Blackguard Telecaster

[JimPage]

Hey, Dan--

That Tele you are making is GREAT-looking! I like that 7-1/4" neck with the small frets, don't you?

Danny, please let me know what you think of that book once you've had a chance to look at it.

Speaking of Teles, I saw a 75th Anniversary Light-Crust Doughboys Tele-type guitar on eBay last night for $189:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TELE-Style-Elec ... 6568wt_665

Evidently, these are put out by a fellow named Art Greenhaw, who also indicates on his Website a Mosrite connection:
http://www.artgreenhaw.com/biography.htm

Anyone have any info on this gentleman or his guitars? I'm assuming, at that price, that they are made in China.

--Jim

[panther]

I've been sourcing parts for a couple of years and have just about everything to start the assembly. Half the fun is researching and trying to replicate as close as possible to the original. That's the way I did the 59 double neck Mosrite that I scratch built a couple years ago.

BTW, I broke down and ordered the book Blackguard from Elderly. It was $95 including shipping via FedEx. Much better than the actual distributor that charged $35 shipping.

Dub;
I agree completely, I spend months downloading a hundred photos trying to match as close as possible everything in detail. I would guess I'm about 90% accurate to the original, and I won't be relicing mine, I just don't like that.
I guess the reason I didn't put the finish on, was the fact I've never done a complete finish and I'm afraid I'll screw it up. I've considered having someone else do the finish but can't find anyone local that will do it.
I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and pray I don't screw up. If I do then I'll consider the relic angle. Component wise I've really stuck with all original vintage parts, but the interior of the body etc. is as close as I could get. But that's covered and I don't plan on taking it apart anytime soon after the finish is on.
I do like the 7.25" neck, but it's not easy to play.

Dan

[KRamone27]

Nice tele Dan. I'd love to build a blackguard esquire or a snakehead tele in the near future. I've been doing the research and collecting pdf files of the pickguard and control plate no I just gotta build one. Waiting till tax time so I can get a upcut spiral cutting bit. Tired of fixing and worrying about tear out and for 90 bux it would save me a lot of wood.

[panther]

As far as the capsacitors go, I have several cans of vintage caps, so i gutted out the proper shell, and restuffed them with modern mylar caps. then rewaxwd the ends. You can't tell they aren't vintage, which I really don't think is a good idea to use old stock. they just are too unpredictable as far a value is concerned.
Dan

[dubtrub]

http://www.rhsdesign.com/celebrityrepli ... caCaps.pdf

[panther]

If anyone else decides to build a Black guard tele, don't cut corners with lightweight components. My personal opinion is that is what gave the early tele's the twang and distinct sound was the beefy parts used. Solid wood heavy gauge metal parts.
I don't have a single guitar besides my Mosrite that even comes close to the Black guard sound. I used single coil fender original reproduction P-90 Pups. I paid about $90.00 for the set. They are wound to perform, and they look exactly like the originals. Heavy duty construction.
Dan

[panther]

Check this out.
Both of them...
Dan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... xWq9iWXHE8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxZ77w9bnm8

[panther]

Wow! Dub, That's a great tutorial, I learned the method from working on vintage radios. I wish I had that tutorial 5 years ago.

Dan

[dubtrub]

Danny, please let me know what you think of that book once you've had a chance to look at it.
--Jim

I ordered the book on Monday and received it today via Fed Ex, Not too bad for free shipping. I've only thumbed through it but it appears to be outstanding. I can see why it was so expensive as the photo's and quality are excellent. This book is huge and weighs a ton. It is the best addition to my Fender book library (and I have most all of them) to date.

[dubtrub]

Okay, all you photo geek's, I know this isn't much but it should keep you updated. I have fitted most all the parts and still waiting on the pickups and the milled jack cup (it's coming from England) plus today I'll add the round string guide. Since I had some down time I figured I might as well string it up and play it acoustically, although I'm getting that pretty wood all dirty. Now that I have the book Blackguard, I see there is no way to make a museum quality replica as the body does not have the routers hump and the wire routing holes from the neck pickup are drilled in the wrong place. I could plug and re-drill but there goes the museum quality and still no routers hump. So, I guess I'll go for a reasonable facsimile of an early 50's Tele. Sure wish I'd had the book before ordering the body.

BTW, Kevin, I cannot find any mention whatsoever it the book about the doughnut rout.