The twenty-dollar, twenty-minute guitar makeover

[djdeacon]

A while back, I was looking for a cheap tele I could drop a p-90 into. About that time, I saw the Tele Custom II on the Squier website. I thought, "it's a Tele, and it's cheap, and it's already got two p-90's in it, but Tele Customs are so ugly...that 30-acre pickguard, and those amp knobs, and..."

Well, I eventually got one, in that antique blonde/sorta TV kinda finish, and started to look at it again, and thought, "wait a minute, this looks more like a fifties guitar than a 70's one. Maybe if I...."

I reasoned that maybe it wasn't the 30-acre pickguard that was so ugly, maybe the problem was the 800 screws that held it in place. I went to the local music emporium, spent four bucks on a card of black pickguard screws, and voila, much cleaner.

I also found cheapo chrome Tele knob knock-offs for eight bucks a pair, bought two pair, and hocus-pocus, no more witch hats!

The difference is night and day. I'll post some pictures tomorrow when the sun's out. I can't get a decent shot with a flash.

[fraser]

ive got some kind of japanese tele copy from the seventies, its a tele custom- could never get into that pickguard either lol- plus mine is really yellow, canary yellow lol. although the finish has sunken into the ash grain, and it should look incredible, it doesnt. guess thats why its been sitting in pieces since i giot it- years ago.
looking forward to seeing what yours looks like now.

[Ripper]

Yeah it sounds good, can't wait to see some pics of it!

[djdeacon]

Well, here it is. Tele looked so good, I brought her to the BBQ. I've included a refresher photo before I started, just in case nobody's seen one.

Truth be told, I was originally willing to spend more money to "vintage up" this guitar. I had originally thought about tinting the neck, but the neck plays so well, why take a chance on gooping it up? I was gonna add some Kluson-style "bean-button" tuners, but you need adapter bushings to make them work with 10mm headstock holes, and the tuners that are on there hold pitch like a bull terrier with a t-bone. I was gonna try to fix the "overly-bright" pickups (a common complaint with these guitars) by swapping out the 500k pots for 300k ones, but I've tried it with a couple of different amps, and overall, I'm happy with the electronics.

Here we go - before, after, and up close:

http://djcdeacon.googlepages.com/telebefore.jpghttp://djcdeacon.googlepages.com/teleafter.jpghttp://djcdeacon.googlepages.com/teleclose.jpg

[greco]

I almost bought the same guitar not long ago. I didn't buy it as I have too many guitars as it is. However, I still think that it is very good value for the cost.


What you have done certainly makes it look much, much better.:bow:

I agree with you about the size of the pick guard....why, why,why ?!?!

What about trying some 0.047 uF caps ...think it might help with the brightness ??...... just a thought

Enjoy

....(I'm still tempted to get one someday...our local store has one in stock....drop in font size is an attempt to discourage Mrs. Greco from reading this...LOL)

Dave

[Ripper]

very nice, the difference is very subtle but effective. Nice job on that.

[djdeacon]

Glad you like it.

She may still get a chrome switch tip for the pick-up selector - with all those screws blacked out, she could use a bit more brightwork. I'd really like a Gretsch one, but those are TEN DOLLARS!! :eek: That increases my customization budget by 50%!!

[greco]

I'd really like a Gretsch one, but those are TEN DOLLARS!!

Dear Santa...I have been a good boy ALL year (cough..cough) and I would like you to bring me.....

[Ripper]

not going for dice huh? :smile:

[greco]

not going for dice huh? :smile:

Are you suggesting that djdeacon resorts to gambling to get the $10.00 ??

(I know, I know)..just tring to think of a smart a$$ response...to better yours:bow:

Dave

[djdeacon]

not going for dice huh? :smile:

Hey, dice are good! My daughter wanted me to get these -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/angeldust03/img721_guitar2.jpg

BTW, Greco, it's a gamble every time I go onstage...

[laristotle]

Nicely done.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w37/laristotle/emots/keith.gif
Chrome tip on the sellector switch would
top that off.

[devnulljp]

Nice job - I like tele customs.
I like the witches hat knobs too though...every strat I've ever had has had em, and my 335 could use em for authenticity sake. They're on the list...

[Ripper]

Hey, dice are good! My daughter wanted me to get these -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/angeldust03/img721_guitar2.jpg

BTW, Greco, it's a gamble every time I go onstage...

Wow, never seen ones with kitties on them before..*grin*

http://www.guitarpartscanada.com/index.php?cPath=51_78&osCsid=dedf0702342f23d51cab8dae2c42b488
Here you go from guitar parts, $1 for a chrome switch knob.

[devnulljp]

http://www.guitarpartscanada.com/index.php?cPath=51_78&osCsid=dedf0702342f23d51cab8dae2c42b488
Here you go from guitar parts, $1 for a chrome switch knob.Yes! Order now in time for next dominion day.