Wanting to upgrade some bits on my MIJ Tokai Telecaster, wiring/sockets/pickups advice needed please

riffpowers

I've got an MIJ tokai 61 style telecaster on permanent loan.
It's a nice guitar, but there's some things about it that I think could be improved.

Firstly, the jack socket keeps falling out of the body. I gather this is a common thing for teles, but I've never owned one before.
I've seen a screw in type jack socket cup on ebay. is that a good upgrade??

Also, speaking of upgrades I bought a new wiring loom off @shugz for it ages ago but haven't fitted it yet. It has the jack but not the cup socket thing, is it as easy as just getting  a screw in jack socket for this??

I'd imagine the new wiring loom will be an improvement, but I wondered if it would be worth changing the pickups at the same time? Anyone know if stock tokai pickups are any good? I've never had a telecaster before so I've got nothing to compare it with.I'd like to get some more output and crunch out of it, but maybe the new wiring loom will give it some more ommph? Has anyone done this before?? 

Thanks in advance, I'm new to Telecasters!! It's a nice guitar so I think it might be worth spending a bit of time and money on it,
 

mbe

Tokai 80s Breezysound pickups are low output vintage sound, very close to original early 60s specification.

If you do decide to swap them then take very good care of them as they add considerable value in case of selling or returning to owner. Same goes for the jack cup, keep the original if you swap that for the screwed down type. 

It's the mods that are irreversible that lower the value of any guitar.

Funkfingers

Are both the jack socket and the metal strip to which it is fastened dropping out? If so, the metal strip probably needs flattening out and refitting with a specialised tool.

There is probably a method to perform this task using improvised "unofficial" tools. ICBM is probably the man to advise you about this.

Basher

I've got a mid 80s Tokai Tele copy. I think the stock bridge pickup is brilliant - raw, brash yet full. The neck is a bit dull/indistinct (compared  to a strat) but haven't really bothered to look into changing it. If I did, I'd want something strat-like (heresy, I know).
One interesting thing was that it came with a "treble bleed" capacitor installed (not sure if that was stock) and the sound got very thin if you turned down the volume. Ended up snipping it out. 
The only significant "upgrade" I've had done was getting the natural finish resprayed in a solid colour to hide the "butcher's block" multi-part body.

shugz

Good lord, the solder will have evaporated by now....

Best of luck with the project - any issues with the harness the bog off, I'm closed. Just jesting, give me a shout if there's any problems come install time.

Cheers
Hugh

riffpowers

shugz said:

Good lord, the solder will have evaporated by now....

Best of luck with the project - any issues with the harness the bog off, I'm closed. Just jesting, give me a shout if there's any problems come install time.

Cheers
Hugh

I’m sure it’ll all be fine !! 

Fatfred

Best Telecaster pickup IMHO is the Seymour Duncan Broadcaster. Match it with an alnico 2 Strat neck pickup also from S_D.

Definitely fit an electrosocket. The standard telecaster jack socket is terrible.

Fit a wilkinson bridge plate with the compensating brass saddles.

Then play and enjoy...