A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

$87.03 delivered with NJ tax and use the coupon code FRESHSTART.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/356388701391

Out for delivery today; wish me luck.

I have been considering building an H-H Tele, and have a spare neck and some better parts, and a pair of Gibson 490 R/T pickups.
It kind of fell off the radar, but I saw this posted on another forum.

So, we'll see.
Seems they get some pretty good reviews but with some of the usual budget guitar quality issues, sharp frets etc.
Any and all of which I can resolve if the one I get is good bones.

Looks like it might be a very good partscaster platform. I've done the same with Squier donors before. Donner Donor sounds more fitting.

jtcnj wrote: ↑Sat Jan 18, 2025 10:27 am $87.03 delivered with NJ tax and use the coupon code FRESHSTART.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/356388701391

Out for delivery today; wish me luck.

I have been considering building an H-H Tele, and have a spare neck and some better parts, and a pair of Gibson 490 R/T pickups.
It kind of fell off the radar, but I saw this posted on another forum.

So, we'll see.
Seems they get some pretty good reviews but with some of the usual budget guitar quality issues, sharp frets etc.
Any and all of which I can resolve if the one I get is good bones.

Wow... A guitar, gigbag, cable and a strap for $99 and they're STILL making a profit?

Quality building aside, it still makes my jaw drop. I guess that's why I sometimes don't understand how the world works...

Anyway, HNGD and hope you enjoy it and build a nice one!

Please, don't forget pictures when you do.

Also, a quick review and pics of the guitar as it comes would be nice

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 18, 2025 12:28 pm

Wow... A guitar, gigbag, cable and a strap for $99 and they're STILL making a profit?

Quality building aside, it still makes my jaw drop. I guess that's why I sometimes don't understand how the world works...

...

And that gig bag actually looks pretty nice!!!!

So, I got good bones. The rest is ok except 1 bad tuner the gears jump / slip. Got a $15 partial credit from ebay.
I had some dodgy spares, found 1 that works but is very stiff turning. Better than a broken tuner for now, Musiclily Pro for later.
If I play through the service life of the pots and switch, I'll deal with it then.

The fret work is very good, pretty level and some scratchy but not bad fret ends / bevels. A little file work on the ends and its all good.
I may eventually fret level, because I can. But that is garage work and its too cold, and "ain't nobody got time for that".

The nut was not cut bad, but not great. Playable out of the box, but some file work on the slots and top, and - its all good.

Didn't weigh but guess around 7.5lbs, minimal neck dive - Yeah!!

Shiny sticky poly neck and fretboard- de-glossed with #0 steel wool. Still shiny but smooth, not sticky.
The no longer sticky feel, the profile, and dimensions of this neck feel REALLY good to me. .870" 1st fret, .930" at 12. The 42/ 41.5mm nut widths used to bother me in the past, but has resolved over time.

Cheapy jack found with 2 stripped plate screw holes. Bent the jack tip tighter and repaired the holes with wood shavings and - you guessed it - all good.

Swapped in Gibson 490 R/T I got used a while back, but chipped the treble side of the neck pocket, and.... so what.

Fresh strings, functional check, everything works - Cowabunga!!
Final adjustments and playing this evening.

jtcnj wrote: ↑Wed Jan 22, 2025 9:42 am
So, I got good bones. The rest is ok except 1 bad tuner the gears jump / slip. Got a $15 partial credit from ebay.

The fret work is very good, pretty level and some scratchy but not bad fret ends / bevels. A little file work on the ends and its all good.
I may eventually fret level, because I can. But that is garage work and its too cold, and "ain't nobody got time for that".

Shiny sticky poly neck and fretboard- de-glossed with #0 steel wool. Still shiny but smooth, not sticky.
The no longer sticky feel, the profile, and dimensions of this neck feel REALLY good to me. .870" 1st fret, .930" at 12. The 42/ 41.5mm nut widths used to bother me in the past, but has resolved over time.

So, for now, it seems you'll not gonna use the spare neck you have for this, right? At least not until you give it play time and decide.

Looks nice in the pics. I really like the look with the HBs.

Enjoy it!

Thanks! Yep for now I'll play this neck.
The other neck is on a Squier 40th Anniv. Tele.
Tele I will be putting the stock neck back on and selling in the spring.

I think this is the best cheapy guitar I have ever purchased, even with the defective tuner.