Author Topic: Pimp my tele (Read 5565 times)

badgermark · « **Reply #15 on:** August 24, 2007, 01:29:16 PM »

Ordered me some CTS pots, an orange drop capacitor(0.047mF) and a new scratchplate.

Just need to decide if I want to replace the pickups, if I do I don't know what BK set to go for. Decisions...

badgermark · « **Reply #16 on:** August 29, 2007, 09:09:28 AM »

That's my order arrived, soldered on the pots and capacitor, sounds so much bigger now. Scratchplate is strange though, no screw holes for the pickup. And I don't have any drills. c--k.

WezV · « **Reply #17 on:** August 29, 2007, 09:51:50 AM »

teles dont normal have pickup screw holes for the neck pickup, its screwed to the body wood. The mexi's are different though

either find a couple of wood screws to screw the pickup directly to the body or find a small drill and drill the scratchplate.

If you go for a traditional tele neck pickup from BKP you probably want to mount it the normal tele way, screwed to the body - so you may be best off doing that for the mexi neck pickup for now

You may need to add something underneath the pickup to get it to the right height. You can buy pickup sponges but really anything thats a bit squashy that you can find will work just as well

ailean · « **Reply #18 on:** August 29, 2007, 09:53:35 AM »

We'll want some pics once this is all done...

badgermark · « **Reply #19 on:** August 29, 2007, 10:03:06 AM »

Yeah I can't wait to show it off. I love my tele, and as soon as I get my student loan in it's getting some piledrivers ;)

Thanks for the advice Wez, the pickup screws have little bits of tubing to hold it in position, and I never knew about the pickups being attached to the body, is it an easy job to retrofit? The plan was to get some drilling done at the weekend.

WezV · « **Reply #20 on:** August 29, 2007, 10:22:57 AM »

they will just need a small pilot hole and possibly different screws that will go in the wood better - but that depends on whats there already, how pointy the end of the screw is. Some people would screw them straight into the wood but you do risk damaging the screws doing that

i would imagine tims tele neck pickups come with the appropriate screws for mounting to the body which is why i would hold off drilling holes in the scratchplate that you might not want when you change to BKP's

badgermark · « **Reply #21 on:** August 29, 2007, 10:27:28 AM »

Though when the BK's come I will still have the original screws, and I assume that the pickup's mounting will fit anyway. Shall get researching and pondering today.

WezV · « **Reply #22 on:** August 29, 2007, 12:10:58 PM »

never assume something will fit - there are lots of different sizes and threads on pickup screws and the best way to be sure is to use the ones that come with the pickups.

worth mentioning to tim how you will mount it so he can supply strat style mounting screws and make sure they fit in the tele pickup screw holes

badgermark · « **Reply #23 on:** August 29, 2007, 12:54:17 PM »

Good idea, though my dad is coming round tomorrow with his drill, just decided to drill the scratchplate.

Oh and the nut looks like a bitch to replace. Properly glued in and not wanting to budge. Want to upgrade it but seems like hassle, and my 'local' guitar shop (run by Bill and Ted. That's their real names...) is miles away now.

While I'm here, and while Wez is watching this thread

I could do with some soldering advice.

Is there an easy way to undo a factory solder easily? Like the back of pots have the earthed wires, is there an easy way to whip that big blob off easily without cooking the pots? And how is that best reversed? Putting the wires back on the pot is a bitch to do as well. Is it easier to strip them back and solder individually?

WezV · « **Reply #24 on:** August 29, 2007, 01:25:59 PM »

A soldering gun will melt it quicker so is less likely to damage the pot. The problem is that you need to get the pot casing hot for a good solder connection. Other than that i would probably cut the wires quite close to the pot - especially if you are dscarding the old pots. trim the wirs back and tin them (apply a good amount of solder)

With your new pots it helps if you scr@pe the back up a bit, especially if they are quite shiny. then tin it with a bit of solder.

It should all connect nicely when the tinned pot meets the tinned wire with a nice amount of heat.

badgermark · « **Reply #25 on:** August 29, 2007, 01:34:06 PM »

Cool. I took melted the solder a bit then yanked the three wires off. Getting it to stick was a pain, but I know for next time about scr@ping the shine and tinning everything. I'm pretty good with a soldering iron, just undoing Fender's work (and Gibson's on my SG) was a bitch.

badgermark · « **Reply #26 on:** August 30, 2007, 09:46:07 PM »

Well someone wanted a photo, so booya, as the kids say these days.

Waiting on the funds for a piledriver set and a new bridge piece. Soon my baby will be complete.

Oh and I drilled the pickguard instead of screwing onto the body, seemed an easier job at the time.

WezV · « **Reply #27 on:** August 30, 2007, 11:09:31 PM »

Quote from: badgermark

seemed an easier job at the time.

always the best way to go!!

badgermark · « **Reply #28 on:** August 31, 2007, 08:32:30 AM »

Quote from: WezV

Quote from: badgermark
seemed an easier job at the time.

always the best way to go!!

Yep, even though a drill bit snapped and the broken, still attached to the drill, end went through my dad's finger. Rather him than me.