Plans


Yup, the internet is a wonderful thing for locating about any scrap of info necessary for about any type of project imaginable.  A Fender Telecaster body template was quickly found, and I was happy to discover that it printed out on 12 sheets of 8.5x11 paper at 1:1 scale!  All dimensions were confirmed with careful measurement, and after some tape and scissors, I had a paper template.  Now to create a plywood template; the local lumber shop where I’d sourced my ash hardwood had a scrap piece of ½” plywood lying around which I picked up for free!  My favorite price.


A good plan also requires a great spreadsheet.  I compiled a detailed list of components and lined up the expected cost of each with a likely source.  On a separate list I compiled the tools and 'non-guitar' items which would be needed to complete the project.  In part I wanted to track the cost of the final guitar separately from the staples and tools that would be leftover or available for use on some other project later.

On a separate tab I grouped all the major aspects to the build, and listed the individual steps to achieve each.  This kept me aware of what was next and a gauge for my progress.  Also it gave a helpful reference when moving from one step to another if there was a critical measure or caution or something I'd not yet purchased that would soon be required.
  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Process - Dying & Lacquer

Image
The cautions expressed in countless YouTube videos are well founded here.   Careful prep and wearing gloves are certainly ‘musts’. You might also wonder, if you reviewed the post chronology, why so much time had passed between this and the previous blog post.  Mostly this was in order to allow the lacquer (clear coat) ample drying time - 2 weeks seemed like the expected duration, and I essentially adhered to this.  It was also given that I had little experience using dyes and preparing a surface for lacquer and polish.
Read more

Process - Electronics

Image
Soldering the pups was actually one of the most relatively easy aspects to this entire build.  There are good wiring diagrams online, but I really relied on my intuition and a good multimeter.  The switch was the hardest part, only in that there are 8 terminals coming from it while there are only three leads connected to it!  And I wanted to ensure that the forward position went to the neck pup and the rearward position went to the bridge pup.  I easily isolated which terminal did what.  After realizing that each pup connected to two terminals, it was easy to work out which ones would have the right pup active in what position - including both at the middle switch position.
Read more

Lessons Learned

Image
Ok, so every project ends with lessons learned.  If it doesn't, you aren't working hard enough or you have been doing it too long and need to move on to something else.  Me, on the other hand, I end most projects with plenty of lessons; though I try not to, I make mistakes!  And while not always sure that I will try again and benefit from the experience, there is no point in repeating what is avoidable.  I often try new things and move on to the next project, so mistakes are common along the way.  Here's how you can benefit from mine.
Read more