how hard is it to convert a tele to string-thru?

[tone4days]

i see a sweet tele-style guitar for a reasonable price but it is a toploader bridge ... how hard is it to convert it to string thru? about how much would a skilled luthier / guitar tech charge for this (parts + labor) .. i'd want a traditional 3 brass-saddle bridge that is intonatable

if i could get the guitar cheap, would it be worth it? or should i just keep my eyes peeled for a string through?

thoughts ?

thanks
t4d

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: how hard is it to convert a tele to string-thru?

I can tell you from my mistakes. Don't attemp it with a hand drill :blackeye:
I don't know how much a tech would charge. But if you know someone
with a drill press, It's not to hard to do. Measure twice, Drill once.

 

[Bludave]

Re: how hard is it to convert a tele to string-thru?

I would not attempt this myself. If any of the holes are off just the slightest amount your dead!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: how hard is it to convert a tele to string-thru?

Yep...very difficult for an unskilled person to get all six holes drilled just right. But a luthier should be able to do it...

A drill press is a must!

Even on old 50's Fenders, it's surprising to see that the six ferrules will often not line up in a perfect row on the back of the guitar.

Close....but not always perfect.

I'd have it done tho...the guitar will sound alot better and sustain better too.

The string angle behind the bridge saddles is not steep enough on a top loader to get 100% of the classic Tele tone.

Lew

 

[Hellion]

Re: how hard is it to convert a tele to string-thru?

My bastardcaster Tele was a top loader when I bought it. Altogether including parts for the new bridgeplate and the dohickeys in back for the strings (technical talk--give me a break, it's early morning for me!), seems like it was about $60-70. I went a step further and put GraphTech saddles on the new plate, but it made a helluva difference in tone and sustain. It's definitely worth whatever it costs.

 

[Norman_T]

Re: how hard is it to convert a tele to string-thru?

Unless you are very skilled and most importantly have the right tools do not attempt to do this yourself. If any of the holes are in the slightest way off you will have incredible problems and it is likely that you will have to go back to converting it back to a top-loader.

If you want to experiment then go ahead but you'll have to practice on some off-cuts before doing it properly on the body. How about seeing if you could get a Tele body of e-bay and converting it that way?

 

[tone4days]

Re: how hard is it to convert a tele to string-thru?

thanks for the tips guys .. i would not consider doing it myslef as i have no wood working skills or tools .. but glad to know it's doable

i'll let you know if i go this route
cheers
t4d