Cabronita Mods - pickups, trems/benders, necks?

stickyfiddle · July 22

Thinking about making some changes to this one. Old-timers will recognise it, I'm sure, and I know a good handful here have played it - it's a custom no-hole thinline in ash, currently with TV Jones Classics (iirc a + in the bridge) and a 25" scale neck.

It's been off my radar for too long so I want to make some changes that'll get it working for me.

First is pickups. I don't want to route anything, so that means I'm looking at options in a tron-sized format. Top of the list is TV T-Armonds, or possibly their P90. If anything I'd like a bit ore chime than the Classics give me, which leans me towards the Dynasonic-alikes.

(EDIT: Actually no, first is pickguard, because the original pale-mint has gone really creamy and I don't like it, so I'll be getting a black one.)

Second is a possible change of bridge. I've been thinking about a Bigsby on this for years but I'm slightly nervous to drill it, for obvious reasons. But I do love a Bigsby and I think it would suit this very well. But I'm also interested in palm benders if I could get one that fits direct to the bridge without drilling. That would also free up the bridge for a Thinline build that's ongoing... Vibramate isn't an easy option here as they only make one model for the Strat hardtail mounting, which is 1) hard to find and 2) fugly. If I liked it then in the long run I'd be happy to do it properly and mod for a @Tuffset bridge but I don't really want to go there without at least checking first...

Lastly is the neck. The choice of scale length felt like a good idea at the time, but now feels like a compromise between the Gibson & Fender standards and means it always feels weird. As I always use 10s on Gibsons and 9s on Fender types this ends up either too stiff with 10s or too floppy with 9s. So I wanna try my existing favourite Tele neck on here and if that works I'll get another one to the same spec.

Any recommendations or thoughts on the above?

Image: https://tfb-user-images.eu-central-1.linodeobjects.com/7affa4ac66137c54a98b78947e3d2a4d2fd4b24dfa3b102276

strtdv · July 22

For the neck, I'd say it all depends on whether you want it to play like a telecaster, or whether you want it to play like a Gretsch that happens to be telecaster shaped.

If the former then go for a standard Tele neck, if the latter go for a short scale (Gretsch are usually 24.6", though 24.75" will be much easier to source and the difference likely imperceptible)

Is the binding cream? From the photos it looks like the current pickguard matches it quite well, I think it looks very smart as is

lovestrat74 · July 22

I've got a few bits that I am thinking of moving on.... I too was going to put a Bigsby on this - a thinline that has been refinished by @ ;;lamf68 I added a Vibramate bridge but never got around to getting a Bigsby...

It has a set of gold Setzers on it currently but I still have the T-Armonds. I am toying with the idea of selling the body too...

WezV · July 22

I'd be tempted by a thick single ply tort guard, or maybe a dull silver backed perspex to lean into the Gretschy vibe.

Try 9.5 strings before ditching the neck

stickyfiddle · July 22

WezV said:

I'd be tempted by a thick single ply tort guard, or maybe a dull silver backed perspex to lean into the Gretschy vibe.

Try 9.5 strings before ditching the neck

Tier was the other option I was thinking about.

I’d love 9.5s but elixir don’t make them

stickyfiddle · July 22

@lovestrat74 i may be interested in the T-Armonds if you sell. Do you know if they’re chrome or nickel?

That Vibramate won't fit as I have a Strat hardtail, which has different holes vs a cut-off Tele. Unless the string-through holes would still work and I could redrill the mounting holes.... Would need to do some maths

TheMarlin · July 22

For the trem, I love a Bigsby.

But, my favourite Tele Bigsby is an odd one. It’s a Bigsby B16. https://www.bigsby.com/products/vibratos/b16/

You need to find someone who offers modded/chopped units, or find someone who is skilled at working a polishing aluminium, and get it cut yourself, but this is the result:

Looks damn cool on a tele.

But maybe (with all the work needed) an impractical solution

stickyfiddle · July 22

TheMarlin said:

...Bigsby B16...

Haha yeah if this had a Tele bridge pickup I'd be very tempted by the full B16 thing. But not gonna happen on this one!

lovestrat74 · July 22

stickyfiddle said:

@lovestrat74 i may be interested in the T-Armonds if you sell. Do you know if they’re chrome or nickel?

That Vibramate won't fit as I have a Strat hardtail, which has different holes vs a cut-off Tele. Unless the string-through holes would still work and I could redrill the mounting holes.... Would need to do some maths

Yes you are correct about the bridge. The existing body mount holes will show as they are behind the string through holes on the stat style bridge. Unless your bridge was installed closer to the neck because you have a 25" scale neck?

Not sure about the chrome vs nickel on the pickups. Is there a way to tell? They both look similar to me until the nickel starts to age.

Dontgiveupyourdayjob · July 22

stickyfiddle said:

WezV said:

I'd be tempted by a thick single ply tort guard, or maybe a dull silver backed perspex to lean into the Gretschy vibe.

Try 9.5 strings before ditching the neck

Tier was the other option I was thinking about.

I’d love 9.5s but elixir don’t make them

Have you tried D'Addario XS coated strings? I use their 9.5 gauge on my 25" guitar and they feel similarly slinky and long lasting as the Elixir 9s I use on my Strat and Tele.

stickyfiddle · July 22

Dontgiveupyourdayjob said:

stickyfiddle said:

WezV said:

I'd be tempted by a thick single ply tort guard, or maybe a dull silver backed perspex to lean into the Gretschy vibe.

Try 9.5 strings before ditching the neck

Tier was the other option I was thinking about.

I’d love 9.5s but elixir don’t make them

Have you tried D'Addario XS coated strings? I use their 9.5 gauge on my 25" guitar and they feel similarly slinky and long lasting as the Elixir 9s I use on my Strat and Tele.

Yeah I didn't like em

stickyfiddle · July 22

lovestrat74 said:

stickyfiddle said:

@lovestrat74 i may be interested in the T-Armonds if you sell. Do you know if they’re chrome or nickel?

That Vibramate won't fit as I have a Strat hardtail, which has different holes vs a cut-off Tele. Unless the string-through holes would still work and I could redrill the mounting holes.... Would need to do some maths

Yes you are correct about the bridge. The existing body mount holes will show as they are behind the string through holes on the stat style bridge. Unless your bridge was installed closer to the neck because you have a 25" scale neck?

Not sure about the chrome vs nickel on the pickups. Is there a way to tell? They both look similar to me until the nickel starts to age.

Lol me neither unless I have the other one next to it to compare.

guitargeek62 · July 22

I'll see if I've got any build pics somewhere Mike, I can't recall off-hand what cavity layout I used on the body but I have a feeling there were some solid sections behind the bridge that could still work and be sturdy enough for mounting a B5 or similar if needed

*edit* 95% sure I'd have used something like this:

Image: https://www.electricherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Fender-Telecaster-Thinline-Bodies-PDF-1000x774.jpg

guitargeek62 · July 22

lovestrat74 said:

Not sure about the chrome vs nickel on the pickups. Is there a way to tell? They both look similar to me until the nickel starts to age.

Chrome has a blue tinge to it under white light, vs. nickel's reddish/warmer hue.

stickyfiddle · July 22

guitargeek62 said:

I'll see if I've got any build pics somewhere Mike, I can't recall off-hand what cavity layout I used on the body but I have a feeling there were some solid sections behind the bridge that could still work and be sturdy enough for mounting a B5 or similar if needed

*edit* 95% sure I'd have used something like this:

Yeah I probably still have pics saved somewhere as well. Either way I’m sure it’ll be fine for a bigsby if I decide to go for it

I should probably try and source the ugly vibramate as a proof of concept first…

TheMarlin · July 22

stickyfiddle said:

TheMarlin said:

...Bigsby B16...

Haha yeah if this had a Tele bridge pickup I'd be very tempted by the full B16 thing. But not gonna happen on this one!

No, you chop the Bigsby to make a much smaller cooler looking unit. See photo.

Teyeplayer · July 22

Just been browsing unusual cabronita pickguards myself. Came across this black anodised engraved one on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1622211846/

stickyfiddle · July 23

TheMarlin said:

stickyfiddle said:

TheMarlin said:

...Bigsby B16...

Haha yeah if this had a Tele bridge pickup I'd be very tempted by the full B16 thing. But not gonna happen on this one!

No, you chop the Bigsby to make a much smaller cooler looking unit. See photo.

Yeah, I get it - just way too complicated without a workshop

I'm ok with a B5 on a Tele anyway

stickyfiddle · July 23

Teyeplayer said:

Just been browsing unusual cabronita pickguards myself. Came across this black anodised engraved one on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1622211846/

Not my vibe but they do look ace. Decoboom has some great ones too

Image: https://decoboom.com/cdn/shop/products/VM_Cab3_1200x.jpg?v=1567463486

Teyeplayer · July 23

stickyfiddle said:

Teyeplayer said:

Just been browsing unusual cabronita pickguards myself. Came across this black anodised engraved one on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1622211846/

Not my vibe but they do look ace. Decoboom has some great ones too

Hadn’t seen those on my googling, thanks for the heads up.

stickyfiddle · July 23

They’re really good! They also have some great look tier which is actually really tempting to try

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Cabronita Mods - pickups, trems/benders, necks?

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