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I got the nut made and got it set up tonight. I need to move my bridge a couple of mm to the bass side because my 1st string is too close to the edge of the fretboard toward the heel. Also, I'm probably going to end up re-working the neck. It feels awfully thick and baseball bat-like. It needs a little work on set up as well, but for my first effort, I'm pretty pleased. I'll give John Mayes a call and see if I can get him help me dial it in. I'll get the electronics in sometime this week, so I may get some sound clips up soon.

Roger,

On the acoustic side of the forum Wudwerker is setting up the 2nd annual St.Louis get together at Hibdons Hardwood. It would be great if you and John Mayes could come. Obviously, you should bring the guitar!! I have John's DVD set and we would love some kind of demonstration. Plus he could sell some DVD's.

By the way it looks great! Did you use the shell casings on the back string hole fills??

Danny

Thanks Danny,

I don't think a trip to St Louis is in my future. I've got a bunch of things going on and just won't be able to get away. I'll be sure to mention it to John when I talk to him though.

I ended up not using the .22 brass. They looked really cool when I mocked it up, but I decided that they didn't fit the theme. I didn't want to emphasize just the "guns" part of the build, but more the military part. I really appreciate you taking care of me the way you did, though. As you can see, the fretboard turned out GREAT! Fretting was a snap because everything was right. The frets hammered in very nicely with no glue needed, and only minimal leveling.

Well, except for the control knobs, I'm done. I went through a design change at the end. I decided that I liked the look better without the pick guard and neck pup, so I'm foregoing those. I figured if that look is good enough for Billy Gibbons, then I can get away with it too . There are plenty of mistakes along the way, but I'm really happy with the overall look. It plays well and sounds good, and weighs in at only 5 lbs, so it's a keeper for sure. Thanks for all the help and encouragement along the way!

Now for the pics






The color in these pics seems to be a bit washed out. The color in the pics above is more like what it looks like in person.

Ha! Ya did it bro! Very awesome - would love to hear a sound clip too if ya get a chance - this thing looks like it just came back from Iraq!

AWESOME ROGER!

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"Talking about music is like dancing over architecture".
See the most insane first guitar build: http://www.virgilguitar.com
http://www.youtube.com/VirgilGuitar

Thanks Virgil. It has a great raw sound, and I love it. I'm really into that 60's r&b sound, and this thing is giving me a sound that I've been looking for. I'll try to get some sound clips up soon. The only issue I'm having is that the pup is REALLY microphonic.

You shoulda heard my old Ovation Viper pups - they were like a Radio Shack Mic from the 70's!

_________________
"Talking about music is like dancing over architecture".
See the most insane first guitar build: http://www.virgilguitar.com
http://www.youtube.com/VirgilGuitar

Very rustic.
Did you decide on knobs?

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

I did. My military friend is getting me a couple of .50 cal shells. I'm hoping to have them in a few weeks.

Roger, that is outstanding! Really nice job. You should be proud.

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Jim Hansen

I would like it better with the pickguard and the front pickup. The front pickup adds versatilty...
Nice job...

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

Thanks Jim. I am pretty stoked.

Steve, versatility isn't a problem for me. I have a strat, an LP, and now a tele. I've got my bases covered thanks.

Looks great, Roger!
Very unique.
What you could do,
is make a small as possible pickguard.
That's what I would do because I play the fb pup mostly,
or combined.
Got anymore ammo tin?
I agree that it does look better without the pickguard.
The routings don't bother me.
Adds to the rusticity.
Once again !

Last night I went to see Conrad Oberg http://www.youtube.com/user/conradoberg#p/a/9C15281AF720CF82/0/o1DMbWf0MrI here in Tampa - he's a 17 year old blind kid who plays amazing guitar & keys. He had a pretty beat up strat (looked like dad maybe ran it under a grinder for a while to make it look aged) I was mesmerized by his playing and started thinking of the strat I own and how it's in mint condition and over 15 years old, then thought that I wish I had just a nasty, beat up one that I could leave outside in the dirt and not worry, then I said to myself that I should really get a tele, since I never owned one before and there has been plenty of tele players through the years that had a tone I enjoyed, but then said I should make one myself, since my guitar buying days are over (since I can make what I want now!) Then I thought about your guitar Roger - you already made it! That will be a great knock around guitar that you get to choke some notes out of, leave on the porch for a day or 2 and may even give you more tone from the experience! If I do make one, I may have to "Outnasty" yours - I may put a sledgehammer to mine LOL!

_________________
"Talking about music is like dancing over architecture".
See the most insane first guitar build: http://www.virgilguitar.com
http://www.youtube.com/VirgilGuitar

Thanks fellas. I really do appreciate the kind words.

Alan, I may put a neck pup in at some point, so if I do, I'll just mount it with a pickup ring made out of the ammo box. That would work well.

Here's the final wrap up video of the mili-tele project. Enjoy

Roger!

I can't tell you how impressed I am with this project.

This might be my favorite 'Theme' guitar build ever!

It's very inspirational!

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Jim Hansen

Awesome Roger!

_________________
"Talking about music is like dancing over architecture".
See the most insane first guitar build: http://www.virgilguitar.com
http://www.youtube.com/VirgilGuitar

Yup,
that's a Tele alright.
Love da tone!

Thanks a lot, Jim! That's very nice of you to say. I think you're just saying it because I went with the dark fret board

Virgil, Thank you brother. Your enthusiasm and encouragement really kept me going.

Thanks, Alan. Even though I was recording with my wife's webcam on her laptop, it did a really good job of reproducing the sound. I can't wait to gig with it!

I got a surprise in the mail today...



Someone on another forum sent me a couple of .50 shells. I'm on my way to the garage right now to start making some knobs

should make for some mean lookin knobs!

Great job Roger! That's the bomb! Well... at least it is some high caliber ammo! Sounds great too.

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

This guitar is going out with a bang.

_________________
"Talking about music is like dancing over architecture".
See the most insane first guitar build: http://www.virgilguitar.com
http://www.youtube.com/VirgilGuitar