Questions on my franken-tele.

[Traynor]

Hello all,

I am in the process of replacing the pickups in my 97 or 98 MIM Telecaster. The SD vintage broadcaster looks to be a no-brainer install, but the SDmini-jb that a friend gave me lead to some problems and the following questions:

1. I will have to slightly widen the hole in the pickguard, what tool works best for this? A dremel with a light touch?

2. The mounting holes do not match up--could I fill these holes with epoxy (jb weld, stale bublegum, whatever) and simply redrill next to them? I'd rather not invest too much in this guitar, as I've already broken the neck and managed to actually fix it correctly. Thus, is there a sweat equity solution to this problem.

3. How do I best ensure that the magnets line up with the proper strings? Is there some wiggle room here?

In sum, I may modify this guitar further, as I've always hankered for a 59 or pearly gates in the neck (plus, the body is already routered for a humbucker). But this pickup was free, so I'm temporarily commited to this low-budget approach. Any information or advice on this subject would be great. Or, if any of you could direct me to some good resources (books, web sites, etc) I would also appreciate that.

Thanks,
Jaske

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Questions on my franken-tele.

Are you talking about the neck position pickup hole not being the same size? Yes tele neck single coils are smaller than strat pickups. My suggestion would be to buy a new pickguard from someone like warmoth and order it with a strat sized single in the neck. It's only $25 and you can get something nice to dress up the guitar. Just make sure the jb jr is a neck model otherwise it may be too hot for your tastes for a neck position pickup.

 

[Amateur]

Re: Questions on my franken-tele.

Mark the area on the inside of the pickguard where you want the material to be removed and file it down. Take a little bit off at a time and work carefully. Good luck.

 

[Traynor]

Re: Questions on my franken-tele.

Another question: the little orange capacitor that is between my volume and tone pots, is this meant to cut highs? What are the possible benefits/negatives of doing this? I have enough sparkle as it is, but I don't so much mind having the ability to get ice-pick treble, either.

 

[Amateur]

Re: Questions on my franken-tele.

The capacitor and the tone pot, which is a variable resistor, together formed what we call an RC circuit. The purpose of this circuit is like what you've said, to cut down the highs. I usually use it to change the tone of my guitar.

 

[Traynor]

Re: Questions on my franken-tele.

I guess that my question wasn't quite clear. Would I get more treble from unsoldering this capacitor and simply running a wire with no cap in its place? Or, is this capacitor essential to the basic functioning of said circuit? I just want to know if removing it is an option, or if I need to lay off the crack and find another project

 

[Amateur]

Re: Questions on my franken-tele.

You will not gain any more treble with this circuit. It just cuts down the high from your pickup. If you turn the tone pot all the way up or bypass the circuit, you got the most high from your pickup. Nothing more than that. You have to use an external EQ unit if you want to enhance you highs. Or you can get another pickup that can gives you more highs.

 

[yegbert]

Re: Questions on my franken-tele.

I filled in some old holes in a pickguard with success. I used an expoxy made by VersaChem that's a stick in a 1" diameter, 4" long tube. It says Magnum Marine/Plastic Repair Epoxy Stick on the tube and I got it from a Lowe's. They had several similar products in the same area. I picked this one because the color looked close to the naturally aged white on my pickguard and because it looked like I could use a little now and have lots left for other projects. The color came out a little greenish compared to the guard. There's two layers of material in the stick, a large core that's a creamy yellowish white and an outer layer that's dark green. You cut off a slice, mix the two until the color is even and then apply.

It's functional. If you want it to look perfect I'd buy a new guard instead. I notice the difference from a couple of feet away.

I trimmed a guard using a combination of Dremel and needle files. I wouldn't get too close to the final line you want with a Dremel, you can control progress better with a file.

 

[Traynor]

Re: Questions on my franken-tele.

Just wanted to thank everybody for their help and advice. Guitar is complete and I am happy. Ran a friend's steel-saddled Tele through some of my amps and I now realize that the vintage bronze saddles are a bit less ice-picky. Now, having found where my treble went, I can leave it there--as I spent most of my time with the steel-saddled Tele trying to avoid said treble.