Strat-style arm contour on a Tele body?

[Mojambo]

I'm thinking of doing this to my Telecaster Deluxe, for playability reasons. I was wondering, what effect would this have on the tone of the guitar?

I'm not really worried about losing any of its "Tele vibe" because the tone is basically 80% Strat anyway.

[Mike9]

I put at least a tummy cut on my Tele bodies and if they are raw I'll put a forearm contour on them as well as a contoured heel. Does it take away from tone? I doubt it, but it sure adds to the comfort of the guitar. So in that respect it inhances tone by virtue of playability. Once that signal comes out of the speaker, loosing 5-6 ounces of wood is pretty much a moot point to my ears.

[Mojambo]

Originally Posted by Mike9

I put at least a tummy cut on my Tele bodies and if they are raw I'll put a forearm contour on them as well as a contoured heel. Does it take away from tone? I doubt it, but it sure adds to the comfort of the guitar. So in that respect it inhances tone by virtue of playability. Once that signal comes out of the speaker, loosing 5-6 ounces of wood is pretty much a moot point to my ears.

How would you go about adding a contoured heel to a guitar with a 3-bolt neck plate? Is it even possible?

[blackburncustom]

Hi,
Yes, it is possible. Use neck bolt ferrules (available at Stew Mac, etc.), discard the neck plate, get yourself some varying length 1/8" neck mounting screws (Grizzly), grind that area down and enjoy! Use a forstner bit to make the holes for the neck ferrules. Works like a charm.
Peace,
Dave

[Mike9]

Yup ferrules rock!!! I use stainless steel screws - use a 5/8" forstner bit if you get the StewMac ferrules. Here's a shot of a Tele I sculpted the heel on.

[Mojambo]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm still not sure if it would be doable on my guitar, as it has a "Mico-Tilt" neck adjustment for the truss rod underneath the neck plate...

[Old Tele man]

...got back (tummy) and front (forearm) cuts on my Warmoth Tele...likey lot!

[GDSblues]

I love the belly cut on my Tele...(made it myself) The cut was easy...trying to put a finish on the bare wood was a real problem for me. Finaly got it right but it did take a few tries... Good luck