Custom Built American Flag Carved Flames Telecaster
This build was inspired by Buck Owens. It is a modern version of Buck’s Flag Telecaster. See the entire build here.
Evel Knievel probably had some influence here as well.
I spared no expense on this custom build. The body is custom made by Tony DeLacugo. Tony started out by making an Alder ’69 Telecaster body in which he then carves the flames directly into the wood before he does his incredible paint job.
This one is not the standard carved Telecaster bodies that Tony has built in the past. This one has arm and tummy contours as well as some weight relief making it quite unique. Tony actually made this body for himself, but was nice enough to sell it to me.
The Stars and Stripes American flag paint job has a rock hard Polyester clear finish is like polished like glass. The red silver and blue deep candy colors really stand out and look a mile deep. Pictures really do not do this body justice.
The neck is an American SELECT Fender Telecaster Neck has tinted premium Birdseye maple & black Pearloid inlays, Modern “C” Shape, compound Radius 9.5″-14″ with 22 Medium Jumbo Frets and 1.685″ Width at Nut. Nitrocellulose finish with a satin back and gloss headstock. The fretwork and build quality on these necks is quite great. Especially like the satin back. These are some of the best necks Fender produces in my opinion and I have used them on several of my custom projects even though they are quite expensive to purchase.
I used Fender/Schaller locking tuners with pearloid buttons like the Fender Custom Shop uses on some of their builds. The locking tuners have staggered posts.
I used only the best premium parts available for this custom build.
The pickups are “Hayride” pickups hand wound by Don Mare and are quite versatile. Don Mare winds these by hand. He makes some of the best sounding pickups you can buy.
Bridge: 6.4k, staggered A-5 magnets
Neck: 6.6k AlNiCo-5 magnets with the Nickel Silver Cover
Marc Rutters Hot Rodded parts.
- Rutters Bridge extra heavy for sustain and twang
- Angled Selector Switch Control Plate reverse mounted
- 1953 T Knobs which are heavy knurled dome style “old school” Telecaster knobs
- NoCaster Switch Tip just because it looks so cool
I used vintage push back wire like Fender used to use in the “good ole” days. Glendale “Speedking Tonemaster” 250k Volume and Tone pots and an old style paper and oil capacitor. The Glendale pots have the tension eased for very smooth turning pots which have a nice feel and great for volume and tone swells. Fender 3-way switch was used to wire the control plate in reverse. Weighs in about 7 lbs 15 oz.
Electrosocket Anodized Input Jack Cup Plate and Fender branded string ferrules. Chrome pickup ring and Dunlop strap locks round out the parts used.
Also picked up a guitar strap I thought would look good on this guitar. Looks like Planet waves was also highly inspired by Evel.
It is very hard to capture the sparkle metal flake finish in pictures as it looks way better in person. The sparkle has real depth to it.
Sounds great too!
I picked up a great cable to use with this guitar.
15′ Lava American Stadium Cable
The Lava American Stadium™ cable is a special version of our flagship cable the Lava ELC with a red, white and blue outer cloth braid and white heatshrink with the CEO’s signature, a 28-year veteran of the U.S. Army. It completely meets the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Made in USA standard.
This cable is made in tribute to all those who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States, especially those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Like them, this cable is a true patriot. The cable is specifically designed for guitar and instrument applications and is designed to be flexible, rugged and provide superior high definition. 99.99% Pure Oxygen Free Copper (OFC) and superior components are used to make a world-class cable capable of superb performance in all situations. G&H nickel straight and right angle plugs are used and each cable is assembled using silver solder. Like all Lava Cable products it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Features: 15′ American Stadium cable with (1) straight and (1) right angle plug 99.99% Pure Oxygen Free Copper (OFC) Red, white and blue outer cloth braid
Thought I would try these cool neon strings…
DR K3™ NEON™ Hi-Def© RED WHITE & BLUE ELECTRIC
Red White and Blue Coated Electric Guitar Strings on Hexagonal Core.
DR NEONs™ are super bright color coated strings that sound clear, bright and musical. Players love the bright NEON™ colors and their remarkable sound. Super bright in daylight and under stage lighting, DR NEON™ is 100% black light reactive and glow strongly under UV lighting. NEONs are the first coated string to make no apologies. While Neons last as long as a coated string should (three to four times as long as uncoated strings) they sound as good, or better, than uncoated strings.
The other Carved Flame Telecasters I have built.