COMPLETED - Project #3 - GSP Thinline Tele

Megii · August 2014

PVO_Dave said:

Megii said:

This is going to be such a pretty guitar. Liking your careful, "take your time" approach to the whole thing as well. It's really making me want to build a thinline myself...

I'm impatient by nature, but not much I can do to speed up the curing process and it's my first go at a guitar build, so being extra cautious, enjoying it so far though

Might be worth speaking to GSP for your thinline needs!

My advise would be keep doing what you're doing and don't rush anything - attention to detail is what makes the difference with parts building. Make sure you get the neck aligned right when you get to that stage. Speaking to GSP has, I confess, occurred to me - although I really shouldn't right now, having accumulated too many guitars already! Rude question, but can I ask how much you paid for the neck and body?

PVO_Dave · August 2014

I'll PM you @ Megii - I got the body / neck as part of a clear out by Grahame, so don't want to advertise an unrealistic price

Megii · August 2014

PVO_Dave said:

I'll PM you @ Megii - I got the body / neck as part of a clear out by Grahame, so don't want to advertise an unrealistic price

Cheers @PVO_Dave, I will admit I'm a bit tempted!

ThePrettyDamned · August 2014

I used 6 or 7 on my PRS alike, and it turned out well - it's shiny. There are rub marks because I rushed it a bit on the last few coats - hence my advice!

https://flic.kr/p/nvGLtM

Gave up on flickr, just click it

PVO_Dave · August 2014

Kind of hard to tell from that picture bud! The thinline has a shine under direct light, not as much as the PRS alike as far as I can tell from the picture, I'll give it some thought tomorrow once it's dry!

Did you try and wirewool it and re-do the last coats?

ThePrettyDamned · August 2014

PVO_Dave said:

Kind of hard to tell from that picture bud! The thinline has a shine under direct light, not as much as the PRS alike as far as I can tell from the picture, I'll give it some thought tomorrow once it's dry!

Did you try and wirewool it and re-do the last coats?

I did, and it did help to level it all out a bit

basically, I got a bit keen and rushed it, but from a couple of feet away it's pretty good!

Here are a couple more pics that show it in different light

https://www.flickr.com/photos/aguywitholdcameras/13641390244/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/aguywitholdcameras/13541549684/ - that one is really to show the reflectiveness - it's not like poly, as you can see, maybe a touch closer to nitro but still less glossy than that. It's nice to look at though.

And here is a satin, for comparison.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/aguywitholdcameras/14137144291/

Much easier to apply and get a great looking finish in my opinion, and my next project will be satin (going for a glittery black strat probably) but if I ever use a figured maple, I'll use gloss.

Ooo, also, it cures loads over time - it's only fully hardened after a year or so! Sounds ridiculous, but it's playable after a few days after the last coat, so don't worry. But as it hardens more, it levels a touch more and gets a tiny bit shinier. I was pleasantly surprised when I returned from my holidays

Once fully hardened, you could probably wire wool and buff it, but I won't bother - I like it as it is.

Hope this is of some use! I love Wudtone, it's a brilliant, relatively easy way of getting average-to-excellent results at home without any nasty sprays. It's all in wood prep, and you seem to have nailed that!

RichValentine · August 2014

Have been following this as I am looking to get GSP to build me a thinline as well. Ever since I saw Jonny Lang's tele I have wanted one. Looks to be outstanding quality so cant wait!

PVO_Dave · August 2014

The quality appears to be great @RichValentine, looking forward to getting this setup and ready to go

I'm also keeping an eye on the classifieds in case Grahame posts anymore bargains (don't tell the wife

)

PVO_Dave · August 2014

Second clear dry now, nice subtle shine to it, tried to show it catching the light:

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r638/davewitchalls/Thinline TC/image-7.jpg

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r638/davewitchalls/Thinline TC/image-9.jpg

Also checked the bridge would fit, as the mockup picture looked a bit odd, happy to report no issues!

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r638/davewitchalls/Thinline TC/image-8.jpg

Decided to do one more coat tonight, for protection more than shine, I'll then leave it to cure for a week and assemble the following weekend, I'll order some pickups today and a wiring kit

PVO_Dave · August 2014

Pickups and wiring harness ordered from Mojo.

I asked for Marc's suggestion and I've ordered the early 50's set (52 style).

PVO_Dave · August 2014

Final clear coat done, now the waiting game! As long as everything arrives on time, hoping to assemble next weekend

Tried to get the body to catch what available light there is out there this morning to show the shine it has, I will take proper photos once it's assembled.

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r638/davewitchalls/Thinline TC/image-12.jpg

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r638/davewitchalls/Thinline TC/image-11.jpg

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r638/davewitchalls/Thinline TC/image-10.jpg

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r638/davewitchalls/Thinline TC/image-14.jpg

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r638/davewitchalls/Thinline TC/image-13.jpg

PVO_Dave · September 2014

Tort pick guard turned up, think I prefer the pearloid

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r638/davewitchalls/Thinline TC/image-15.jpg

Deadman · September 2014

They both look great. I'm leaning towards the tort one though.

PVO_Dave · September 2014

Neck test fitted tonight, starting to favour the tort now too!

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r638/davewitchalls/Thinline TC/image-16.jpg

Pickups and wiring arrived today, the guitar should be alive tomorrow

ThePrettyDamned · September 2014

Looks really nice mate, is it your first wudtone? It looks much smoother and better applied than my first shot, where I put too much top coat on each coat!

stickyfiddle · September 2014

Hadn't clicked on this as I prefer reading through build threads in one go. Glad I did, it's looking brilliant.

Megii · September 2014

Looks fab with either pickguard, but I'm liking the tort more - with the maple fingerboard and light coloured body, it just seems to provide a bit more contrast, and a stronger look. I'm trying to resist the urge to build another tele, and this thread is not helping - heaven help me if GSP puts up another ad for thinlines...

One slight concern I would have with a thinline is if it might be a bit neck-heavy on a strap - probably groundless, but would be grateful if you could let me know about that when the guitar is finished. Great job on putting this one together though, looks like the kind of "old faithful" guitar it would be nice to have around for years to come.

PVO_Dave · September 2014

ThePrettyDamned said:

Looks really nice mate, is it your first wudtone? It looks much smoother and better applied than my first shot, where I put too much top coat on each coat!

Thanks @ThePrettyDamned First go at a guitar, I did a terrible job with a neck kit before this, lessons learnt! I've found that instead of pouring the Wudtone into anything and dipping the rag / t-shirt in, I tip the bottle onto the material that's resting on my finger and apply in very small coats covering small areas

stickyfiddle said:

Hadn't clicked on this as I prefer reading through build threads in one go. Glad I did, it's looking brilliant.

Thanks @stickyfiddle

Megii said:

Looks fab with either pickguard, but I'm liking the tort more - with the maple fingerboard and light coloured body, it just seems to provide a bit more contrast, and a stronger look. I'm trying to resist the urge to build another tele, and this thread is not helping - heaven help me if GSP puts up another ad for thinlines... One slight concern I would have with a thinline is if it might be a bit neck-heavy on a strap - probably groundless, but would be grateful if you could let me know about that when the guitar is finished. Great job on putting this one together though, looks like the kind of "old faithful" guitar it would be nice to have around for years to come.

Tort won out for me too in the end @Megii

Once I get some strap locks in, I'll let you know how it weighs, sitting with it on my lap it's a touch neck heavy, but it's not like the headstock is making a dash for the ground, it sort of balances

PVO_Dave · September 2014

So 99% done!

Left to-do;

Pro setup (dropping off Monday if I can find the time), strap locks / buttons, string trees to be fitted and some bigger ferrules, the ones I have aren't big enough, they are currently just resting in place.

@GSPBASSES - You sell make very nice guitar kits, let me know when you are having another clear out...

Even without a decent setup, it plays pretty well, the pickups from Mojo sound great too!

Here it is

Some outdoors shots too

thumpingrug · September 2014

That looks fantastic. Great to read through this thread and see it all come together.

Howdy, Stranger!

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COMPLETED - Project #3 - GSP Thinline Tele

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