GFS (GUITARFETISH) Telecaster style build project Part 1

This is my first attempt at building any guitar. I have wanted a Tele for a few years but was not happy with off the shelf Fender offerings. A buddy built his own beautiful Tele from parts and that inspired me to give it a try. I wanted a unique guitar that would have all the parts I wanted from the outset on it. I decided to use Guitarfetish.com parts as my source. Cost was reasonable and it seemed I could build a guitar to my liking for about the same cost as an off the shelf American Fender. Turns out I was able to do it for less than what a Fender would cost and not a cookie cutter version. Being in Canada, my cost was at least 1/3 more than if I was in the USA due to 26% exchange rates and duties/import taxes. With a few parts sourced in Canada also, total cost came in at $864 Canadian. I found this to be reasonable and I supplied my own retired labour.
I ran into several unexpected issues that caused me to expand my knowledge and increase the experience factor. Guitarfetish descriptions on their site did not mention the parts I ordered were metric, and I found out only after I ordered some pots and input Jack from another supplier (non metric) that they didn't fit on the control panel when I got them. I also found out after I got my body and neck, that these parts were not USA made, but Chinese. the quality of all these parts are surprisingly good.

I also needed to buy some luthier tools to be able to get this assembly and set up done well with a very good result.

This build took place over a 6 week period and video Parts 1-3 show the build clips and part 4 is a small demo of the sound.

A big thanks out to all the other tubers that have posted material on builds and neck checks and dressing options that I was able to use to get me through this project and end up with a guitar I really love!!!

See part 2 here:    • GFS (GUITARFETISH) Telecaster style build ...  
See part 3 here:    • GFS (GUITARFETISH) Telecaster style build ...  
See part 4 here:    • GFS (GUITARFETISH) Telecaster style build ...