Making a few changes to my Blacktop Tele

[speyfly]

I've had my Blacktop for about a year now and have really enjoyed how she plays and sounds but finally getting around to making the changes that I've wanted...


I've hated the saddles,

I had to add a ground to the bridge, the stock pickups are over-wound, Alnico V's, wax potted, output 13.50 at the bridge and 12.85 at the neck, a little hotter than I usually like. The pups I'm trying are the GFS Classic II's measuring 8.13 at the bridge and 7.99 at the neck. I've had these pickups kicking around for a couple of years and have yet to find a guitar that likes em! Maybe this time.


Didn't someone here ask about the Blacktop body route?


Changing out the witches hat knobs to standard Tele chrome, they should be here today. Will also flip the controls to standard Tele configuration.



saddles arriving today-


Won't change the cap until I see how she sounds once I get her put back together. This one has become my primary bottle neck guitar, really easy to play. Can't wait to see how she sounds...

[Evil Mopars]

Originally Posted by speyfly

I've had my Blacktop for about a year now and have really enjoyed how she plays and sounds but finally getting around to making the changes that I've wanted...


I've hated the saddles,

I had to add a ground to the bridge, the stock pickups are over-wound, Alnico V's, wax potted, output 13.50 at the bridge and 12.85 at the neck, a little hotter than I usually like. The pups I'm trying are the GFS Classic II's measuring 8.13 at the bridge and 7.99 at the neck. I've had these pickups kicking around for a couple of years and have yet to find a guitar that likes em! Maybe this time.


Didn't someone here ask about the Blacktop body route?


Changing out the witches hat knobs to standard Tele chrome, they should be here today. Will also flip the controls to standard Tele configuration.



saddles arriving today-


Won't change the cap until I see how she sounds once I get her put back together. This one has become my primary bottle neck guitar, really easy to play. Can't wait to see how she sounds...

Very nice looking Tele, I've always had a soft spot for them.

[speyfly]

So far so good.



Tone wise, a little more control...

[TerribleRacket]

Hmmmm. Much gooder!

Although it sounds like you've made some improvement, I get the feeling that you don't think you're quite there yet. I'd strongly suggest yanking out the pots. It's been my experience with Fenders that a CTS transplant tends to yield a big bang for the buck improvement. May as well do the switch and cap while you're at it, at least that's how I handle it.

Since you just bought those nice new knobs, remember to pay attention to the shafts when you order, otherwise you'll end up like me, rocking some seriously classy Radio Shack knobs.

[speyfly]

Originally Posted by TerribleRacket

Hmmmm. Much gooder!

Although it sounds like you've made some improvement, I get the feeling that you don't think you're quite there yet. I'd strongly suggest yanking out the pots. It's been my experience with Fenders that a CTS transplant tends to yield a big bang for the buck improvement. May as well do the switch and cap while you're at it, at least that's how I handle it.

Since you just bought those nice new knobs, remember to pay attention to the shafts when you order, otherwise you'll end up like me, rocking some seriously classy Radio Shack knobs.

Good job reading between the lines... And I agree

I have a lot of guitar parts including brass shaft CTS pots but all have knurled shafts so I could not use them. Knowing me, by the time I'm finished nothing will be original.

[snaredrum]

upgrade the electronics and put the original saddles back on!

[JonMan94]

Do you have any use for those old PUs? just wondering

[zendriveseven]

Very nice! Excellent upgrades too! I owned the dark red (forget the color name) with a maple neck a while back. Really nice guitar, but while adjusting the intonation one of the saddle screws stripped. At the time I was not willing to re-invest in new saddles, so I returned it. It was a great playing guitar though. Again, very nice choice of upgrades on yours! I'll bet it plays as good as it looks!

Edit: Forgot to mention the reverse/reversed control plate.

[capt_goodvibes]

Looks awesome mate

[speyfly]

Originally Posted by JonMan94

Do you have any use for those old PUs? just wondering

Don't know yet. I have a DC that will need a set so i think I'll hang onto them for now.

[speyfly]

Originally Posted by zendriveseven

Very nice! Excellent upgrades too! I owned the dark red (forget the color name) with a maple neck a while back. Really nice guitar, but while adjusting the intonation one of the saddle screws stripped. At the time I was not willing to re-invest in new saddles, so I returned it. It was a great playing guitar though. Again, very nice choice of upgrades on yours! I'll bet it plays as good as it looks!

Edit: Forgot to mention the reverse/reversed control plate.

Thx, and yes she's quickly becoming a player.

[speyfly]

Originally Posted by capt_goodvibes

Looks awesome mate

Thank you, god knows how much I love pretty curvy girls.

[SoWhat?]

Nice Tele!

[TerribleRacket]

Originally Posted by speyfly

Knowing me, by the time I'm finished nothing will be original.

Sounds like that Tele has found a good home.

"Mod it 'till it's broken!"

[River]

Originally Posted by speyfly

Thank you, god knows how much I love pretty curvy girls.

What's a "Blacktop"?

Curvy girl on a Blackguard? Yeah, that works.