Custom Telecaster

Okay... Here's round one of the Tele from scratch. I bought a 2nd blank

from exoticwoods.com that I'm using for this one. It is another Black Korina back

with a maple top. I don't know if I'm going to make this into a TeleAx or a standard

Telecaster copy. The Black Korina on this is outstanding!

I first cut out the shape using a jig saw. Then I attached the template

and used flush cut template router bits to finish it. I'll cut the neck pocket next.





















Neck pocket cut.

Tummy cut in progress. I shaped this with a drill and 60-grit sanding disc.

Neck heel recess shape drawn in

Neck heel recess complete.

It's gettin' there...

Back edges rounded over

I'll need to shave the back of the neck down to match the rounded neck heel.

I have pretty much completed all of the finish sanding. It took me about 10

hours I guess. The finish sanding of the heel contour I made was the most

time consuming part. It will be really nice to be rid of that square Tele heel

though. I'll be installing the recessed neck mounting ferrules next.

I have completed all of the routing. I also have all of the Korina grain filled.

Now I am starting the staining.

Neck re-shape to fit the rounded heel on the body. I have a little work left to do on it.



Neck ferrules installed.



I have finished reshaping the neck to match my rounded heel on the guitar.






 

I'm gettin' her buffed out. She's looking like glass now. I've decided I'm not

going to make this on into a TeleAx. I'm just going to stick with a standard passive Tele.

I have another set of wood I'm going to use for my next project. It will

be another TeleAx w/ the rounded heel like I did on this one.

Here she is so far:

Here's a couple pics of the back. The Black Korina looks wild! I'm about

done with this one. I just have to get the pickups wired up now and that about it.

She's done!