MusicRadar

clare_bear · 06-02-2008, 02:56 PM

Right, based on events in my 'I've broken something' thread, it seems I need to learn all about the black magic that goes on inside an electric guitar. I've been meaning to do this for ages, but haven't got around to it.

I have a very, very cheap Legacy Tele (£50 worth!), and thought I'd practice soldering etc on this (well, I'll have a practice on smaller things 1st possibly). However, as it's so cheap, are there things that realistically will improve it? I have to say that I quite like the way it plays and sounds, so I suspect it wouldn't completely be a case of strapping fancy new shiny bits to a plank of chipboard.

Given all that, what would you suggest I change? Budget reasonably small, but I can afford some half-decent pickups. There are some good suggestions to start me off here: http://www.musicradar.com/forum/show...129#post249129 but any more help, advice, suggestions welcome.

It's well timed it seems as I've just got the new copy of Guitarist which has a feature about pimping Yamaha Pacifica's

I have a little soldering iron all of my own, I just haven't used it, so I'm geared up and ready to go!!

Cheers

deedee · 06-02-2008, 03:03 PM

For teles, I have found that the bestest thing in the world is to get a decent bridge or at the very least a good set of brass saddles for the bridge.

The usual places sell them-Axesrus or Axetec.

I upgrades my peavey generation with a new set of bridge saddles(wilkinsons), a new nut, copper shielding and a GFS bridge lipstick pickup. I came in at around 50 quid and has made it into a far better guitar.

Nick.Botfield · 06-02-2008, 03:07 PM

I had an awesome idea. Get a load of foil sweetie wrappers of different colours and stick them on the guitar then put a clear coat over it! Or you could do it all in one colour for a gold / silver leaf effect.

You should totally do that.

Sporky_McGuffin · 06-02-2008, 03:09 PM

I reckon an electronics upgrade would be well worthwile.

Perchance some Kent Armstrong pickups (my favourites of the cheapos), a 4-way switch (which'd give you both-pickups-in-series for a hotter RAWK sound), new pots and cap.

Nick.Botfield · 06-02-2008, 03:10 PM

Does it string through the body or through the bridge? If it's bridge loading I've got a nice 3 saddle Wilkinson bridge going unused in my spares box. That'd probably sound spiffing!

clare_bear · 06-02-2008, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deedee

For teles, I have found that the bestest thing in the world is to get a decent bridge or at the very least a good set of brass saddles for the bridge.

The usual places sell them-Axesrus or Axetec.

I upgrades my peavey generation with a new set of bridge saddles(wilkinsons), a new nut, copper shielding and a GFS bridge lipstick pickup. I came in at around 50 quid and has made it into a far better guitar.

That's great, ta deedee. I'm quite excited about pimping it now!

Of course, first things first....I need to decide what colour scratchplate I want so I can match everything else right!

This is what it looks like now:

I was thinking maybe a mirrored scratchplate, but then I'd need a non-chrome neck pup...I suppose that'd be fine as long as I could have a chrome bridge lipstick pup. But then that wouldn't show up against the bridge...

frankus · 06-02-2008, 03:14 PM

How much is the budget?

I'd agree with the bridge and pickup suggestions.. something I'm going to be tinkering with is some strings through the body and some being fed through the bridge.

I'd suggest a humbucker in the neck - although that'd mean some kinda switch to tap the coils.. and as Timmyo has mentioned elsewhere use changing the pickups as an excuse to upgrade the pots - a biggy.

Also check out the electro-socket instead of the standard tele jack socket holder - they rock.

frankus · 06-02-2008, 03:15 PM

I'd suggest a tortoise shell scratchplate for that

clare_bear · 06-02-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick.Botfield

Does it string through the body or through the bridge? If it's bridge loading I've got a nice 3 saddle Wilkinson bridge going unused in my spares box. That'd probably sound spiffing!

It strings through the bridge.

And I love the sweet paper idea but somehow I'd be sure to end up with more sweet papers lacquered to me than the guitar!

Sporky_McGuffin · 06-02-2008, 03:19 PM

I reckon that guitar would look best with a 3-ply black scratchplate. Or possibly a brushed aluminium-look one.

06-02-2008, 02:56 PM	#1
clare_bear Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 9,624	Pimp my cheapo Tele Right, based on events in my 'I've broken something' thread, it seems I need to learn all about the black magic that goes on inside an electric guitar. I've been meaning to do this for ages, but haven't got around to it. I have a very, very cheap Legacy Tele (£50 worth!), and thought I'd practice soldering etc on this (well, I'll have a practice on smaller things 1st possibly). However, as it's so cheap, are there things that realistically will improve it? I have to say that I quite like the way it plays and sounds, so I suspect it wouldn't completely be a case of strapping fancy new shiny bits to a plank of chipboard. Given all that, what would you suggest I change? Budget reasonably small, but I can afford some half-decent pickups. There are some good suggestions to start me off here: http://www.musicradar.com/forum/show...129#post249129 but any more help, advice, suggestions welcome. It's well timed it seems as I've just got the new copy of Guitarist which has a feature about pimping Yamaha Pacifica's I have a little soldering iron all of my own, I just haven't used it, so I'm geared up and ready to go!! Cheers __________________ http://www.blinkwatch.co.uk - the band http://www.myspace.com/clarebearmusic - my stuff http://www.myspace.com/sunofphaeton - electronica/rock stuff

06-02-2008, 03:03 PM	#2
deedee Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Almost in Scotland, most of the time, or Gloster Posts: 2,194	For teles, I have found that the bestest thing in the world is to get a decent bridge or at the very least a good set of brass saddles for the bridge. The usual places sell them-Axesrus or Axetec. I upgrades my peavey generation with a new set of bridge saddles(wilkinsons), a new nut, copper shielding and a GFS bridge lipstick pickup. I came in at around 50 quid and has made it into a far better guitar. __________________ Im bad to the bone. Just like Jesse, no Sid James

06-02-2008, 03:07 PM	#3
Nick.Botfield Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under your stairs. Go on, check. Posts: 7,816	I had an awesome idea. Get a load of foil sweetie wrappers of different colours and stick them on the guitar then put a clear coat over it! Or you could do it all in one colour for a gold / silver leaf effect. You should totally do that. __________________ Holnrew's image cannot be captured by technological devices.

06-02-2008, 03:09 PM	#4
Sporky_McGuffin Spam Tsar Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 17,546	I reckon an electronics upgrade would be well worthwile. Perchance some Kent Armstrong pickups (my favourites of the cheapos), a 4-way switch (which'd give you both-pickups-in-series for a hotter RAWK sound), new pots and cap. __________________ I'm with stupid ▼

06-02-2008, 03:10 PM	#5
Nick.Botfield Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under your stairs. Go on, check. Posts: 7,816	Does it string through the body or through the bridge? If it's bridge loading I've got a nice 3 saddle Wilkinson bridge going unused in my spares box. That'd probably sound spiffing! __________________ Holnrew's image cannot be captured by technological devices.

MusicRadar

Buy here

From the makers of

06-02-2008, 03:14 PM	#7
frankus Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: At the Spartacus Fan Club! Posts: 18,057	How much is the budget? I'd agree with the bridge and pickup suggestions.. something I'm going to be tinkering with is some strings through the body and some being fed through the bridge. I'd suggest a humbucker in the neck - although that'd mean some kinda switch to tap the coils.. and as Timmyo has mentioned elsewhere use changing the pickups as an excuse to upgrade the pots - a biggy. Also check out the electro-socket instead of the standard tele jack socket holder - they rock. __________________ Email me when it's the next London Drinks.

06-02-2008, 03:15 PM	#8
frankus Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: At the Spartacus Fan Club! Posts: 18,057	I'd suggest a tortoise shell scratchplate for that __________________ Email me when it's the next London Drinks.

06-02-2008, 03:19 PM	#10
Sporky_McGuffin Spam Tsar Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 17,546	I reckon that guitar would look best with a 3-ply black scratchplate. Or possibly a brushed aluminium-look one. __________________ I'm with stupid ▼

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode