I stalled on the build of my Harley Benton Telecater kit over a year ago due to a combination of not being sure what I really wanted to do with it and health issues, so since buying my Bass (which I traded in my Thinline Telecaster copy for) I decided that it would be a good idea to get it put together.
I’ve decided to give it ‘comfort curves’ and put a bit of a scoop in the neck cutout to give better access to the higher frets.
Today I’ve finished the basic shaping and rough sanded it; this is what it looks like now!
It fits my current body shape quite nicely and feels very comfortable, loads of sanding to do and still the decisions on whether to use the included hardware or upgrade.
I’ve already replaced the tuners and nut but not the electrics - I was thinking on the lines of Irongear pickups (Hot ones) and SwitchCraft bits, but will probably try it as is for now. It’s going to take me a while due to other commitments but it’s definitely on the move!
Nope originally it was going to be a replica of Jimmy Pages Dragon but the graphics would have been too much of a challenge. Now I think it’s either going to be natural (maybe dyed) or a rattle can job with the option of a dip job on top. Not in any rush with the finish, I want to get the hardware sorted out to my satisfaction first.
The health issues, well Fibromyalgia doesn’t go away, you just learn to live with it better.
I wouldn’t take it anywhere, it’s not difficult! There are a few videos on YouTube that show how it’s done, basically you get a container of water big enough to dip your guitar body (or anything else) into and spray from rattle cans the colours you want then swirl it around and dip, take it out and then hang to dry, when dry and you’re happy what it looks like coat it with several coats of clear lacquer. It comes out like this:
Well I never, I didn’t realise how long ago it was! Took me a while to find it.
Anyway, I made my mind up I had to get it finished and so I did!
The finish is a bit unconventional, it’s a translucent coloured wash with a small amount of very fine metal flakes in it and then varnished over with a semi matt acrylic varnish. It has done what I wanted it to, you can see the grain and colours of the wood through the finish, to me it looks organic and more natural than a flat colour.
Apart from a few adjustments it’s ready to go, when it’s done I shall post something that will also feature the Sonicake Matribox sub £100 multi fx that I bought.
Photos:
Thanks Mari, I think that type of finish is a bit like marmite, some love it and some hate it; nice to hear from someone who likes it first
Yes hopefully I shall post something soon, it mostly depends on how the rest of the setup goes and if it needs new pickups or not. The setup isn’t quite right, intonation with the double saddles is a bit of a compromise and I need to get the pickup height right. We’re off away for a couple of days now so it’s going to probably be next week now!
Will follow with interest. Bravo 
originally it was going to be a replica of Jimmy Pages Dragon 
but the graphics would have been too much of a challenge. Now I think it’s either going to be natural (maybe dyed) or a rattle can job with the option of a dip job on top. Not in any rush with the finish, I want to get the hardware sorted out to my satisfaction first.
