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I don't know why, but something about Frisell's snakehead CC telecaster really appealed to me. A CC neck pickup on a solid body with some flatwounds. Something about it.
I did my research and decided to build my own. I couldn't get a padouk neck like Mr. F did, but I feel I lucked out with roasted maple. Mine is a standard Fender scale but with a 59 Les Paul profile, 12" radius, and 1 3/4" nut, since I'm into wider spacing. The neck came from Musikraft and the body came from Guitar Mill. When it came to pickups, Lollar, Vintage Vibe, and TK Smith were the three choices. Based on word of mouth and strong recommendations from guys like Tavo Vega, Tommy Harkenriker, and Tim Lerch, I decided to go with the TK Smith version. I had the body rout done by a local tech, but the rest was my own doing.
Here's a quick recording with the new guitar. The amp is a Vintage 47 Tonemaster.
Last edited by omphalopsychos; 09-09-2017 at 12:24 PM.
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09-09-2017 01:13 AM
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That's a sweet sounding guitar! And the perfect song; well executed. My hat's off to you. I swear I can "hear" the thicker, hard roasted maple neck with its beautiful overtones. I can almost feel the neck vibration in my hands and I'm not even playing it! Thanks for the feedback and video.
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Sounds great. T.K. Smith is a remarkable guy. He was a machinist who happened to be one of the best rockabilly guitarists that I've ever heard. He was using his own hand made pickups for decades before he started selling anything and he got one of the best and most unique tones ever with them. It's great to see him making some of his creations for sale. They really donn't sound quite like anything else.
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That sounds so good!
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Oh mercy!
Damn, such a fine guitar and exquisite playing. I'm thinking a glass of Cotes de Rhone, baguette, lightly salted butter and vintage matured chedder.
Lip smackingly tay-steeeee.
Yum.
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cool!! came out great..so many directions you can go with rig like that (tk pup tele thu v47)...
can go from ted greene/lenny breau harmonic lushness thru jimmy wyble and even straight to junior barnard western swing!
good job...enjoy
cheers
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That's so right. I have a more "modern" setup too (Fenders and Henriksen), but frankly I'm finding CCs and p90s through an octal tube amp is where it's at, regardless of the era of jazz I'm playing.
Originally Posted by neatomic
Thanks everyone for the compliments. Your feedback made my morning.
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Man, that is some sweet tone and nice playing! Congratulations on your new axe, and play it in good health!
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I love this.
Two of my current obsessions... TK SMITH and VINTAGE 47 AMPS.
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Damned, George, that guitar sounds GOOD! Woo hoo!
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omphalo,
You sound great.
Congratulations on an excellent axe!
The TK Smith p/u is now on my radar, thank you.
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A beauty to look at and listen to, and no doubt a beauty to play as well. Way to go!
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Very nice!!! Gorgeous all around- the tone and your playing!!
Why did you go with pole pieces instead of the bar on the CC?
I have a Cabronita Thinline that currently has T-90s (P90s) in it, but I have always thought CCs (would have to be custom made, probably by Pete Biltoft) would be very nice in this one....
Last edited by ruger9; 09-13-2017 at 05:40 AM.
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I got pole pieces instead of a blade because I was planning to test out different strings and wanted to be sure that I could balance the volume if needed.
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TK makes a pickup that is not on his website called a SUMMERTONE. It is basically his Bigsby style CAR (cast aluminum replica) pickup but without as much aluminum. He made it to fit in a P90 route. They are around $200. They would fit perfectly for your guitar. Originally Posted by ruger9
Baytone pickups in England also make a CC pickup that will fit in a P90 route. I have a white one that I plan on using as a bridge pickup on an upcoming stratocaster build.
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Originally Posted by omphalopsychos
I had the body rout done by a local tech, but the rest was my own doing.
Did you do the finish yourself?
It is lovely
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That thing looks and sounds great--well done. Now I want to build a Snakehead--but don't know that I have your skills! TK's stuff is awesome.
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Originally Posted by stringmaster
me too!
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Unfortunately not: that's a Cabronita, the routs are for Filtertrons. Only Filtetron-sized pickus will fit. Those are T-90s... from TV Jones... Filtertron-sized P90s... Originally Posted by michaelsegui
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D'OH! Brain fart. Originally Posted by ruger9
I knew that.
I would email TK and see what he says.
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Wow, impressive sound, and a piece I know well, beautifully played. What's not to like?
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No, I happened to spot it in Guitar Mill's Showcase and got it on sale over the 4th of July weekend. It was already finished and (tastefully) "relic"-ed. I'm not one for the artificially beaten look (I think Nash, Fender, and MJT really overdo their relics), but some builders do a great job. Daniel Slaman is another builder I consider to be very tasteful when it comes to aging guitar finish. Originally Posted by michaelsegui
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It is really nice. I have never really checked out Guitar Mill. I will now. Originally Posted by omphalopsychos
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Awesome guitar & awesome playing! I'm wondering what video or concert is that photo from? I can't seem to find any video clips of Bill playing that particular tele. Originally Posted by omphalopsychos
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Originally Posted by Dioxic
With Vinicius Cantuaria - Lagrimas Mexicanas. I actually don't like the record much, ironically.
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Raney and Abersold, great interview.
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