Need a bit of help with a Tiesco type guitar

jculpjr · Post by **jculpjr** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 2:09 pm

Found this on CL for $20. It needs some love so I'm looking for a good source for Tiesco style guitar parts.
The nut is shot- 3 of the slots are worn down to the fingerboard. It also needs the round tuning peg guides (whatever those are called). Should I replace all the guides while I'm at it?
The string tree is bent a bit- I can't imagine that would affect the sound quality?

I'm assuming by the bridge setup that no intonation correction can be accomplished on these guitars?

So it needs help, but it's saving grace is the lovely neck it has- fits my hands perfectly so I'm willing to throw a bit more money at the thing.
Any help with parts source appreciated.

cur · Post by **cur** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 2:35 pm

Do you have any guitar shop/luthiers in your area that you get a long with? I know a couple of places around here that will let me dig through their coffee can of stuff to find things like tuning ferrules. They could also cut you a new nut on the spot. Looks like you could modify a Gibson type nut blank to work, but I am not sure on that. ebay is always a good source for bits and parts. But some times they want stupid prices for teisco parts. like the bridge assembly for that guitar can be listed for 10- 50 bucks. I designed an intonating bridge for that type of guitar and will put it to the test soon LINK. I hope I can get it close.

jculpjr · Post by **jculpjr** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 3:33 pm

Thanks Cur- no great relationship. Main guy in town is an asshole. I've tried sourcing on the internet. Thanks for the proper term on tuning ferrules- that's helpful for search.
I understand that getting the E to E measurement correct is the main thing (besides overall height). Cool project btw- I'll keep an eye on progress.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 3:36 pm

first thing I would do is strip it down to its component parts. secondly I'd go to www.eBay.com>list item (x however many parts you have) and make your money back that way.

cur · Post by **cur** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 3:53 pm

go to the classifieds and post in the bits and bobs thread for those ferrules. measure the holes. I am sure someone has some lying around that they would give you. I might. I would have to look. but need the size.

other then that slap a new nut on it and see what she does.

tenderstems · Post by **tenderstems** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:31 pm

You might have better luck searching for Tuner Bushings, which I've seen them more commonly sold under.

This guitar was a steal at $25! Nice find.

Fakir Mustache · Post by **Fakir Mustache** » Sat Jan 04, 2014 11:29 am

The bridge probably has two screws that go into the body. Take them off, you now have a floating bridge, which works and you can move it to get better intonation, maybe.

cooter · Post by **cooter** » Sat Jan 04, 2014 4:13 pm

I just watched a StewMac video tip that said you could build up the nut slots by filling them with a little baking soda then
wet it with some thin super glue. It's supposed to set up as hard as the existing nut and then can be filed to the proper depth.
You might want to try it on a scrap before going for it.
Also, I might have a set of those tuner ferrules. I'll check today and let you know.

jculpjr · Post by **jculpjr** » Sat Jan 04, 2014 4:26 pm

Thanks Cooterfinger- I can paypal you- let me know.

cooter · Post by **cooter** » Sat Jan 04, 2014 8:36 pm

Found 'em. I'm pretty sure these came from a Teisco guitar. PM me your address and I'll stick 'em in the mail
when I go back to work this week.

jculpjr · Post by **jculpjr** » Sat Jan 04, 2014 10:21 pm

Thanks a lot cooterfinger. You are the man. Sent you a pm.

jculpjr · Post by **jculpjr** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 11:14 am

cooterfinger wrote:I just watched a StewMac video tip that said you could build up the nut slots by filling them with a little baking soda then
wet it with some thin super glue. It's supposed to set up as hard as the existing nut and then can be filed to the proper depth.
You might want to try it on a scrap before going for it.
Also, I might have a set of those tuner ferrules. I'll check today and let you know.

So I tried the StewMac method and I must say it seems to work quite well.
I mixed the glue and baking soda together (about 2parts glue to one part soda) prior to applying it to the nut with a toothpick.
As the glue dried, it shrunk and sunk into the slots somewhat on it's own which created some decent natural saddles. I let it cure for three days and then did a test fit.
The action is now too high, so I need to file down the grooves to the proper height. Now I need to figure out what to use to get the different sized slots filed down properly.
I used "Bond 527 Cement" for the glue.

Here's a video with a twist- using bone dust instead of baking soda

[youtube][/youtube]

jculpjr · Post by **jculpjr** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 8:16 pm

Cooterfinger's tuning ferrules came in the mail today. Thanks again CF- very cool of you.

They are a perfect fit and an upgrade from plastic to metal! I think I'll use watered down wood glue to secure them.
I'm replacing them all, but the pic is for comparison.

cur · Post by **cur** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 8:33 pm

jculpjr · Post by **jculpjr** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 9:20 pm

cur wrote:soon

I can see clearly now the rain is gone.

cooter · Post by **cooter** » Sat Jan 11, 2014 1:38 pm

Great. Glad the ferrules worked for you.

mikechickenhead · Post by **mikechickenhead** » Tue Feb 11, 2014 1:47 am

nobody mentioned that he only paid $20 for it
AWESOME DEAL