My first USACG build.. Esquire style..

0 Kudo

Author	Comment
chptunes	My first USACG build.. Esquire style..		Lead	[-]
Posts: 60 Fri, Jan 23, 2009 19:31:20	Tags : None Greetings all.. I haven't posted here in a long while.. but, I've just ordered my first USACG body, and I'll be looking for a little help on neck options.. The body is a T style, made from African Mahogany.. ..it's a typical vintage T, except for the swimming pool route and the Mahogany wood...I'll be using it in the Esquire fashion, with only a Fralin bridge pup. All hardware from Callaham. For the neck, I'll use Mahogany/Pau Ferro.. U-Shape / 1.75" @ nut / .900 thickness ... Here's my dilemma.. scale length and radius.. I've played several Telecasters with 25.5" length, and they always feel too stiff.. I think I want 24.75" or 25", but will some tone be sacrificed?.. ..and concerning radius.. I'm thinking the 7.25"-9.5" compound.. but, I wonder if a compound radius will cause any problems with pickup height, action, etc... ..thanks for your input... Corey
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
Boris Bubbanov		#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 100 Sat, Jan 24, 2009 00:14:55	I just picked up a 4 pound, 14 ounce one piece 'hog T body from Tommy as well. I haven't played 24.75 or 25 inch scale in quite some time. What can I say, the 25.5 scale and a big, boat neck really suit me very well. I'm using a USV neck on my Tele, a full one inch girth and I actually find this neck not that big, not next to a 1 inch Fatback, which I also like. Everything I have is 25.5 and most all of it is big - since I have nothing to compare it to I never sense having to try too hard. Even with many of mine with 11-49s, time will bring familiarity. I had Tommy drop a lefty rout over the righty slant single coil bridge rout. Now I can load it with a lefty bridge and pickup assembly and pick very close to the saddles without plink. While the bass notes stay sharper and crisper.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
lgbclp		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1216 Sat, Jan 24, 2009 00:29:23 Contributing Palladium Member	I can't imagine having a Tele with anything but 25.5" scale. IMO, they're not stiff at all with a set of 9's and a good setup. Shortening the scale length will change the tone a bit, but maybe less so in your case since you're only doing a bridge pickup. I find it has a bigger effect on the sound of the neck pickup. --Garrett--
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
chptunes		#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 61 Sat, Jan 24, 2009 15:34:10	Thanks for the scale input.. Since I'm already deviating from traditional, with mahogany and I'm only using the bridge pup, maybe I should go with feel and choose the 25" scale. I found an old thread where 'nocaster' gave lots of input on compound radius.. ..I think I'll avoid the potential set-up hazards and choose either 7.25 or 9.5... Overall, I hope this guitar will be easily set-up & maintained, have a nice substantial feel, and a fat tone...
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
Schneidas		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 356 Sun, Jan 25, 2009 17:47:30 Silver Member	Be sure to talk to Tommy about the compound radii stuff aswell. I've never built a Tele, but I've had both a 12 - 14" coumpound as well as an 10 - 12" compound radius neck from USACG on my Strats and had no issues whatsoever with both a fixed Callaham and fixed Hipshot bridge (both with 6 individually adjustable saddles though). On the contrary, both worked beautifully and I had a great low action with no issues from both. Regarding the scale: If you feel the 25.5" scale as being to stiff and you still wanna have the 25.5" scale snap in sound, there's no other way than to go down a gauge in strings. The 24.75" will be very loose and I think it will change the sound considerably. The change in sound is not necessarily a bad thing, it depends on what you're shooting for and what flavor (so to speak) you prefer, but it will sound and feel different than a stiff 25.5" scale. I'd suggest the 25" scale as a nice compromise. It's by far my most favorite scale, feels not as stiff as a 25.5" one and doesn't have the loose sound and feel of a 24.75" scale. www.myspace.com/schneidas
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
chptunes		#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 62 Mon, Jan 26, 2009 03:24:18	..the more that I read, here and elsewhere, the more confident I am that I want a straight radius.. all things considered. Now I'm deciding between 7.25 and 9.5.. I have tried both before, and I agree that 7.25 feels great for chords.. but, is it totally inappropriate for high register bends?.. ..players like Brain May [for instance] use 7.25 exclusively, and bend above the 12th fret "like there's no tomorrow".. of course May's 24" scale creates a much looser string tension.. ..since I play mostly rythmn anyway, and many players have great success with leads on their 7.25 necks, I'm thinking 7.25 will be good for me.. ..but, I'm not completely decided yet... I guess I'm thinking 25" for the scale, since it's recommended as a good in-between option.. but, I'm still very open on this matter. In the next couple of weeks, I plan to hit Guitar Center and try out some different things.. perhaps this will help with my remaining options. Corey
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
chptunes		#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 63 Mon, Jan 26, 2009 03:29:43	..but still.. ..I will talk to Tommy about the compound radii option.. he was great to work with on the body that I ordered.. what a super guy...
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
lgbclp		#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1217 Mon, Jan 26, 2009 23:29:39 Contributing Palladium Member	I think 9.5" is a perfect middle ground on radius. It's easier to bend on than 7.25, but it's more comfortable (for me) than 12 or 15. Fret size is also a major factor in the feel of the neck as well, so don't forget about that. --Garrett--
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
chptunes		#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 64 Tue, Jan 27, 2009 01:42:50	..maybe 9.5" radius on a 25" scale would be best on this guitar... If all goes well, I might build a 2nd one next year.. I could make subtle changes if desired.. I will be using 6130 frets for a lot of fretboard feel.. Lower frets seem safer to me.. Keeping the note from going sharp and all..
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
chptunes		#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 65 Tue, Jan 27, 2009 02:30:26	..regarding scale length.. if I go with a conversion length, is the end of the fretboard gonna look squared with sharp edges.. or, will it look smooth on the edges?.. ..I notice on the USACG site, there's a statement that rounded fretboard ends are only available on 25.5 necks.?..
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
lgbclp		#10	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1218 Wed, Jan 28, 2009 01:21:57 Contributing Palladium Member	The 25" conversion neck will have a square fretboard end. Pretty sure I remember Tommy explaining it was to keep the fretboard from coming too close to the neck pickup. I think the 22nd fret ends up slightly closer to the bridge than on a 25.5" scale. I was a little concerned about the look when I ordered mine, but they still look great though. --Garrett--
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
chptunes		#11	[url]	[-]
Posts: 66 Sun, Feb 1, 2009 04:29:19	..my 'hog body is here.. only eight days between order and delivery!.. gettin' ready to slap on some gunstock oil... I'm still reading old posts on scale and radius.. ..I didn't realize that string gauge makes such a huge difference in string tension.. much more impact than scale length, apparently... I guess I'm slowing realizing that a full 25.5" scale would be good, as long as I go with the smaller 10-46 gauge strings.. I am more acquainted with acoustic guitars, and usually use 12 gauge on those... ..also, I'm feeling pretty good about a 9.5" radius now.. .. sounds like the best way to go, for me. ..so, my neck might spec out like this; Mahogany/Pau Ferro 25.5" scale U-Shape .930" thickness 9.5" radius 6130 frets ..maybe...
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
Boris Bubbanov		#12	[url]	[-]
Posts: 105 Sun, Feb 1, 2009 08:13:14	chptunes wrote: ..my 'hog body is here.. only eight days between order and delivery!.. gettin' ready to slap on some gunstock oil... I'm still reading old posts on scale and radius.. ..I didn't realize that string gauge makes such a huge difference in string tension.. much more impact than scale length, apparently... I guess I'm slowing realizing that a full 25.5" scale would be good, as long as I go with the smaller 10-46 gauge strings.. I am more acquainted with acoustic guitars, and usually use 12 gauge on those... ..also, I'm feeling pretty good about a 9.5" radius now.. .. sounds like the best way to go, for me. ..so, my neck might spec out like this; Mahogany/Pau Ferro 25.5" scale U-Shape .930" thickness 9.5" radius 6130 frets ..maybe... Sounds real nice. I like the thickness; I think a little more thickness on a mahogany neck is the way to go. But look at me, 1 inch maple 25.5 on a solid 1 pc mahogany body. Hey, are you skipping the grain filler? I just grain filled my HOG body, and a bunch of other bodies, with a blend of 8 parts Bartley's "Natural" and 1 part Bartley's Light. Not difficult at all, and the colorants in the "Light" (the light is milk chocolate color or a bit darker) will stain/ tone the mahogany and it looks great. This will fill all those pinholes you get with mahogany and IMO it creates a really smooth and pretty clear natural finish look you can shellac, and/ or nitro, or Tung Oil, or wipe on poly, or Tru-Oil as you intend.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
chptunes		#13	[url]	[-]
Posts: 67 Sun, Feb 1, 2009 12:39:58	..thanks for the advice on grain-filler.. I actually don't plan to fill the grain on the body.. but, if the body seems too pourous when it's finished, I will fill the grain of the neck... ..I don't really mind if the body is as smooth as possible.. but, the neck definately needs to have a smooth feel... ..does this sound reasonable to you.. should I reconsider?.. Thanks...
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
Boris Bubbanov		#14	[url]	[-]
Posts: 107 Sun, Feb 1, 2009 21:48:18	chptunes wrote: ..thanks for the advice on grain-filler.. I actually don't plan to fill the grain on the body.. but, if the body seems too pourous when it's finished, I will fill the grain of the neck... ..I don't really mind if the body is as smooth as possible.. but, the neck definately needs to have a smooth feel... ..does this sound reasonable to you.. should I reconsider?.. Thanks... The thing I am finding about mahogany, is even though Tommy has all high end select pieces here, that the physical appearance of the different pieces of mahogany can vary so much. It is quite possible the HOG neck you order will be filled with highlight and bright sheens while the body is not, or vice versa. If the two woods were of almost identical appearance, I would badly want the finish appearance to match. If the physical appearance of the neck and bridge pieces of mahogany are quite different, I suppose it would not matter as much. One of the fun things about nitro is, if you get the finish looking a certain way and you loose you affection for that look, it can all be taken off in minutes with acetone.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
chptunes		#15	[url]	[-]
Posts: 68 Mon, Feb 2, 2009 02:25:49	..good point Boris.. The body is full of natural sheen & luster.. Looks awesome.. I just put some truoil in the pickguard area to check it out.. Verrrry nice... I wonder if I could pay extra to specify a closed-grain neck? As closed as mahogany gets, anyway... I'm really excited about this guitar.. I'd planned to take most of 2009 for this build, but I think I'll try to accelerate my plans...
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
Schneidas		#16	[url]	[-]
Posts: 359 Mon, Feb 2, 2009 08:33:22 Silver Member	Sorry, I might be having a brain fart here, but what the heck is a HOG body and HOG neck? www.myspace.com/schneidas
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
chptunes		#17	[url]	[-]
Posts: 69 Mon, Feb 2, 2009 12:50:39	Ma - hog - any ..haha.. Good question.. Sorry, I thought this was a familiar term here..
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
Schneidas		#18	[url]	[-]
Posts: 360 Mon, Feb 2, 2009 15:12:58 Silver Member	haha, I'm sure it was just me! English is not my native language so every once in a while I get into trouble on these boards. Plus, most folks are a lot more knowledgable than me around here. Alright, now this thread makes sense again!! www.myspace.com/schneidas
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
chptunes		#19	[url]	[-]
Posts: 70 Fri, Feb 20, 2009 21:56:05	..I have a new hurdle with this project.. ..I'm thinking of going with an upside-down headstock, just cause.. ..SRV's upside-down strats looked super sweet, IMO. ..just thought I'd "shake things up" a bit. PROBLEM ..I just received some Callaham hardware, including a pair of string-trees.. so, I compared the tree slots with wound strings.. and the slots are not wide enough to accommodate the bigger strings!.. so, now what?! ..besides going with the standard headstock orientation (so that the plain strings use the trees), does anyone have suggestions?..
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote
Boris Bubbanov		#20	[url]	[-]
Posts: 121 Sat, Feb 21, 2009 17:37:57	I've got a reverse headstock Tele, and yeah, the Callaham vintage tree is not gonna work. I just substituted a Squier type with a cut down spacer underneath, in the usual Vintage Tele location. You will need left hand guitar style tuners, and you may find it takes time to get used to offside tuners. With a big style Strat headstock, that is IMO a real nuisance.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Report Post	Reply Quote

<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

Add Reply

Yuku free message boards

My first USACG build.. Esquire style..

My first USACG build.. Esquire style..

Quick Reply