Telecaster Tele-MULE Build Project Ep 02 - The Next Project

Welcome to the Next Project, where you'll find me doing things for no good reason, really!
This is the second and last video in this short series, where a cheap ebay telecaster clone is transformed into a guitar pickup test MULE. Say what?
Pickup up where I left off, the to-do list is getting shorter.
I make 3 different control cover, each with unique control setups. Not saying this is necessary, in fact it may just be a waste of time.
In hind sight, a single volume knob is about all I really would need. So, a lot of time was used making stuff for - some reason. No worries, I'll use those extra control plates and dream up other wiring configurations along the way.

Since this is an $80 guitar, it has a collection of parts that don't add up to that value, and some of those parts need a little love.
The neck for instance, while the fingerboard and frets are surprisingly good (for an $80 guitar) the back of the neck is like ripples on a pond when the autumn breeze gently blows ( HAAAHAHHAHA ). I'm no poet.
The back of the neck is a bit wavy, so I clamp it to my bench and make the back radius uniform. Followed all the sanding with a triple application of Tru Oil finish. The neck actually looks pretty good now. I still need to make a new nut for the guitar, but the plasti-nut that came with the guitar will do for now.

Back to the electronics and controls. I wanted the control plates to be Quick-Change, not just hardwired and tethered by soldered connections.
I ended up using Radio Control servo extension wire connectors. The connectors use are 3-wire. I chose to have my main "hot and ground", plus a spare ground lead. I may need it for some experiments in the future.

What else, oh! As I put the guitar back together and strung it up. The high "e" string instantly popped. Hmm!
I checked all the tuners and realized that the string hole in each string post had sharp edges. The sharp edge was literally cutting the wire as the tuner brought the string to pitch. So I used a length of Low "E" ( the heavy wound string ) as a flexible file and pulled it through the tuner string holes until the edges were all rounded. No more string breaks at the tuner!

I did a quick test run, and overall the project is a success. I'm already considering some changes to one (or more) of the control plates, but nothing major. Just some ergonomic adjustments, switch and pot positioning... all good.
Thanks for watching, please be sure to leave a comment, share your wisdom or a joke.
Be safe, take care!
Please be sure to Ring the Bell and Subscribe so you are notified when the Build Video drops, and leave a comment. I greatly appreciate feedback.

I probably should state the obvious, so here it goes. There is no good reason to do any of the things you will witness in this video.

NOTE: This is for entertainment, this is not a training video in any way, unless you are looking for the wrong way to do most things.
Enjoy at your own risk. Cheers!
#guitar mod #telecaster #guitar build #the next project

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