Re: How do I shape a kit-guitar headstock into a Tele shape?

On May 2, 8:49 am, Twang <coleman_patr...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On May 1, 4:18 pm, GitFiddler <bik1...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Are there references online as to how to do this? I suspect the best
way is just to take it to a luthier and have him do it on a band saw
or something, but if I can do it at home with a vise, a coping saw and
a lot of sandpaper, I'd be happy. I'm also wondering if there are
downloadable templates so I can trace the Tele shape onto the big-ass
block that's there now. Or do you just put a real Tele over the top of
it and trace it with a pencil? Seems pretty crude -- although I'm sure
this entire post seems pretty noob. LOL. Help me out.

The thing about a coping saw and hard rock maple as they call it.. is

it's hard !
get a good quality blade and be prepared for some effort.
but yes. that's doable.

I've got tracings here from my teles and strats so I draw a line on
the headstock and cut them on the bandsaw.
I've done it with a jig saw! *s*

cutting is the hard part.. but you at least dont have to worry about
cutting to quick by hand. it aint quick!

Thanks, guys. Actually, the guitar came with tuners installed -- it is

a Saga -- in fact, it's the one mentioned in here about 10 days ago
with the Torres pickups, Grovers and Strap-Locks. Not bad for $85
shipped. I have plans to install a G&L fat single-coil in the neck
and
a humbucker in the bridge, so I'll sell the Torres pickups and
essentially pay for the guitar.

you got a deal. that's way the hell under cost.

Sagas paddle in not a perfect line up for tuners as someone said..and
keith is correct.. just make it look close. better to eyeball it and
not have an exact duplicate otherwise you may find it looks odd.

I see where Torres has a deal with Saga to do upgrades with the kits

-- thus the Blues Specials overwound pups. The guitar looks alright.
I
don't know what the body wood is (alder? basswood?), but the neck is
a
mixed bag. The fretwork is pretty good. My worry is that the neck
looks a hair warped. There's a very small amount of relief on the
bass
side but the treble side is straight. The high E string is missing
and
clearly has been for a while; is this enough to torque a neck a
shade?
Will it eventually come back with a fresh E string exerting due
pressure?

I didn't know that, about torres/saga, I'll have to ask.
bodys are all basswood.
necks are hard maple and solid rosewood. both one peice.

it's not unusual for a guitar to have a bit more relief on the bass
side. those strings have a bigger vibrational path.
dont even sweat it.
just set your action as you normally would.
unless it really is screwed up.. bigtime. you will only know by
measurement.

on saga. always loosen truss rod before tightening. that way if it's
settled it wont snap.
(rare.. but worth keeping at bay)

by the way. that's not a bad bridge pup that came with the saga. yes
low output and dubious parts quality. BUT those things sound pretty
damn tele to me.. dont just throw it away.
the neck pup is another story. but then I hate those things to start
with from anyone. *G*

if you don't get your lines cut perfectly. remember that a nice file
will work the maple nicely.
that's the one good thing. the wood hardness. helps keep you from
messing anything up.

I see you need. better string trees. *S* and a black pad for the
neckplate..
just to get the tuning better and class it up a bit with the pad.

sounds like this guy didn't do the work needed on these sagas frets.
here's the deal:
they come with a lot of dirt in the board. I've cleaned them three
times to get it nice.
the frets are always rough.
they often have a high fret or several.. but I've never run into one
cut to low.*good!*
each of these. to truly be pro would need a level crown and polish.
but not much of one.
a spot level often produces a very nice player.

truss rods work nice but don't bully them. they are pretty small. and
can strip if you don't back it off a 1/8th turn before going forward.
the tuners are all shiite.. so you got a good deal there.

anytime you take a screw out of a saga.. put a bit of toothpick and a
tiny dab of elmers in when you replace it.
the basswood is not all that hard..so screw holes will wear out.
better safe than sorry.
esp. endpins, of course!

You've got a real nice guitar with no bragging rights, but it can do
anything you build it to do. so you'll have to settle for
satisfaction.
TWANG

HUGELY helpful and fun to read -- thanks, Twang!

.

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