Author Topic: Pimp my tele (Read 5565 times)

badgermark · « **on:** August 18, 2007, 10:49:45 PM »

Howdie, I've gotten the taste for making new topics, so here be another.

Title says it all really, I have a mexi telecaster, and as much as I loves it I want it to be the best it can be. Ignoring the pickups (pretty much decided to whap a piledriver in the bridge) what else can I do to pimp this up?

Already decided to stick a 3-ply black pickguard on it (tis a black body with maple neck), anything boring that can be done to help tone? Like new pots, bridge bits etc.

I'm open to suggestions, and have experience bodging guitars with a soldering iron, so this will be done in-house as it were (on my living room floor to be specific

)

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #1 on:** August 18, 2007, 11:01:20 PM »

BIGSBY

38thBeatle · « **Reply #2 on:** August 19, 2007, 10:13:09 AM »

or....one of those Fishman bridges as fitted, I think, to the Nashville Tele with a blender pot to add or remove from the overall tone. And yes ok, I have to say it....a four way switch.

WezV · « **Reply #3 on:** August 19, 2007, 10:51:23 AM »

Firstly replace the nut. I like bone but graphtech, tusq, delrin are all good alternatives

4-way switch. Mini-humbucker (firebird style not s/c sized) humbucker in the neck with a good proper tele pickup in the bridge.

replace the pots with good quality ones like CTS, change the caps to orange drops or better

Maybe look at getting a compensated 3-saddle bridge for the best tone and intonation. something like this:

http://www.stewmac.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?action=SERVE&G=1&sku=5071&ITEM=catalog/sku.html&CURRENCY=GBP

i might change the string trees for ones with rollers as well

badgermark · « **Reply #4 on:** August 19, 2007, 11:01:23 AM »

Good suggestions, shall be attacking the electrics post haste. I saw the brass saddles before and was wondering if they made much impact. Shall be bought.

As for the minihumbucker, I loves the neck single coil sound, all I want to change is a slight bit of beef in the bridge, without going to h/b territory.

Why a 4 way switch? What use does it have and why is it better than a 3-way? (I personally like the 3 way configuration, you have to convince me)

WezV · « **Reply #5 on:** August 19, 2007, 11:10:25 AM »

well if you like the 3-way the 4-way is the same with one extra option :P

http://www.singlecoil.com/docs/4way.pdf

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Telecaster-4-way-mod-switch-NEW_W0QQitemZ250150994174QQcmdZViewItem

i would also maybe get an earvana nut from feline guitars as your nut upgrade

badgermark · « **Reply #6 on:** August 22, 2007, 01:46:26 PM »

So this bad boy is getting pimped as soon as I get paid, on the shopping list so far iiiiiis:

Black 3 ply scratchplate
Compensated brass bridge dealie
New nut
Pots + capacitor

Gettin' technical, what value of pots do I go for? What is the best material for the nut and what size do i need? And for the bridge, what size should I look for?

Also is there anywhere I can get this lot online? Been looking at axesrus but the site looks cobbled together by a blind infant.

WezV · « **Reply #7 on:** August 22, 2007, 02:24:05 PM »

axesrus is a really poor website but should have most of what you need - but they also have a lot of cheap and nasty stuff.

also check out www.allparts.uk.com

Ted · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2007, 03:23:49 PM »

I use www.specialtyguitars.com They have some online tutorials on pots, electronics, soldering etc... Good exchange rate and nice website.

Axe's-R-us, I get the feeling thats run buy some old codger. Its one of the worst websites I've come across.

WezV · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2007, 03:47:36 PM »

Quote from: Ted

Axe's-R-us, I get the feeling thats run buy some old codger. Its one of the worst websites I've come across.

i will stick up for them on customer service, fast delivery too so if they have what you want its worth trawling through the website

that website you suggested does have a nice selection of good quality stuff at the right price though

badgermark · « **Reply #10 on:** August 22, 2007, 04:04:35 PM »

Thanks dudes. Thinking bout axesrus, prices seem decent and no shipping fees.

How about capacitors though? What value should I be heading for? Thinking of 250k pots too, any one recommend anything else?

WezV · « **Reply #11 on:** August 22, 2007, 04:20:06 PM »

i would get a couple of decent caps of differnt values. 0.022uf is a good place to start but personally i favour a 0.047uf - its apersonal taste thing though. i avoid the ceramic disc and go for orange drop or better. there is a little info on the website about the value to choose
http://www.axesrus.com/CAPS.htm

should be fine with some 250k CTS pots.

they have tusq fender style nuts (the curved ones) which are pretty good

the wilkinson compensated bridges are pretty good for £19, solid brass saddles. its gonna be better intonated than a normal tele but isnt as adjustable as the ones that svivel

badgermark · « **Reply #12 on:** August 22, 2007, 04:23:24 PM »

I think I love you Wez.

Thanks for the help guys, one last question (promise). What is involved in changing a nut? Will it just pop out and I pop in the new one? Or are they better put together than that?

WezV · « **Reply #13 on:** August 22, 2007, 04:29:21 PM »

:oops:

its slightly fiddlier to change the nut on a fender and well worth getting a local tech to do..

My technique is to saw the nut in half along its length with a small saw. then i score the finish around the nut, then simply squeeze it together and it all comes out.

Its easier on guitars that dont have the nut in a slot because a gentle tap normally releases them.

well worth doing though - usually gives an instant tonal improvement

badgermark · « **Reply #14 on:** August 22, 2007, 04:37:30 PM »

I was hoping to bodge this at home. Ah well, the scratchplate and controls are going to be done first, when the strings are off I'll have a poke around the nut.