New build hardware advice needed.

Shepherd · January 17th, 2008, 07:44 PM

I'm new to playing and building guitars and need some advice. I'm building a new tele with the look of a 52 RI. Now I'm totally lost on what hardware to get. Should I go with all new Fender stuff or is it better to mix and match? Like bridges, I can get a new 52 RI for $40, a Joe Barden compensated for $45 or a Wilkinson compensated for $25. As for pickups, a 52RI set for $100, SD broadcaster set $116 or a set of Toneriders for $60. Tuners I have no idea, the rest of it is pretty basic I guess. Any recommendations or opinions would be great. Thanks

JimiBryant · January 17th, 2008, 08:08 PM

www.callahamguitars.com

I really like Bill's stuff, A LOT.

no I'm not a shill - just a satisfied repeat customer

boris bubbanov · January 17th, 2008, 08:12 PM

You've just scratched the surface. There is an amazing variety of different parts from multiple sources.

I like Stewart MacDonald for item # 1866, graphtech precut nuts, # 5167 compensated 3 brass saddles, #0099 medium guage vintage style bridge plate (toss the threaded saddles), #0061 matte black 5 hole pickguard which will polish out to a nice gloss, and best of all, item # 0648 Gotoh vintage oval knob tuners.

Other suppliers to check out: Callaham, Glendale, USACG, Warmoth, Guitar Parts Resource, Keystone pickups through 'bullfighterguitars' (exclusive vendor for Bill and Becky Keystones). Places to avoid: All other e-bay sources, GFS or guitarfetish. I like folks I can talk to on the phone, there's so much to learn and they can help if you can reach them.

Read the posts here until you are just sick, then read them some more. So much satisfaction can be had from building the best possible guitar you can, and the differences in price are so small in the end when you consider the intrinsic value of your finished guitar.

Good Luck,

Bubbanov

Shepherd · January 18th, 2008, 12:55 PM

Any opinions on the bridges or pu's?

casterway · January 18th, 2008, 08:38 PM

Hi, and Welcome, neighbour!!

Ricky D. · January 19th, 2008, 10:07 AM

I really like the Fender Original Vintage pick ups.

I think Bubbanov is right on the money with his advice above.

woodman · January 19th, 2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky D.

I think Bubbanov is right on the money with his advice above.

especially this part:

Quote:

Read the posts here until you are just sick, then read them some more.

there's a wealth of info in the TDPRI archives ... just punch "Search" in the blue bar at top of page.

Shepherd · January 20th, 2008, 12:21 PM

Hey casterway, thanks for the welcome. Believe me, I've been searching this forum and others for weeks and I feel like my head is going to explode.

January 17th, 2008, 07:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
Shepherd Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maple Ridge, Canada Posts: 189	New build hardware advice needed. I'm new to playing and building guitars and need some advice. I'm building a new tele with the look of a 52 RI. Now I'm totally lost on what hardware to get. Should I go with all new Fender stuff or is it better to mix and match? Like bridges, I can get a new 52 RI for $40, a Joe Barden compensated for $45 or a Wilkinson compensated for $25. As for pickups, a 52RI set for $100, SD broadcaster set $116 or a set of Toneriders for $60. Tuners I have no idea, the rest of it is pretty basic I guess. Any recommendations or opinions would be great. Thanks

January 17th, 2008, 08:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
JimiBryant Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chicago Chicago that toddlin' town Age: 46 Posts: 1,716	www.callahamguitars.com I really like Bill's stuff, A LOT. no I'm not a shill - just a satisfied repeat customer __________________ *we all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun.*

January 18th, 2008, 08:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
casterway Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Aldergrove, British Columbia,Canada Age: 40 Posts: 2,666	Hi, and Welcome, neighbour!! __________________ There's nothing wrong with a proper repair... "I don't scratch no guitars." John Lee Hooker, when asked to carve his signature into an old acoustic.

January 17th, 2008, 08:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 7,633	You've just scratched the surface. There is an amazing variety of different parts from multiple sources. I like Stewart MacDonald for item # 1866, graphtech precut nuts, # 5167 compensated 3 brass saddles, #0099 medium guage vintage style bridge plate (toss the threaded saddles), #0061 matte black 5 hole pickguard which will polish out to a nice gloss, and best of all, item # 0648 Gotoh vintage oval knob tuners. Other suppliers to check out: Callaham, Glendale, USACG, Warmoth, Guitar Parts Resource, Keystone pickups through 'bullfighterguitars' (exclusive vendor for Bill and Becky Keystones). Places to avoid: All other e-bay sources, GFS or guitarfetish. I like folks I can talk to on the phone, there's so much to learn and they can help if you can reach them. Read the posts here until you are just sick, then read them some more. So much satisfaction can be had from building the best possible guitar you can, and the differences in price are so small in the end when you consider the intrinsic value of your finished guitar. Good Luck, Bubbanov

January 18th, 2008, 12:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
Shepherd Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maple Ridge, Canada Posts: 189	Any opinions on the bridges or pu's?

January 19th, 2008, 10:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ricky D. Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maryland Age: 57 Posts: 800	I really like the Fender Original Vintage pick ups. I think Bubbanov is right on the money with his advice above.

January 20th, 2008, 12:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
Shepherd Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maple Ridge, Canada Posts: 189	Hey casterway, thanks for the welcome. Believe me, I've been searching this forum and others for weeks and I feel like my head is going to explode.