Converting Strat to Tele

[JB_From_Hell]

I have an old Peavey Predator (USA made Strat copy) that I really love, but I think i'd love it more if it were a Tele. Should I go as far as filling in the trem cavity, or just get a new pickguard, pickups, and throw a Tele bridge on it like Sonny Landreth?

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Converting Strat to Tele

What does it look like? You could always sell it and buy a used Classic Vibe Tele.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Converting Strat to Tele

My favorite way to hardtail a strat is by shoving a chrome knob between the sustain block and the body then removing the springs. It has good tone and reduces jangles a tad.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Converting Strat to Tele

Do this:

(By which I mean Strat body, Deluxe everything else.)

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Converting Strat to Tele

Swap it on a Tele

Or

Block the trem and remove the bar
And the center pickup

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Converting Strat to Tele

I have no intention of getting rid of it.

My plan is to get a new pickguard with a Tele neck pickup, no middle, but more or less Strat controls. I'm going to put on a Tele bridge and pickup, and maybe fill in the rear routes. Maybe not though.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Converting Strat to Tele

Ok that's a plan too

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Converting Strat to Tele

Filling in the body with different material than the body wood isn't guaranteed to sound good.

 

[Plessure]

Re: Converting Strat to Tele

Filling in the body with different material than the body wood isn't guaranteed to sound good.

To say the least.

It sounds like an entirely pointless endeavour that would only serve to increase the weight of the instrument. That someone would even get this idea is a symptom.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Converting Strat to Tele

Perhaps just a tele bridge pickup and then a strat neck and middle?

Just deck the trem and don't be concerned about having to block it.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Converting Strat to Tele

I too vote for either decking the current trem or just going with a Tele bridge and don't worry with filling the trem cavity or any other cavities. I think it will be more work than reward, but that's ultimately up to you. Sounds like a cool project.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Converting Strat to Tele

It’s already blocked. Doesn’t the Tele bridge have a bit to do with its sound?

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Converting Strat to Tele

It’s already blocked. Doesn’t the Tele bridge had a bit to do with its sound?

Yes and no...

A thin stamped steel ashtray bridge with three barrel saddles, yes. Anything else, no. I think trying to get a Strat to clone the Tele sound is a fool's errand, but no one says you can get some cool tones out of it with a Tele bridge pup.

All that aside, if you really want a Tele, then get a Tele.

Any of these will be a good low-cost option (no affiliation)

https://reverb.com/item/10081621-squier-classic-vibe-50s-telecaster-vintage-blonde

https://reverb.com/item/9436686-classic-vibe-50s-telecaster-loaded-body-2016-vintage-blonde

https://reverb.com/item/10114684-classic-vibe-custom-telecaster-loaded-body

That burst double bound is the best option IMO and then you add whatever neck you want.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Converting Strat to Tele

Couple deals on new ones.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FENDER-SQU...tric-Guitar-Butterscotch-Blonde-/362209059855

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FENDER-SQU...tric-Guitar-Rosewood-3-Tone-Sun-/323049637785

 

[Zaxxon]

Re: Converting Strat to Tele

You could keep an eye out for a Peavey Reactor on CL; same great neck. They sometimes come up for cheap, and the cost might be worth the effort saved on the Predator.

Not one of the cheap listings but who knows.
https://columbus.craigslist.org/msg/d/trade/6467140866.html

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Converting Strat to Tele

I found my Mexican "Squier Series" for under $200 . Alnico pickups, one piece maple neck, no string-through but a great sounding guitar...

 

[AlexR]

Re: Converting Strat to Tele

Mounting bolts for Tele bridges are almost guaranteed to be in the middle of the trem rout space.

Plus you'd need a toploading bridge as you have no ferrules for string anchoring.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Converting Strat to Tele

Here’s mine. The vibrato is blocked. The guitar was routed for a bridge humbucker and a Duncan Custom Shop Hot for Tele pickup fit just fine. Two Antiquity Surfers and a new Custom pickguard completed the guitar. I still play it. It’s one of my two slide guitars and it’s tuned to open E. The other is a Tele Custom with a Fralin Vintage Hot Strat neck pickup and a Jerry Donahue Tele bridge pickup...its kept tuned to open A. That’s a 1960 Fender Harvard Amp and a Verbzilla Reverb pedal. Sold the pedal and now use a Hall of Fame Reverb Pedal.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Converting Strat to Tele

I have seen a strat/tele before hybrid which uses a strat tremolo together with a tele bridge pickup and metal mounting plate. I will see if I can find a picture.