that we are building and I expect with some work it the method could be used on your guitar.
You have purchased some beautiful wood and I like those 3D views.

Troy

[guitarnut]

Nice project guitarnut. As a fellow Tele enthusiast:

3 barrel bridge or 6?
What kind of pickups?

Hi. Thanks!

I haven't made up my mind on the pups yet but I'm considering Texas Specials or the Golden Age Vintage from StewMac...I have these in one of my Strats that I built...love them! Very cool sound for a Strat and it's 5-way switching but I'm not sure on a Tele.

I am leaning toward the 6 barrel bridge...makes intonation easier. I've never owned a Tele so I've never tried to intonate a 3 barrel...but by design, I can see some limitations. You have a preference? Insights on either style?

Peace,

[guitarnut]

Mark,
In the Feb 2008 issue of Fine Woodworking there is a finishing article on how to bring out the figure in your curly maple. My dad and I plan to use this method on the flintlock rifles that we are building and I expect with some work it the method could be used on your guitar.
You have purchased some beautiful wood and I like those 3D views.

Troy

Hi Troy. Thanks for the info and kind comments. I have a couple of techniques I have used in the past but I am always looking for ideas. I tried to find back issues on their site but I guess I need to create an account and sign in. Are the back issues available there?

I did see some cool videos while I was poking around...the guy who built the underground shop...awesome!

I'd like to see the flintlocks when they are finished...or in progress for that matter.

Peace,

[2manband]

Hi. Thanks!

I haven't made up my mind on the pups yet but I'm considering Texas Specials or the Golden Age Vintage from StewMac...I have these in one of my Strats that I built...love them! Very cool sound for a Strat and it's 5-way switching but I'm not sure on a Tele.

I am leaning toward the 6 barrel bridge...makes intonation easier. I've never owned a Tele so I've never tried to intonate a 3 barrel...but by design, I can see some limitations. You have a preference? Insights on either style?

Peace,

I have the 6-barrel bridge. I've never tried to intonate a 3-barrel model, but it seems to me that it would be difficult to get it *just* right - which is probably why Fender switched. I guess I can appreciate the vintage/nostalgic appeal of the 3-barrel model, but it just doesn't seem practical

[guitarnut]

The top wood is resawn, planed and glued up. The routing templates are in the making and the site has been broken up into pages that are easier to navigate. Soon I will be profiling the body and neck. Followed by carving the top.

www.crenshawweb.com/texastele/texasteleproject.htm

Peace,

[tcbetka]

I'm not sure if you're even around much anymore Mark, but I just ran across your project thread. I went to your website and looked at the project photos--amazing work, and awesome results! I just started playing guitar a year or so ago, and hope to use my SS units to build both electric and acoustic guitars. So your project is a great inspiration to me.

Hope you see this post, as I would love to hear about this guitar 5-6 years after you made it. Are you still playing it? What would you do differently?

TB