Upgraded Telecaster (pics)

[ratherdashing]

Re: Upgraded Telecaster (pics)

so right now, the string tree is optional. is it beneficial to keep it on?

I have Sperzel lockers on my Strat. I had mixed results with no string tree. It played and intonated correctly, but sometimes the string would pop out of the nut if I hit it hard enough. That was why I put the string tree back in (a Graphtec one this time - stock MIM string trees are pretty weak).

I would say try it without, and if you have problems put it back. There's not really a good reason to NOT have a string tree.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Upgraded Telecaster (pics)

I have Sperzel lockers on my Strat. I had mixed results with no string tree. It played and intonated correctly, but sometimes the string would pop out of the nut if I hit it hard enough. That was why I put the string tree back in (a Graphtec one this time - stock MIM string trees are pretty weak).

I would say try it without, and if you have problems put it back. There's not really a good reason to NOT have a string tree.

A graph tech string tee?

...do the upgrades ever end?! :scratchch

right now I'm missing:

-vintage style SD neck pickup
-wilkinson bridge
-graph tech string tee

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Upgraded Telecaster (pics)

That is now one of my favorite guitars i've seen on this forum, thanks...

Coming from the man with an Antigua stratocaster... that means too much. thanks. :beerchug:

PS- do you any have any pics of that guitar?

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Upgraded Telecaster (pics)

A graph tech string tee?

...do the upgrades ever end?! :scratchch

right now I'm missing:

-vintage style SD neck pickup
-wilkinson bridge
-graph tech string tee

To be honest, the only reason it has a Graphtec string tree is because I lost the original one after I removed it. If I still had the original, I'd have just used that.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Upgraded Telecaster (pics)

To be honest, the only reason it has a Graphtec string tree is because I lost the original one after I removed it. If I still had the original, I'd have just used that.

I'd like to saturate this guitar with upgrades. ill still give this thought. is there any improvement at all?

 

[arellanon]

Re: Upgraded Telecaster (pics)

I like it! Always a pleasure to mod your own guitars huh? :friday:

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Upgraded Telecaster (pics)

I like it! Always a pleasure to mod your own guitars huh? :friday:

it feels like an endless lego set. I haven't modded any guitar this much before. The difference between this and stock is amazing. this guitar now feels as good, if not better, as all the american teles ive ever played.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Upgraded Telecaster (pics)

I'd like to saturate this guitar with upgrades. ill still give this thought. is there any improvement at all?

It's impossible to tell. Maybe, maybe not. All I know is it's doing what it's supposed to: hold the strings down.

 

[dominus]

Re: Upgraded Telecaster (pics)

I've been using cheap roller string trees on my Strats, not sure if they make a difference, but they're about the same price as standard ones.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Upgraded Telecaster (pics)

It's impossible to tell. Maybe, maybe not. All I know is it's doing what it's supposed to: hold the strings down.

which set did you buy?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Upgraded Telecaster (pics)

On guitars where the face of the headstock is roughly parallel with the fingerboard, string "tree" guides are intended to keep the strings in the nut slots. They also have an effect on string tension. The exact position of the guide inadvertantly determines the pitches of the lengths of string between the nut and the guides/heads. (Adrian Belew used to deliberately use these high pitches for weird twangbar effects.)

The theory of different machinehead post lengths is to eliminate the string guide and reduce friction. On some recent Fender instruments, however, you will find three tall and three short heads. This only makes sense if the string guides are to be retained. Similarly, with Sperzels of six different lengths, there is an argument for having the tallest head for the low E string, the shortest for the G and two medium height heads for the B and E strings in conjunction with a string guide.

On a fixed bridge guitar, it should be possible to arrange the head heights to govern the break angle over the nut and, hence, the tension of individual strings. OTOH, it is a Telecaster. Just grab it and whack it.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Upgraded Telecaster (pics)

thats the best course of action. i cant wait till it keeps wearing!