UPDATED ... Advice wanted on a Tele partscaster ... options to mod / upgrade

gavin_axecaster

Looks like an older Mighty Mite neck before they changed to the heart logo.

close2u

I can't quite make out the script / logo.
What does it all say?

gavin_axecaster

Mighty Mite
LIC. BY FENDER
Here's a picture of one I had come into stock a while ago.

close2u

Great info @gavin_axecaster.
Many thanks.
Further ... you say before they changed their logo.
What kind of date range for this?
Any further info?

gavin_axecaster

I've been stocking Mighty Mite since 2010 and I've only had a few odd necks come in with the old logo. Mighty Mite stopped producing 21 fret necks for a while under the idea that "no-one wants them" and only reintroduced them about 18-24months ago, so it's certainly a pre-2010 neck.

close2u

@gavin_axecaster
Many thanks again.
Am I right in assuming these are decent quality necks?
LIC = licensed by Fender?

close2u

My pics of the body & body damage:

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTelebody2.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTelebody4.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTelebody7.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTelepaintworkdamage.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTelepaintworkdamage2.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTelepaintworkdamage4.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTelepaintworkdamage7.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTelecavities3.jpg



So, what to do with all that 'road worn' damage?
Could I lightly sand and blend it in ... leaving it as is but removing the rough, sharp edges?
I don't know that I have the skills / tools etc to get all the paint off then take it from bare wood to something else.
And how to repair the screw hole from the control plate cavity?

close2u

Electrics etc ...

The volume pot is extremely crackly and goes from 0-10 with not much between. The tone pot seemed to have virtually no effect. Both need cleaner as a bare minimum.
Are these pups / electrics obviously Squier or something else?
That is a ground wire isn't it, that fastens to the bridge plate?

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTelecavities4.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTelecavities5.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTelehardware3.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTelecavities6.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTeleelectrics.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTeleelectrics2.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTeleelectrics4.jpg

close2u

The mis-matched tuners ... I definitely do not want to keep it like this.
The 'top e' peg has been screwed in so there is one extra hole there now.
The others have two holes for the 'press in' fasteners.

Options?

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTelehardware7.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTelehardware2.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTeleneck2.jpg

close2u

The neck pocket ... looks like 04 at the end ... 2004?

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTelecavities.jpg

TTony

I'd be tempted to leave the body more-or-less as is, and have a naturally-relic'd guitar.

Rather than trying to fix the screw hole for the control plate, just fix the plate on with a bit of gaffa tape (frayed at the ends, naturally).

Stick a really brutal pickup in the bridge position (check Oil City for that) and have a rough, raw, rock machine.

Otherwise, you're going to spend time and effort with tools that you say you don't have, trying to put some lipstick on what will still be a cheapo, bashed-up Squier body.

Tuners probably need replacing, if only so that they "feel" right.

close2u

TTony said:

I'd be tempted to leave the body more-or-less as is, and have a naturally-relic'd guitar.

That did occur to me. And is my likely route. Some of the edges are proud and I imagine could / would quickly rip off though.

TTony said:

Rather than trying to fix the screw hole for the control plate, just fix the plate on with a bit of gaffa tape (frayed at the ends, naturally).

The 2nd screw hole holds the control plate firmly in place. The screw where there is no hole was jabbed in at a weid angle and may not go back. Could I wood glue some additional material to create a pathway?

TTony said:

Stick a really brutal pickup in the bridge position (check Oil City for that) and have a rough, raw, rock machine.

I'll try the originals and see how they go. But some modestly priced 2nd hand / used pups might be a good way to make it better. Giggable even.

TTony said:

Otherwise, you're going to spend time and effort with tools that you say you don't have, trying to put some lipstick on what will still be a cheapo, bashed-up Squier body.

I have a soldering iiron and some screw drivers. That's about all. And so yes, you're probably right.
If I can't get this how I want it ... would there be any value in selling it as parts?

TTony said:

Tuners probably need replacing, if only so that they "feel" right.

Yes, they are a mess, mixed up like that. I could not live with that. In classifieds, to which you replied, those would need new holes right? Are there any tuners that would fit the holes I have? Although I would still need new holes for the top e string tuner.

TTony

close2u said:

The 2nd screw hole holds the control plate firmly in place. The screw where there is no hole was jabbed in at a weid angle and may not go back. Could I wood glue some additional material to create a pathway?

I have a soldering iiron and some screw drivers. That's about all. And so yes, you're probably right.
If I can't get this how I want it ... would there be any value in selling it as parts?


Are there any tuners that would fit the holes I have? Although I would still need new holes for the top e string tuner.

Wood glue - yes - although really you should probably clean-up the inside of the cavity so you can match the glued-in piece to the inside of the cavity cleanly, otherwise the screw will just pull/fall out again.  Personally, I'd just add to the rough & relic'd appearance with a bit of tape over the top and save the hassle!

Value as parts ... the neck is probably the nicest part.  Personally, I wouldn't pay much for a beat-up body and a bunch of Squier grade hardware.  Stick at it, put it together, upgrade/replace the bits that you don't like, and build yourself a "don't care if it gets bashed" back-up Tele!

I thought I had a set of push-in tuners that ought to fit, but I couldn't find them just now when I went to look (mainly because I was going to buy the Govers and the Gotohs).  They must be around here somewhere ...

close2u

@TTony
you have pm coming

close2u

Measurements etc

Pickguard - 8 hole:

I am definitely looking to buy a pickguard - the existing one is some awful reflective thing that is cracked and knackered.  Will any 8-hole single coil pickguard fit?

Tuning peg diameter 10mm

I am definitely changing these - I can't live with a mixed set.


Body thickness 1 & 3/4 inch:

I guess / hope this gives good options should I look  to upgrade pups / electrics.
(metric / imperial confusion still in evidence eh!!)

gavin_axecaster

close2u said:

@gavin_axecaster
Many thanks again.
Am I right in assuming these are decent quality necks?
Great necks for the price. Mighty Mite retooled the factory about a year or so ago so the tuner holes are now a consistent 3/8" instead of varying up to 11mm. Fretwork is good - as with any aftermarket neck a level/crown will improve it but the fret ends are already dressed.
LIC = licensed by Fender?
Yes

IanSavage

I'd be tempted to 'Joe Strummer' that motherfucker; but yeah, you'll be wanting a new set of tuners.

close2u

Will these fit my holes?
Do the 'proud parts' have a universal size & pattern?
Or do I need to measure up?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171528137974?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee238/chaucer73/Squire Tele Black/BlackTeleneck2.jpg

close2u

& if they do fit how do I create the holes for the top e string tuner ... the only one without dual holes?

close2u

never mind - they sold