Grove Guitars tribute build - LowkASAT crate top

BTL · June 19, 2016, 10:16:13 PM

I was introduced to Scott Smail of Grove Guitar by member 2saddleslab (fka ASATman) at TalkBass.

Scott was looking for metal Filter'Tron pickup rings, and I had a set courtesy of 2saddleslab.

I forwarded the rings along, and a few days later I received a call from a man who was looking for a Grove-style crate-top Tele.

After confirming Scott had referred him to me and that I had his blessing, I decided to take on Grove Guitars tribute build.

I had been talking with Dan/Rowka in Jax about a couple of projects that would utilize his new CNC machine, and this is the first one out of the gate.

There is going to be a lot more to talk about, but first up is the "proof of concept" body.

It's a SPF blank with a Douglas fir top...I believe it's body number one to ship from Rowka Guitar Works.

BTL · June 21, 2016, 07:27:08 PM

So, a little more on this build.

The SPF/Fir body was milled to test-fit parts before the final crate-top blank is milled at the Rowka CNC Muzik Faktorie®.

This is a custom order, not a spec build, and the buyer was very specific in that he wanted a US-spec Fender Telecaster in all aspects except the body.

After pricing out pieces and parts and weighing in the hassle factor, I opted to purchase a new American Special Telecaster and resell the body.

The price was very fair after the 15% discount, and the build will include all of the case candy and a Fender gig bag.

That said, I'm pretty sure I've voided the warranty...

Here are the major parts, disassembled and set aside upon receipt:

BTL · June 26, 2016, 08:31:08 AM

This Tele will be modeled after the Winchester Super X crate-top build:

Some of Scott's other "crate-top" builds:

BTL · June 26, 2016, 02:05:00 PM

Quote from: Dan/rowkaThe piecing together of the crate sides to make a top and laying out and aligning for cutting on the CNC is proving quite a challenge.

I've taken a sheet of plexiglass and cut it to the dimensions of my blanks. Then I used a V bit to trace the outline of the body on the plexi. So now I have a transparent layout template that will hopefully make the process easy.

Like this:

In talking with Scott, the layout was what made these projects fun for him.

It looks like he wasn't shy about rearranging the graphic elements to fit the build.

There are clues in his previous builds with these crates:

BTL · June 26, 2016, 07:24:43 PM

Quote from: rowkaYou can see why I spent way too much time agonizing about this and planning the cut/layout process.

Rob · June 27, 2016, 10:58:15 AM

Nice Brad!

Highlander · June 27, 2016, 02:56:46 PM

Fascinating... I like the idea of "embalming fluid" on an old relic...

BTL · August 19, 2016, 07:49:42 PM

Here are a couple of photos of the body fresh off the CNC:

BTL · September 18, 2016, 08:13:58 PM

So, after being sidetracked for a bit and having camera issues, I was able to get some work done today and take a few photos.

Here's the body, finished with shellac:

The back is one piece mahogany:

I converted the factory harness to quick-connect:

And got it all together:

BTL · September 20, 2016, 08:14:28 PM

And she's finished...looks great, plays great, great collaboration.

Rob · September 22, 2016, 07:08:25 PM

Sweet!

BTL · September 22, 2016, 07:41:44 PM

Thanks Rob!

Highlander · September 23, 2016, 02:55:13 PM

Very nice...

BTL · September 25, 2016, 10:26:42 PM

Thanks!

I'm really happy with how it turned out.

BTL · September 28, 2016, 12:01:32 PM

It's always nice to get positive feedback:

Quote from: P.S.Got it! Wow! Looks great. The first time I seen one of Scott's was May of 2013. A customer of his had one on ebay that got away from me. It took me a year to make contact with Scott and confirm he had made it. He was moving at the time and that is when he put me on waiting list. Another year went by and that is when he sent me your way. So, 3yrs. and 4 months later I have one in hand thanks to you Brad. Thanks so much. [...]