Common Upgrades to MIM Tele?

[JumpMarine]

I already have an idea of the first upgrades to my new Tele, pups(JD is a must but not sure of neck yet) and black pickguard. But what is the quality of the nut, tuners, pots, switch and saddles?

 

[mrid]

Re: Common Upgrades to MIM Tele?

You might want to upgrade the bridge to a compensated 3 saddle model. A nice, custom made nut is always a good upgrade. Some locking tuners would be nice as well. I believe Schallers fit the stock route.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Common Upgrades to MIM Tele?

I already have an idea of the first upgrades to my new Tele, pups(JD is a must but not sure of neck yet) and black pickguard. But what is the quality of the nut, tuners, pots, switch and saddles?

Hello JM...What year is your MIM Tele? Older ones were poplar bodied unless you have the sunburst or a natural finished Tele...Fender went back recently to alder because Poplar became more expensive than alder...The neck is fine and you could consider a bone nut,though not a necessity...I'd say pickups possibly...The pots should be the CTS style,in fact my MIM Jazz Bass was all quality CTS pots..The only other thing possibly would be a better bridge with some brass saddles? It really is a great guitar as is though...How does it sound with the stock pickups?

John

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Common Upgrades to MIM Tele?

You might want to upgrade the bridge to a compensated 3 saddle model. A nice, custom made nut is always a good upgrade. Some locking tuners would be nice as well. I believe Schallers fit the stock route.

Hello buddy...You beat me right to the punch! :wink:
I forgot about the tuners...I wouldn't really go locking,but some nice schallers or grovers would work nice or even some American Standard Tele tuners off E Bay also?

John

 

[italic zero]

Re: Common Upgrades to MIM Tele?

Yeah, I'd say bridge and nut replacement...

 

[xerxes]

Re: Common Upgrades to MIM Tele?

i know puckboy has this killer bridge on his custom tele....

 

[Dave]

Re: Common Upgrades to MIM Tele?

Check out the bridge made by Callaham. Decent price-seems like solid quality. When the cash comes, that's what I'm getting.
http://www.callahamguitars.com/

Oh, and since you're up in the great Northwest, better line that baby w/ gore-tex!

 

[butnut]

Re: Common Upgrades to MIM Tele?

Good suggestions...now if ya wanna go nuts on that new Tele, bring it by www.telemodders.com Have fun.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Common Upgrades to MIM Tele?

#1 New Pickups! JD & Alinico Pro or set of Antiquitys
#2 Maybe a new bridge with three angled brass saddles...My MIM James Burton had the six saddle bridge and the tone improved, IMO, when I swapped the bridge for a three saddle bras version with angled Danny Gatton style saddles for better intonation.
#3 Your 3 way selector switch should wear out any day now...get a good one.
#4 I like Vintage style dome top chrome knobs better than flat tops.

Thats's about it...until your pots wear out. 250K CTS would be a good choice.

Lew

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Common Upgrades to MIM Tele?

i know puckboy has this killer bridge on his custom tele....

www.eldoradostraps.com


http://www.eldoradostraps.com/images-IR/partsGuitar1.jpg

Pricey but serious "bling" for a twanger!!! :beerchug:

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Common Upgrades to MIM Tele?

Thanks guys, my wife gave me the new Tele tonight! She figured that she had better do it early rather than on our anniversary because she would loose me for a few hours of play time when I should be with her. LOL! It's beautiful, Aguave Blue, good frets and neck, I'm loving it! I now know why Tele guys are so faithful to this design. The stock pups sound so-so, but that was a no brainer to upgrade them.

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Common Upgrades to MIM Tele?

John,
It's an 2003 or 4 model so it has an alder body.