Intro and Newbie Question

Hello all,
For my 40th birthday my wife got me an American Telecaster with the natural finish. I am somewhat new to guitars but previously played bass in a new wave bluegrass band about 20 years ago. I am hoping that for my 41st birthday she will get me a Twin Reverb amp.

I had always loved the tele sound and this guitar is a dream. I only want to change on thing and that is the pick guard. It came with a white one and I want to change it to black. This guitar has the 22 frets so the neck will have to come off to change it. What risks do I run by removing the neck? Will the action, intonation etc. change. Is the neck pickup just attached to the pick guard? I am just a little nervous about causing harm to this guitar.

Any tips, hints or guidance?

Thanks in advance for the help, and I look forward to wasting my employers time on this forum.

Hi Toecutter and welcome.

One of the pleasures of the Telecaster is that it can be modified almost without limit IMHO.

There's a vast amount of information and knowledge available throughout this forum. It should enable you to make the right choice when altering your Tele. Check the Telecaster Resources link at the top of the page. You should find plenty of aftermarket pickguards for sale.

I am pretty sure your 22 fret neck doesn't have to come off to take off the pickguard but that's no biggie if you do. As I recall, if you take the strings off the winding pegs you should be able to take out the screws and wiggle the pickguard off. Be careful of the pickup windings and wiring underneath. Use the right tools, take it slow and don't force any anything.

Regards

Dave

Dave,
Thanks for the info. I just finished. Guitar looks and sounds great. I will post some pics shortly.

Welcome aboard ToeCutter and congrats on the Tele & the new mod! Did it work out without the neck removal?

Welcome aboard ToeCutter and congrats on the Tele & the new mod! Did it work out without the neck removal?

Thanks anfontan. I did not have to remove the neck. I just unscrewed it and slid it back, easy as pie. Next I am thinking of changing the 6 saddle bridge to a vintage style.

Next I am thinking of changing the 6 saddle bridge to a vintage style.

Ah .............. now that might not be so easy. Modern American Telecasters use a different hole pattern for the mounting holes and string through holes. The string through holes differ in location by about 1/8 inch. Don't remember which way .............. I think on American bridge equipped Teles the holes are 1/8 inch closer to the neck. You could probably mount a vintage bridge using the existing string through holes. However, your original mounting holes would show. Glendale makes a direct replacement "vintage" bridge but they are pricey and they do look a little odd because they are longer than vintage bridges.

How do those Glendale bridges sound? Is it worth making the swap?

Can't help you with that .............. I don't deal with high priced botique hardware.

How do those Glendale bridges sound? Is it worth making the swap?


Bridge plate+saddles on sale! Sound and and look great. If something doesn't line up, just plug and re-drill.

hey guys,


i have a highway one tele body that is waiting for a bridge and some saddles. I was going for some glendales.


I wanted the Vintage double cutaway polished stainless steel bridge-plate.



heres a pic of it. Would it fit or would i need to mod.



http://www.glendaleguitars.com/scut.jpg


and another


http://www.glendaleguitars.com/scut1.jpg


Thanks

would the saddles also need to be of a specific type

That bridge will fit. I put one on HWY 1 myself with twang saddles.

..

Good-evening,

Hi, I'm new to the forum. Thanks for having me. I saw the discussion about bridges and I have a question that I'm looking for some feedback on. I'm looking at buying an early '90s MIM and I'm a little hung up on the non-string through bridge and the older style saddles. Any pro's or cons on either. Thanks!