Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

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Steve Sawyer
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Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Steve Sawyer »

It is obviously a long way from being done, but after putting on the minimal hardware and stringing, and finishing up the nut slots, I continued to set the relief, action and intonation. Much to my surprise...

IT MAKES MUSIC!!!!

I musta sat and jammed on this for 15 minutes, just wondering at the fact that some of my various mistakes must have cancelled out some of the other mistakes, as it plays just great - no buzzes, the intonation set just fine, the action is good (set to .050" at the 17th fret) and...

IT MAKES MUSIC!!!!

I could NOT have done this without all of the advice I got directly from asking questions here and from reading the threads on this forum. What a great resource!

THANKS!!

Now...off to the next adventure to get this sanded (and sanded, and sanded some more...) and finished.
Tele Semi Finished_1s.jpg
Tele Semi Finished_2s.jpg
==Steve==
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Eric Knapp
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Eric Knapp »

Congrats! I hope to have that feeling myself soon.

-Eric
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Steve Sawyer
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Steve Sawyer »

Eric Knapp wrote:Congrats! I hope to have that feeling myself soon
Once the strings were on, my grin just kept getting bigger as I completed each step. :mrgreen:
==Steve==
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Karl Wicklund
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Karl Wicklund »

How satisfying! I love that feeling, and I hope to be sharing in it soon. Just have to set up my shop again, and build a chicken coop. And remodel the sewing room. And erect a playset. And prep the new garden. And...

Anyway, congratulations!
Kaptain Karl
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Bryan Bear
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Bryan Bear »

Awesome, congrats!
PMoMC

Take care of your feet and your feet will take care of you.
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Steve Sawyer
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Steve Sawyer »

Karl Wicklund wrote:Just have to set up my shop again, and build a chicken coop. And remodel the sewing room. And erect a playset. And prep the new garden. And...
That's where I was three years ago, Karl. I feel your pain! ;)
==Steve==
Gordon Bellerose
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Gordon Bellerose »

Way to go!
That is a great feeling of accomplishment.
Now for the pain of finishing. :o
I need your help. I can't possibly make all the mistakes myself!
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Steve Sawyer
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Steve Sawyer »

Gordon Bellerose wrote:Now for the pain of finishing
I'm actually looking forward to that. Finishing furniture can get a bit dull. This is a whole new ballgame...
==Steve==
Bob Francis
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Bob Francis »

Congrats Steve!
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Mark Swanson
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Mark Swanson »

That feeling never gets old, or goes away no matter how many I build!
  • Mark Swanson, guitarist, MIMForum Staff
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Eric Knapp
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Eric Knapp »

Mark Swanson wrote:That feeling never gets old, or goes away no matter how many I build!
That is good to hear! Congrats again, Steve.

-Eric
David King
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by David King »

Well done and store up those good vibes until you can dive into the next project!
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Steve Sawyer
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Steve Sawyer »

David King wrote:Well done and store up those good vibes until you can dive into the next project!
Oh, it's started already!! And this one has quite a way to go yet.

One thing I have noticed is that the high "E" string is a tad too close to the edge of the FB. Doesn't affect playing it at all, but it does feel a little strange. It's about 2.5mm from the edge at the 17th fret, compared to my Strat which is a full 3/16" at the same point. Debating whether I should shift the neck just a scrunch, as it will be better to do that now before I start finishing it.
==Steve==
Gordon Bellerose
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Gordon Bellerose »

Steve,

You will be removing the neck for finishing, will you not? I don't know if it is a bolt on, or not.
You would have to adjust it for final set up regardless.
I need your help. I can't possibly make all the mistakes myself!
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Steve Sawyer
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Steve Sawyer »

Gordon Bellerose wrote:You will be removing the neck for finishing, will you not? I don't know if it is a bolt on, or not.
You would have to adjust it for final set up regardless.
Oh yeah - glad I put in threaded inserts, 'cause that neck should have a zipper, I've put it on and taken it off so many times! :mrgreen:

It's all taken apart again, and I've started playing with my finishing schedule on some scrap, so it would be easy to correct the overhang at this point.
==Steve==
Matthew Lau
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Matthew Lau »

Nice!
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Steve Sawyer
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Steve Sawyer »

Thanks, Matthew.

Since Matthew resurrected this old thread, thought I'd give a little progress update. I've applied two additional clear-coats (each coat being a 3-shoot) since taking these pics for a total of 8 coats. So far, 6 cans of rattle-can lacquer!! Only had to sand between coats a couple of times to get a little run. Unfortunately, I've gotten some black specks of something in the finish that would not sand out. This is my first build and is for my personal use, so I'm going to live with the specks (almost unnoticeable unless pointed out - of course everyone on THIS FORUM would spot 'em in an instant!! :mrgreen: )

The body and neck are now happily curing in my shop. I plan on waiting a couple of weeks before I start sanding in preparation for the polishing and crossing my fingers that I'm careful enough to not get a sand-through (hoping for beginners luck I guess...)
Tele_Body Clearcoated 1.JPG
Tele_Body Clearcoated 2.JPG
==Steve==
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Barry Daniels
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Barry Daniels »

To minimize sand-throughs, just stay away from the edges. They will take care of themselves. Sounds weird, I know, but trust me on this. And the neck takes less sanding and polishing than the body.
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Steve Sawyer
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Steve Sawyer »

Barry Daniels wrote:To minimize sand-throughs, just stay away from the edges. They will take care of themselves. Sounds weird, I know, but trust me on this. And the neck takes less sanding and polishing than the body.
Thanks for the advice, Barry. And yeah, I notice that the neck seems *almost* ready to polish right off the "gun"! Strange. If it weren't for a bit of a sag on the headstock face, I'd be tempted...
==Steve==
Brian Evans
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Re: Thanks to EVERYONE!! (I'm just a bit giddy...)

Post by Brian Evans »

Necks are weird. Mine last one was almost good enough to leave alone off the gun, I have no idea why.
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