CLUB "51" The Squier 51 Owners Club

I thought we should have a club to show off our beloved 51's.

Here is my 2005 Blonde 51 that i recently purchased and is all stock.

I,m in.

Anyone know if a US Tele neck is a direct drop-in on the '51? I have a spare MIA Tele neck lying around and thought this might make a cool project.

Anyone know if a US Tele neck is a direct drop-in on the '51? I have a spare MIA Tele neck lying around and thought this might make a cool project.

Sometimes the locations of the holes are off, but usually they will be fine. I would not let that concern stop me from trying.

I don't like to open up the bolts holes too much in the body on these 51s. The basswood is often so soft, you need the support of that residual poly down in the neck holes to keep things stiffened up.

Even though I've given away quite a few, I think I still have over 20 of these babies:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/51JULY192007003.jpg

Here's my heavily modded '51.
-A real nice guitar!

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wiaYAush4V0/R1R4gSX5JTI/AAAAAAAAACE/h4GMjvyIrD0/s576/P8040007.JPG

Gallery here... (http://picasaweb.google.com/UnkieAl/FerdenFiftyOne)

I like that one Al.

I'm in for a stock sunburst.

Hey '51 heads! I am very happy to see this. I have been looking for a '51 community for awhile. I have 3 of these awesome guitar. One each - Black, Blonde, and Sunburst. I gig with them regularly and they rock! I run them through a Boss GT8 and a Vox AC30. There is no way I could be happier with these guys, with one minor exception. I have a tendency to drag my pinkie on the pick guard right under the string, kind of a palm muting, pick sweeping kind of deal. On all three '51 I get a little scratchy hum when my pinkie hits. Have not found a noise gate setting that will block it. Any ideas guys?

Detman101 here.
My '51 is named "Homeboy".

(Clickable Thumbnail)
http://thumbnails9.imagebam.com/4668/b778fb46677028.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/b778fb46677028)

Audio = http://soundclick.com/share?songid=8016952

Video 1 = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBQaSmbyeYk
Video 2 = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhvdtpdXyWg

=]
Dm

Anyone know if a US Tele neck is a direct drop-in on the '51? I have a spare MIA Tele neck lying around and thought this might make a cool project.

Yep, drops right in.

=]
Dm

Detman101 here.
My '51 is named "Homeboy".

(Clickable Thumbnail)
http://thumbnails9.imagebam.com/4668/b778fb46677028.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/b778fb46677028)

Audio = http://soundclick.com/share?songid=8016952

Video 1 = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBQaSmbyeYk
Video 2 = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhvdtpdXyWg

=]
Dm

Thats a cool looking 51 Detman. The pickguard really livens it up!

I'm actually looking for a neck from a 69 thinline to throw on mine sometime. I actually like the stock neck but the 69's big neck is my favorite.

Here is my "Filthy '51 v2" Seymour Duncan Distortion PUP

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e295/blg448/newfilthy02.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e295/blg448/newfilthy03.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e295/blg448/newfilthy04.jpg

I've had two. Gave one back because it was awful. Gave the other one away after I fixed it.

My favorite:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/51SEPT152007003.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/51SEPT152007001.jpg

Keystoned!

I had two...

Sunburst, stock. traded this one for a 1960s Sears silvertone (which proved unplayable).
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/20/70830519_5030df18df.jpg?v=1133873015

Traded the sears for this blonde one.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/427890914_99efebaf53.jpg

But I didn't check it good enough... this is the neck pocket:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2241/1879403383_ac44a34346.jpg?v=0

Its neck is on the Tryggvecaster now.

Here's my heavily modded '51.
-A real nice guitar!

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wiaYAush4V0/R1R4gSX5JTI/AAAAAAAAACE/h4GMjvyIrD0/s576/P8040007.JPG

Gallery here... (http://picasaweb.google.com/UnkieAl/FerdenFiftyOne)

That's a beauty! I feel another project coming on... :lol:

OK some questions,Where is the pickup selector switch?What kind of wood is the body made of?I see some here with different pickups,what is stanard??I have searched to find a NEW one,are they still in production??I'm totaly ignorent one this,[as well as most other things]..

On a stock setup, there is no tone control. The rear knob is a 3-way rotary switch. the other knob is volume with push/pull to split the HB pup.

Wood & pups.. ??

It was a temporary model for whatever reason (not lack of sales). Odds of finding a new one through a retail channel are about zero now. Some folks (like me) bought an extra that's still in the box.:grin:

Thanks.How much did they sell for?

Originally about the same price as the BSB Affinity Tele, $170 I think. When Fender let the dealers know that it was being dropped, the price went to $149, and later $129. At the end some were still available for $99, then Overstock.com grabbed some and threw them out for $79.

If you are even able to find them now, in Europe expect to pay between 150-200 euros.

So what about this one? I can't tell by the pics, but is this what we are talkin' about?Maybe someone with more knowledge can tell..
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/msg/1344260121.html

Yep, that's what mine looks like.

Well dang it,I was hoping to find one with single coils or as a secnd choice P90s..I don't want HBs in a Fender.I already have guitars with HBs.Love that SC sound..I'm always lokkin for something a little different to appease my GAS...
Thanks for all the help...

You may be surprised with the 51 and it's split HB switch. I've also seen the HB replaced with GFS Dream90 or Mean90.

CAUTION!!!!! If you swap the neck, be sure to use the Squier 51 neck screws. Standard Tele neck screws will be too long and could go through the fingerboard.

Here's my blonde, known as "The Mutt"

Allparts nitro vintage neck, Gotoh staggered tuners, string through bridge, Duncan Mini in the neck, 500K Alpha pots, Coil splitter switch, Switchcraft output jack and 3 position pickup selector, blank neck plate. Also a home-made pickguard.

All that's left from the original is the body, Bridge PU, Knobs, strap buttons, neck screws control plate and jack plate.

Zook that looks like a great guitar. :cool:
If i can find another one i would like to do something like that, i love those SD Mini's they have great tone IMO.

I would also like to incorporate a bridge like Boris had on his. I love the 3-barrel setup.

Fun guitars!

I have 3. This is a picture of my parts caster '51

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y133/iqsr/DSC00007-2.jpg

Thats a cool looking 51 Detman. The pickguard really livens it up!

I'm actually looking for a neck from a 69 thinline to throw on mine sometime. I actually like the stock neck but the 69's big neck is my favorite.

Thank you! I agree, the thicker the tele-style neck...the better.
*drool*
I would kill for one of those Eric Johnson signature guitar necks. It is a fat chunky boat-shaped C that fits my hand so perfectly....


Dn

Well Papa Joe just remember that the '51 is a great modders guitar. If you find one you can easily change pretty much everything to make it what you want. If you can't do all the work yourself, I'm sure you can find a good local tech to help you out. If you want two single coils go for it! If you want a P-90 and single go for it. If you want to smash it and use it for firewood, go for it!

My '51 only has a bridge humbucker. That all I pretty much use. It is all up to your preferences. Make the guitar that you want! That is exactly what I did, twice.

Filthy, you need to post some images of the black Squier 51 that you lost a while back after that show in New York City.

Maybe someone here at TDPRI has seen your guitar.

great idea BB, I didnt even think of it, thanks!

So here it is:

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e295/blg448/headstock.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e295/blg448/filthy51.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e295/blg448/filthy51full.jpg

I left it at a club in NYC in March '08 and no one has seen since. I am sure it is somewhere. It has a custom painted headstock with a "Squier - Filthy '51" logo. Planet Waves tuners, Seymour Duncan Distortion PUP in bridge and lil '59 in the neck. No pickguard and has a single coil PUP ring in the neck position. Also had volume and tone as well as a 3 way les paul type toggle. It was in a black Coffin Case and had a CBGB plush guitar strap.

If you happen to see if please email me.

Strange, I posted this last night, but it's gone now. Here goes again...

Got this for $65 at Guitar Center. I haven't changed anything on it, I like it fine pretty much as is:

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/medium/Squier_511.jpg

Strange, I posted this last night, but it's gone now. Here goes again...

Got this for $65 at Guitar Center. I haven't changed anything on it, I like it fine pretty much as is:

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/medium/Squier_511.jpg

That is a beautiful guitar Bill!

I still can't believe the price that some of you paid for them. The toy guitars and junk sold in the discount stores cost more than these "real" instruments. I think i paid $165 used and i thought that was a terrific deal?

Maybe they are not perfect guitars but to me they have a unique sound, feel, look and price that all add up to a significant "WOW" factor.

While i would like to get another one to perform some creative mod's on, i do very much like the sound and versatility of them stock. The coil tap mixed with the "colorful" sound of the neck pickup is pretty sweet to my ears.

Those of who paid $ 69-99 tend to overlook what other must pay to join the show.

But you can have a lot of fun, hacking away at the guitar and doing mods in minutes that should by all rights take hours:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/23FEB042009005.jpg

It'll look good, once the repaint is done.

Even though I love the one my son has that I modded for him (has a GREAT neck!), I am STILL bent on doing a clone with the USACG 51-STP body in swamp ash with my favorite AllParts TMO-C neck.

Personally, I think Fender should release this guitar as a new flagship model, not as a back-of-the-bus Squier cheapie. They did have a Custom Shop version though.

...Personally, I think Fender should release this guitar as a new flagship model, not as a back-of-the-bus Squier cheapie. They did have a Custom Shop version though.

The reason why this guitar sold so well was that it was :

#1 CHEAP!

#2 Pretty good quality for what it is.

#3 FUN!

Winnie

I just picked up an 05 sunburst in excellent condition but the hardtail bridge is topload. I see some in the thread here that are string through. Are there both or have the string throughs been modded?

Pics coming later as this thing needs a through cleaning, setup and restrung. Some nice lookers in here for sure. Thats what got me to droolin and I knew exactly where one of these could be had for not much money.

I've got a neck for one, but that's it for now. I bid on eBay for the neck AND body of the same guitar, but got sniped on the body right at the end. I want a sunburst, but I see another body up now that is black. Maybe I'll get that and repaint it red.

Now I know why the guitar was so low price. The volume/pull pot has some kind of short or bad connection in it. Anyone have a problem with them? Can these be fixed or where to get replacement that will work?

Here is the pic of the git.

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk163/pchilson/Squier_51/full_on.jpg

Ahhh. I see GuitarFetish has them (http://store.guitarfetish.com/pudppo50auge.html).

I just picked up an 05 sunburst in excellent condition but the hardtail bridge is topload. I see some in the thread here that are string through. Are there both or have the string throughs been modded?
They were all toploaders, several people were successful drilling their own string through holes.

Now I know why the guitar was so low price. The volume/pull pot has some kind of short or bad connection in it. Anyone have a problem with them? Can these be fixed or where to get replacement that will work?

Here is the pic of the git.

Looks just like mine. No problems at all.

Found the problem with the volume pull/pot. It had 2 broken wires one of which I found yesterday on initial inspection. Wasn't the pot afterall. Problem solved.

Aw hell,so I was off the radar music wise for a few years,but how did I miss these?I love odd Frankenfenders(have and love one of the 90's Supersonics,and an old Lead 2)-My next mission is to track one of these down,stock,S/B.......really nice,quirky without being ridiculous,I wonder who thought them up?Well done someone in Squier R+D!
Did they reach the UK?

Did they reach the UK?


Yes, they did.

Come, and check out the roster at The Squier 51 Modder's Forum, where a number of active UK guys have posted a good bit in the past - less right now.
They never were sold "blow out" style there but yeah, a few were sold. :^)

Cheers Boris,,thanks for that,I'll keep an eye out,like the look of them a lot,a clever rearrangement of features.OK so they were eventually blown out your side of the pond,but I'd try one at €150/200ish alright.
Rob

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaster-discussion-forum/25079-more-mods-squier-51-a.html?highlight=golden+age+pickups

Hey Boris-Did you used to wander around offering people apples a while back?:shock:

Someone is selling one of these 51s on CL nearby, for $225 with a soft case. Is that what these things are going for these days? What say you folks - is it worth that much?

I just bought a brand new CV Tele for $279.99, and that seemed a very good buy, based on all the good things I've heard about CVs . . . (including recent Editor's Pick or whatever its called by Guitar Player magazine) . . . but how does the 51 compare against the CV?

Someone is selling one of these 51s on CL nearby, for $225 with a soft case. Is that what these things are going for these days? What say you folks - is it worth that much?



I just bought this one for $137 out the door. Not a mark on it, no fret wear, only problem was two wires were broke free of their connections. Easy fix. Personally I wouldn't give $225 but thats me.

I think its a pretty good guitar for where it sits in the scheme of things. Only thing this one needs is the nut cut a bit.

Its probably not in the same class as the CV but not far behind. I like mine and I think lots of other folks feel the same but I'll not speak for anyone else.

Only you can determine if its worth $225. See what you can get it for. The funs in trying...

I just won this 51 on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200380518202) I used to have this one(below) 5 years ago but I sold it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/fuzztone65/GAS%202004-2006/Blonde51YellowWestone.jpg

After I saw the Vivian Girls Video I decided to get another one

KirAFfKGdlI
AuqOiW2KaJQ

Here is my entry. I bought it in 2004 new for $159. Loved the guitar, hated the control set up. I got serious about it this year. The only thing left original is the body & neck. Started with an Ian Rich control plate, 5 way blade switch, volume control & Fender TBX tone control. Then I found GFS for knobs, pickguard, bridge, tuners, trees, Pro Tube neck PU & Vintage Split-coil humbucker bridge PU. Last I got an Earvana drop in nut. My amp is also a rebuild. Got a Crate V5, scrapped every thing but the cabinet, chasis & transforrmers. Used a modified Weber Smokin' Joe circuit, added an adjustable line out, speaker attenuator, cooling fan & built in 9v supplly for my pedals (I call it the V5.1). I have a Killer rig for under $700.

You can all share some blame -I ended up buying one from the UK once I saw a black one!Its perfect,I'm just giving it a quick going over(it still had the cellophane on the p/g) and have filled all the screw holes to fit straplocks and everything else more securely to the basswood.
One question-the fingerboard seems more matte than the rest of the neck,is that usual?I'm a tiny bit tempted to give it a little shine with compound as it has a few little birdseyes there(seperate board)but I normally leave my gear stock....
Its cute btw,you feel the cheapness but its cute!Guess I'm in.....

Yeah, those figured maple board ones are neat.

The finish isn't supposed to be a different sheen. Try Meguiars Scratch X or 3M Finesse It II and polish the neck to your personal liking.

Take a look at replacing the nut, and set the action as high as you can stand it. There's some mods to the bridge assembly that will take away much of the cheapness.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/30August102008003.jpg

There's some mods to the bridge assembly that will take away much of the cheapness.



Such as???

Thanks Boris,T-Cut marine grade gave a good matching sheen,feels a bit slicker.New 10's helped,will work the action down a little as they settle.
Will have to change top "E" saddle,string rattling on bends-as it happens I have a few identical spare in my scrap box....
Its stock,but will post photo when I get a chance!

Such as???


You could convert the guitar to string through, so the stock saddles and strings aren't competing for the same real estate;

Or you could convert to a 3 barrel design by drilling 3 new holes in the back edge of the stock bridgeplate and installing Vintage Tele style saddles - 1.5 inch long hardware is recommended. In this way the guitar can remain top loader and the saddles are all held down firmly by the string tension. See the above image.

Or you can do 3 saddle and string through.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/23FEB042009006.jpg

Got my '51 on Monday(my birthday!).The one mod I am doing for now is to put a bone nut on it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/fuzztone65/Squier%2051/e3f77111.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/fuzztone65/Squier%2051/2a4ed977.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/fuzztone65/Squier%2051/1cd7da01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/fuzztone65/Squier%2051/447aa45f.jpg

aqevDRhfrso

OK so here it is alongside Squiers other neat combination of previous Fender features,the Supersonic.I'll be keeping it stock for now,it's really come to life with the slight polish on the fingerboard and a new set of 10's.Took Boris' advice and started with high action and gradually lowered it-its pretty close to all my others now,will let the strings settle then fine tune action and intonation one more time.

I'm surprised no one has attempted to install a trem of some kind...

It's too bad Fender didn't put a cheap Strat style trem on these like on the Jagmaster.

I'm surprised no one has attempted to install a trem of some kind...

It's too bad Fender didn't put a cheap Strat style trem on these like on the Jagmaster.

If they did I wouldn't have bought a 51. The hard tail and simple controls are the most appealing points to me. With a trem it would just be a Strat with a Tele headstock.

Maybe a second model... the 61?

If they did I wouldn't have bought a 51. The hard tail and simple controls are the most appealing points to me. With a trem it would just be a Strat with a Tele headstock.



Agreed.

Check at the Squier 51 Modders Forum, in the pictoral section. There were many Bigsbied Squier 51s posted there at one time.

One crucial need for a trem to work right is rock solid, stable wood.

Squier 51s are made of very soft punky "basswood" and they'd disintegrate just like so many of those other import trem Strats used to do, or faster. The wood has to have great strength and the wood chosen does not - it isn't even close although it varies from one 51 to the next.

Notice how the new CV 50's Teles are pine but the CV trem guitars are alder or such? Same deal. Trem guitars require good solid wood and hardtails actually do not, IMO.

Excellent points, Boris -- thanks.

I also like the idea of the 61 model!

I got a new bone nut on my '51.Now it is perfect!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/fuzztone65/Squier%2051/f44f7fbf.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/fuzztone65/Squier%2051/7be4c221-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/fuzztone65/Squier%2051/85fedc75.jpg

Ive just got this.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k7/andys_01/Squier51new1.jpg

Its an 06. Its been a bit modded, it has a Lace Sensor in the neck slot, a 4 way switch, and a TBX tone control. Oh and it has a different bridge, which doesnt intonate very well and may be a future mod.

It also has what looks like to be an original black guard. Thought these came with white ones only, unless it is a replacement. Which is not so likely being from the UK.

1st mod its going to get? Remove the Fender logo someone has applied in the past.

Wonder if you can get replacement Squier ones?

Ive just got this.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k7/andys_01/Squier51new1.jpg

Its an 06. Its been a bit modded, it has a Lace Sensor in the neck slot, a 4 way switch, and a TBX tone control. Oh and it has a different bridge, which doesnt intonate very well and may be a future mod.

It also has what looks like to be an original black guard. Thought these came with white ones only, unless it is a replacement. Which is not so likely being from the UK.

1st mod its going to get? Remove the Fender logo someone has applied in the past.

Wonder if you can get replacement Squier ones?

Cool '51,congrats!The black pickguard could be original.I've seen them come new with white and black pickguards.

Cool '51,congrats!The black pickguard could be original.I've seen them come new with white and black pickguards.

Trouble is that the previous modder has cut a slot in the PG for the 4 way. What my latest plan is to do is to remove the switch and the TBX tone control, put in a blend control, and return the guitar to two knob operation. At least half the tones are thin and weedy, I like the tone of the Lace Sensor, I love the stock hummer, I like the inbetween sound as well. The coil tap and the out of phase sound though do nothing for me.

I will though have to either fill the slot in the PG or replace the whole guard. Replacement PGs are non-existant in the UK, and even from over your side of the pond are rare. Also the pickgaud blanks over here are no more than strat sized, so I havent got the option of making my own unless it is from black plastic.

I'll post more pics when I have finished getting it back to what I want it to do

I believe GFS - GuitarFetish - may still stock replacement 'guards for the '51 ? - worth a try.

GFS are out of stock of the standard ones apart from the plain white. They do the bigger ones that extend over the controls, but I want to keep the original shape and the control plate.

I dont think the "custom" style plates will cut down to the original shape ones.

Ive found that StewMac do bigger sheets of tortoiseshell material large enough to make a new pickguard, I'll get the controls sorted out and maybe order some of that

For now I'm just enjoying playing the thing, it plays really nice. Ive got a few jealous Teles at the moment!!!

Mine looks like this now

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k7/andys_01/Squier51withtortyguard1.jpg

I sent off to GFS for a Custom size Torty guard, that they were blowing out, and I cut it and trimmed it back to the size of the original guard using it as a template. I have also returned it to almost stock wiring, by removing the 4 way, and the TBX control. I have used a dual pot as a blend control, which actually works like a switch anyway (wonder if it is the value/type of pot I have used)

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k7/andys_01/Squier51withtortyguard2.jpg

I have just scored another 51 off ebay, for a real bargain price. I am picking it up on Saturday as it involves a 120 mile round trip. Its a stock sunburst with a missing pickguard, and I'll post it up when I get it. I think I may well keep it stock as well.

Walked into a place today and found two used tuxedos hanging on the wall. I made a deal for the one with the knobs missing. Went to my local guitar shop and bought the allparts knobs that are just like whats on the the '51s. Cleaned it up, restrung and it looks good now. I'm gonna flip it and then go back and buy the other one, its in like new condition. I should be able to get it and pocket a little cash out of this one. I made a pretty good deal on this one.

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk163/pchilson/Squier_51_black/controls.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk163/pchilson/Squier_51_black/full_angle.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk163/pchilson/Squier_51_black/headstock_front_1.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk163/pchilson/Squier_51_black/jack.jpg

I'll be able to join in about a week once mine comes!!!! I'm so excited!!!!!

62Caster, you need to post pics.

Its highly likely I will be getting myself another 51 tomorrow, a cheap eBay score.

I will post pics of my latest when I get it too.

Dont forget to check out the Squier 51 Forum at http://www.instituteofnoise.com/Squier51/forum/default.asp

I definitely will. Thanks for the info on the other forum, it looks awesome!

...figured basswood!!

And made in 2007!!! (months after the 'official' discontinuation date)

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s217/floricicia/git1.jpg

(..it even plays nicely without having to have been tweaked :shock:)

wIdge

I'm surprised no one has attempted to install a trem of some kind...

It's too bad Fender didn't put a cheap Strat style trem on these like on the Jagmaster.

There were a few bigsbified '51s on the forum. Now I just ca find this pic...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/2683837768_062f8446fe.jpg?v=0

IMO one of the the appeals of the '51 is its lack of a trem. In a way although I am not a big one on strats, the 51 is "my kind of strat".

The body shape is very comfy, yet it doesnt have the things I dont like about strats such as the fiddly controls, the trem, the volume knob you bash your fingers on.

The Squier 51 forum definately has a few Bigsby shod 51s, check out the Gallery at the forum there.

Well just to continue this theme.

Squier 51s are like buses, you wait long enough, them two come at once.

Already posted my blonde one, which I probably paid a bit over the odds for.

Well I got this yesterday

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k7/andys_01/SunburstSquier51asbought1.jpg

Off Ebay. For £41! (thats $64 at current rates)

How did I do this? Well I wasnt even looking really, I was actually searching for something else. Then this came up listed as a Fender Squier Electric Guitar, collection only. By the look of the grainy pics I could see it was a 51, though the lack of a pickguard may have confused some. So I slapped a bid on, not expecting to win at all, or at least to have a bit of a fight on. Thing is even though I asked, they refused to post, and given that it was a fair way from most folk in the UK, I figured that if I won I could stand the journey to get it.
Imagine my surprise when it became mine for £41. Plus of course the cost of the diesel to travel the 120mile round trip to get it, which in my car was no more than £15. So this sunburst 51 became mine for not much outlay, and I'm well pleased

I have just put a plain black guard on it which I had actually made for the blonde one, but seemed to go ok with the burst. I need to get a black cover for that front p/u though. Oh and it will get a new nut soonish as well.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k7/andys_01/SunburstSquier51blackguard1.jpg

Here it is with the one I got less than three weeks ago.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k7/andys_01/TwoSquier51sSofashot1.jpg

Like I say, if you wait long enough.....

Well I got this yesterday


Off Ebay. For £41! (thats $64 at current rates)



£41 ?!
aaaargh!!
No .. that didnt get it out of my system ..

AAAARRG!
Thats nearly better .. ;)

I've been looking hard, but clearly not dilligently (or craftily!) enough - So .. I may need to be checking every darned squier on ebay it seems, just in case!

Congrats on your score - looks like a lil' cracker.

I really like the sunburst model esp with a black guard.
I like the blonde also., but I'm kinda 'saving' that finish for when I (also, hopefully,) score a Squier Custom II w/P90's (now dont tell me you also got one of those for peanuts ... please !

Nice one - well done! - hope its as good as it looks. Bet it is ;)

41 quid ... Gee whiz!
;)

What made this one go cheap was not only the lack of clear listing but the fact that it was "Collection Only" from a somewhere miles away from most of the population.

The irony is that I initially messaged them thru eBay them to ask if they would post it if I won and paid the postage. They said no.
I then messaged them again to see if they would take a Buy It Now of £90, and I would collect. They said they wanted the auction to run its course.

I was pretty suprised that I didnt either lose the auction or end up paying over that.

Ebay isnt always like this, I have not won a few Squier 51s before now. I also paid quite a lot for my blonde one, so I guess this cheap score is balanced by the price I paid for my first one.

I find that for somethings the "Distance-Nearest First" option on eBay is a useful thing to do. You can then find all the stuff that folks wont post, but is within driving distance if you win. And out in the sticks where we both live, you get less people bidding on stuff like this, if not no-one at all. My best bargains on eBay have been Pick-up only, and Ive just made a day out of it.

Good advice Sir! .. and as if by magic, and to prove your point - to the letter .. ;)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/fender-squier_W0QQitemZ330369466026QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_ Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item4ceb8dfeaa

Not that I want a black one .. but .. !

Wow and a buy it now too. Is it too far from you Telepath?

Or is there someone you know nearby who could pick it up for you?

If I lived nearer to it, I'd go for that one

I'm happy with the two Ive got now though, and Ive other things on my GAS list.

No, not that far, but I'm going to maintain restraint (for once!) and hold out for a Sunburst '51 - it will happen sooner or later!
TBH, I have never been a fan of black / tuxedo guitars, with the exception of Gilmour's iconic strat - of course..

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/Mackmackharner/IMG00042-20091021-2218.jpg
It came! Well sort of...

Since I'm at school I'll have to wait until this weekend to pick it up from home, but anyways my dad sent me this picture! So excited!

Nice looking '51 there 62Caster.

Are you going to mod it or leave it stock?

If you dont know already theres a Modder Forum at

http://www.instituteofnoise.com/squier51/forum/default.asp

Thers a Gallery on there with some awesome looking '51s, and theres some great folk post on there. Some of them from of here as well.

I'm keeping my sunburst stock for now.

I'm not sure yet, I'll have to see how it sounds. I have a dimebucker from an older project that I was thinking about possibly using, but we'll see. I've checked out the gallery on the other forum, they look really cool. Very inspiring...but for now I'll just leave it stock

When the 51s were real cheap and plentiful, a lot of guys used them as test rats. Need a platform to learn what pickup X sounds like? Rip the stock pickups out of the 51 and try out the subject pickup.

As it turns out, the stock pickups in the Squier 51 are far better IMO than they are in basically all the other Squiers I have owned, by a significant margin. And now, guys are chasing down the stock pickups and the stock wiring scheme and reinstalling that or close approximations of that.

I have enough 51s; I can afford to put Keystones in 1-2 more of them and use the stock 51 pickups on Squier Tele Specials, and other models in need of a sonic redux.

I recommend replacing the nut and tuners, and substantially modding the bridge assembly. The pickups are fine.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/20APRIL292009001.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/20APRIL302009002.jpg

I love this shot:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/33MAR32008005.jpg

That sunburst is really nice Boris, especially with the black guard.

Ive done the same to my sunburst, and I am waiting on a black cover for the front pickup.

What rosewood board neck have you used on yours?

Just for info, theres a stock sunburst on UK eBay with a Buy it Now of £175!

http://musical-instruments.shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=squier+51&_sacat=3858&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=&_osacat=3858

That sunburst is really nice Boris, especially with the black guard.

Ive done the same to my sunburst, and I am waiting on a black cover for the front pickup.

What rosewood board neck have you used on yours?



Thanks.

That's a neck off a Surabaya Squier Tele Special or Fat Tele, don't recall which.

Love the added variety of a fwe rosewood board 51s in there, but the Tele neck is a little thinner. The Squier 51 all maple necks are generally nicer to play.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaster-discussion-forum/25079-more-mods-squier-51-a.html

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/27NOV082008012.jpg

After a long delay heres my Tux.Originally I thought I'll go for sunburst-then got to like the very early black Esquire feel to the Tux so I bought this-then saw the figured basswood:shock:on Widges !Got to admit I'm jealous of that!
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1558/img4664j.jpg
I'm happy with this stock on my limited acquaintance,theres surprisingly little squeal from the cheap looking pickups at vol,its sturdy and I'm playing it for the last hour of rehersals where its real job is string break back-up but I enjoy it and its needs a bit of breaking in!

cheap looking pickups

Dont let this fool you, the rear humbucker on these is a peach IMO, and is staying in both of mine. It has a great garagey P90 quality to it to my ears, and is a bit of a rare beast. Many people who removed these early on it their 51s life are now frantically searching for replacement ones to drop back into them.

My sunburst one is about to get new bridge saddles. So much for keeping it stock!!:lol::cool:

Thanks Solly,good advice,I'm not going to rush into any p/u changes now.I agree the bridge sounds v.good,and I have achieved reasonable vol balance with the neck-the only mod I've made so far was to put springs and screws onto the neck p/u for adjustment.
In fairness too I think any glossy black guitar can look a bit cheesy until it wears a bit,so I was maybe a bit unfair to the look of the p/u's.I'll bring it to practice Sat and give it a good blast.......

Question for BB!

Boris - if you see this,
I've noticed that in many of your guitar pics (and there are many, many that I have enjoyed - thanks) that you set your neck pup real low. Often near flush with the 'guard.

Is that how you play 'em and like 'em - or or for aesthetic reasons just specifically for the photo session?

If the former, do you have some thoughts regards lower neck pup height?
Just wondered!

This is my newest 51

It is my second Blonde model with the black guard. this one has Black Tuners and West German Ultrasonic Pickups. It has an R6 in the bridge and an R3 single coil in the neck.
They are passive pickups even though they have an "Active" pickup look to them. They are very quiet however like active pickups and they have a flat EQ. People either like em or hate em but in any event they are quite rare and IMO look good in this guitar.

Question for BB!

Boris - if you see this,
I've noticed that in many of your guitar pics (and there are many, many that I have enjoyed - thanks) that you set your neck pup real low. Often near flush with the 'guard.

Is that how you play 'em and like 'em - or or for aesthetic reasons just specifically for the photo session?

If the former, do you have some thoughts regards lower neck pup height?
Just wondered!


I generally like the neck pup output down a bit, relative to the bridge pickup. I'm kinda sensitive to the 'G' string being strong, also. I guess I'm basically an Esquire player. :^)

Sometimes I've gone overboard, and I fix the pickup while the picture is loading into Photobucket. Same thing with bridges, but I'm trying harder to get the guitars fully set up before I shoot them. The neck pickup on this guitar is a major chore to adjust. I might monkey with the pole pieces so I can get them higher. If I get one too low, I just switch guitars! :shock:

How much of a difference does the GFS bridge make?

I'm talking about this one...

http://store.guitarfetish.com/topmohabrfit.html

I've heard it makes the tone a lot better, but also heard that it isn't very different than stock.

I just put this same bridge on my '51 about 2 months ago. When I looked at it I thought it was about the same. It is heavier & better quality steel. It did improve my tone. I love getting cheap Squiers & upgrading all the hardware.

How much of a difference does the GFS bridge make?

I'm talking about this one...

http://store.guitarfetish.com/topmohabrfit.html

I've heard it makes the tone a lot better, but also heard that it isn't very different than stock.


What it does is solve the problem where the stock saddle is both being pushed up by and being pushed down by the string as you bring it to tension and try and lower the action. The stock bridge plate is the same quality plating and steel, so I just do the "Bubba Mod" to the stock plate and put the stock saddles away somewhere. I increase the fastener size on the plate mount screws to #6 x 1 inch. The GFS plate is basically a lateral move, IMO.

By the "Bubba Mod" you mean modding it to fit the three barrel saddles? Because that looks awesome =) but is it hard?

Love this guitar! Lightweight, tummy-cut, beautiful neck. This one has bone nut, upgraded gotoh tuners, fret level and crown, fender vintage alnico in neck, dream 90 bridge, CTS pots with tone control and 3-way toggle, switchcraft jack. Thanks to Rob D. for the work.

By the "Bubba Mod" you mean modding it to fit the three barrel saddles? Because that looks awesome =) but is it hard?

No, I haven't found it to be hard.

A vice to place the plate in is important, plus a fine nail set and a 9/64ths twist bit made of high speed steel or better in your hand held electric drill.

The nail set creates a great divot in the chrome for the drill bit to get started into the metal. Having an AV52 style bridge plate (loose and handy) "tells" you exactly where the holes should be placed. 9/64ths will accommodate the 6-32 hardware of USA spec barrels. 1/8ths or even 7/64ths might work if you're using a Stew Mac # 5167 compensated saddle set.

If you have access to a milling machine, use it. I did a couple on my Dad's lathe. The advantage was in the certainty it would be just so - you cannot actually see the improved hole because the spring and the filistered head conceal it.

Sometimes the locations of the holes are off, but usually they will be fine. I would not let that concern stop me from trying.

I don't like to open up the bolts holes too much in the body on these 51s. The basswood is often so soft, you need the support of that residual poly down in the neck holes to keep things stiffened up.

Even though I've given away quite a few, I think I still have over 20 of these babies:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/51JULY192007003.jpg


What does it take to be on the list to be given one of those? :)

What does it take to be on the list to be given one of those? :)


If you were up on my office roof, helping me fix it after it blew off in Katrina, you got one or can still have one anytime you (or your child) are ready for one. Or if you helped me shovel mud out of the houses, or replace a kicked in door. Or loaned me a truck to bring building supplies over from Houma and wouldn't let me pay to replace a tire when I ran over some debris. Or loaned me a clean undamaged apartment so my out of town helpers could shower and cook meals and have somewhere to sleep.

Not a real big deal. :wink:

By the "Bubba Mod" you mean modding it to fit the three barrel saddles? Because that looks awesome =) but is it hard?

I said I wasnt going to mod my sunburst one, and had planned to keep it stock. But restringing it bugged me, so I did the three saddle "Bubba" mod to mine. Took me 20 minutes. Plus I have kept the old saddles, and if I ever want to return it to stock its no problem to do so.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k7/andys_01/Squier51Sunburstmodded.jpg

Made a huge difference in tone and volume, especially un-amped. Its a great sofa-noodling guitar now, as well as a cracking cranked up one.

Damn fine Sir! Damn fine.
Now thats what I hope my '51 will look like when I get my act together (and actually get one!). I love a resonant sofa noodler ;)
Have you repalced the nut?
(Any need do you reckon?)

Have you repalced the nut?
(Any need do you reckon?)

Yes I put a bone nut on, and slightly widened the string spacing. On the 51 I would say that replacing the nut is a useful mod as the stock one is pretty ropey. What you replace it with is up to you I suppose, I like bone as it is easy to work, and as I use blanks I can set the string spacing to my own preference. I do it on all my guitars, as most guitars come with string spacing that doesnt exploit the width of the neck at the nut.

A better quality plastic nut would be an improvement!

Here's a shot of the headstock on my burst 51. The decals are from a guy named "Charles" who makes exact duplicates of Fender decals as well as custom ones. These Squier Fifty One decals are stunning. The tuners are outstanding. The knobs look exactly like livory and are "gold" plated. Email me if you want the source or to talk about how to get rid of the silk screened Fender logo and add decals as I did.
<a href="http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/?action=view&current=Gold51-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/Gold51-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Guess I don't know how to insert pics yet....what's the trick?

http://http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/?action=view&current=Gold51-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/Gold51-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/?action=view&current=Gold51-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/Gold51-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/Gold51-4.jpg

Briguy, hit the image sucka not the html one. It looks like 2 mountains.

Headstock looks totally boss! Bravo

wrap in image tags.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/guitar-owners-clubs/......

Nice decal, personally I'm not so hot on the gold hardware. Nice guitar though.

http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/?action=view&current=Gold51-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/Gold51-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I thought that's what I did. I clicked on the "two mountains" icon and all I got was a sound. I went to "my photos" and tried....nothing. I went to "photobucket" which is how we do it on the Squier-51 modder's forum.....nothing. So walk me thru how to do it from start to finish. I'm not there yet....

hmm... okay

1. Upload your photo to your web site.
2. Copy the URL of the photo. Sometime you have to open the photo in another browser window to get the real URL of the pic.
3. click on the postcard of the mountains (not sure that is what it really is)
4. past the URL into the modal dialog thing that pops up and says: "enter the URL of your image"

and you should be good to go. If you don't have a place to host your images (seems you do) you can actually also upload your image as an attachment by clicking on the paperclip icon if you first click Go Advanced as opposed to Quick Reply.

hope that helps

-kevin

If you continue to have issues, try the Forum Problems & Issues page.

<a href="http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/?action=view&current=Gold51-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/Gold51-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/Gold51-1.jpg

Must have done something right...thanx. The gold stuff came from Guitar Fetish, including the bridge, screws, jack and the control plate. Their control plate (and everybody elses) are smaller than the ones that come with our 51s so I just rounded out the pickguard opening to at least be concentric with the plate.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/Gold51-1.jpg
The single biggest improvement I made to this 51 was to swap out the stock neck pup for one of Guitar Fetish's "Fat Body" tele pickups.
http://store.guitarfetish.com/alfaovpotene.html
HUGE pole pieces and big, fat tone I was looking for.

http://<a href="http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/?action=view&current=Gold51-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/Gold51-6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

http://<a href="http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/?action=view&current=Gold51-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/Gold51-6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a

I'm sorry. I'm just waisting band width and your time. It worked once but I don't know how and I can't get it again. I'll stop now.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/th_Gold51-6.jpg

Worked...but the photo is tiny.http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/th_Gold51-6.jpg

Let's try this one more time since a helpful member was kind enough to direct me to the page that gives better detail on how to post pics. This is a full size pic of the Guitar Fetish "fat body" pickup I used....wonderful tone and the price is terrific.
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/Gold51-6.jpg

A couple additional pics of my tricked out '51 with all gold hardware and a much better neck pup in it. I don't usually like gold hardware either...always looked kind of cheesy to me but I'm groovin' on this burst with the gold. Also, I just this afternoon made a new bone nut for it. Hard to actually tell it made a HUGE difference but I think everything we do to upgrade has a cumulative effect and that's one of them.
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/Gold51-2.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/Gold51-5.jpg
Sanded off all the silk screened "made in....." stuff and logo on the front and gave it a couple shots of Deft brand satin lacquer in spray bottles. Amazing stuff and blends with and duplicates Fender's satin finish to a T. Once it's dry, you can take 0000 steel wool to the finish and blend it right in and it looks and feels terrific. I also used Deft spray over the decal on the front to seal and protect it. Use a number of VERY light coats..not a couple wet coats!!

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc298/Brian0003/Gold51-3.jpg
D'Aderio "010s" ....perfect for this guitar. I really like the GFS gold bridge too. The screw holes line right up and the intonation comes out perfect.

Looks great. Did you buy the gold hardware for it or did you acquire it with the gold already in place?

Guess the previous post to answer your question got lost.
I bought all the gold stuff after I got the guitar. There's a lot of stuff to find: gold screws for everything, tuners, bridge, strap buttons, jack plate, control plate, knurled knobs, etc etc. Most of the stuff from Guitar Fetish. They are excellent to do business with.

Got it with a dimarzio super distortion in the bridge. Although midgain stuff is my comfort zone, I'd like to branch off a bit into hard rock?metal for certain stuff...ala AIC. Do you guys (and gals) find this to be a useful alternative in place of a pointy headstock type guitar?

This is not strictly a '51...It's more like a 51-ized Strat clone. Ten year-old Hamer Slammer DA3 Strat turned into a quasi-51 by using a GFS pickguard, a GFS Dream 180, parts box switch and knobs, and an awesome Warmoth Tele neck I got for free. Yes, free. Life is good.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll236/jkercado/Guitars/strat_build_2/100_1862.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll236/jkercado/Guitars/strat_build_2/100_1861.jpg

Please don't kick me out. [;)]

Got it with a dimarzio super distortion in the bridge. Although midgain stuff is my comfort zone, I'd like to branch off a bit into hard rock?metal for certain stuff...ala AIC. Do you guys (and gals) find this to be a useful alternative in place of a pointy headstock type guitar?

I don't know about the pup, but welcome aboard the TDPRI.

Got it with a dimarzio super distortion in the bridge. Although midgain stuff is my comfort zone, I'd like to branch off a bit into hard rock?metal for certain stuff...ala AIC. Do you guys (and gals) find this to be a useful alternative in place of a pointy headstock type guitar?

I think the '51 is the ideal noise/punk/metal guitar IMO. It has a hot P/U in the bridge which can be upgraded to something even hotter, and yet it has the front single coil for backing off with.

My two '51s are my "go-to" rock out/punk guitars. The combination of their trebley nature, and their simplicity ticks all the right boxes to me.

Maybe not the right place to ask this but....anybody got a Squier-51 neck they want to sell me? I think they are great, nice wood, nice skunk stripe. I'm building up a super custom tele with my own trick inlay in the FB. Anybody?

Thanks for the welcome! Still waiting on USPS! I'm TOO impatient!

Still waiting on mine....uuuuuuggghhhh! Darn USPS!

gbuzz, it's x-mas time....expect a small waiting period followed my massive chewing
of your own fingernails. Then wait longer. Finally, after you've submitted a claim,
it'll show, then you'll wonder why you fussed. ;-)

dp

Blondie V2.0

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2198/181/51/6201882/n6201882_40836292_6111.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs017.snc1/2198_26636880404532097_3073_n.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs017.snc1/2198_26636880404532099_3728_n.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v646/181/51/6201882/n6201882_40931411_3085.jpg

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2238/181/51/6201882/n6201882_40935357_6051.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2238/181/51/6201882/n6201882_40935360_7099.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2238/181/51/6201882/n6201882_40935359_6769.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2238/181/51/6201882/n6201882_40937968_8918.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2371/181/51/6201882/n6201882_40948418_6549.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2371/181/51/6201882/n6201882_40948422_7530.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2371/181/51/6201882/n6201882_40948434_571.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2371/181/51/6201882/n6201882_40948448_5186.jpg
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2371/181/51/6201882/n6201882_40948462_1538.jpg

-ALKlzXgRZ4

Blondie V3.0
After being out of commission for a while after I stole the Mean 90 out of Blondie (the Squier '51) to put in my Stratocaster, Blondie rides again!

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs002.snc3/10940_792847220713_6201882_44469617_6021814_n.jpg

I got a Seymour Duncan P-Rails bridge pickup for her, as well as the oh-so-awesome Triple Shot pickup ring. The two were made for each other, and the only way I was going to run a P-Rails was with a Triple Shot, because I hate wiring!

Well, last night I decided to bite the bullet and wire up the P-Rails and Triple Shot, as well as fix the 3-way switch wiring, which, because of a previous error, did not have the "both on" option, only "this'n" or "that'n."

The process of wiring the P-Rails to the Triple Shot, and then the Triple Shot to my switch and pots was really easy - like stupid easy --- so a big tip of the hat to Frank, Evan, Seymour and the whole gang --- awesome product!


http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs246.snc1/9332_792676118603_6201882_44464651_7152902_n.jpg


The PRS 513 may go to 13, but this thing goes to 14!

For those of you just tuning in, the Version 2.0 build thread is here (http://www.seymourduncan.com/forum/showthread.php?t=159670) --- I see this as version 3.0.

Marked up image describing switching schema:
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs276.snc1/10318_792957514683_6201882_44473678_1679758_n.jpg

1) Little '59
2) Little '59 split
3) Little '59 and series humbucker
4) Little '59 and parallel humbucker
5) Little '59 and P90 coil
6) Little '59 and rail coil
7) Little '59 split and series humbucker
8) Little '59 split and parallel humbucker
9) Little '59 split and P90 coil
10) Little '59 split and rail coil
11) Series humbucker
12) Parallel humbucker
13) P90 coil
14) Rail coil


zjiMrb_U2kM

Cheers,
Hunter

Cool. Tho personally I really don't like the look of the SD Little '59 with those tiny coils but i see them on so many builds they must be good p/ups. I also wish SD would stop putting their brand on the bobbins in such a visible manner. I find that kind of obnoxious. Imagine if every manufacturer of parts did that, your guitar would look like NASCAR or Times Square.

The Mean 90, however, with the cover looks boss. How is it as a p/up?

My finger nails are gone LOL! But, she's home....needs a little set up and I keep hearing a rattle...think the guy I got it from lossened the trus rod for shipping...at least I hope that's what it is!

Cool. Tho personally I really don't like the look of the SD Little '59 with those tiny coils but i see them on so many builds they must be good p/ups. I also wish SD would stop putting their brand on the bobbins in such a visible manner. I find that kind of obnoxious. Imagine if every manufacturer of parts did that, your guitar would look like NASCAR or Times Square.

The Mean 90, however, with the cover looks boss. How is it as a p/up?

The Little '59 really is a good pickup, especially for this guitar, because I can split it to get a more Stratty tone.

I don't mind the branding - they make good products and I support 'em. For what it's worth, all their regular humbuckers are available with no logo, and the logos on these pickups are very easily rubbed off with some elbow grease --- almost like they intended it to be that way.

The branding on a P-Rails is a little redundant - anyone (who knows pickups) who sees that pickup is going to know it's a Duncan.

I wish I had kept mine.............:sad:.Instead ,I am building a Tele from old bits and bobs .Its so light that it reminds me so much of my 51 in terms of finish and weight .It must have been built from the same wood as a 51.It will have a set of Keystones .I am looking out for a 51 at present ...at a decent price .

Man, I'm sold on these! Mine just eats my strat! The bite of a tele, feel of my strat, and overall with the super distortion pup kinda sounds like and old charvel. I can't believe they were blowing these out sooo cheap! Totally impressed!

Here's a pic

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee251/gbuzzr/squier.jpg

http://www.fluf.net/squier51d.jpg
i was trying to keep it kinda stock... i have the art in a Illustrator file if anyone would like to trade art for printing some for me... just few... thanks
http://www.fluf.net/squier51b.jpg

http://www.fluf.net/squier51b.jpg

what do you think looks best?
http://www.fluf.net/squier51a.jpg

Both look good but I prefer the gold.

Ok I'm in - I have 2 51s keeping my home built Tele company. They are bone stock (for now!) sunburst and a nib Blackie I am waiting on for delivery tomorrow. - I will post pics of the 51s once Blackie gets here.

Here are two 51s. I did decoupage on both. The giraffee went to a budding rock star in the family and has no mods other than the finish. The pink flower one I still have and I added a tone knob, 5-way switch, new bridge, pickup cover, pickup rings, and control plate.


http://lh3.ggpht.com/__naHXB8VTUc/SNGHJOWFX9I/AAAAAAAAAr4/iex_tovCDlc/s512/squier_51.JPGhttp://lh5.ggpht.com/__naHXB8VTUc/SNGHVHk_YDI/AAAAAAAAAs0/RS5K_MPviOM/s512/squier_51_body_front.JPGhttp://lh3.ggpht.com/__naHXB8VTUc/SNGHS_HmCCI/AAAAAAAAAss/OIZBpYSgs1w/s512/squier_51_body_back.JPG
http://lh5.ggpht.com/__naHXB8VTUc/S0-j7zYuwGI/AAAAAAAADHY/-h0Z2V-7ddo/s512/12_finished_guitar.jpghttp://lh3.ggpht.com/__naHXB8VTUc/S0-j7UdKfpI/AAAAAAAADHU/fIbiE0oxyu0/s512/11_finished_front.jpg

Check out my control plate! Can I get a 1/2 membership?

http://theneat.com/phan51tele.jpg

I really like the giraffe one there, I'm surprised there aren't more giraffe guitars out there considering the long neck connection and all that.

Count me in for a blonde blackguard, unmodded so far. Will post up some photos when I have it in the same country as me. Like many, I adore the Squier 51 neck profile.

I'll be on board soon - spotted a blackie '51 in a local-ish shop, it's brand new and the last in stock. £130 with gig bag! Picking it up on Friday, will post pics when landed it!!

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/17FEB152010001.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/17FEB152010002.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/17FEB152010003.jpg

Note that these plates are mounted further down on the body, so the issue of the wire binding on the string falling over the saddle break point (present on stock hard point Telecaster top loaders) is resolved. The break angle is a little less and it does give the guitar a spongier playing effect that a Telecaster (even a top loader) even with exactly the same string guage.

I like this brass but I liked the Tele Half Plate in chromed steel that preceded it. I've ordered more of the AV52 type bridges and will chop them in half. The top half can be reworked to lay flat and serve as a mount bracket for a Tele single coil pup. Even over an existing HB rout, so long as it isn't a Jazzmaster or other oversized rout.

Here's my latest addition - it is stock and staying that way for now.....

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o1/bloodguitartattoo/SSL21060.jpg

I'm in. Picked up a stock Blonde today. Let the fun begin!

Is any kind Squier 51 Club member able to measure the thickness of these necks at the 1st and 12th frets?

First post as I have recently purchased a 51 blonde from a co-worker who bought it, never did anything with it, then sold it to me with new plastic/stickers still intact. Terrible buzz issues from the height adjustment screws in the bridge being loose all the time. I adjusted the height and then used a drop of locktight on each screw. Seems to be working for now, but the strings have some pretty nasty pressure on them from the intonation adjustment screws as the screws and strings appear to be designed to occupy the same space. Looking into the Wilkenson bridge with three brass saddles as a replacement. Also looking into replacing the plastic nut with bone. Not sure where to find a precut bone nut for the 51. I'm pretty happy with the electronics for now. This guitar neck and total weight make it very comfortable to strap on. It just feels right. No other way to explain it.

I was not happy with the bridge or nut on mine. Bought the bridge from GFS. The nut I got was a compensating drop in tele nut from Earvana. Both installed without modification. The difference was tremendous. Tone, sustain & it stays in tune anywhere on the neck. The bridge was $30 & the nut was $40.

I was not happy with the bridge or nut on mine. Bought the bridge from GFS. The nut I got was a compensating drop in tele nut from Earvana. Both installed without modification. The difference was tremendous. Tone, sustain & it stays in tune anywhere on the neck. The bridge was $30 & the nut was $40.

I did research the earvana nut awhile ago, but not sure it's worth the money. I like what I've read about the brass barrel type saddles and they are about $25 shipped and with the bridge.

First post as I have recently purchased a 51 blonde from a co-worker who bought it, never did anything with it, then sold it to me with new plastic/stickers still intact. Terrible buzz issues from the height adjustment screws in the bridge being loose all the time. I adjusted the height and then used a drop of locktight on each screw. Seems to be working for now, but the strings have some pretty nasty pressure on them from the intonation adjustment screws as the screws and strings appear to be designed to occupy the same space. Looking into the Wilkenson bridge with three brass saddles as a replacement. Also looking into replacing the plastic nut with bone. Not sure where to find a precut bone nut for the 51. I'm pretty happy with the electronics for now. This guitar neck and total weight make it very comfortable to strap on. It just feels right. No other way to explain it.

You can get a partially preslotted bone nut from Mojotone. Unless you have good nut files, I would recommend the preslotted Tusq or Graphtech, which works great even tho most 51 necks are slightly less than a full 1 + 11/16ths inches.

Your description of the string and the saddle components competing for the same real estate is exactly correct. You can get some compensated brass saddles from Stew Mac and drill 3 new holes in the back edge of the stock plate, 2 + 1/8ths inches across from the closest to the nearest hole, 1/8ths inches in diameter. It is called the "Bubba Mod" not because I invented it but because I've been cheerleading for it for years on the 51 and other type guitars. You can cut a Telecaster AV52 style bridge plate in half and use that, if you add 6 tiny holes to route the strings through the back of the plate.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/28NOV032008001.jpg

If you leave the stock saddles in, just keep the guitar set up real high like an Affinity Tele - it helps a little.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/51JULY192007003.jpg

Hey Boris, what brand of tuners have you got on them there '51s? I'm thinking I might swap out the tuners on my new Tele Custom II, when I get it of course, for some vintage ones like that. I'd say that if they fit your '51, they'd fit my Tele.

Do the vintage tuners cover up all the little locating holes from the stock tuners?

These are Gotoh split shafts will brass tubing to sleeve out the stock bushes.

They've been replaced by Ping splits I took off my MIM Teles, and again I used brass sleeving from K + S metals of Chicago, IL.

In all instances the factory holes are fully covered by the vintage "bracket" or whatever we call that thing. The "frame"? Of course THOSE holes are not all covered if you ever reverted back.

The easiest thing for folks to do now is to order the Gotohs from Stewart Mac and also get the 10.5 conversion bushes, the ones for "import" spec guitars. Those bushes did not exist in 2007 when these Squiers were modded (too bad for me!). The K + S sleeve trick would be needed on the Pings I think. Don't know if there's a conversion bush for the Pings.

Did I ever post my blackie w/the Cocobolo top?

I want so badly to add a '51 to my tonal arsenal. Does anyone know where I can find one in vintage blonde?

Here's my heavily modded '51.
-A real nice guitar!

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wiaYAush4V0/R1R4gSX5JTI/AAAAAAAAACE/h4GMjvyIrD0/s576/P8040007.JPG

Gallery here... (http://picasaweb.google.com/UnkieAl/FerdenFiftyOne)

That is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.
It looks like a relic monster!
I want one!

Vintage blonds are really hard to find now. They were hard to find when the '51s were on blow out. They were, by a pretty far margin it seems, the first to be gone and some folks actually charge more (or get more) from them used and on the bay.

Yep, I paid over the odds a bit for my blonde one, but that was countered by the bargain I got on my sunburst one.

Funny thing is though, I play my sunburst one more.

I might put my blonde one up for sale, I dont play it as much as I should

Finally getting to the end of my project. Started modding my 51 about a year ago. I hated the original control set up. I found a tele style control plate from Ian Rich. Wired it with a 5-way blade switch & added a Fender TBX tone control.

Next I replaced the pick ups. Went with GFS (mainly for the prices). Pro Tube neck pickup & vintage Fender split coil humbucker. I was very pleased with the sound of the pickups.

Read about Earvana's compensating nut, so I had to have one of those. As long as I was doing the nut might as well do the bridge, tuners, trees, pickguard & knobs (from GFS).

I have been really happy with it, but I never used the full humbucker sound. I always used the single coil tones. GFS has now come out with a Tele bridge ProTube. Found a tele mounting ring from Frets on the Net. I got the last of my parts today & just got it all put back together. Wired it like a tele with a 3-way switch.

I love the sound of those lipstick tubes. Probably not for everyone, I play a mellow, laidback style. Now its more of a cross between a Tele & a Dano.

Finally getting to the end of my project. Started modding my 51 about a year ago. I hated the original control set up. I found a tele style control plate from Ian Rich. Wired it with a 5-way blade switch & added a Fender TBX tone control.

Next I replaced the pick ups. Went with GFS (mainly for the prices). Pro Tube neck pickup & vintage Fender split coil humbucker. I was very pleased with the sound of the pickups.

Read about Earvana's compensating nut, so I had to have one of those. As long as I was doing the nut might as well do the bridge, tuners, trees, pickguard & knobs (from GFS).

I have been really happy with it, but I never used the full humbucker sound. I always used the single coil tones. GFS has now come out with a Tele bridge ProTube. Found a tele mounting ring from Frets on the Net. I got the last of my parts today & just got it all put back together. Wired it like a tele with a 3-way switch.

I love the sound of those lipstick tubes. Probably not for everyone, I play a mellow, laidback style. Now its more of a cross between a Tele & a Dano.

Alright where is the picture.

My camera is at my brother-in-law's house. Will post some pictures as soon as I get it back. I do have some previous pictures on page 2 of this thread.

Double post.

Here's mine.Fret ends filed by Axe Haven in Denver,otherwise original.A question:Do SQ 51 serial numbers have a date code embedded in them?

The serial number prefix is followed by a 2 number year

I have 3. This is a picture of my parts caster '51

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y133/iqsr/Guitar%20Stuff/DSC00007-1.jpg

Fixed picture link.

I swapped my stock HB back into my '51 over the weekend. I had a GFS Liverpool in there, but decided I didn't like the match with the neck pickup, which actually seemed louder (or more 'open' at least) than the GFS. Still not sure I'm in love with the hot ceramic HB, but I'm kind of liking the tapped setting now.

At some point I might try a P-90 in there and forego the coil tap entirely. We'll see.

Count me in! I picked my '51 a year ago, since then I've swapped out the bridge for a Wilkinson Cut Off Telecaster bridge. The difference in feel was great, I really don't care for the stock bridge at all, plus the compensated brass saddles look great and do their job.

here's an old pic before the bridge swap.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a155/SkaJon/Squier%2051/P1010052.jpg

Welcome, SkaJon!

Looks great! Please feel free to tell the guys what kind of differences you achieved switching to the (Korean made) Sung-Il 3 barrel Wilkinson half bridge.

I simply swapped the saddles for brass compensated ones, made a big difference. I kept the old bridge plate and redrilled it.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k7/andys_01/Sunburst51plusVJ.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k7/andys_01/Squier51Moddedbridge-1.jpg

I do have a Wilkinson bridge like Boris describes, I just havent fitted it to a '51 yet.

What I might do is take these saddles off this sunburst '51, put them on my 50s Classic, and replace the bridge on the 51 with the Wilky.

Welcome, SkaJon!

Looks great! Please feel free to tell the guys what kind of differences you achieved switching to the (Korean made) Sung-Il 3 barrel Wilkinson half bridge.

Hey Boris long time no see!

Well the Sung Il Wilkinson bridge is awesome, my intonation is spot on with those compensated barrels. If you play a Telecaster, you know what I know about that ashtray bridge feel. Well that's what I wanted out of my 51 and got it with the Wilkinson bridge, now palm muting feels right at home. I feel that the tone got a little clearer as well, probably due to the brass. Also the bridge is built much better than the stock Squier bridge. I'd recommend it to any 51 owner looking for that Telecaster feel. I also changed out the knobs for Guitar Fetish Telecaster Dome knobs (set screw, nice) and some GFS vintage Tele string trees
here's the pics Cheers!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a155/SkaJon/Squier%2051/P1010103.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a155/SkaJon/Squier%2051/P1010105.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a155/SkaJon/Squier%2051/P1010106.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a155/SkaJon/Squier%2051/P1010108.jpg

Did I ever post my blackie w/the Cocobolo top?


Not here, no.

And since things are so hard to access at the other site, I hope you will show us some images. New ones?

:wink:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a155/SkaJon/Squier%2051/P1010106.jpg



Looks great!

If you position this half plate to cover all 5 old holes just so, it also intonates best right there. I like the way it all ties in like that.

And you can use chopped AV52 style Fender plates with your choice of barrel saddles as well.

The shorty plates from Taipantone are not quite large enough to cover all the old mount holes.

Thanks Boris! You've been the most helpful in my mods, I appreciate it. I was thinking about swapping the stock pickups but I actually enjoy the hot sound of them and I humbucker splits rather well IMO, sounds like a strat to me.

You can get a partially preslotted bone nut from Mojotone. Unless you have good nut files, I would recommend the preslotted Tusq or Graphtech, which works great even tho most 51 necks are slightly less than a full 1 + 11/16ths inches.




Clarification. The preslotted Mojotone nuts I have seen are for a neck of ideally about 1.72 in width at the nut. No Squier 51 I've ever seen is this wide. That string array at the nut is just a little too wide in my estimation for a 51 neck. Maybe 1 to 2 /64ths of an inch too wide for me. I suppose you could "cheat" the E and A slots a little when you file them but then where's the utility in buying the nut?

The preslotted Tusq and Graphtech nuts will require some trimming on the ends but I like them anyway. I like the amount of remaining space along the edge of this 51 board and there are no "vintage strat" type falloff issues because you're not using a 2 + 7/32nds width bridge on a Squier 51. Part of what I do in doing the "Bubba Mod" is to fudge the string array at the saddles from a true 2 + 1/16ths inches up towards 2.125. As long as you don't shoot past 2.125 inches you've got plenty of room.

Any of you have an extra 51 for sale?
I like to buy one from someone who knows about them.

Any of you have an extra 51 for sale?
I like to buy one from someone who knows about them.

Just not selling anything right now, not even a saddle. Check over at the Squier 51 Modders Forum; those guys search out and post 51s from E bay and Craigslist and if you hang there you can snag one, I'm sure.

Here's my latest test, a 51 string through with a Hipshot bridge (brass):

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/17MAY112010002.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/17MAY112010003.jpg

My immediate reaction is ??. I've gotta go back and try the 3 barrel bridge then this one again. I guess you could say I was underwhelmed at the result. Let me chew on it awhile.

Yes, alignment issues, my fault entirely. I'll dowel and redrill after I try the old bridge on there and get a baseline for this specific guitar.

Thinking about putting a P90 in the bridge of my '51.
That or a "Charlie Christian" pickup in the neck...The only bad thing about that is that I will lose my middle-position. The Charlie Christian and my SD SH-4 would be waaaaaay unbalanced.

But that CC pickup sounds sooo sweet.
Might have to put it in my other guitar...

:(
Dm

I'm in. I bought this guitar for a friend to give to his gf's kid, who plays already. It's a sunburst '05 and it's super-minty. :cool:

What a cool, strange creature. I've always wanted a top-loader Fender... The 'bucker sounds good, and that with the neck pickup also works well. The neck pickup seems weak on its own. Still can't find the tone knob. :wink:

Since I don't plan on keeping this more than a month or so, no plans to modify. Maybe I should look for my own. :twisted:

Played my black '51 strung with 11's through my new Bugera V5 last night. I am convinced this is the best guitar Fender ever put out*. My CV has vibe for sure but the '51 has gobs of that plus utility. It's really the Swiss Army Knife of guitars IMHO.

Thinking about putting a P90 in the bridge of my '51.


Easy there. That could create a vortex of awesomeness you might not survive. Post results - if you make it through.

* disclaimer: that I could ever afford.

Stopped by a used guitar store in Portland, OR yesterday & they had 2 for sale. A butterscotch blonde & a sunburst, both for $150. If I had the money, I would have bought both.

Stopped by a used guitar store in Portland, OR yesterday & they had 2 for sale. A butterscotch blonde & a sunburst, both for $150. If I had the money, I would have bought both.

Wow thats a good price, in UK money that £100. They are selling on ebay over here for much more than that.

Though I did snag a sunburst one, badly listed, collect only for £41 about a year ago.

Get the money together and go back and buy that blonde one, blonde '51s are more scarce than the black and sunburst ones.

I guarantee it'll be a keeper.

150 is a good price, just purchased my first 51 last week off Fleabay for 199.99, with gig bag and free shipping. Can't wait for delivery.....:mrgreen:

Great thread.

My black Squier 51 has had the following mods.
GFS lipstick neck pickup
Wilkinson vintage tuners
Bone nut courtesy of Rob DiStefano
Chrome humbucker ring
Pickguard modified to the USACG 51 STP shape from their Kisekae guitar generator program.
Silver "Fender: Squier Fifty One" decal
Shoe polish mod to darken the neck slightly.
Speed Racer and Chapparal "66" museum stickers on the back.

I've had a lot of fun with this and can't get over how great that cheapo humbucker is.
(It also struck me as odd that the very spendy ($3500?) Custom Shop '51s omitted this feature in favor of a of a Tele pickup IIRC)
I'd still like to do something with the bridge. I want to keep it a top loader, but go to a three-saddle Tele setup.

My question: Is there currently an easy, reliable source for the Wilkinson half-bridge for something like the $20 they were going for from Hong Kong a while back. The links I found were all sold out.

While it seems a little odd on a $150 guitar, has anyone thought about/tried the Marc Rutters "Chopped bridge?"

http://app4.websitetonight.com/projects2/0/3/8/9/1609830/_mygallery/RuttersChoppedBridge1.jpg

It's really slick (as is his standard short tele bridge), but I'd guess it wouldn't cover the old bridge holes, and it's not a toploader. Still, for a start-from-scratch project, the Chopper might be the right stuff...

cheers
Allen

Great thread.

My black Squier 51 has had the following mods.
GFS lipstick neck pickup
Wilkinson vintage tuners
Bone nut courtesy of Rob DiStefano
Chrome humbucker ring
Pickguard modified to the USACG 51 STP shape from their Kisekae guitar generator program.
Silver "Fender: Squier Fifty One" decal
Shoe polish mod to darken the neck slightly.
Speed Racer and Chapparal "66" museum stickers on the back.

I've had a lot of fun with this and can't get over how great that cheapo humbucker is.
(It also struck me as odd that the very spendy ($3500?) Custom Shop '51s omitted this feature in favor of a of a Tele pickup IIRC)
I'd still like to do something with the bridge. I want to keep it a top loader, but go to a three-saddle Tele setup.

My question: Is there currently an easy, reliable source for the Wilkinson half-bridge for something like the $20 they were going for from Hong Kong a while back. The links I found were all sold out.

While it seems a little odd on a $150 guitar, has anyone thought about/tried the Marc Rutters "Chopped bridge?"

http://app4.websitetonight.com/projects2/0/3/8/9/1609830/_mygallery/RuttersChoppedBridge1.jpg

It's really slick (as is his standard short tele bridge), but I'd guess it wouldn't cover the old bridge holes, and it's not a toploader. Still, for a start-from-scratch project, the Chopper might be the right stuff...

cheers
Allen

Allen, I have tried these eccentric slotted stainless saddles from Marc (on a CP Baja) and they are great.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/17FEB192010003.jpg

Something worth trying would be to contact Marc and see if he can make you a "topload only" version of this bridge plate. That would be super tidy looking on a Squier 51 or any topload Tele. IMO there's a niche market need for Tele style bridgeplates that are either left blank for 5 or 6 string through or topload custom drilling or at least with a topload only drill pattern.

Boris
Thanks for the suggestion. Do you think the the "chopped" bridge would cover the holes/routs on a 51? I'm thinking of Marc to replace the bridgeplates/saddles on two of my Teles, and glad to hear the thumbs up.
Any idea where I might find a Wilkinson string-through half-plate? I'm kind of thinking "cheap and dirty" with the Squier, with a possible upgrade if I'm liking the three-saddle look/tone.

Here's my heavily modded '51.
-A real nice guitar!

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wiaYAush4V0/R1R4gSX5JTI/AAAAAAAAACE/h4GMjvyIrD0/s576/P8040007.JPG

Gallery here... (http://picasaweb.google.com/UnkieAl/FerdenFiftyOne)

Hey Unk - very nice!

I'm curious about the bridge you used - what is it? And how did you make out with covering the existing holes and fitting the tele bridge p/u in the existing route? Was it much work? I've been thinking about trying to get a tele bridge and p/u in mine but so far haven't found a bridge that I think will cover the existing holes and match up with the humbucker route.

Hey Unk - very nice!.

word. That guitbox rules. man that looks good!

-kp--

Hey Unk - very nice!

I'm curious about the bridge you used - what is it? And how did you make out with covering the existing holes and fitting the tele bridge p/u in the existing route? Was it much work? I've been thinking about trying to get a tele bridge and p/u in mine but so far haven't found a bridge that I think will cover the existing holes and match up with the humbucker route.

Thanks for the kind words, it is a very, very nice guitar!

The bridge i used is most likely a cheap aftermarket knockoff, but i can't remember...

I covered the humbucker route by using a piece of wood i which i carefully fitted to fill the hole precisely.
Then i just glued it in and routed a new hole for a regular tele bridge pickup.
The whole procedure took a couple of hours in total.

Nice one, Unkie.
My one niggle with the 51 is the pickguard shape. I like the concept but I think it's badly executed.
I re-shaped mine with a dremel and I'm much happier. Since mine is black, I just covered the existing pickguard screws with some small black screws, but on a refin, that's not an issue.

I covered the humbucker route by using a piece of wood i which i carefully fitted to fill the hole precisely.

I was hoping that wouldn't be your answer. :cry: I don't yet want to go so far as a refin, so I had hoped to find something that would cover (with the help of a custom pickguard) the existing holes and be able to fit the pickup into the existing route. For now I have a Gibson P-94T in there and the original bridge, along with a Mexican tele neck pickup, which sounds pretty amazing, but I'm curious how a steel tele bridge coupled to the pickup would sound in comparison. Does yours get that tele "twang"?

Nice one, Unkie.
My one niggle with the 51 is the pickguard shape. I like the concept but I think it's badly executed.

Yeah - that's my only nitpick too. I changed mine for a custom cut strat-shaped tortoise shell blank with the bridge end cut flat across like on a tele. Mine is a sunburst, so I was able to do a decent job of covering up the exposed pickguard screw holes using filler, black car paint touch-up, super-glue, and some polyurethane. You have to get fairly close to see the holes. If I'd used a dark brown paint it might have been nearly invisible.

I thought I would share the Squier 51 I just refinished. The color is Deep Jewel Green from Duplicolor. GFS Humucker and Lipstick pickup. Wired with a 3 way mini-toggle with a normal bridge/bridge+neck/neck tele style configuration. Replaced the neck with a Squire Strat neck.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hKV8hmng_jk/TF_3Vhh1bMI/AAAAAAAAANQ/wSJK1lQ167E/s400/IMAG0014.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hKV8hmng_jk/TF_15kSxlKI/AAAAAAAAAM0/eIZmqyVLO94/s400/IMAG0009.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hKV8hmng_jk/TF_3Vd7l-FI/AAAAAAAAANM/7z1G0cTtS-o/s512/IMAG0013.jpg

The guitar was in really bad shape when I got it. It had been drilled for string though and had tearouts on the backside. Part of the control cavity was hand routed out and filled in with bondo or something like that. Most of the hardware was rusted out and had to be replaced.

That is one good looking guitar! I really like the pick guard, doing away with the control panel and incorporating the controls into the guard makes the looks really flow. Did you make the guard yourself?

The pickguard is one of the clearance guards from GFS. I think they have a few of them left. It worked out well for me. The routing was butchered on the control cavity so having the guard cover to controls really helped me out.

Got my '51 on Monday(my birthday!).The one mod I am doing for now is to put a bone nut on it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/fuzztone65/Squier%2051/e3f77111.jpg

aqevDRhfrso

guitar is nice...but Kickball Katy is NICER...goodness that hop!

guitar is nice...but Kickball Katy is NICER...goodness that hop!


To clear up any confusion Kickball Katy is the bassist, and Cassie Ramone is the guitarist playing the Squier 51.
Thanks for sharing, though.

To clear up any confusion Kickball Katy is the bassist, and Cassie Ramone is the guitarist playing the Squier 51.
Thanks for sharing, though.

Not to take anything away from Cassie Ramone, but is her 51 stock?
And also...I can't, for the life of me, figure out what chords she is playing.
:confused:
Love the song...but all I hear primarily is the bass and some droning unknown echoey chord...

Is the SungIl three barrel half bridge still available, revisiting a 51?

There was an e-bay vendor in Hong Kong and another in Arizona, last time I checked.

I just chopped down AV52 style bridgeplates instead.

Hi,guys. Just found one,150.00/case. Its a sunburst . Should have it this afternoon I hope. Working out time to get it. Got a CV50 Tele now. This should fit nicely.

Got a pic or 2
this thing is cool neck is much thicker than the CV50.
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh209/6cylrider98/pics014.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh209/6cylrider98/pics016.jpg
Tone knob would be cool ,got to check out mods. Why is the bridge so often modded? Thanks for looking

Here's my 51. Got it from Music-Go-Round stock... except for that awful nut, it's bone. :wink: Wonderful guitar, really. The only thing I don't like is the neck pickup -- but if I Esquire my CV50 (as I intend), guess where that pup's going. Come to think of it, I don't really care for the tapped single coil, either; but no biggie -- love the 'bucker, and I have the CV50 for single-coil bridgey goodness. Can use the tap as a backup. Niftiness all around.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/dolo_amber/101_1630.jpg

Tone knob would be cool ,got to check out mods. Why is the bridge so often modded? Thanks for looking

Boris will probably come in here, but making the stock bridge a three saddle significantly improves the tone. I have a three saddle mod on one of my 51s, and the other has a GFS bridge instead of the stock one.

The stock bridge works against itself from where I see it. Youve got strings going under the saddles pushing them up, as well as over pushing them back down.

Simply having a bridge that just has downward pressure alone on the saddles has got to be an improvement IMO.

As for the stock humbucker, I too love it. I has a real P90 quality to my ears and I have kept the stock bucker in both my 51s.

I'm quite partial to the neck pickup tone as well to be honest.

The stock bridge works against itself from where I see it. You've got strings going under the saddles pushing them up, as well as over pushing them back down.

I'm confused - I have the stock bridge and my strings only go over the saddles - never under. All the pressure is downward. Are there different "stock" bridges out there?

As for the stock humbucker, I too love it. I has a real P90 quality to my ears and I have kept the stock bucker in both my 51s.

I wasn't as thrilled with the stock bridge humbucker as most seem to be. It's nice for crunchy rhythm or hot lead sounds, but I found it a little too generic sounding and lacking for the kind of clean tones I like (even when split). I replaced it with a P90 (Gibson P94-T) and I like that much more, even for overdriven sounds. Yes, they are similar in some respects (the general similarity between P90s and HBs), but overall they sound very different.

Here's one of mine (the other is a stock black one). Pup toggle in the upper horn, push-pull tone control with mid-cut circuit in the pulled position. Upgraded neck bolts and bridge screws to larger stainless steel, and added chrome HB ring and "F" neck plate.

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa252/TomHB_2007/SquierWall72.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa252/TomHB_2007/SquierCo72.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa252/TomHB_2007/SwitchLeft72.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa252/TomHB_2007/SwitchRight72.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa252/TomHB_2007/ToneSchem.gif

I'm confused - I have the stock bridge and my strings only go over the saddles - never under. All the pressure is downward. Are there different "stock" bridges out there?



Dunno, maybe there are. All I know is that the stock bridge on mine had a string path that fed through the back of the plate, UNDER the back of the saddle, up through a slot in the saddle then OVER the front. Ive seen other hardtail bridges like this too.

So I three-saddled it!

The three saddle looks better, it feels better, and it works better.
For $17, the Wilkinson half plate is right in keeping with the Squier 51 aesthetic.

Dunno, maybe there are. All I know is that the stock bridge on mine had a string path that fed through the back of the plate, UNDER the back of the saddle, up through a slot in the saddle then OVER the front. Ive seen other hardtail bridges like this too.

So I three-saddled it!

Okay - I see what you mean. On mine, they also pass under like you describe, but they don't touch the saddle at that point so there isn't any upward pressure applied. I guess it all depends on where the saddles end up after setting the intonation. I've read that the '51 bridges aren't always installed in the ideal location - which could cause that problem if the saddle has to be pushed forward a lot because the bridge is too far back.

I joined the club today. I'd never considered one of these, but found one in a pawn shop and did a little research. Based on this thread and others like it, I pulled the trigger. The shop had a very nice newish (maybe new) tobacco sunburst on the rack. From my little research, it looks like these babies go for about $150 on up. The pawn shop had it tagged at $149.99, as expected. I've never paid full price for anything in this particular store, so after playing it for a while, I asked the tattooed darling what my bargain basement price was. She looked it up and told me I could have it for $89.99. Being the tightwad that I am, I asked if she could take $80. She said they paid $80 for it and she had to show a little profit or she would get in trouble. I handed over my 90 clams with a big smile on my face.

Now, what do I do with this thing? I haven't put fresh strings on it yet, but the action is excellent and the intonation is perfect on 5 of the 6. The tone is nothing like my Les or my Tele for sure. What styles do you play on these things? How do they sound the best? Any tips for making the most of this little tobacco sunburst jewel?

Now, what do I do with this thing? I haven't put fresh strings on it yet, but the action is excellent and the intonation is perfect on 5 of the 6. The tone is nothing like my Les or my Tele for sure. What styles do you play on these things? How do they sound the best? Any tips for making the most of this little tobacco sunburst jewel?

Put new strings on an play it for a while. See if you like the tones that you can get from it. They are pretty bright guitars, so you might want to tame the treble control on your amp a bit.

I love the humbucker in my two 51s, I have kept them in. They have a bit of a P90 quality to them.

You might want to look into changing the nut as well.

By far the biggest noticable mod you can do, is upgrade the bridge, by either replacing it with a better one, or simply replacing the saddles with a three saddle set up, by putting three more holes in the back of the baseplate. Makes quite a difference.

Oh, and another mod you can do, is go to the Squier 51 Forum and look at what folk have done to theirs over there. They are a nice bunch over there too, many of 'em are on here too.

http://www.instituteofnoise.com/squier51/forum/default.asp

Welcome to '51 ownership:wink:

By far the biggest noticable mod you can do, is upgrade the bridge, by either replacing it with a better one, or simply replacing the saddles with a three saddle set up, by putting three more holes in the back of the baseplate. Makes quite a difference.

I haven't done a bridge upgrade, so I can't comment on how much of a difference that would make sonically although I'm sure a three-brass-saddle tele-style setup would be quite different, but I would think that a pickup change would make more difference than anything else. Of course that would depend on the pickups, just as bridge change differences would depend on the bridge. Another big difference for me was adding a tone control. As mentioned by Sol, the lack of a tone control on the stock '51 makes for a very prominent top end - adding one smooths things out dramatically even when wide open.

Happy modding!!

In order:
Reshape the pickguard: Free. YMMV.
Chrome ring for the 'bucker: just looks cool, only like $5.
New nut: the stock ones, which do vary, can be pretty bad.
Neck pickup: I've got a GFS lipstick which I like a lot, but there are many options.
Tuners: I like vintage style, but the stock ones are fine.
Bridge: I like the Wilkinson three saddle bridge. It's cool, simple and cheap, like the rest of the guitar. I didn't notice a huge tonal difference, not nearly as much as the pickup.

Leave it alone:
Bridge pickup: This pickup in this guitar is a modern classic, a latter day Les Paul Jr. You might get a different tone, but you'll be hard pressed to get a better one.

Your call:
Tone control/switching: I kinda like the simple setup, and using the knob to switch pickups. That said, I would imagine a proper tone control might give you a bunch of new tonal options. The mini toggle or the Ian Rich control plate do the job elegantly, but there's something about the original setup that works and I don't want to mess with it too much.

Here's mine, paid $100 for it on CL, was very dirty and unplayed/unloved.

The pic with the white PG is from the CL ad, didn't have much to go and had no idea how flamed the neck would turn out to be...:cool:

http://img1.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/6772/67722119dbd95bde06fcca331af104426cf011e.jpg

photochopped it into one of my favorite wallpapers

Forgive me for reviving a slightly old thread.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t151/Bucks_Student/Gibson-Squeir001.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t151/Bucks_Student/Gibson-Squeir002.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLP8-aDG64I

I got mine right before they discontinued them for 150, which I later found out was actually high - Guitar Center was giving them out for $75 to 90! Crazy. I have a Twangbanger in the neck (Can get a great P-90 Richard Thompson/Fairport tone), and a normal Seymour in the lead. I've been meaning to get a tune-o-matic and stop-bar for it, but can't get my money tree to grow.

Obviously, it's one of my best sounding guitars (Even better than my Ric).

Do you think a tuneomatic and stopbar would be easier to palm-mute with than the saddle that comes with them or the 3 saddle tele bridge??

These guitars are cool in the way everyone has a different take on how to mod them. I didn't like the stock humbucker & replaced it & discovered that it was the split coil sound that I didn't like. I decided to go with a Tele bridge PU & standard Tele wiring. Got most of my parts from GFS (Pro Tube PU's, bridge, tuners, knobs & pickguard). The control plate is from an outfit in New Zealand, bridge pickup ring from fretsonthenet.com, black Tusq trees & an Earvana nut. The mod that made the biggest improvement in tone was the combination of the GFS bridge & the Earvana nut. I had to route a small section of the bridge PU cavity to get it to fit, but the PU ring is over sized & covers it up good.

i have a Squier '51 for sale
sunburst and in excellent original condition
where would be the best place to look for buyers ?

here! i want one! :)


a friend of mine originally bought his for 150 about 4 years ago... sold it about 18 months ago for 100.. and just found it again in cash convertors for 70 quid! he's never parting with it again.

btw just worked out from posts on the modders forum.. its a seafoam green one, and i should add that the neck on a '51 is a reason i ended up with a tele in the first place!

i have a Squier '51 for sale
sunburst and in excellent original condition
where would be the best place to look for buyers ?

You wont get many takers for those things, just send it to me, I'll pay your postage:lol:

Seriously, theres a whole forum devoted to these iconic guitars at http://www.instituteofnoise.com/Squier51/forum/default.asp I guess theres folk on there that would be interested.

Or stick it on ebay, Ive seen them sell for some considerable sums

Good luck

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee210/roscoestring/003-16.jpg

And Mr. Straing has another 51 in an unopened box as well!

You'd think with 30 of them at one time or another, I could've saved just one in the box.

But I didn't.

Yes, still got it. I have surely been tempted to open it up though. The box says it's a blackie. I know I'll have to open it up some day. But then I'll want to take it apart and swap things around. Nah, it's better it stays closed a little longer.

Yes, still got it. I have surely been tempted to open it up though. The box says it's a blackie. I know I'll have to open it up some day. But then I'll want to take it apart and swap things around. Nah, it's better it stays closed a little longer.

:lol:

Me too. Mine is a sunburst in the box. I've often thought if I can't see it, I won't mess with it. But then I've also thought, if I can't see it, what's the point of keeping it. I should let someone else be the caretaker.

i'm in the club!! i just scored a butterscotch blonde (mustard?) 51.. stock with black pickguard locally via 'preloved.co.uk' :)

I am tuning my Squier 51 and have had the head airbrushed as well as put a b-bender on it.
Still a long way to go.
Need another bridge (Wilkonson cutaway and other pickups).
Not in a hurry.....:lol:

I hope to be joining this club soon- I'm negotiating an '04 sunburst that is described as dead mint. I've offered up an old acoustic that has been getting dusty since I got the Seagull (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/phapster/Guitars/seagull_mini-jumbo.jpg).

Sorry about the low-res pic, but it's the best I've got right now:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/phapster/Guitars/Squier-51_Modified.jpg

It's temporarily all in pieces now, I've shimmed the neck and will re-drill the bridge holes for the Nighthawkejones Modification (http://www.instituteofnoise.com/squier51/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=747&whichpage=1). I'll probably make a new nut for it too, but other than maybe finding a black pickguard for it, will leave it stock. Love the neck, lightness, tones & simplicity. Incredible bang for the buck!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/phapster/Guitars/squier51.jpg

Sunburst 51, new string through bridge, GF black pickguard (I have the MOP and TS PGs too in case I ever decide to repaint it), I painted the headstock and did a custom decal which I think turned out really nicely.

I love mine,
after a pro set up it has become my favorite guitar to play.

Hmm, sunburst and red torty.

Thats what I have done to mine

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k7/andys_01/PeaveyAmpplusSquier51.jpg

[QUOTE=Sollophonic;3053600]Hmm, sunburst and red torty.

Thats what I have done to mine

it just seems to make it look classier...fools people into believing its a much more expensive guitar:wink:

but now I'm thinking about refinishing it in powder blue...I can't stop obsessing about it...

I NEED ONE!

No longer in the club but those are cool guitars - ran across this band the other day - the lead guitarist plays a '51 - thought you guys would appreciate this link:

UQ4p1K9Vz1E