Non-offset Project: Aluminium Telecaster

[Joe Hackett]

This is the latest project of mine that I have completed. It is an aluminium Telecaster inspired by the 1930s Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union "Silver Arrows" grand prix cars. I made this out of an old battered and bloodied low-end Squier Strat that I use in a band of mine, a GFS Telecaster body; and some scrap aluminium that I had laying around.

Surprisingly, the Strat's bridge and middle pickups are amazing (the neck pickup is awful), and the neck is super comfortable -- but I hate Strat bodies. I had been wanting to replace the body with something else for a while. I finally did, and this is what happened:


















The final product:



















Basically, most of the neck and body has been covered in aluminium, and polished slightly. All of the control plates, pickguard and pickup cover (which holds two single coils to look like a humbucker) were cut and shaped by hand. The neck has been painted to imitate a dull petrified wood which would contain mostly carbon. All of the screws on this guitar are special security screws known as spanner screws, which were used on grand prix cars in the 30s (and later). These screws require a special tool to remove them, which I think is kind of obnoxious and great.

For more photos, and more information about the guitar and the cars it was inspired by, click here.

[clavin]

are you thurston moore?

[Dave]

Woooaaahhhh man that is just groovy in all the right ways, and the screw detail is awesome too.

I'd like to see more of your builds because they seem to fascinate the hell out of me.

What neat ideas... clever little changes that make all the difference.

Do you find the aluminum makes any change in sound, subtle or otherwise?

[1,2,3, Pull Out!]

That is a fucking sexy ass guitar man!!!
That's sooo cool!

[boyecho]

absolutely gorgeous. the red on the back is a great touch.

[Stereordinary]

Wow. That is unbelievably cool looking.

[Joe Hackett]

Thanks!

As for the sound, it's hard to say -- I haven't fully tested it out yet, but it does seem to be a lot brighter than it was with the Strat body. Then again, I use a copper pick, so everything I play sounds kind of bright.

[niksureal]

this is awsome. i dont mean to compare but it has a hint of a manson guitar(which i mean with purely complimentary intentions). i am insanely envious of your ability and courage to work with metal. its rad to be sure. does it weigh a ton now?

[clavin]

this is awsome. i dont mean to compare but it has a hint of a manson guitar(which i mean with purely complimentary intentions). i am insanely envious of your ability and courage to work with metal. its rad to be sure. does it weigh a ton now?

reminds me of something I'd find in John 5's tele collection -- although I guess you could say that about every tele..

[niksureal]

i didnt mean marilyn manson. i meant manson guitars. just to clear that up.

[Joe Hackett]

this is awsome. i dont mean to compare but it has a hint of a manson guitar(which i mean with purely complimentary intentions). i am insanely envious of your ability and courage to work with metal. its rad to be sure. does it weigh a ton now?

Thanks.

It's only a little under 7 pounds. It feels very light when playing it.

[bipedal]

Neat project -- bravo.

I recall Fender ran a limited edition run of aluminum body Strats in the mid-'90's. I remember trying one out and being surprised by the light weight, and it had a nice, bright bite to the tone.

[ohm-men]

Hats off to you Sir, again an amazing and very personal build. The details are just superb!
I love it all the way. You are a true artist imho.

If only Fender......

[null.fuzz]

Cool idea and execution! I like just shoving the two single-coils together! Can you switch the pickups in different combos or are they both always on?

All of the screws on this guitar are special security screws known as spanner screws, which were used on grand prix cars in the 30s (and later). These screws require a special tool to remove them, which I think is kind of obnoxious and great.

The screws look cool - but the first thing I thought was "Don't they use those to assemble the partitions in public restrooms?"

[Joe Hackett]

Thanks all!

Both pickups are on at all times. That was really the only option I used when they were in the Strat. The switch is a kill switch.

The screws tamper proof, so they probably do use them in a lot of public places. Maybe not so much in the US, though? I had a hard time finding a source for these. I am definitely going to use these on a lot of projects in the future -- I really like them. I would probably use smaller ones for a non-GP related guitar, though.