So I'm about to put together a telecaster build without a tone pot. My plan was to tack on a 390K or so resistor on the outer lugs of the volume pot to bring it closer to what a normal telecaster sound would be (brightness-wise). Does this sound like a reasonable idea? I'm planning on putting the output jack on the control plate instead of the tone knob.
Edit: if I do go this route, maybe a linear pot is a better idea to keep a somewhat log taper with the added resistor?
So I'm about to put together a telecaster build without a tone pot. My plan was to tack on a 390K or so resistor on the outer lugs of the volume pot to bring it closer to what a normal telecaster sound would be (brightness-wise). Does this sound like a reasonable idea? I'm planning on putting the output jack on the control plate instead of the tone knob.
Edit: if I do go this route, maybe a linear pot is a better idea to keep a somewhat log taper with the added resistor?
Here's my partscaster.. I built it about 6-7 years ago... It plays great and sounds incredible. Fender Mexican neck.. has a decent amount of flame on the back of neck too, Fender tuners, Bone nut, Clear fork Designs body that I sprayed out in satin 2k poly at work, Mojotone wiring/pots setup with 4 way switch selector, Fender Custom Shop Texas specials, Hipshot Stainless no lip bridge with six solid stainless saddles. recessed strap locks. ( note to self... Never forget your strap for a gig.
I also built a kit from guitar fetish a few years ago. I thought it was really worth it for the experience and I keep that guitar in my office now. The one I made was a Strat but they also have a Tele. The tricky parts were carving the headstock (I only had hand tools) and aligning the bridge correctly (I did make a mistake there and the intonation is not correct). I used linseed oil and linseed pigment for a very thin finish (2-3 coats if I remember correctly) and I was quite happy with that. I kept the neck unfinished.
I’ve built two using Warmoth bodies and necks. The Baritone Tele first, then about a year later, the Strat. Both have flamed roasted necks, and swamp ash bodies. (Strat is one piece!) The baritone has a Pau Ferro fretboard and the Strat more flame roasted maple. Both necks are 59 carve. Stainless frets, big ones, on both.
Both also share Hipshot locking tuners, and use Wilde Alnico Microcoils. Both use wireing harnesses that include blend (on the Strat for adding the neck and bridge pick ups into any position where one of them is selected), and series (on the Tele, so you get a more humbucking sound, mainly neck influenced). The Tele has a basic Gotoh bridge, and the Strat has a Wudtone Holy Grail, with a brass block and Highwood Saddles.
Even though I have a large paint booth, and gallons of lacquer, I gave both hand rubbed finishes, which I had never done before, (but will be the only finish I use from now on). The Tele I lightly tinted with a golden amber (I don’t think the color reads as yellow as it looks in the photo), and the Strat I mixed in some oil paints into the oil, building up more color as I went. I think each ended up with about 25 coats, except for the necks, which got 2 very light coats. While the bodies were drying, I had plenty of time to do the fretwork finishing, and tried to match the nicest fretwork I have, which is on a Grosh Electratone. (I don’t know how he makes each little sausage end on every fret so perfect!)
I expected nice, playable guitars, but truly ended up with two of the best playing and sounding (both to my taste…) guitars I’ve had my hands on.
