The Mustang VI still doesn't exist, but that apparently hasn't put me off another project combining the following interests:
- Jazzmaster bodies
- Tele Custom pickup configs
- Telemasters / offset Telecasters
- 70s black-on-black-on-maple aesthetics
- the necks and vibe of 70s Greco Fender copies.
Therefore, a Telemaster Custom as if Greco had made one in the 70s.
Trolling Yahoo auctions in Japan netted a used 2019 Squier JM HH hardtail, and a Greco neck covered in weird gunk for about 1/4 the usual price. There was also a Yamaha Super RnRoller 500 in the box but that's another story.
It turned out I could loosen then chip off the neck gunk with a razor blade, which took a while. It came up pretty well except the area between frets 3 and 4, scraped to wood sometime long ago.
Test fitting - long Gotoh bridge, no thanks:
a cheap classic ashtray style bridge:
always the way to go. Aligned with the string-thru holes it sits forward of the hardtail screw holes but they will cover up easily.
Up against my beloved '83 Squier Tele Custom:
Since I already have a Custom with a humbucker in the neck, a true Telemaster might need a JM neck pickup.
Maybe a black cover tho.
The Squier pickguard isn't quite right, and altho it fits a standard JM one, the bridge pickup hole on those is a lot wider than the Tele bridge plate. Stay tuned, stay classy, but don't hold your breath.
