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ford
11-18-2009, 04:26 PM
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o316/bryanford/filtertron1.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o316/bryanford/filtertron2.jpg

I got this over a week ago, but haven't had time to make a good post. First the specs, which I picked out of course...

Alder thinline body with no f-hole
Olympic white with black pickguard, mediumish relic
TV Jones Powertrons.. volume and tone knob for each pickup
Maple neck and board
1 11/16 nut width
radius=12
.90 at first fret
soft V carve
6125 frets

I obviously wasn't going for a true vintage strat or thinline by any means. Just putting together a guitar that would be right for me and the style I play and write.

Everything about the guitar is really cool. Working with Luis was easy. Talked to him on the phone some and many emails. He made suggestions and also answered all of my questions.

The guitar plays great and unplugged the sound just zings and rings.. very snappy.

The neck feels great, and I was very sure I would like it the way I spec'd it out.

The only thing I don't love about it is my fault. I'm not really bonding with the TV Jones Powertrons in this guitar. Luis had never installed them in a guitar. He made some other suggestions, but I stuck with wanting to try the pickups I had never played before! After the build started he also installed the TV Jones Classics in another guitar. He told me after hearing both, he preferred the classics. In fact I don't think he was thrilled with the tone of the Powertrons, but being hard headed, I still wanted to try them out.

The good news....we are going to try some new pickups in it. Luis suggested the Lollar mini humbuckers after discussing again what I am aiming for. Truthfully, he recommended these in the beginning.

I'm going to send the guitar back and he is going to put in some Lollars. I just have to pay for the new parts and shipping BUT he is going to pay me back for the parts he is taking off it! If it doesn't require a new pickguard, then I'll just be paying the difference for the pickups.

That is really good customer service in my book.

The pics up top were taken by Luis. I'm going to try and take some of my own soon.

Compared to my Fanos and Robin it is a bit rougher, but in the right way and the way I expected a tele to be. It is a raw, rocking guitar. The others are a bit more refined.. especially my Robin Ranger... it is almost to nice and pretty to me sometimes..ha.

rock

bryan

gdcx
11-18-2009, 05:50 PM
Looks great, Bryan.

You may consider the Supertrons too..they should drop right in there.

I am really enjoying them with my TC6.

Greg

john b
11-18-2009, 10:52 PM
Very cool guitar. You'll like the Lollars.

mrbungel
11-18-2009, 11:43 PM
COOLNESS!

todd richman
11-19-2009, 06:14 AM
That looks great. I love a white Tele with black guard and maple neck with lots of wear. Very cool piece.

ford
11-19-2009, 06:28 AM
Looks great, Bryan.

You may consider the Supertrons too..they should drop right in there.

I am really enjoying them with my TC6.

Greg

Another sneaky way to throw your awesome TC6 ownership at me! ;)

ford
11-19-2009, 06:29 AM
Very cool guitar. You'll like the Lollars.

That is what I keep hearing as I keep asking around and listening!

mojocaster.com
11-19-2009, 06:39 AM
I am pumped for you :)

macerson
11-19-2009, 07:06 AM
What didn't you like about the Powertrons in that guitar?

ford
11-19-2009, 07:14 AM
They aren't bad, I just don't love them.. but I really wanted to try them... I guess I am looking for something a bit closer to a true humbucker sound. And these are supposed to be the TV Jones version of it, but still with some of the TVJ twang...

Just not exactly what I'm looking for.... the Lollar minihums have been suggested by a few people now.. and I've heard/played lots of minihumbuckers in guitars.

I still think I would love to have some TV Jones Classics or Supertrons in a guitar someday..

bford

pickaguitar
11-19-2009, 08:01 AM
Nice guitar!

starjag
11-19-2009, 08:35 AM
Looks amazing!

derekd
11-19-2009, 08:58 AM
I didn't know thinlines were available sans F hole. Louis does good work, congrats.

marscottm
11-19-2009, 08:59 AM
TV Classics would be nice, as would Lollar's FIREBIRD pickups - the 2 best humbuckers I've ever heard

Curly
11-19-2009, 09:03 AM
nice ax

personally, I'd go with Classic/ Classic Plus, since it's already set up for 'Trons.

I know for a fact that setup sounds great in both a strat and tele.

Of course, the minis will sound great too.

ford
11-19-2009, 09:19 AM
Lots of good suggestions..

I'm not sure if it is technically a thinline without the f-hole... but it is missing some wood underneath that there top. :D I have to admit I love the pickguard look of thinline teles.