Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Tech => Topic started by: Frank Z on January 18, 2010, 02:19:26 PM
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Hey guys,
Frank here, Ive been lurking in the shadows of these boards for quite a while now, slowly absorbing all valuable information being posted.
I've got a question though. I noticed that Badgermark has this Telecaster with a humbucker bridge (Gotoh?) and I've been thinking of doing the same thing to my standard Telecaster but I'm wondering if the humbucker bridge will fit onto the guitar without having to modify the mountingholes. I know I have to rout out the pickup cavity and that I need to change the pickguard but I'm ok with that. I would just like to modify as little as possible.
Thanks in advance!
Frank
Ps: I'm thinking of buying the Gotoh humbucker Telecaster bridge.
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The bridge should line up fine, you'll just need to route the humbucker hole :)
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Cheers Twinfan,
The routing shouldn't be a problem I just don't want the body to turn into a massive swiss cheese full of holes :mrgreen:.
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Nah, you should be fine. Just to check though, it's a US or Mexican Telecaster isn't it?
The Japanese or Squier ones sometimes have different specs.....
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It's a Mexican.
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You should be fine then! As long as the Gotoh one is for USA (imperial?) specs you'll be fine :)
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Yeah it's imperial sized (2-1/16" according to Warmoth). Also they don't mention changing anything other than the cavity and the pickguard. I tried checking out Fender's drawings and schematics to see if 2-1/16" would fit but they don't mention sizes at all.
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If it says it fits a USA Fender it'll fit yours :)
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Hmm just found a drawing of the Gotoh bridge on Warmoth. Thank god this drawing DOES have measurements on it! I don't get how I could have missed this drawing before. Pretty sure it wasn't there last time I looked haha.
Best thing to do is bringing the caliper out and measure the bridge that's on the guitar now I suppose.
Thanks though!
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just a few measurements to check. firstly the position of the string through holes. vintage tele's have them right near the back edge, modern ones with strat saddles have it a few cm further forward
also the humbucker bridges tend to be a bit wider so you may or may not have to reshape the pickguard slightly
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Hi Wez,
I know I have to modify the pickguard a bit and that's ok. I'm more worried about the string positions though. Like you said there's some difference there and I'm afraid I have one of the modern Tele's ;)
Thanks for the advice though.
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I know I have to modify the pickguard a bit and that's ok. I'm more worried about the string positions though. Like you said there's some difference there and I'm afraid I have one of the modern Tele's ;)
I tried a "modern-style" Gotoh bridge on a Warmoth body (which is drilled for a vintage Tele bridge). The mounting screw holes match up, but the Gotoh string spacing is a little narrower - it's not a huge difference, you can get round it by widening the string holes just a little, on the top of the body only.
I'm not sure about the Mexican Standard, but I suspect it has slightly narrower-than-vintage string spacing anyway. So the Gotoh bridge may match up first time.
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what about the string holes phillyQ?? (i.e, the distance they are from the back of the bridge, not just the spacing between them)
you want it to be a tele with a modern bridge as the gotoh humbucker bridge has the modern strat style saddles and the holes in the right place
but if its a vintage style bridge on your guitar you do have another option. cut down the bridge plate and have a normal ring around the humbucker
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Well what I find confusing about all this is that the Gotoh bridge is a modern one just like the bridge on my standard mex but according to Warmoth it has vintage spec mounting and string through holes.
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i suspect you will need to redrill the mounting holes but thats nothing major.
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what about the string holes phillyQ?? (i.e, the distance they are from the back of the bridge, not just the spacing between them)
AFAIK, the Gotoh modern six-saddle bridge is meant as a direct replacement for a vintage bridge (apart from the slight spacing discrepancy!). So although the string holes are further from the back of the bridge than on the vintage bridge, their position relative to the mounting screws (and to the front edge of the bridge) is the same.
(i.e. the Gotoh bridge plate is longer overall, but the extra length is at the back of the bridge).
I think (but I'm not sure!!) the Mex Standard bridge is also vintage spec mounting, with four screws in front of the string holes.
The one that's definitely non-vintage is the American Standard, which has three screws behind the string holes.
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You can get that bridge in other places than Warmoth, surely? They tend to use the modern spacing on all Tele bodies and therefore their parts.
I'm guessing you're in the US, so have you tried AllParts?
http://www.allparts.com/6-Saddle-Bridge-p/tb-0031-010.htm
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i know when i recently marked out a couple of esquires with the gotoh humbucker bridge there was a discrepancy between my templates (trad tele) and where i thought the gotoh humbucking bridge should be. i do have those bridges here so can do some measuments. gimme a minute
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You can get that bridge in other places than Warmoth, surely? They tend to use the modern spacing on all Tele bodies and therefore their parts.
Nah, they use vintage spacing as standard!!
All my Tele/Strat bodies fit vintage-style Fender bridges.
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ignore me ;) the gotoh humbucker bridge will fit trad tele holes. its about 10mm longer at the back to accomodate the different saddles... so it wont fit the american standard holes
only fitted these things to my builds where the bridge holes are drilled according to my own bridge placement rather than converting a factory tele.
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I'm guessing you're in the US, so have you tried AllParts?
http://www.allparts.com/6-Saddle-Bridge-p/tb-0031-010.htm
Nah I'm from the Netherlands ;) I just order my stuff all around the world.
I did happen to stumble upon that Allparts bridge which seems to be almost similar to the one which is on the guitar now. I can't check out the guitar at the moment since I'm stuck at work. The Allparts bridge is a 2-3/32" bridge and the Gotoh is supposedly a 2-1/16" one. Surely one of these bridges will fit haha.
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I don't want to keep confusing things, but I think that Allparts bridge is the Gotoh bridge (even though they're quoting a 1/32" difference in spacing, it's only approximate).
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Well in that case neither will probably fit without modifying mounting- or stringholes which is something I rather not do. Guess I just need to find me a shop that will give me my money back if it doesn't fit.
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I think the most important thing is the mounting holes.
You're routing the body for a humbucker anyway - so there goes the guitar's value!! - surely if doesn't matter if you need to drill the string holes a little bigger?
(Edit: Why not PM Badgermark? He fitted a Gotoh bridge on a Mex Tele and as far as I know it fitted fine, all he had to do was his drill-bit humbucker routing. I'm not 100% sure, but I think the guitar was a Standard.)
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Well I guess you're right. I don't really care about the value of the guitar. I just want a guitar that is "a little bit special" and one that fits my needs.
Maybe Badgermark notices this thread at some point and if not, I'll indeed try PM-ing him. I'm in no rush. I still need to think of which pickup to fit in there anyways! Although I got me a MQ last week and I really really like it!
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the allparts one is the same gotoh humbucker bridge warmoth sell
having thought about it more and checked the 4 tele bridges i have here i am going to go on a limb and say it will work on a mim - but its always worth checking these things
personally i think the position of the string holes is most crucial as these can only ever be altered slightly. mounting holes dont matter as new ones can be drilled easily and old ones hidden beneath the plate
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Well if it would just be a matter of "rounding off" the edges of the stringholes, it's ok. I don't mind doing that but I really don't want another set of mounting holes even if I do cover it up with the bridge itself. I just hate the idea of having holes in my guitar! :lol:
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Maybe Badgermark notices this thread at some point and if not, I'll indeed try PM-ing him. I'm in no rush. I still need to think of which pickup to fit in there anyways! Although I got me a MQ last week and I really really like it!
Sorry only just saw this thread. Time to chime in.
I have a standard MIM tele with a crudely hacked out humbucker hole and the Gotoh bridge. It lined up without any issues, string through holes are fine and mounting screws were a direct drop in. Someone mentioned string spacing, and I haven't noticed any problems.
There isn't much routing to be done to be honest, the tele pickup is pretty big as it is. I have a holydiver in mine, and it's my number one guitar, so reliable and it rocks like a mofo. I paired it up with a MQ neck at one point, and it sounded pretty nice.
Any more questions feel free to ask or PM. I do love my white tele, i'll never part with it. Not that it's worth much after it's date with my hand drill...
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Talk about spooky!!
I've just been attacking my new Tele with a drill to fit a pickup into the bridge cavity.
I thought it would be a simple swap but. :?
It's a bit grim in there now and the fit is very tight so I'm taking it to Feline ASAP to get the new scratchplate fitted and some dirty looks.
I hate it when a simple job goes tits up... :(
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Haha spooky indeed! It better not become the next flavour of the month else I'll feel less special!
Badgermark, cheers for the info. Think I'm just going to order me a Gotoh bridge and see if it fits then. I'll post my findings on here!
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Talk about spooky!!
I've just been attacking my new Tele with a drill to fit a pickup into the bridge cavity.
I thought it would be a simple swap but. :?
It's a bit grim in there now and the fit is very tight so I'm taking it to Feline ASAP to get the new scratchplate fitted and some dirty looks.
I hate it when a simple job goes tits up... :(
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
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Talk about spooky!!
I've just been attacking my new Tele with a drill to fit a pickup into the bridge cavity.
I thought it would be a simple swap but. :?
It's a bit grim in there now and the fit is very tight so I'm taking it to Feline ASAP to get the new scratchplate fitted and some dirty looks.
I hate it when a simple job goes tits up... :(
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
It's getting alot worse now... I'VE BOUGHT A DREMEL!! :?
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Talk about spooky!!
I've just been attacking my new Tele with a drill to fit a pickup into the bridge cavity.
I thought it would be a simple swap but. :?
It's a bit grim in there now and the fit is very tight so I'm taking it to Feline ASAP to get the new scratchplate fitted and some dirty looks.
I hate it when a simple job goes tits up... :(
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
It's getting alot worse now... I'VE BOUGHT A DREMEL!! :?
Cmon Dave, post pictures of your conquest. It can't be a worse routing job than my tele. Show off the mojo scars.
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It's getting alot worse now... I'VE BOUGHT A DREMEL!! :?
I'd have gone for a proper router... Dremels are utterly wanky.
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It's getting alot worse now... I'VE BOUGHT A DREMEL!! :?
I'd have gone for a proper router... Dremels are utterly wanky.
Blimey, they have an attachment for everything.
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Yeah, and they all break after five minutes. Although Dave may be able to beat that.
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I have a few different Dremels and I find them really useful, but wouldn't use one for routing out pickup cavities.
Good for inlay work if you get a base for them
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yeah, mine does inlay (with the stew-mac base, not the dremel one), drilling trem claw screw holes (with a flexishaft), routing fender nut slots and i have a brush attachment for cleaning hard to reach places.
wouldnt want to do pickup routes with it
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What is the alternative router to a dremel? I've heard they are good for some things but not at all reliable.
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When I finish the Tele modding I'm gonna try a bit of dentistry with the burr attachment!
CASHBACK!
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What is the alternative router to a dremel? I've heard they are good for some things but not at all reliable.
Something like this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-POF-1200-AE-Router/dp/B001E4EJ5S/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&s=diy&qid=1264070855&sr=1-32 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-POF-1200-AE-Router/dp/B001E4EJ5S/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&s=diy&qid=1264070855&sr=1-32)
They're not cheap, I think mine cost about £40 and that was 20 years ago. But it's the best power-tool investment I've ever made. Not that I buy many power-tools!
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Cheers Philly. Not as expensive as I thought it would be.
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Prices have really come down on routers
My big one - the Elu Mof177 - cost me £350 back in 1990
Damn good router though!
The Bosch ones are good too
I use a couple of Bosch POF500s for most of the small work
I also use the DRemel in the Stewmac base unit
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If I may hijack the thread a little but keep to the topic of Tele bridges: a friend of mine has given me a USA Tele six saddle bridge and I was trying to decide whether to use it to replace the vintage style bridge on my MIM Tele. Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions upon the tone advantages/disadvantages? Could I take off just the old saddles and stick the six in their place? That may be a dumb question but I haven't actually opened the pack that it is in yet. It is the intonation issues that I am thinking of resolving you see.
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If I may hijack the thread a little but keep to the topic of Tele bridges: a friend of mine has given me a USA Tele six saddle bridge and I was trying to decide whether to use it to replace the vintage style bridge on my MIM Tele. Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions upon the tone advantages/disadvantages? Could I take off just the old saddles and stick the six in their place? That may be a dumb question but I haven't actually opened the pack that it is in yet. It is the intonation issues that I am thinking of resolving you see.
Is it an Fender American Standard bridge, Steve? If it is, it would be pretty difficult to swap.
The vintage style bridge has four screws in front of the string holes, the American Standard has three screws behind the string holes. The string spacing will be different too.
On the other hand, if it's one of the after-market vintage style bridges with six saddles, it should be a straight swap. They're generally considered to sound worse than the three saddle type, though - too many parts, I guess.
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If you want improved intonation on a vintage Tele bridge, I'd go for a set of compensated saddles. Lots of different types available at various price points! :)
http://www.callahamguitars.com/partstel.htm (http://www.callahamguitars.com/partstel.htm)
http://www.glendaleguitars.com/saddles.htm (http://www.glendaleguitars.com/saddles.htm)
http://www.joebarden.com/main.php?section=Products&pageID=JB%20Bridgeplates%20and%20Saddle%20Kits (http://www.joebarden.com/main.php?section=Products&pageID=JB%20Bridgeplates%20and%20Saddle%20Kits)
http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/allparts-guitar-amp-parts/bridge-parts/saddles-for-tele-c-277_1_25_27.html (http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/allparts-guitar-amp-parts/bridge-parts/saddles-for-tele-c-277_1_25_27.html)
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_saddles/Electric_guitar_saddles/Compensated_Bridge_Saddles_for_Tele.html (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_saddles/Electric_guitar_saddles/Compensated_Bridge_Saddles_for_Tele.html)
http://www.axesrus.com/axeSaddlesh.htm (http://www.axesrus.com/axeSaddlesh.htm)
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you can get fairly basic routers from most DIY shops now for under £40.
They are not great but they will still do a lot better than a dremel for pickup routes... they wont last forever though and for safety's sake i would recommend spending a little more to get a brand name with a better locking mechanism and a softer start-up
dont use the free router bits that can come with them, buy some decent ones. This can be a big extra cost but the tool will be easier, more pleasurable and safer to use ... less messy too as it will make shavings rather than dust
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the tool will be easier, more pleasurable and safer to use ... less messy too
outrageous!
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Thanks Philly.I have just had look at it and it has four screw holes. I can always give it a go and see otherwise I could try the compensated saddles that you have found for me.
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Ok seeing I'm not the kind of guy that asks something and then disappears off the earth :D Here's a small update.
So the Gotoh bridge I ordered finally arrived this week and this weekend I decided to modify the guitar. Tim's still making me a pickup so I have to wait for that to arrive before I can mount the bridge and give it a try. Here's a few pictures of my progress so far.
Here's the original pickup removed and the Gotoh bridge mounted.
(http://www.frazaa.nl/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/img_2.jpg) (http://www.frazaa.nl/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/img_0253.jpg)
This is the cavity modified to fit a humbucker. I also modified the pickguard to fit and in this picture it still has some rough edges but that's been smoothed out now as well.
(http://www.frazaa.nl/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/img_1.jpg) (http://www.frazaa.nl/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/img_0254.jpg)
And this is the cavity again but this time I added a white sealer/primer to protect the wood.
(http://www.frazaa.nl/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/img_3.jpg) (http://www.frazaa.nl/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/img_0257.jpg)
Tim recommended a Holy diver for this guitar so I've ordered a chrome covered one to go with the rest of the chrome hardware. Can't wait for it to arrive. :lol:
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You've done a very nice job there!
You should be proud.
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Yes, very tidy!
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Cheers guys :D
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Copy cat! Though to be fair your routing is a touch neater than mine. You will love the Holydiver in the bridge. It's a phenomenal pickup and very versatile.
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Though to be fair your routing is a touch neater than mine.
I thought of you earlier (your descriptions of your routing kind of match the only routing I've ever done :lol:).
Yep, that's looking like a very good job there Frank.
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Copy cat!
That was exactly what I was thinking when I ordered the pickup haha! I considered a Nailbomb and even a MQ but Tim said that the Holy diver is the most versatile one out of those. ;) I did order a chrome covered one though and not an open white one. Oh and my pickguard is still white!
Cheers for all positive comments guys.
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Pickup arrived today! So I managed to finish the guitar today as well. Just need to set the action to my liking and I need to do the intonation a few times to have it exactly right.
(http://www.frazaa.nl/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/img_0275-150x1501.jpg) (http://www.frazaa.nl/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/img_0275.jpg)
(http://www.frazaa.nl/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/img_0272-150x1501.jpg) (http://www.frazaa.nl/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/img_0272.jpg)
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That looks very, very tasty indeed. Likey very much.
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how did you wire it?
i have done a few single humbucker guitars with this switch i drew (not that i claim ownership, i am sure someone has done it before)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/lewwiring2.jpg)
i am liking it a lot for this kind of thing... chuck in a push/pull with c--ked wah tone preset and its 6 distinct tones from a single humbucker guitar... but still looks and feels simple like an esquire should
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I went with plain normal ground-to-pot and hot-to-switch wiring ;)
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i dont think i could cope with the redundant switch :)
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It's not redundant, it still switches from my neck pickup to my bridge pickup ofcourse. ;)
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doh! i was sure you had esquired it like badgers ;)
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Haha I thought as much :D I decided to keep the neckpickup in for a while. I might still esquire it though and if I do, I'd be very much interested in that schematic of yours ofcourse!
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doh! i was sure you had esquired it like badgers ;)
Wrong again Wesley, I have a tele neck pickup in mine. It's been there for a while although I'm awaiting a Duncan Phat Cat to try in the neck (twas only $15 so thought it would be worth a try).
Looking good though Frank. Get a black guard on there though!
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Looking good though Frank. Get a black guard on there though!
Cheers Mark! I've been thinking of a black guard. Thing is, the wife likes the white one. So I may just secretly put a black one on some day! I bet she wouldn't even notice it.... :lol:
By the way, I assume you hid the neck pickup behind the guard. Did you do any routing to fit it underneath?
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Hmm well I thought I posted a photo of mine in the thread, but I can't see it. Here is my baby anyway in action.
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Hmm that's not the same picture as you posted in the other topic ;)
In the other thread, (other thread) (http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5209.1245) the guitar looks like it has no neck pickup.
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Hmm that's not the same picture as you posted in the other topic ;)
In the other thread, (other thread) (http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5209.1245) the guitar looks like it has no neck pickup.
Oh yeah, it was an 'esquire' for a while, but it's had a neck pickup for ages. It's a lovely versatile guitar.
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Did you hide the pickup underneath the guard or did you just fully remove it? I've seen people hiding it underneath the pickguard and they actually used it as well. I doubt the pickup would sound good though.