First Partscaster Build DIY- Guitar Building/ Repair

Hey all, This is my first guitar build, though I built an electric mandolin a few years ago (to only moderate success). I decided to combine all my favorite features from my favorite guitars. For the pickups, I wanted the Gretsch Filtertron sound, so I went with a TV Jones Classic Plus (bridge) and TV Jones Powertron (neck), which i will use a coil-tap option on. The bigsby is a must for me sound-wise too! The neck is vintage 1970s, but i think it was from a Japanese Strat copy. I bought it on ebay. The telecaster deluxe body is from guitarbuild.co.uk, from an ebay auction. The pickguard I ordered from Earl Pilanz, it looks great and is cut to fit tv jones pickups. So, I have high hopes for this fender/gretsch hybrid. I had to plug the neck holes and re-drill as they were off-line. I got a custom bridge from Callaham which works for teles with bigsby, but i had to re-drill holes there too. Drilled holes for the pickguard, strap holders, and bigsby, and everything goes together nicely. Here's a picture: https://www.facebook.com/TiNGband/photos/a.10151020952294374.450915.142929934373/10154030082964374/?type=3&theater But the main question is, what color to paint it? I am thinking of Seafoam green, but not sure yet. Something like this: http://www.coda-music.com/images/P1130257.JPG

Here's an update. I finally finished the build, but not without a fair amount of effort. The neck I had was slightly bowed at the heel, which made it unplayable on the upper frets. i still hope to be able to correct that at some point, but in the meantime I got a different one which is working nicely, the brand is "Ifusion". I had to drill the holes in the heel which fortunately went smoothly.

I installed Schaller F-series locking tuners, they work well but I absolutely hate the two small tabs, which you have to drill holes for.  

Rather than cutting the nut slots, which i don't have the correct tools for, I used a TUSQ nut, which is recommended for Bigsby. 

Though I had painted a matching headstock on the first build (see in the second photo), I haven't done it yet for the second. It looks fine empty, so I will wait. 

The body finish I achieved by using regular interior house paint - layering on, sanding off partially, repeat. Then lacquered over with nitro and let cure for a month. It's a little soft but I don't mind; it's my guitar and I like the look. I won't be selling it....

I added an oryx with a waterslide decal to the pickguard. we'll see if that lasts. What do you think???

One problem that it still have is that the Bigbsy lacks a bit of tension. I have to push it down pretty hard to get any movement at all in the pitch. Does anyone have a solution for that?

Hi, you could use washers under the spring to give more tension to the arm or look for a longer/ stronger spring. I have used these tremolos on some of my guitars and thats what I do to solve the problem.

https://www.bbop.eu/en/shop/gj-guitars-1284

cheers

Hey GJ guitars, thanks for the advice i will try that. Another question, do you use heavier strings when there is a Bigsby there? i find the string tension feels kind of "loose" so i switched to heavier strings on the bass side, though i don't prefer that feeling. I guess it's pretty much a different symptom of the same issue...

I wouldnt use heavier strings just adjust the tension on the tremolo. Maybe a longer/ thicker spring would be the answer

Thanks for that advice, i didn't even know that longer springs were available! i'll try that.