Bad sounding guitar, sell or mod?

[guitarhero1983]

I have a MIJ Charvel Texas Custom (produced between '92 and '96).

It sounds terrible, its not much better sounding than a beginner guitar. It sounds really dull, thin and can sound like im plugging direct into my soundcard at times.

I'm going to have to sell it unless someone can suggest a SD or Dimarzio that will have a dramatic change on this guitar........or maybe I just have lemon that will never sound good. What should I do?

Amp is a Rockerverb MKII. I prefer P90's (neck & bridge) or bright/clear HB's (neck only)

 

[loudriver23]

Re: Bad sounding guitar, sell or mod?

I would ask you, how does it play unplugged? Does it have a nice resonance, or is it lifeless/dull that way too? Also, how does it play, and feel?
If that guitar is built out of a lifeless piece of wood even the best pickups won't truly help out. I'd say move it and get something more inspiring.

 

[formula73]

Re: Bad sounding guitar, sell or mod?

Sell it and buy something you like. There's not a whole lot to a Tele to really sound bad except the pups, and if yours are like mine (Model 7/Legend), they're passable. I think you just might not be a Tele kinda guy. When I first picked mine up, I had a very, very hard time going from my HB guitars to it until I fiddled with my eq, a LOT.

That said, there are Tele pups designed to sound like other stuff. I've been meaning to try a Rio Grande Dirty Harry (supposedly a Tele-shaped P90) and maybe some kind of stacked single or rail-type thing would work up in the neck for you. I still think it just might not be the guitar for you.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Bad sounding guitar, sell or mod?

Bridge to neck: Broadcaster, Five-Two, Five-Two. (One of the Five-Two pickups could be RP/RW to cancel noise in selector switch positions two and four. Which goes where depends on the coil winding direction and magnetic polarity of the Broadcaster pickup.)

Rail or stacked coil replacement pickups would reduce hum, noise and interference but fitting them may require modifications to the pickup cavities.

Budget permitting, IMO, Antiquity pickups are worth the extra.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Bad sounding guitar, sell or mod?

Looking at the photograph, the Charvel bridge assembly appears to have the same drilling pattern as the vintage-style, stamped steel Fender design. Changing the bridge should improve the resonant qualities of the instrument immediately.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Bad sounding guitar, sell or mod?

I'd say that if it feels great in your hands, it is worth modifying. If it feels mediocre, why bother?

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Bad sounding guitar, sell or mod?

I'd say that if it feels great in your hands, it is worth modifying. If it feels mediocre, why bother?

This. Playability is as important as the sound. If it plays well, there are things you can do to improve the sound.

Definitely weigh your options - you may not feel it's worth the money to replace the bridge and the pickups, but being a MIJ Charvel, I'm not so sure it's the bridge as much as the pickups. I could be wrong, but the bridge should be a Gotoh.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Bad sounding guitar, sell or mod?

I'm not so sure it's the bridge as much as the pickups. I could be wrong, but the bridge should be a Gotoh.

Agreed. The Gotoh modern style bridge is good. In an attempt to improve twang, I would be tempted to follow Fender's lead by installing vintage style Stratocaster saddles.

The stock pickups would probably still need upgrading.

 

[guitarhero1983]

Re: Bad sounding guitar, sell or mod?

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'll consider it all. Telecaster's are great, I have a Fender Tele too, but this Tele sounds like a crappy strat (its got strat style pickups). I'll consider my options next week, thanks!

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Bad sounding guitar, sell or mod?

Tell us your location. There is bound to be somebody on the forum who can cut you a fair deal for pre-owned pickups.

If you dig P90s and have deep pockets, seek out the elusive SD StratBro'90.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Bad sounding guitar, sell or mod?

this Tele sounds like a crappy strat (its got strat style pickups).

Well, that's going to be part of the problem then if you don't want it to sound like a Strat.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Bad sounding guitar, sell or mod?

The stock pickups will probably be budget in-house designed units with underslung ceramic bar magnets. If the magnets are glued on, you could try changing them.

Easier by far to change to something professional. Plenty of choices available. How much/little were you planning to spend?

BTW, ignore my previous pickup set suggestion. SD Five-Twos have staggered height rod magnet polepieces. The fingerboard radius of the Charvel demands flush poles.

 

[51501984]

Re: Bad sounding guitar, sell or mod?

I'd put a Dimarzio Tone Zone T in the bridge and if that dosent give it some balls I'd call it a day.