My guitar tech says to rewire & replace all controls..

[sjfoote]

on my '86 MIJ standard Tele. I am currently having trouble with the cheap box-style switch, but my tech says that it will "sound" better if he rewires the entire control plate and replaces the MIJ pots and switch with genuine Fender pots & caps (same value) and switch. He says that the cheap MIJ electronics degrade the tone as much as the cheap pups. He wants $65 labor to do the rewiring job.

If this is the case, I think it would be better to wire a complete new control plate, and keep the original one intact for later resale (or mods).

Any thoughts about the necessity to change all these other components as well as the switch?

[Nightfly]

I dunno about it *sounding better*, but you might think about taking that $65 and spending it on a nice soldering iron and components, and spend 10 minutes learning how to solder. And if you have $20 bucks left over, buy one of the Dan Erlewine books and you may never find yourself in need of a tech again. At least for your electrics.

Just an idea, feel free to not dig it!

NF

[weelie]

It's "common knowledge" that the MIJ guitars have lousy switches and pots... and pups. My '94 50s strat certainly did! But it could be that way back in '85 they used better hw.

[Kevin]

I wouldn't worry about saving the old controls for later resale.

The guitar is not really collectable, and most players would appreciate the change to CTS pots and a CRL switch (although Fender doesn't use CRL anymore; I don't like their stock switches).

If you decide to try it yourself, you can buy the pots and switch from <a href = "http://www.tubesandmore.com"> Antique Electronic Supply </a> cheaper than about anywhere (probably $25 with shipping). You can get a solder iron and the caps at Radio Shack for another $15. You'll save $20 and be ready next time....

[Bob Rogers]

I've never been able to tell the difference in sound of pots and switches as long as they are working. The problem with the electric parts used on the old MIJ models is that they did not last as long (e.g. your switch). Since you've had one part go bad, it is not a bad idea to change the others. $65 is not a bad price if a bit on the high side. (Callaham's prewired control plate is $80, but that includes the plate, though not the jack.)

I too, recommend that you learn to do it yourself. In addition to the other tools mentioned, you will need a drill. The control plate in the MIJ model is drilled for small shaft pots. You will also have to drill out the knobs to fit the larger shafted pots. If you do it yourself save the old cap. I'll bet you can't tell the difference in tone if you use the same cap, but will be able to hear a good deal of difference with a new cap.

[11 Gauge]

i've had an MIJ and a few similar Teles with the undersized holes on the control plate.

i used a tapered reamer (also available at Radio Shack) with excellent, quick, cheap results. no drill bit grabbing in the existing hole or skipping off on the surface of the control plate... nice thing is you can get the size of the hole just right, with no extra slop.

tapered reamer also comes in handy for building stompboxes and other sorts of stuff too. a good companion with a soldering iron.

along with the iron i recommend some good wire cutters and a pair of needle nose pliers. a wire stripper can speed things up too. all great investments if you plan to do this more than once...

[Big Tony]

My MIJ '85 Squire Telecaster came with MIA switch, pots, and pups!
My CIJ '98 Classic '50s Telecaster came with cheap Made in Asia switch, pots, and pups (now all replaced).

[Strat82]

personally, i feel that on some of those import guitars, heck even some american guitars, it is worth to rewire.

basically, the sound won't change, but your electronics will become much more reliable.

the cheap pots and switches that foreign countries use are USED to be COST EFFECTIVE...not best quality.

those electronics in your guitars aren't really worth anything...and 65 isn't too bad for a whole re-wire...could you do it yourself, probably, but it is something i would feel more comfortable with a profesional doing.

[Pedalworld]

Originally Posted by Nightfly

I dunno about it *sounding better*, but you might think about taking that $65 and spending it on a nice soldering iron and components, and spend 10 minutes learning how to solder. ...you may never find yourself in need of a tech again.

good advice!!!

[bek]

All this stuff is true, but pay special attention to 11 Gauge's advice about the reamer. I never used one on metal, but they are fabulous on a pickguard or a guitar peghead. Very controllable.

[esquire_player52]

if your not having any problems with any of the other electronics i would just replace the switch. if you have a soldering iron you could do it yourself pretty fast and alot cheaper. but is the 65 bucks a total price or just the labor without parts?

[David Rolling]

...all my MIJs switches died within weeks. The only other thing I'd consider swapping out are the pickups. Then you'll notice a real change in your guitar's sound. All my Japanese Fenders are stock except for the switches & p-ups, and I couldn't be happier with their performance & reliablity...

[mel_jr]

with US electronics and thick gauge wire. It will sound better. I had an MIJ Thinline (since sold for a 52ri); my tech rewired it and put the US pots and switch in while we waited for the SD pickups to arrive. Thus, I had a chance to play the guitar with only the wire, pots and switch replace. It really sounded better to my ears. When we put the SD's in (I think a Broadcaster and an vintage or something like that) the guitar sounded sweet. Well worth the $ or effort. I've done the same thing on two Gretsches.

mel jr

[sjfoote]

I decided to just have the switch replaced and when I picked it up, my repair guy said the pots and caps looked okay. They were not the cheap type he thought they might be, so he said I am good to go. It's nice not having the annoying switch problems..

Thanks again to all who replied!