Introducing - the Vinniecaster!

[pbradt]

I've had this project going literally for years. Started life as a MIM Classic '50s and I turned it into an Esquire, and added a black pickguard (don't like white on blond). But the truth was, I did not bond with it as an Esquire and it weighed a ton.

So I got a Guitar Mill 3-lb Mary Kay Ash body. Reduced the guitar weight by 40 percent but as an Esquire, I still didn't really bond with it. I already had a T2 bridge pickup (A Hamel equivalent) and I asked the maker if he would make me a neck pickup but he isn't working right now (pickups are a side-thing for him) and I got tired of waiting so I got a Fred Stuart neck pickup for it.

It is now the guitar I had hoped it would be. It'll never replace Old Yeller but as a second guitar it's as nice as I could ask for. I modeled it after Vince Gill's '53.

http://guitarpete.net/images/vinniecaster.jpg

[gtrwrks]

Cool; I've always dug Vince's old Tele.

[frank62]

Nice Axe Pete. I know it sounds good thru that super.

[OldSchool]

Can't ever go wrong with a blond on blonde. Very nice. http://www.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon14.gif

[bilbal]

Very nice - enjoy!!!

[big mike]

Love it.

[cvansickle]

Now there's a blonde I would like to slide over my lap and spank!


Nicely done.

[jaydawg76]

Thats a great lookin' tele. Those MIM classic necks are very nice.

Who make the T-2 you've got in the bridge?

[pbradt]

Thats a great lookin' tele. Those MIM classic necks are very nice.

Who make the T-2 you've got in the bridge?

First, thanks for your nice words. :)

I'm not at liberty to say who makes T2s at this time, because they're not being made right now and I don't know when the guy will start production again. Pickups are a side biz for him, and his day job and family are demanding enough time that he's just not doing it.

IMO his are as good as Hamels (which are also off the market because Alan disappeared) or Stuarts (http://virtualvintageguitars.com/guitars/stuart/blk_guard_pickups.htm) (which are very much on the market). I have a set of T2s in Ol' Yeller, but I waited eight months for him to start production so I could get a neck pickup for this guitar and I didn't hear about it, so I just got one from Fred.

If you want the best pups on the market for a Tele or a Strat, IMO, Fred Stuart is your guy. That neck pickup he made for me is colossal in its BlackGuard goodness. They're not cheap but if you want the best...

[maellaguitars]

Good pickup choice, nice axe

[Quarter]

Love blonde ash ... sweet stuff :)

[pbradt]

The body it replaced weighed almost as much as the whole guitar does now.

[daddyo]

Nice axe, Pete. I love project Teles.

[big mike]

Of course to be just like vince's it needs a 2tek. :crazyguy


I know your response Pete. LOL

[pbradt]

Of course to be just like vince's it needs a 2tek. :crazyguy


I know your response Pete. LOL

Yeah yeah, everyone ees zee jolly joker!

http://guitarpete.net/images/schultz.jpg

Don't look like a 2Tek to me
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/05vn4OM9oydK8/610x.jpg

[gkoelling]

The body it replaced weighed almost as much as the whole guitar does now.

Very nice, Pete!

A lot of people don't care about the weight but it's important to me. It sounds like a great #2 and would even make a great #1.


Enjoy!

[big mike]

Very nice, Pete!

A lot of people don't care about the weight but it's important to me. It sounds like a great #2 and would even make a great #1.


Enjoy!

Weight was never a big issue to me either, but as I get older, it's huge.
Plus I find particularly with Telecasters, they just seem much more responsive. My RS Esquire is less than 6 lbs, and far and away the best traditional T type I have. But the Fenders and partscasters are fun too.

[pbradt]

Weight is huge for me. Ol' Yeller is 6#, Vinniecaster is 5.8 lbs

[burner]

Sweet!

[5E3]

Great looking Tele. Fun to read the evolution of it. Congrats :AOK