Making a body, but where to get the rest?

JRgtar

Hi,

My Dad and I are keen to make a guitar body (he has the tools and woodworking skills, I have the guitar knowledge). It’ll probably either be a tele or LP junior type guitar.

My thoughts were to get a donor guitar for the rest of the parts as the most cost-effective option. Then, if the thing comes together and feels/sounds good, I can upgrade the parts as required. I was thinking a second hand Mexican tele. Is this a sensible approach? Conscious of fact we could go to a lot of trouble and cost to end up with a terrible guitar...although the process is more the most important aim in this.

Couple of other Qs:
- Are old style and new tele bridges interchangeable (I.e. same screw holes)
- Is a bolt-on next LP junior a terrible idea?!

Thoughts/advice welcome!

WezV

modern and vintage tele bridges are usually not interchangeable

If its a single cut junior, no issue at all
If its a DC junior, it works as long as you don't want to add a neck pickup at a later date

PeteC

I'd go for a Tele parts build first - then you can swap out pretty much anything you want while you hone your skills - neck, body, etc. 

Good luck and go for it - you'll have a lot of fun doing this with your Dad.  

Then build a junior.....