Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Tech => Topic started by: Chris1974 on November 14, 2006, 01:34:13 PM

Title: Converting top loader tele to string through----
Post by: Chris1974 on November 14, 2006, 01:34:13 PM

I'm considering buying a secondhand jap telecaster, only snag is that its a top loader not a string though body which I really want, apart from that everything else is spot on with the guitar.

Question :  is it possible to convert a toploading bridge telecaster to a string through type ?  I assume all i need to do is replace the bridge plate with the correct type, drill 6 holes through the body (correctly aligned with bridge plate) and fit some brass ferrules in the back of the body............ or is there more to it ?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Title: Converting top loader tele to string through----
Post by: ToneMonkey on November 14, 2006, 04:25:41 PM

Not killing the finish is a big concern.  Be vary carefull when starting and finishing the holes.

If the guitar is spot on except for the string through, personally I wouldn't do it.  I'd much rather do it on a scr@pper and refinish it.

There's a tutorial over on projectguitar.com about drilling for a string through (they go through from both sides so the holes exactly line up, that way if the bit wanders slightly you can't tell).  I'll try to find it for you.

Title: Converting top loader tele to string through----
Post by: 38thBeatle on November 14, 2006, 07:19:31 PM

A mate of mine did something like that many years back and it worked out fine- it was done by a tech though.

Title: Converting top loader tele to string through----
Post by: ToneMonkey on November 23, 2006, 12:32:12 PM

Found it:

http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=14828&st=0

Title: Converting top loader tele to string through----
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on November 23, 2006, 01:30:11 PM

Some good advice on there Tonemonkey

Title: Converting top loader tele to string through----
Post by: ToneMonkey on November 23, 2006, 02:29:52 PM

Quote from: FELINEGUITARS

Some good advice on there Tonemonkey

Proabably because it's not mine  :roll: