Top Loader Telecaster Club

Jimmy Page, Jim Campilongo, even blackguard book author Nacho Baños whose first telecaster was, like Jeff Buckley and Freddie Mercury, a 1983 model: the list of great people wielding a top loader is fantastic.

So, I thought it was about time. Anyone who is as ostracized as us top loading folk out to have a club of their own! This is for those of us who own a telecaster from circa 1959 (lucky lucky people), circa 1983 with that quirky elite bridge, and anytime since the top loaders have mingled their way into a Fender telecaster line. Not to exclude those top loading partscasters/customs, who are more than welcome to hang their hats here.

I'll make a pic-laden introduction with my 1983 telecaster. Not too heavily modified - chrome pickguard replaced original white, and boost switch inbetween tone and volume knobs, plus lace sensor bridge pickup.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/Zaknafein/DSCN4294.jpg?t=1265584250
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/Zaknafein/DSCN3696.jpg?t=1265584251
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/Zaknafein/DSCN4295.jpg?t=1265584298

So please come, make merry, escape those string throughers. I would like to say that clean unholey back shot is obligatory but alas I can't provide one myself as my guitar is in another country.

Welcome!

Here's one ... my converted late '90s American Standard. Changed the tuners to Gotohs also.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k230/tabakian/body.jpg

has anybody ever plugged the string holes and installed a TL bridge ??? although i don't own a TL, i like the feel of the strings and i don't notice a difference in sound ...

Had a top-loader partscaster w/ rosewood fingerboard that my son "borrowed" several years ago; somehow, it has become his main guitar. I suppose he felt guilty, and has no intention of returning it, because he placed a BSB blackguard under the Christmas tree.

Here are a couple of my dual loaders strung topside: a 2003 MIM Classic Series '50s Tele and a 1993 MIK Cort Tele copy.

Ironhide, I love the looks with that chrome bridge pickup cover, chrome pickguard and chrome switch tip; and that beach shot is a great way to show off all that chrome.

rangercaster, I don't know if they sound any different toploaded but they sound just fine to me. I don't see any reason to fill holes. I just love the feel.

My top load tele. Jimmy Page "dragon" homemade replica.

http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww240/the_best_of_fools/Dragon%20Telecaster/DSCN1221a.jpg

http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww240/the_best_of_fools/Dragon%20Telecaster/DSCN1214a.jpg

http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww240/the_best_of_fools/Dragon%20Telecaster/DSCN1208a.jpg

tbof

And here´s my MIA topload Tele. Got it around 1999 and it was my first Tele. And now there´s five of them... :smile:

http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww240/the_best_of_fools/Dragon%20Telecaster/DSCN1214a.jpg




Very cool, Tbof!

May I ask, do you have any trouble with the wire bindings on the big E and A strings coming up over the saddle and into the area of the saddle break point?

Any recommendations as to brands or type names of strings that have a shorter bundle of bindings than the average brand (such as D'Addario). I am already aware of the german Fender Bullet string design (which I've rejected based upon their awkward appearance).

Anyone?


Much obliged. I've got 4 top loaders in the works, bodies already in finishing and I'm looking for a solution. I am thinking the binding was much shorter/compact back in 59 in the heyday of this Page Tele. :cool:

I have D'Addario EXL-110s (.009-.046) toploaded on this clone vintage style bridge with plenty of room. The wrapped portion of the string ends at a point approximately above the middle of the bridge mounting screw adjacent to the 6th string. Even on my Teles with Glendale angle compensated saddles, the breakpoint for the 6th string is farther from the bottom of the bridge that that. Boris, do you have a setup that has the breakpoint for the 6th closer to the bottom of the bridge?

The wrapped portion of the string ends at a point approximately above the middle of the bridge mounting screw adjacent to the 6th string.


Same for me - and FYI, I use Ernie Balls (9s) Super Slinky. :wink:

Of course, I'd imagine bridge placement and intonation setting might be a factor to take in consideration too...

Hope this helps.

tbof

I own two top loaders and love them both. With another one on order.
I will post pictures soon.

I'm seeing all three barrel and six barrel bridges. Does anyone like hardtail bridges like this Schaller:

http://www.stewmac.com/catalog/images_1lg/0577_1lg.jpg

Or this ABM:

http://www.abm-mueller.de/images/products/guitarbridges_3_4.jpg

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/537/6ab9_1.jpg

John A. Ditrapani rosewood all the way around and top loaded. Now has a Rio Grande in the bridge instead of the pictured rails.

i've got a wilkinson bridge that can either be a toploader or bottomloader...since my other esquire is a bottom loader thought id try it from the top...sounds pretty darn good!! i would've never noticed the difference i don't think...

This is my only toploader. It is my first Telecaster. Got this one in 1992 in Twin Falls, ID. Its a MIM Standard that I've modded with SCN Noiseless and 4-way switch. Has one of those six saddle setups that Boris is so fond of (Ha!) Where do I get the three saddle toploader I've seen on some in this thread?

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/oo132/porknblue/TopLoad1.jpg

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/oo132/porknblue/TopLoad2.jpg

Geez, I've been championing top-loaders since the old TDP days... what took you guys so long?!?!?!:lol: Here's mine, it's an action shot, but the only things I've done to it (besides playing the snot out of it) is a Duncan Broadcaster bridge pup; chrome dome knobs-lost the originals; barrel tip, pickholder, and that round sticker below the bridge (International Blues Challenge 2010, where this pic was taken). I've since decide it's time to retire the old telly, and only pull it out for special events and recording-it's earned its rest after 1000 gigs!!!

Edit: This pic hides the fact that the finish is almost completely wore off the fretboard, believe me, this guitar has been PLAYED!!!

Franc Robert

This is my only toploader. It is my first Telecaster. Got this one in 1992 in Twin Falls, ID. Its a MIM Standard that I've modded with SCN Noiseless and 4-way switch. Has one of those six saddle setups that Boris is so fond of (Ha!) Where do I get the three saddle toploader I've seen on some in this thread?

This one...

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachments/guitar-owners-clubs/42424d1267503737-top-loader-telecaster-club-mim-classic-series-50s-tele-toploaded-2-jpg

I got from ebay dealer Southeast Music (http://stores.ebay.com/SOUTHEAST-MUSIC_Tele-Bridges_W0QQ_fsubZ5319815QQ). The saddles that come on it are probably zinc which I don't like for saddles. This one has brass grooved saddles from a Squier CV '50s Tele under the first four strings and a steel grooved saddle from a Fender Classic Series '69 Thinline under the 5th and 6th strings.

A bridge like you have on yours can be fine, that's virtually the same as what I have on my '93 Cort. But I replaced the zinc saddles with steel Fender barrels. G&L (http://www.glguitars.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=42) makes a nice looking set of them in brass.

great to see so many toploaders here!
backalleyblues: I see you've got an 83 too, ain't the neck pickup just great? I kept my original too.



P.S. For anyone who's interested, I got a vintage style bridge from axesrus.com which is only top loader, no string thru holes drilled. I noticed in the stock photo for one of their dual load bridges that the chrome version was like that, and I asked them, and I bought it! I think they said they had two left. A little bit of info for the top loader club (unfortunately I believe they only ship to europe)

[QUOTE=Ironhide;2420215]great to see so many toploaders here!
backalleyblues: I see you've got an 83 too, ain't the neck pickup just great? I kept my original too.



Here's my '83 toploader, and yes, the neck pickup is fantastic!

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww183/telechamp/Panasonic18PB.jpg

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww183/telechamp/Panasonic20PB.jpg

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww183/telechamp/Panasonic21PB.jpg

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww183/telechamp/Panasonic23PB.jpg

Wonder how many 'clubs' this guitar will get me in. Butterscotch, Esquire, and Pinecaster at least. So I'll probably post this in all of them, but with different pics.

This is my first tele, after having Gibsons, Gibson copies and Strats. I've settled on Stats as my guitar of choice, but this Esquire may have changed my mind.

This is one of three bodies I have made from scratch at the same time. Since they were my first from scratch bodies, I didn't expect much. Used cheap wood to 'learn' on. (2 pine bodies and one cypress) I built up the first pine body without finishing it, just to experiment with a couple different necks, pickups, cap values etc.

On that 'test' pine body, I drilled string through holes, but wasn't happy with the alignment (MIS-alignment). I didn't want to mess up the second body, so restrung the 'test' body as a top-load to see if I'd like it. It sounded just fine to me, I couldn't tell the difference after reassembling it as a top loader. Or not enough that at tweak on the amp didn't accommodated it. Knowing that, I decided not to risk messing up the second body and just built as a top load.
I can always drill holes if I want, but at this point I'm very happy with it.

After having an Epiphone Masterbilt Acoustic with a V neck, I realized I liked that shape, so this is a V shaped neck. My hands aren't big, but the V shape still seems to feel better. Really liking it.

This Was going to be a traditional blackguard tele, but I ended up making it into an Esquire. I did do the Cocked Wah, like Arlo demo's on his Taipan Tele. Though I don't remember the exact cap values I used. What I did was buy just about every value of cap mentioned in ANY of these guitar threads, used some clip on leads from Radio Shack, and sat there clipping and unclipping caps while my son played the guitar until I found what I liked best.

That's kind of how I do all this stuff whether it's pickups, bridges, wood, top-load, etc. I read the opinions but almost always do my own experiment and if I like it, that's good enough for me.

I used a traditional jack cup, but 'electrosocketed it', with two screws holding it firm. McGyver approach for sure, but it just seems to FIT with this type guitar.

MAN, I love this guitar. It is VERY loud acoustically. Really just surprisingly loud, not sure why that is. I'm still amazed at the sustain and sound acoustically. It's all I've played for the last couple months.

I did do a thread showing how I did the butterscotch finish, starting with plain Fender Blonde, then tinted/clear lacquer until I was happy with it.
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/196887-watching-paint-dry.html

My pics are always so bad, but it's the best I seem to be able to do. Might help if I'd cleaned/wiped it down before pics, but this is just as it is. The details of the pine grain show through very clearly in real life.

http://www.daveharper.com/Webpics/TeleBB2.jpg

http://daveharperphotos.irun100s.com/i.ashx?gallery=352962&mid=11594320&mt=Photo&standardsize=original

http://daveharperphotos.irun100s.com/i.ashx?gallery=352962&mid=11594317&mt=Photo&standardsize=original

That's a 4x10 cabinet under the amps
http://daveharperphotos.irun100s.com/i.ashx?gallery=352962&mid=11594327&mt=Photo&standardsize=original
http://daveharperphotos.irun100s.com/i.ashx?gallery=352962&mid=11594321&mt=Photo&standardsize=original

Twin necks, one in the white, one that's been finished for the Butterscotch Blonde Tele.
http://daveharperphotos.irun100s.com/i.ashx?gallery=352962&mid=11594318&mt=Photo&standardsize=original

I guess I shouldn't feel so all alone with my '91 MIM Tele...sorry, no pics.

I have D'Addario EXL-110s (.009-.046) toploaded on this clone vintage style bridge with plenty of room. The wrapped portion of the string ends at a point approximately above the middle of the bridge mounting screw adjacent to the 6th string. Even on my Teles with Glendale angle compensated saddles, the breakpoint for the 6th string is farther from the bottom of the bridge that that. Boris, do you have a setup that has the breakpoint for the 6th closer to the bottom of the bridge?


I apologize; I somehow missed this reply.

Yes, I do have some that intonate better with the E-A barrel back a little further.

I suspect that the string access holes in the plates are located a little higher than yours in some instances, but more than anything else a lot of these guitars simply set up naturally with the saddles not slammed, but much lower than the ones you show here.

Finally I just don't want the bundle holding the ball end on even that close to the saddle or the picking hand.

I apologize; I somehow missed this reply.

Yes, I do have some that intonate better with the E-A barrel back a little further.

I suspect that the string access holes in the plates are located a little higher than yours in some instances, but more than anything else a lot of these guitars simply set up naturally with the saddles not slammed, but much lower than the ones you show here.

Finally I just don't want the bundle holding the ball end on even that close to the saddle or the picking hand.

On my new partscaster , that will be toploader, I was going to use some ball ends from old strings to create a spacer to make the bundles further back, how much this will help, I am not sure. The question for me now is whether to superglue each one to the bridge or fiddle with the things on every string change.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3511410132_2747f55eeb.jpg
88 MIJ Top-Loader. Swapped the strap buttons for locking ones. Swapped the jack cup, control plate, knobs, bridge and now neck pickup cover for black (need new picture). Stock pickups, recently rewired for four-way switch and no-load treble pot. Next step will be graphite trees, nut and saddles, the maybe black locking tuners.

My mid 80s ? MIJ toploader. had a sd mini humbucker when I got it a few years back, I changed the saddles cos the barrel ones made me mad and the paint kept falling off so I scraped it all off meaning to refinnish it but somehow it never got done.. I shall never let this one go...(who'd want it lol)

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk62/hiitsbsj/CIMG2408.jpg


http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk62/hiitsbsj/CIMG2410.jpg


http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk62/hiitsbsj/CIMG2413.jpg

I just finished this build 2 days ago. I have a new bridge comeing in the mail tomorrow. I dont like the American standard bridge because you cant add a bridge cover, so i ordered a vintage fender 3 saddle bridge. Its packin Fender Custom Shop Texas Special pickups. (bridge 10.5K) (neck 9.5K)http://ploader.net/files/823581e82445e0bcb34fef13185f2dca.JPGhttp://ploader.net/files/823581e82445e0bcb34fef13185f2dca.JPGhttp://ploader.net/files/05105e9995ba059be5701f611b2a4d02.JPG

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachments/telecaster-discussion-forum/48843d1273114006-show-us-your-la-cabronita-clones-cab1-jpg

Not lucky enough to have a real vintage Fender top-loader but went with a topper for my La Cabronita tribute. I notice no difference in sustain or resonance compared to my string throughs. Rutters body (perfect!), GFS Retrotron.

I have an '83, with a vintage 3 saddle bridge, which I bought around '92/3. Bridge is drilled for top or through body stringing. Stock pickups are great- especially the bridge, which will twang or growl, to order:-) Skinny neck suits my little hands. Heavier than my Custom but resonates fine. Good guitar.

would you guys comment (again) on playing feel diff.s vs body-thru?

alanfc - great idea

yegbert - do you only use top loaders now?

I have a the MIJ and a body-thru STL50, and honestly, I don't feel much of a difference.

My Teles are so different it is hard to compare them- ash/alder, rosewood/maple, single coil/WRHB, light/heavyweight.........

People who never play toploaders seem to think this is a big deal but I don't.

I had a TTB Gibson once....... I noticed they stopped making 'em. Maybe they were too good?

great to see so many toploaders here!
backalleyblues: I see you've got an 83 too, ain't the neck pickup just great? I kept my original too.


didn't see this till just now, but yes, Ironhide, the neck pup is to die for!!! A nice example (if I may toot my own horn for a second) is on my new CD 49x61... the track "Monday Morning Blues" is my telly on the neck pup through a Carvin Vintage 16, setup with just a bit of hair... go to my MySpace page to hear it...

I have another pic of me with my telly, you can see the wear on the fretboard a LOT better here...

Franc Robert

The chrome on this bridge is so perfect I thought it had two sets of strings loaded!!! :grin:


.

[QUOTE=yegbert;2419727]This one...

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachments/guitar-owners-clubs/42424d1267503737-top-loader-telecaster-club-mim-classic-series-50s-tele-toploaded-2-jpg

who carries top loading bridges?

who carries top loading bridges?

I like getting them from GFS, since they can do both top load and/or string through whenever you change your mind back & forth (like I do). Plus it comes with Wilkinson compensated brass

here

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

thanks, alanfc!

this brings up another question: does anyone do Tele bodies without the string-through holes?

thanks, alanfc!

this brings up another question: does anyone do Tele bodies without the string-through holes?

I don't know about that one. But, I bet you a million dollars that you might want those string through holes someday. (Unless youre trying to build period-correct old Tele of some kind)
For example, I am probably going to change my Low E tomorrow to string-through for more tension. Starting to feel a bit flabby for my tastes.

Can't say the chrome on my bridge is anything to shout about...:grin:

thanks, alanfc!

this brings up another question: does anyone do Tele bodies without the string-through holes?


KnE Guitars will do pretty much any body type you want. I ordered twice from them, great bodies and easy to deal with. Just have to specify what you want on your order sheet and they'll do it for you.

http://www.kneguitars.com/vint_bod.php

Just finished my '59 toploader esquire clone- Red elm body, finished with briwax golden oak and tru oil ( very thin finish) , vintage style 3 saddle top loader bridge, Mighty Mite birdseye maple neck ( cheesy dull poly stripped with citristrip, then 12 coats of tru oil ) , 52 reissue pots, electrosocket jack cup, tone rider Hot classics alnico 3 pup- currently " hot wired" ( straight from the pup , to the jack - was anxious to her her " voice" - might leave her that way !!!- screamer !!!) but getting ready to do Arlo's cocked wah, with the .010 cap - (trying to figure out how to make one of the positions on the 3 way switch to go straight to the output jack, bypassing both the vol. and tone pots altogether...) Got to take time to post pics !!!

thanks, alanfc!

this brings up another question: does anyone do Tele bodies without the string-through holes?

Are you talking "Can I get a top-loader body I can paint and create on my very own?" or are you talking "Can I get a guitar made by a great builder that's a top-loader?"

If the question is the second one, There's Creston. (http://www.crestonguitars.com/) Not only he does he like to do top-loaders, the top-loaders have an unmarred back for Sarah Ryan to paint on. If I had the money, I wouldn't have the money anymore because I'd have a beautiful Creston.

This one...

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachments/guitar-owners-clubs/42424d1267503737-top-loader-telecaster-club-mim-classic-series-50s-tele-toploaded-2-jpg

I got from ebay dealer Southeast Music (http://stores.ebay.com/SOUTHEAST-MUSIC_Tele-Bridges_W0QQ_fsubZ5319815QQ). The saddles that come on it are probably zinc which I don't like for saddles. This one has brass grooved saddles from a Squier CV '50s Tele under the first four strings and a steel grooved saddle from a Fender Classic Series '69 Thinline under the 5th and 6th strings.

A bridge like you have on yours can be fine, that's virtually the same as what I have on my '93 Cort. But I replaced the zinc saddles with steel Fender barrels. G&L (http://www.glguitars.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=42) makes a nice looking set of them in brass.

Thanks a lot. I appreciate the info. Thinking the brass G&L six saddle mod would do just fine for my purposes.

I just completed a build that has a combo bridge both top and string thru loading. Is the handling noise and bridge "knock" just a characteristic of top loading in general or is there a way to minimize/eliminate it? My 1st Tele was a 90's MIM top loader and I don't remember having the same handling noise. Is this a symptom of having a 52 RI bridge pickup w/a metal base? and not a later one with a plastic or fiber base? This guitar has a Warmoth rosewood board neck, 52'RI bridge pickup, Wuddy Waters model neck pickup, painted pine body.
Right now I have a cheap import combo bridge but have ordered a brass combo bridge from Armadillo custom guitar parts. Will changing to the brass bridge help? Do I need to change wiring/ground to eliminate this? Otherwise I very happy w/the build.

thanks in advance for everyone's help,

Peter

Here's my Lite Ash MIK Tele. Can be either string through or top loaded.

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu283/kentano2000/017.jpg

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu283/kentano2000/018.jpg

Just got mine yesterday. It's a 94-95 Fender MIM Squier Series.

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp139/327trout/telecaster.jpg

Hey, a club I can join! :smile:

Here's my 1992/93 LPB MIM:

http://newblack.org/images/guitars/IMG_0779_1024.jpg

Can someone with both a "top loader" and a standard tele post a sound clip with both guitars? I'd love to hear if there are any subtle tone differences

I've got a few "unholey virgins" here... all well played hard tails... 83's...

all three have slightly different neck profiles/fret sizes,weights and playability.... one has a brass nut.. all have "the tone" similar PU's I guess.... that beautiful bass tone and treble twang we associate with the vintage telecaster,. somewhat missing on the more recent Teles I've played... old wood maybe?..... the elite bridges?... matter of opinion?.. whatever..

one neck is such a thin fine edged blade you could chop your way out of an ugly gig with it,:twisted:

68314

I joined up back in '83. Took me this long to figure out how to post a pic! :lol:

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/jaydawg76/IMG_1763.jpg

That's gorgeous Jaydog. Love that finish with the rosewood. And for some reason that off-white knob is incredibly awesome.

Both my teles are maple necked.

Here's my E10 MIK Squier Tele. It's all original except the pickguard. The original was warped and didn't fit well.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t247/mkgearhead/guitars/100_2765.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t247/mkgearhead/guitars/100_2749.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t247/mkgearhead/guitars/100_2742.jpg

Mine is an esquire type made by a fellow in Tennessee. Its a top loader(of course) with an ash body and a redwood burl top, rosewood fretboard/maple neck. Its a pretty great git. No significant tonal difference to me as opposed to string through types. But every guitar is different.
http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv8/rnormile/GEDC0169.jpg
http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv8/rnormile/GEDC0339.jpg
http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv8/rnormile/GEDC0356.jpg

Hi everyone, noob here who is upgrading an old top loader 3-hole squire bridge and steel saddles.

The bridge looks just like the one on yours, mkgearhead, as shown (only mine is corroded) and I would love to replace it with something like your beauty, eyerish, with those brass beauties.

Any hints where I could buy a new plate and those 6 brass saddles? Thanks

Hi everyone, noob here who is upgrading an old top loader 3-hole squire bridge and steel saddles.

The bridge looks just like the one on yours, mkgearhead, as shown (only mine is corroded) and I would love to replace it with something like your beauty, eyerish, with those brass beauties.

Any hints where I could buy a new plate and those 6 brass saddles? Thanks


Try these guys. They are great to deal with:

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/guitar_index.htm

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/gbridge_aftteleap.htm

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/saddles_teleother.html

or Guitar Fetish:

http://store.guitarfetish.com/Fender-Style-Bridges_c_2.html

Great sites, thanks so much, there's lots of choices and I will order. This is my first mod and I'm practicing on this old corroded beater Squire body w/ MM neck so I don't ruin my new stock STD. Already I see the temptation in modding so I'm going to get a used MIM to upgrade next. Thanks for the help, R.

I just bought the "dual-load" bridge from Guitar Fetish about 2 months ago for my 92/93 MIM Tele. It's awesome, and wonderfully inexpensive. I recommend it.

Thanks tape, I just ordered the same bridge yesterday, appreciate the good advice. Also just realized today I have someone else's project partscaster, nothing is stock or identifiable except the Fender tuners and MM neck. All else is aftermarket, so I'm having fun learning by replacing various parts.

Yes I heard MIM are good starting points for upgrades, how do like yours, and what are you pups like?

My humble Affinity "beater" Tele.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k7/andys_01/BSBAffinity2002moddedfront1.jpg

Bought from a car boot sale for £45

Put a 3 saddle bridge on this one, has a stacked bridge pickup, a hotter neck one, and middle setting wired in series.

And lo and behold I have got another BSB Affinity Tele on its way to me.

For free!!!

Mate of mine has been playing in a punk/folk band which has just split. He is holding on to his partscaster Tele he recently bought, but is sending me his old Affinity which he used to gig with, and until recently used as a spare. This Squier has done two gigs a week or so for two years, so I think it is pretty "road worn"

Disproves the argument that "You cant gig with a Squier" though;-)

Thanks tape, I just ordered the same bridge yesterday, appreciate the good advice. Also just realized today I have someone else's project partscaster, nothing is stock or identifiable except the Fender tuners and MM neck. All else is aftermarket, so I'm having fun learning by replacing various parts.

Yes I heard MIM are good starting points for upgrades, how do like yours, and what are you pups like?

I love mine. It was my first electric (I bought it new in 1994) and it's still my favorite guitar. It had fallen into a bit of a state of disrepair - there was corrosion all over the bridge, the pots and switch were awful, and it just felt like its tone was gone. So I replaced everything! The only things left from the factory are the body, the neck, and the neck plate. Now it's an utter joy to play it.

This thing also has my favorite neck that I've ever played. Maybe it's just that I'm used to it, but I really do love it.

Here's some pics, before (1) and after (2&3):

http://newblack.org/images/guitars/IMG_0779_1024.jpg
http://newblack.org/images/guitars/IMG_0964_1024.jpg
http://newblack.org/images/guitars/IMG_0967_1024.jpg

The pickups I got were the Fender Original Vintage (you will see them referred to around here as OV). They sound fantastic, with a really "classic Tele" kind of tone, and are a complete bargain, almost bafflingly so. http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Original-Vintage-Telecaster-Pickup-Set?sku=423116

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/blue_tele_PC020024.jpg

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/blue_tele_PC020026.jpg

I just bought this 1991 MIM yesterday - stock except for the pickups. Has a Fender Vintage Noiseless neck and Rio Grande Muy Grande bridge.

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/538/buttoned_up.jpg
Partscaster with an Affinity body and a whole lot of switching options hidden inside.

My Creston is a top loader.

my latest club member... the WRCedar Raftercaster.. in hardtail...

with the RW neck being the final guise..

about the easiest guitar to make at home...:smile:

Hi guys, I have always wanted an '83 and am happy to say in 4 more days will be a NGD for me! The only tele I own is a '10 Baja, but have always, always liked these old toploaders, as you can tell I'm a big Jeff Buckley fan (along with his unconventional and tricky chord shapes and progressions), and I always wanted that blonde/cream colored toploader tele. I found one after searching over a year, it appears to be in outstanding condition minus a few dings and scratches, the owner believes the neck may have never even been off but we shall see upon closer inspection. The bridge pickup has been changed to a SD Hot Stack rail, neck pickup is stock. Anyway, I'm glad to finally have this guitar, and am especially grateful for the knowledge and passion imparted here. I will post some picks when she comes in, this is the first time I've purchased a guitar on eBay, I am hoping for the best, it's a little nerve wracking after hearing all the partscasters ebay stories.. by the way, its a heavy sucker at 9.3 pounds, compared to my 7 pound Baja :grin:

Hi guys, I have always wanted an '83 and am happy to say in 4 more days will be a NGD for me! The only tele I own is a '10 Baja, but have always, always liked these old toploaders, as you can tell I'm a big Jeff Buckley fan (along with his unconventional and tricky chord shapes and progressions), and I always wanted that blonde/cream colored toploader tele. I found one after searching over a year, it appears to be in outstanding condition minus a few dings and scratches, the owner believes the neck may have never even been off but we shall see upon closer inspection. The bridge pickup has been changed to a SD Hot Stack rail, neck pickup is stock. Anyway, I'm glad to finally have this guitar, and am especially grateful for the knowledge and passion imparted here. I will post some picks when she comes in, this is the first time I've purchased a guitar on eBay, I am hoping for the best, it's a little nerve wracking after hearing all the partscasters ebay stories.. by the way, its a heavy sucker at 9.3 pounds, compared to my 7 pound Baja :grin:

Sounds cool - did the NGD happen? Very interested in pics and reviews.

joining in here. the ashtray bridge of my mik lite ash tele is also drilled for the use with 6 saddles so i decided to try toploading because i didn't have to mod anything. i'm surprised. i didn't like 10s on my tele because of too much tension und 9s sounded kinda thinny to me. so now i got a compromise: tone of 10s with much less tension!

Sounds cool - did the NGD happen? Very interested in pics and reviews.

Yes it did.. twice! I couldn't pass on another one I found either. Tele#1 looks like a copy of a Buckleycaster, minus the chrome PG. It was in OK condition when it came in, it has the stress cracks at the neck pocket and moderate fretboard chipping/wear, but hey, natural relic in all its glory. I did end up getting it re-fretted and set up.. The sound: AMAZING :grin: Just the sweetest neck pickup, then again I play alot of Grace stuff, so it sounds spot on. I'm just very happy with the tone I am getting from it through my Blues Jr, I even got an old Alesis Quadraverb to mess with which is fun.

Here's Tele#1:

And here is Tele#2.. it is in incredible condition for its age, bought it from a guy who owns a ma and pa music store, he is the second owner and has had it since 1990.. it has a beautiful flamed neck, and is just in very nice shape. The previous owner had it set up with 11's, so I had it set with 10's and it plays wonderful.. however for some reason I can't get that same sweet neck tone that I do with Tele#1.. I'm not sure why. It just sounds a bit muddy to me, I have A/B'd them and spent hours trying to figure it out but so far nothing.. Both are supposed to have stock neck pickup, maybe I have to take a look inside and see whats going on. It still sounds great, just different than Tele#1.

Here she be:

I guess I'm joining the club!

1994 MIM. Absolutely love the black and maple combination.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/380943_537443639391_291001105_656735_1450965194_n. jpg

I'll be joining soon with this.
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq164/bluesmanmartin_2008/DSCN1533-1.jpg
Say hello to the Sow.

So both my 60 Tele and 61 Esquire are of the original era of "Top Loader" bridge.

I hope they qualify.

Hey guys, I don't own a Tele yet, but I've been searching for a 83 Toploader, I don't suppose anybody here wants to sell one?

Hey guys, I don't own a Tele yet, but I've been searching for a 83 Toploader, I don't suppose anybody here wants to sell one?

I don't have one, but Welcome!!! You should have lots of fun here.

So both my 60 Tele and 61 Esquire are of the original era of "Top Loader" bridge.

I hope they qualify.

Nice guitars but they look like the strings go thought the body, which means they at not top loader. Were they originally toploader but modded to be through body?

I have played with hybrid toploaders for 20 yrs.
I like the top 4 topload and bottom 2 string thru, for bending on top.

Recently I drilled the high E and D as topload on my SX.


.

Dang Twinkie, that bender has serious mojo! I bet you've kept it in it's case for the most part haven't you?:lol:

Drilled out the plate on my '95 MIM Standard to go to 3 brass saddles.

TOP LOADERS RULE !

My Esquire build is a top loader.

I wasn't planning on "Esquiring" this one but it just ended up that way. I think it works with the top-loader bridge in that 59-61 Esquire sort of vibe.

Johnson Tele body & bridge (pawn shop). Pretty sure its poplar. The finish is SOFT, no poly.
Squier CV 50s loaded neck
Wilkinson brass compensated saddles
GFS Fatbody p/u
Eldred wiring
no-name eBay esquire pickguard
Knobs and switch off an old tape machine


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii261/8652150149/IMG_20120729_110756.jpg
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http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii261/8652150149/IMG_20120729_110836.jpg

1994 Standard MIM toploader Tele. Lake Placid Blue is the color. It's all stock. The pickups are AlNiCo and the body is poplar. The neck is satin like American Standards.

I got this guitar in a CL trade this week from the original owner who bought it in Phoenix, Arizona in 1996. I'm not into modding stuff so it's staying stock.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/destroytheusa/024.jpg
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My avatar black tele is a cheap Johnson JT800, my very first tele I bought 10 years ago for a few bucks (the equivalent of today's 83 euros, including a gigbag, a cord and a small 2-Watt amp that looks a lot like a Fender...). It's got a vintage 1958-like 3-saddle bridge, with three slotted chrome saddles that give a very bright, twangy sound. Just two days ago I put a 2003 Fender Standard (AlNiCo) neck pup I had unda-da-bed. Nice improvement, the stock I removed being a high-output and rather harsh ceramic pup (not bad, but not my genre). The other mod is a 4-way switch I put almost immediately after purchase. I also shimmed the neck to increase the strings break angle on the saddles, the latter were a little bit too low.

Horrible pointy headstock apart, that pretty little clone was really a bargain. Stays in tune, has got perfect frets (that didn't wear, in 10 years!) and a pretty stable neck. Very light finish, you can see the wood veins on the surface of the alder body.

It's my back up, being my main guitar a modded Standard Tele. As told before, compared to my Fender it's got a spanky sound. More blues than jazz. I kept the original bridge ceramic pup (with a base copper plate) that's sorta razor edge. Anyway, I stay 90% on thr neck. It's a blues machine with a personality of its own.

Here's my 1992 top loader I just picked up from CL. Don't think I'm going to change a thing.

I swapped out the neck P90 for a Tele single... it was too fat at the neck.. or too much the same as the bridge..
. I'm not sure whether to square it up or leave it on the angle...:confused:

I was playing the bridge P90 more than any other bridge PU I have here.... I quite like it in that position...:smile:

the tele neck pu balances OK with the p90 bridge...... and gives me a familiar tele tone at the neck..:grin:

I swapped out the neck P90 for a Tele single... it was too fat at the neck.. or too much the same as the bridge..
. I'm not sure whether to square it up or leave it on the angle...:confused:

I was playing the bridge P90 more than any other bridge PU I have here.... I quite like it in that position...:smile:

the tele neck pu balances OK with the p90 bridge...... and gives me a familiar tele tone at the neck..:grin:

Wow. I don't mean to upset you, but that is one very strange looking Telecaster....

thanks... ;)

I'll do a proper pick guard one day... at 6.5 pounds it's my new toy... hand built from an old Oregon rafter at the base of my back stairs on the corner of the deck..

it rawks!...

thanks... ;)

I'll do a proper pick guard one day... at 6.5 pounds it's my new toy... hand built from an old Oregon rafter at the base of my back stairs on the corner of the deck..

it rawks!...

It's certainly a nice looking piece of timber. Beautiful rich tone and wood grain.

Yeh, nice resonant wood for a body, Oregon.. a bit soft though...marks easily with an oil finish... I sanded an arm rest on the top corner...

my next one will be Hoop Pine... :grin:

I have three. A 59' Esquire, 59' Telecaster, and a Jim Campilongo Telecaster. All Custom Shop.

thanks... ;)

I'll do a proper pick guard one day... at 6.5 pounds it's my new toy... hand built from an old Oregon rafter at the base of my back stairs on the corner of the deck..

it rawks!...


I like the sticky tape. I hear that duct tape gives better tone though - especially if you can find some pre-1965 stuff.

My portly 1983 Top Loader I bought new back then at GC Los Angeles, it remains one of my favorites. It tips the scales at 10.4 lbs so I have a wide Levy's padded strap with Schaller lockers on it. I have all the original parts but have replaced a lot of the stuff because of my perspiration mainly. I took the cover off the front pup and soaked it in Varathane years ago and when I removed both of those pups a couple of years ago to clean up the grunge they were starting to fall apart, warping tops mainly. But they still sounded incredible. I have a Wilde L290TL in the bridge now and a L202TN chrome at the neck. The tuner buttons and knobs are from MJ Guitar Enginerring as I remember but I don't think they're offered anymore. I've also swapped out the saddles for Graph Tech's and put in a Wilde Q Filter that goes in or out on the mini toggle (its a .022MFD when out). I kept the neck pup screwed into the body as it was originally so there are two open holes in the Fender pickguard there, no biggie. I bought all new Fender parts when I re-did all of this a couple of years ago. Those Wilde pups are really nice and I couldn't be happier with them...they're a permanent install. Yes I kept all of the replaced stuff but it'll be sitting there indefinately in their sealed baggie with a few dissicant bags to keep 'em company.

a few more pics

Searched for the club and found it here! Sorry for the crappy cellphone pics! '92 MIM

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/1217121357b.jpg

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/mms_picture_10_.jpg

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/medium/mms_picture_9_.jpg

My newest baby...

Ok, so here is my toploader Tele. (1983)
(sorry not great pics)

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg518/ajileguitar/B5qvPsgCWkKGrHqYOKm8Ey0uEh98BMuj7i0kH_3.jpg
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg518/ajileguitar/B5Vdqw2kKGrHqMOKnIE6NisKRCBMtNGG101Q_12_zpsba1b74c c.jpg
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg518/ajileguitar/B5VdBggWkKGrHqYOKjoEyNmzJHI0BMtNGJV7rQ_12_zpseea2a 5c8.jpg
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg518/ajileguitar/B5VdCSmkKGrHqIOKm8Ey0rNkYBMtNGLpzw_12_zps6c1a50e4. jpg

Can't believe I haven't joined this group yet. Here's mine. It's an MIJ standard I believe. My mods were the pickups, the bridge, and the reverse control plate. The cosmetics on the finish were not my handy work--it's a pawn shop rescue. I love my old ugly yellow.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-S92ho0OiM24/T0EuZLAo35I/AAAAAAAAA4w/IiwmVa1msBo/s512/IMG_5077.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XFCfBu8kptQ/T0EuyYC3hSI/AAAAAAAAA40/Du6YkFDWfHM/s512/IMG_5072.JPG

Hi,

Here is my MIM telecaster '96 :lol: with replaced pickups: '52 original vintage, CTS pots...and tortoise pickguard :wink:

Got room for one more?



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