Tele Modding

niaalz · June 2015

Hi guys, this is my first post and I'm sorry if you've covered this many times before.

Just looking for some advice regarding my MIM Tele, It has a great overdriven tone which a lot of people have commented on when they have heard it live, and so I am worried that any mod I make could interfere with that side of it's sound. I was looking at maybe converting to an Esquire because I never use the neck pup but from what I have read/seen that is maybe better for a clean 60's/70's sound, would you say that's true? Would it be better for me to just upgrade the internal components instead of trying anything drastic or should I just leave it alone?

Any advice would be great, Tele's are so versatile and it's hard to know if a mod would be good for the particular style you play and that's what is making me think twice about it all!

Cheers

Sassafras · June 2015

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Richardj · June 2015

^ this. However, if you want a more 'mojo' look a vintage style ashtray bridge fits straight on and you can get a six saddle one with brass saddles which do sound better than the stock MiM ones. The stock pickups are OK, but of course you can get better.

Still come back to 'if it ain't broke...' though.

chrisj1602 · June 2015

If you don't use the neck pickup, do it. The middle position on the switch will be the same as your bridge position is now, then your bridge position on the switch will be the pickup without the tone control and that sounds great. There are other variations too if you Google esquire wiring.

markblack · June 2015

I modded a parts caster tele I had - made it a single pickup - but it didn't do much for me how it sounded before so I had nothing to loose. I went for a single p90 at the neck (I use the neck more - so I didn't do the trad. bridge pickup) It was great fun to do. But I'd say if you are happy with your tele leave it. Get a cheap tele just to mod. Just my thoughts.

niaalz · June 2015

Man that is a sweet looking guitar! Really cool without a switch at all, I may give that a try.

Thanks for your replies guys, a few things to think about now.

markblack · June 2015

@niaalz it was a pain in the arse to get a plate with no switch by the way... in the end http://rockrabbitguitars.com/ made me one. And The Oil City P90 is great value and sounds really good.

paulnb57 · June 2015

here they are £6.25, drill to suit......

http://www.axecaster.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=125

Paul

markblack · June 2015

@paulnb57 - that'll be £18.75 after I mess three of them up trying to drill them

(and mines made of titanium... no I've no idea why either)

paulnb57 · June 2015

I've used a couple and have had no issue drilling them.........

lloyd · June 2015

My mim telecaster I put an ashtray bridge with brass saddles and swapped out the tuners for vintage looking ones. Hasn't made any difference sound wise but looks a lot better IMO.

streethawk · June 2015

Esquires are cool.

I'm building one up soon. (Currently making up some harnesses with a cocked wah position and decided I must have one).

Have an oil city 49'er ready to go.

Body is candy apple tangerine! :-S

As the OP only uses the bridge pickup, it makes sense to have a switching system that works on that position.

Removing the neck pickup reduces magnetic pull on the strings.

It will likely improve your bridge pickup sound but it's still a change, and it sounds like you might already have exactly what you need!

niaalz · September 2015

Hey guys, Just an update on this project in case you were interested!

I upgraded the wiring/componenets and installed the ashtray bridge with brass saddles, sounds so much better. It added an insane twang which I love so thank you guys for the advice.

As well I freshened it up by adding a black scratchplate and black control plate which looks great on the candy apple red, way better than stock. Honestly I am well chuffed with it, I gigged with it straight away and I'm using it as my main guitar now. Next project it to change the pickups.

Thanks again guys