Telerauder Project
- Rgand
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Telerauder Project
I mentioned this on the "What's On Your Workbench Right Now" thread before I had really gotten started. Now this is the build thread.
This is a hybrid Marauder with Tele three-barrel bridge, pickups and wiring. I have routed the body except for drilling the connecting holes between the cavities. I've also cut the arm and belly contours. The bridge mounting holes also need to be done. Then, it's a matter of sanding in prep for a finish. This project will take some time as this needs to happen as time is available. It's also my first time building a body from the git-go so I'm thinking things over a lot before taking any steps forward. Well, that's not entirely true. I did build an electric mandolin many years ago when I was young but I only had crude hand tools, no router or anything. This is my first shot at doing one properly.
I also had to build a router table and get a decent 2 hp router for the job. That means I will have to build more guitars to get proper use out of them.
The wood is two piece in fairly lightweight swamp ash. At this time, the body weighs 3 lbs 12 oz. Unless I get a wild hair, it'll be blond or thereabouts.
At first I was only going to route it for two pickups. After the pickup routes were done I decided that someday I might want a middle pickup so I lengthened the neck pickup route to include room for another pickup. It's kind of like a swimming pool route but only for two pickups so I guess it's only a hot tub route. The bridge will have a slightly over-wound Tele pickup and the neck a Humbucker sized P-90, both by Wiggins Brand in ebonized oak. Thanks to Kevin at Faction Guitars for the Marauder pattern set. He also set it up for the Tele bridge and standard pickups.
I repost the concept photo:
As it is right now:
This is a hybrid Marauder with Tele three-barrel bridge, pickups and wiring. I have routed the body except for drilling the connecting holes between the cavities. I've also cut the arm and belly contours. The bridge mounting holes also need to be done. Then, it's a matter of sanding in prep for a finish. This project will take some time as this needs to happen as time is available. It's also my first time building a body from the git-go so I'm thinking things over a lot before taking any steps forward. Well, that's not entirely true. I did build an electric mandolin many years ago when I was young but I only had crude hand tools, no router or anything. This is my first shot at doing one properly.
I also had to build a router table and get a decent 2 hp router for the job. That means I will have to build more guitars to get proper use out of them.
The wood is two piece in fairly lightweight swamp ash. At this time, the body weighs 3 lbs 12 oz. Unless I get a wild hair, it'll be blond or thereabouts.
At first I was only going to route it for two pickups. After the pickup routes were done I decided that someday I might want a middle pickup so I lengthened the neck pickup route to include room for another pickup. It's kind of like a swimming pool route but only for two pickups so I guess it's only a hot tub route. The bridge will have a slightly over-wound Tele pickup and the neck a Humbucker sized P-90, both by Wiggins Brand in ebonized oak. Thanks to Kevin at Faction Guitars for the Marauder pattern set. He also set it up for the Tele bridge and standard pickups.
I repost the concept photo:
As it is right now:
Last edited by Rgand on Wed Nov 15, 2017 8:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
- kdanie
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Re: Telerauder Project
Cool project, building is definitely habit forming.
ken
ken
Life is an adventure, not something to be suffered through. Don't like your life? FIX it!
- Rgand
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- thatfenderguy
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Re: Telerauder Project
That’s pretty cool, man. Pretty reminiscent of the Stingray design.
- Rgand
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Re: Telerauder Project
Thanks, TFG.
I had to go look at one. It is reminiscent of the Stingray. The biggest difference is the control plate. They had all that body real estate but they bunched the controls right up near the bridge pickup. One reason I chose this design is to get them away from the bridge pickup.
I had to go look at one. It is reminiscent of the Stingray. The biggest difference is the control plate. They had all that body real estate but they bunched the controls right up near the bridge pickup. One reason I chose this design is to get them away from the bridge pickup.
- thatfenderguy
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Re: Telerauder Project
I think I like your design over the Stingray. The control plate is more ideal, it shows off more of the body. I would love one just like it.
- Rgand
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Re: Telerauder Project
That's just a Marauder control plate without the rocker switch. Fender had that design right in a lot of respects. I like simpler controls but the original Marauder Type II prototype is a thing of beauty.
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Re: Telerauder Project
Super cool, it reminds me of a Talman except not weird lol.
- Rgand
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Re: Telerauder Project
Thanks, Sir J. Yeah, the Talman does have a few oddities to it.
- chase
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Re: Telerauder Project
I love this. I'd put a JM pup in the neck if it were mine, and probably go with a 6-saddle bridge of some kind, or even a JM trem with a tele bridge plate, but this is very similar to some designs I've been playing with. Can't wait to see how it turns out.
- chase
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Re: Telerauder Project
What's the pickup switch going to do? With a 5-way you could do bridge - series - parallel - series out-of-phase - neck.
- Rgand
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Re: Telerauder Project
Thanks, Chase. Your idea of the 5-way switch is a good one. That wiring didn't occur to me. I originally wanted a 4-way but couldn't find a 4-way Megaswitch and just didn't want to bend the middle contacts up to fit an Oak Grigsby (which I already have) in. I finally decided on a 3-way Schaller Megaswitch and already have one. I will have a push-pull pot on the tone to add another option. Didn't occur to me to go with a 5-way Megaswitch. Duh. Well, I can always re-do it. I'll try it this way first, though. Maybe on the next build I'll make one 1 3/4" thick to simplify things.
- Rgand
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Re: Telerauder Project
I got a bit more done. I first put steel threaded inserts in the neck I have for it. Thanks to the people who started all the threads I read on how to do this, both here and on another forum. I gleaned ideas from all of them. One idea was the block with the holes drilled through it. That aligns the tap so your threads go straight in.
Then I bolted the neck on and set the routing pattern (neck pocket, PU cavities, bridge) to insure the bridge mounting holes are correct for good intonation. It was good so I took the neck off and screwed the routing pattern on again and drilled the two end mounting holes for the bridge so I can next put the bridge on and drill all the holes correctly.
Then I bolted the neck on and set the routing pattern (neck pocket, PU cavities, bridge) to insure the bridge mounting holes are correct for good intonation. It was good so I took the neck off and screwed the routing pattern on again and drilled the two end mounting holes for the bridge so I can next put the bridge on and drill all the holes correctly.
Last edited by Rgand on Wed Nov 15, 2017 8:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Amon 7.L
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Re: Telerauder Project
I like where it's heading and I can't wait to see how it turns out
(am I the only one who can't see the pics? )
(am I the only one who can't see the pics? )
- Snake Hips
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Re: Telerauder Project
Really into this design