Tele project... input needed.

[No Code 5]

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o32/House53/DSC00673.jpg

Alright... I am going to be updated my homebuild tele. An accident caused me to break the volume pot and damage my neck pup... so, I figure that's as good a reason as any for an overhaul.

The goal... a BIGGER sounding tele... one with more power that will be setup for open tuning (probably G) and setup for slide playing, but not cut high at the nut... just higher action than I normally would set.

I am thinking about pups, bridge, and wiring options:

Here is the plan as of right now...

PUPS: Bardens? I have played them in Gatton teles and I think these will get the tone I am after... big and powerful, but still articulate.

Any other ideas here... I don't want to route the tele at all.

Bridge: Compensated brass saddles. Again, thinking the Barden bridge, but I know others who make these. I think the brass will warm things up a bit more.

Wiring: Thinking an RS Kit, I have never heard a guitar sound worse after an install here. Also, a four way switch and a phase switch for the middle position... The goal there is have get that out of phase fendery tone for more options.

Any ideas/suggestions/experiences? Thanks for the info.

NC5

[PeeWee]

An "accident"?? I don't even want to know about it....ouch.

As for pups, I'd see if you could get your hands on a Hamel or new Velvet Hammer bridge pup. They may be hard to find, but they are great Tele pups and are really sought after. The original VHs were designed by the late steel player Red Rhodes and IIRC, his son was responsible for the new versions. Stringpull Guitars in Fairfax, VA was the only place I knew about that had them, but no one's sure if he's even still in business.

Compensated saddles - Vintique's Jay Monterose makes the very saddles that Gatton himself used. A little pricey but quality all the way. Another compensate saddle that I just learned about is on the Destroy All Guitars site from Budz Guitars. These look really well thought out and very functional. With both, you'll be able to use a standard Tele bridge. Also have you thought about using a combination of steel and brass? Works really well for better articulation and creates a more balanced tone.

Wiring - head over to the Clarence White Forum (http://www.bbenderguitars.com/CWforum/forum/index.php?sid=8cd26b69043ee8ed31d838ae26af11a7) and search the Clarence White and Telecaster boards. There are some great wiring ideas taken from Clarence's Tele, including use of a 4 way switch to allow for a 'bucker tone when the pups are wired in series and a mini toggle to throw it into an out of phase mode. These guys are Tele fanatics and are really chocked full of info.

Good luck, my friend!

[No Code 5]

Thanks for the ideas there... I think that is right up my alley. It may be my best option to go with "standard pups" but add the four way switch for the series option and have the phase switch. I am a SC guy at heart.

I will investigate the bridge option.

Accident = soldering iron and inexperience... the good news = no fatalities and no damage to property (other than the components of the guitar)... :D

[cvansickle]

I used the RS Guitarworks Tele kit when I had my ASAT. Not a bad sound to be had with the Duncan pickups I was using (Broadcaster and Vintage). The Hovland .047 cap was great for going from twaaaannnnnggggggggg to smoooooooooooooooth!

[PeeWee]

D -

Check out these saddles - http://www.glendaleguitars.com/saddles.htm

This guy makes killer stuff!! Check out the "Outlaw" set - I think you'll dig these. My repairman/luthier has a set on his Tele and they're fabulous. Phil is a major Tele fanatic and has one of the best Telecasters that I've ever laid hands on. He's also put a left handed bridge plate on his and routed the pup cavity to accomodate the reverse angle. Don't think it makes a difference? Ya gotta hear it to believe it. His is hands down one of the best playing and sounding Teles I've ever heard!

~ M

[No Code 5]

thanks PeeWee... I know all about the reverse angled bridge pup... the Linhof uses that setup and it sounds great.

[PeeWee]

... I know all about the reverse angled bridge pup... the Linhof uses that setup and it sounds great.

Ah-so! I see that now in your avatar. D'oh!

[No Code 5]

Ah-so! I see that now in your avatar. D'oh!

no problem... it's a good idea and it really works well in that guitar...

Now, how do I turn my tele into a P-90 les paul? That's the real question.

[JKoeth]

I have the Alan Hamel Broadcaster pickups and they are my faves by far. Unfortunately, he has had very poor buisness practices. Better alternatives would be the Fred Stuarts or Jason Lollars (GVCGs).

As far as the bridge and saddles, I believe there is none better than Glendale. I have his the Broadcaster Bridge and Brass Saddles and love them.

I also wouldn't buy the Vintiques (his buisness practices are some of the worst I've heard).