Please help: Considering mods to VM Tele Custom II

[HonenShonin]

I'd like to ask you all for your advice on some mods I am considering having made to my Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Custom II (it's a blonde one).

I don't like the Les Paul control layout, and I'm planning on radically simplifying it. My plan is to get a new pick guard cut and have it drilled for just a volume knob and a pickup selector, both down by the output jack.

Here are some considerations that I'd like your advice on:

1) Should I stick with a black pick guard or go for red tortoiseshell? Those are the two colors I have narrowed it down to.

2) I'm keeping the original Duncan Designed pups, since I like them quite a bit. I'm wondering, though, if the covers can be replaced with off-the-shelf alternatives. I was thinking of going for cream if it can be easily done.

3) Are there any drawbacks to removing the tone control from the circuit (besides no longer having a tone control)?

4) The one thing that might convince me to keep a tone control is if I can get a greasebucket circuit. Can those be bought or assembled?

5) Would you recommend that I get a new volume pot and switch, or am I OK using the ones already on the guitar?

6) Is there anything else I should know, or anything I'm not taking into consideration?

Thanks!

[jaime136]

I'm in the middle of changing mine up, too. The pickguard is hard to come by. All of the usual sources only have a Tele Deluxe pickguard. Based on templates available, those won't work without a good deal of customization (particularly in the area between the bridge and pickup). You can find places that will make a new guard if you send your old one in to trace. But, that's a pretty expensive up-charge to do that.

The pots are not the highest quality. The cheaper pots and switches generally have a problem with longevity. If you're already in there and are considering altering the circuit, I would go ahead and change them.

Here's a link to Premier Guitar magazine showing the Greasebucket circuit. It should be easy for a tech (or you) to copy it.

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazin...e_Circuit.aspx

I can't help with the other stuff, good luck!

[HonenShonin]

Thanks for that! Yeah, I'm pretty much resigned to having to get a new pickguard cut from scratch.

[davmac]

1) I personally prefer black pickguard on a blonde finish, but this one is down to your own taste.

2) Has yours got the humbuckers or the P90s? I've seen both on the VM Custom II. If the humbuckers then I'm not sure. If it is the P90s then, yes, easy to do.

3) I don't know if you'll consider it a drawback, but without the tone control pot the guitar will sound slightly brighter. If you don't like it it would be easy enough to solder in a fixed value resistor to simulate a tone control turned up to max.

4) Don't know.

5) Only reason to replace them would be if they were broken or, for some other reason, you don't like them. If they work and you like them as they are then reuse them.

6a) Are you going to cut the pickguard yourself? I've had mixed experiences of buying pre-cut and custom cut pickguards, particularly with mounting screw placement. I do my own these days. They don't end up any better quality but at least I can only blame myself for the flaws.

6b) Your changes will change the aesthetic balance. That sort of "fat arse" pickguard shape perfectly suits the LP four pot layout (IMO). I'm not sure it would look as good with the simplified layout. Then again, if it is function rather than form that matters to you, that isn't a problem.

6c) Are you ditching the tone because you don't like the way it looks, or because you don't use it? I'm not a big user of the tone control but every now and then it can be useful just to knock back the "sharp edges". If the single pot look is what is important then you could look at the concentric pots available.

6d) Once you've removed the old parts wrap them up and pack them away somewhere safe. In my experience there's a fair chance that you'll eventually get fed up of your mods and want to return it back to original spec. Maybe that's just me, and it doesn't stop me from continually modding and then restoring back to original. Plus ça change, eh?

[HonenShonin]

Some great advice there; thanks!

2) Mine's the one with P90s. They're the standard size, then? that's good news!

3) My main reason for wanting to ditch the tone pot is that I don't use it, although I admit that I'm also attracted to the one-knob/one-switch aesthetic. I was also thinking that a slightly brighter, bolder sound might actually be nice.

6) I'm just going to have the shop cut me a new pickguard, using the current one as a template. I'm assuming they can do that for me when I hand the guitar over to have the mods done. Is there anything I can tell the shop to make sure that it's done well?

Thanks again!

[davmac]

If you're giving them the old pickguard to use as a template it should be fine. I think my problems have come because I've bought them online.

Oh and while I remember, Just before you click the "buy" button for the P90 covers, double check the measurements. In my experience I've not had a problem switching covers, but it won't hurt to measure and check.

[jaime136]

My new pickguard is only going to have a single volume and tone. But, like Davmac pointed out, it just looks strange. I'm going to put in 2 dummy pots/knobs (not hooked to anything) just to keep the looks "right". There's a lot of real estate on the pickguard.

I've seen people move the toggle switch to one of the volume/tone pot holes. That would put it closer to your picking hand and not leave so much blank space.

[jaime136]

Also, check out the "owner's club" thread. There's a lot of pictures of mods that people have done.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/guitar-ow...kids-club.html