unleashthejay
New member
I just got a 20-year-old used Tele; it's my first Telecaster, so I want to make sure I maintain that classic sound. Does anyone have any pointers like on how to set it up like action and strings? Thanks!
How to maximize a Tele's classic twang
- Thread starter unleashthejay
- Start date
Fender_Punk
BerriesAndCreamologist
DON'T YOU DARE ROLL DOWN THAT TONE POT!! That's the twang-killer! :nono:
If it has a modern 6-saddle bridge I'd recommend changing to a bridge with 3 compensated brass saddles. I'd start there before changing the pickups, then change the pickups if you're still not satisfied. Swapping the capacitor from .047 to .022 is a popular mod. It won't make the guitar any brighter but it will make the tone less dark when the tone knob is rolled all the way down.
Action is preferential, whatever is comfy for you. I'd get the bridge pickup fairly close to the strings, make sure there's still clearence when you press the string on the last fret.
If it has a modern 6-saddle bridge I'd recommend changing to a bridge with 3 compensated brass saddles. I'd start there before changing the pickups, then change the pickups if you're still not satisfied. Swapping the capacitor from .047 to .022 is a popular mod. It won't make the guitar any brighter but it will make the tone less dark when the tone knob is rolled all the way down.
Action is preferential, whatever is comfy for you. I'd get the bridge pickup fairly close to the strings, make sure there's still clearence when you press the string on the last fret.
Fender_Punk
BerriesAndCreamologist
Also, pick/pluck the strings close to the bridge saddles. Don't pick anywhere else if you want maximum twang! (couldn't edit first post, keep getting 403 error)
unleashthejay
New member
Awesome, thank you! As a new Tele owner, I had no idea about all of this!
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
My Esquire came stock wired to a switch that in one position completely bypass the tone pot. IMO, it just all-around sounded better in that position, so I just wired it straight to a single volume pot.
But at the same time, I feel any pickup sounds better not wired to a tone pot, LOL.
