My next project: Converting the Tele

[FrankenFretter]

Last year I bought a White Bridge Tele clone, and right from the get-go I've had plans in mind. I really like the guitar, but I want to add some unique character to it. Here's what it looks like now:

And here's what I'd like it to look like when I'm through:

One slight difference, possibly. I may put a GFS Dream 90 in the neck instead of a humbucker, at least to start with. If I like it, I'll probably leave it. If it's kind of...meh...then I'll swap it for one of my many magnet swap recipients. It will also get a 4-way switch for the series/parallel option, a Russian PIO tone cap (.033) and CTS pots. Oh yeah, and the knobs will actually be black, not chrome.

So, what do you think, gang? Thumbs up, or not so much? Most of the parts will be here in about a week or so, and surgery will hopefully start soon after, time allowing. Should be fun!

 

[Eric]

I like everything but the headstock color. Keep us updated on the progress!

 

[t_ross33]

The Dream 90 works great in the neck position

 

[FrankenFretter]

The Dream 90 works great in the neck position

That's good, because that's what I have already. I considered getting a Mean 90, but I already have the Dream from a trade.

I like everything but the headstock color.

Ah, are you one of those "I don't like matching headstocks" people, Eric? Understandable. If I get lazy, I may leave it natural. Hard to say at this point.

 

[Katastrophe]

DO IT! I think the matching headstock on a black tele w/ maple fretboard looks cool!

 

[bcdon]

I would throw in a Seymour Duncan Blackout pup (or two!); then you'll have a really blacked-out tele! :dude

However, I'm with Eric, leave the paint off the headstock.

 

[FrankenFretter]

DO IT! I think the matching headstock on a black tele w/ maple fretboard looks cool!

Thanks, Kat!

I would throw in a Seymour Duncan Blackout pup (or two!); then you'll have a really blacked-out tele!

METAL! Yeah, too much for this guitar. Maybe the next Tele, though!

 

[FrankenFretter]

Update: Just got a text from the future Mrs. FrankenFretter that my parts came today. That would be the pickguard, new control plate and dome knobs, CTS pots, Russian PIO tone cap (got that for free), Graphtec nut and a high quality four-way switch. I already have the Wilkinson bridge with compensated brass saddles. I didn't buy tuners, and I'm not sure if I will or not. If I find that the remaining chrome really bugs me, than I'll look for some black ones, but the Wilkinsons that are on there now are good tuners.

I downloaded the wiring schematic for the four way wiring, but I don't like the way the switch positions are. I'm not sure I'm competent enough to change the schematic, though. I'll probably just learn to live with it.

 

[FrankenFretter]

Well, I started the project today. I figured I'd start by doing the humbucker routing for the Dream 90. I finally tried out my router attachment for my Dremel, and it worked great...for a while. I got about half done, and the bit quit turning. I think the clutch went out. I was not happy, but the future Mrs. FrankenFretter has a Dremel of her own. I politely asked to borrow it (I did play the birthday card, though), and took it upstairs in hope of finishing the job. Turns out that the router attachment doesn't fit her Dremel. Ironic, because the router stuff came with her Dremel when she bought it on Ebay.

Crap.

I also found out that the knobs that I bought don't fit the solid shaft CTS pots I bought at the same time.

Double crap.

This is turning out to be one of those projects that's not going to get done in a weekend. I should have known better. I'll try taking my Dremel back to Sears (it's a Craftsman branded tool) to see if they'll honor the lifetime warranty. I've heard that they're not very good about that anymore, which sucks since at the time I bought the thing it was a big selling point that if anything ever went wrong, I could just take it back and they'd replace it.

 

[player]

taking my Dremel back to Sears (it's a Craftsman branded tool) to see if they'll honor the lifetime warranty. I've heard that they're not very good about that anymore, which sucks since at the time I bought the thing it was a big selling point that if anything ever went wrong, I could just take it back and they'd replace it.

if by any chance you still have the receipt they have to honor it and replace although just this last month had two Craftsman tools bite the dust(what are the odds) and were replaced on the spot. it has to be the Sears store proper Not an outlet which has less chance of even stocking your tool or parts.

 

[FrankenFretter]

if by any chance you still have the receipt they have to honor it and replace although just this last month had two Craftsman tools bite the dust(what are the odds) and were replaced on the spot. it has to be the Sears store proper Not an outlet which has less chance of even stocking your tool or parts.

No chance I still have the receipt; it's been years since I bought it. I'm hoping they'll still honor their end, though.

 

[deeaa]

I like everything but the headstock color. Keep us updated on the progress!

+1 leave the headstock plain is better IMHO too, otherwise go for it!

 

[guitarhack]

Actually I like the headstock in black.

 

[Commodore 64]

Just some random thoughts:

I like the headstock black.

I did the same thing with knobs and solid shaft pots. Had to order knobs with set screws.

I also used a Dremel to make PUP holes for a P-90. It looks fine from 10 feet away (lol).

 

[FrankenFretter]

Just some random thoughts:

I like the headstock black.

I did the same thing with knobs and solid shaft pots. Had to order knobs with set screws.

I also used a Dremel to make PUP holes for a P-90. It looks fine from 10 feet away (lol).

My knobs (two different sets, btw) are set screw...but they don't fit. The guy I bought everything from is sending me new split-shaft pots.

It sucks that the Dremel broke, because it actually was doing a good job. I was pretty impressed.

 

[deeaa]

Most of the time, I like a black headstock just fine. I even made my current build headstock black, it's only on strats and teles that it looks a little weird I guess.
But, it might look just right when done...interested to see pics when it's done for sure!

 

[Jipes]

Looks classy except for the neck pickup cover I would rather put a gold cover it suits better a black body

 

[deeaa]

Ah - there's another interesting / dividing issue...gold hardware. Is it OK to mix and match gold and chrome, or not? Or how about black altogether?

I once actually painted my gold pickups black, dunno how much sense that made...but anyway, I'd go for black open-coils meself.
But, these are all very much taste issues. Whatever it will be, it's gonna look real neat when done. Even the black headstock is growing on me slowly.

 

[Jipes]

You're right would probably be better to avoid mixing the two :AOK All Black is another option specially with the mapple fingerboard

 

[FrankenFretter]

Initially, this will be in the neck position:

If I like it, it will stay there. If not, I have open coil and covered options. I could always buy a black cover for the PAF style pickup. Not sure which way I'll go yet. I also haven't ordered any black tuners yet. I haven't been able to find any black Wilkinsons that are in my price range.

 

[Commodore 64]

If I like it, it will stay there. If not, I have open coil and covered options. I could always buy a black cover for the PAF style pickup. Not sure which way I'll go yet. I also haven't ordered any black tuners yet. I haven't been able to find any black Wilkinsons that are in my price range.

$20 is too much?

 

[FrankenFretter]

$20 is too much?

Thanks for the link, C64! Looks like some good prices. Have you used them before?

 

[Commodore 64]

I used the black, locking tuners for $23. I wouldn't use those again, not because they suck, but because the thumb locking ones are easier to lock (for $10 more).

 

[FrankenFretter]

Just got the neck pickup in the mail. I decided, after much deliberation, to get an Irongear Alchemist 90. I need to rout out the body just a wee bit more for the pickup height tabs, then the soldering and such. Here's a pic of the new pickup:

I'll take some updated pics of the Tele soon. I hope the Alchemist lives up to my expectations!

 

[deeaa]

Hey, what's that in yer avatar? Anything like what I do in the summers like here?

 

[FrankenFretter]

Hey, what's that in yer avatar? Anything like what I do in the summers like here?

Much like that, but with two .45s and a cigar.

 

[deeaa]

Heheh...yeah! I use a .40S&W, 19 rounds to start with makes for just one clip change per course usually. IPSC.

 

[FrankenFretter]

Heheh...yeah! I use a .40S&W, 19 rounds to start with makes for just one clip change per course usually. IPSC.

I've been considering a .40. Need to try one out first, but the company that makes the .45s I'm shooting in the photo makes a .40 for the same price as their .45s (around $180 US). They're a full composite frame, and very comfortable to shoot.

 

[deeaa]

Ah, what, 180??? Did you drop out a zero I paid seventeen hundred for my race gun...next I'm looking to buy an AR-15 variant, maybe in .308 but likely just regular .223, and looking to spend something like 3K on it, if I ever get to it that is...haven't had much time for shooting of late.

 

[FrankenFretter]

The brand is Hi-Point, and they're quite affordable. Not sure if they're available over there, but it might be worth checking on. They're sort of a poor man's Glock. They're not as nice as a Smith and Wesson, or a Sig Sauer, but they're not bad at all. Yeah, one hundred eighty, not eighteen hundred. Half the price of a used Glock 19.