Wanting to make an Esquire - help?

halcyon85 · April 21st, 2008, 06:51 PM

Hello all! I'm glad I found this place.

I am wanting to turn my Telecaster into an Esquire. I know I have a long road ahead of me, but so far finding information on this adventure has been difficult. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough. Maybe I'm looking for the wrong things. But I figured this was the best place to go for help.

I have a left-handed Telecaster. I've always wanted a lefty Esquire, but as far as buying one outright from Fender, or even finding a used one on the Internet, well... kind of goes without saying that they're pretty much non-existent. I've seen a picture or two on the Internet of a lefty Esquire, but none have I found that are for sale. Even if I were to ever happen upon one I'm sure it would be way out of my price range, so I figured I'd just hunker down and do it myself.

I just don't have a starting point to guide me through this process. If anyone knows of any websites or books that will help me that would be of great assistance. And does anybody know where I can get a left-handed Esquire pickguard made?

Thanks so much!

SixString821 · April 21st, 2008, 06:54 PM

you can try warmoth.com for the pickguard, shouldnt be too much money at all... as far as information of making the conversion yourself, it shouldnt be too difficult honestly as long as you have basic soldering skills. if you search on tdpri.com, you should find tons of info to help you out.

good luck, and dont forget to post pics when you're done

jwells393 · April 21st, 2008, 07:28 PM

I ordered an Esquire pickguard from Warmoth. Just tell them you want it left handed .......... shouldn't be a problem. Pull out the neck pickup. Here's your wiring diagram. Wire it up....... put on the new pickguard......Done.

......

Ronkirn · April 21st, 2008, 07:33 PM

Did somebody say Lefty Esquire? I just finished this one this past weekend...

Ron Kirn

shades · April 21st, 2008, 07:44 PM

Hey man, glad to have you here.
You're at the right place to find out everything that you've ever wanted to know about an Esquire but were afraid to ask...
Tons of info available-have fun using the search option!

jwells393 · April 21st, 2008, 07:47 PM

Here's mine............. I flipped the picture to inspire you. Man those lefties look wierd.

......

Mark Davis · April 21st, 2008, 09:19 PM

Funny when that pic is flipped it makes the control panel look crooked as compared to the bridge. But when its filipped over the right way it doesnt look like that. Strange huh?

amp boy · April 21st, 2008, 09:24 PM

my thoughts exactly Ron.
Great work.
I'm always impressed and inspired with what you create.

halcyon85 · May 6th, 2008, 07:53 PM

Thanks a bunch for all of your help. Those pics are inspiring, indeed.

I've decided I'm going to spare my one and only lonely Tele and buy a Squier and convert that instead. I still want an Esquire but I just can't part with the neck pup.

But another question: will the pickguards from Warmoth fit my MIM (04-05), and will they also fit the Squier models? I don't know if the measurements for the Americans are any different from the MIMs and Squiers. I was worried about having to alter it. I'm going to get a different colored pickguard for my MIM and replace the stock pups with Lollars (Lollars for the Esquire project as well

), so I need to make sure the Warmoth pickguard I order will fit, and if the Esquire pickguard for the Squier will fit as well.

Thanks again for your help!

Edit: Squier = Rondo. Had a brain fart, forgot Squier doesn't make lefty Teles. Was going to say The Man - 1, Lefties - 0, but I forgot about Rondo, which is even cheaper. Same question still applies though. And has anyone reading this thread modded a Rondo? How did it go? I can't really shell out the four or five hundred odd bucks for another MIM right now.

Cole · May 6th, 2008, 09:15 PM

Warmoth does warn buyers that their pg's are made to fit US made Fenders.. so MIJ, MIM and such could have some minor issues... like pg screw holes not matching up with factory holes, different fit around the neck pocket... nothing a file & drill bit wouldn't fix.

Hey fellas stop showing pics of lefty Esquires will ya! I'm tossing & turning at night losing sleep fantasizing about my next project. And that would be a lefty Esquire... for now, I must live vicariously through those have 'em!

Halcyon85 it would be very easy to convert your tele over just as jwells393 says it is, perfect project to build some confidence with... go for it!

62_Inca_Esquire · May 6th, 2008, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halcyon85

Hello all! I'm glad I found this place.

I am wanting to turn my Telecaster into an Esquire. I know I have a long road ahead of me, but so far finding information on this adventure has been difficult. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough. Maybe I'm looking for the wrong things. But I figured this was the best place to go for help.

I have a left-handed Telecaster. I've always wanted a lefty Esquire, but as far as buying one outright from Fender, or even finding a used one on the Internet, well... kind of goes without saying that they're pretty much non-existent. I've seen a picture or two on the Internet of a lefty Esquire, but none have I found that are for sale. Even if I were to ever happen upon one I'm sure it would be way out of my price range, so I figured I'd just hunker down and do it myself.

I just don't have a starting point to guide me through this process. If anyone knows of any websites or books that will help me that would be of great assistance. And does anybody know where I can get a left-handed Esquire pickguard made?

Thanks so much!

Welcome !!!

Drop me a PM with your address and I'll send out a 3k3 carbon comp resistor and 3 .047uf orange drop caps so you can do the electronic conversion...

Glad to have ya here on the site...Esquires are wonderful things !

Sollophonic · May 7th, 2008, 02:25 AM

Slightly off topic, but I seem to recall a couple of players who use right handed teles left handed. And you know what, to me it doesnt look that odd.

I remember some band back in the early 90s whos left handed singer/guitarist used a sunburst right handed tele restrung. And there used to be a band called the Wolfhounds, in the UK in the mid 80s, whos singer played guitar on a couple of songs. Being left handed, he used the guitarists spare right handed tele, but played it with the thing as it was, in other words he used upside down chords!!!

I think that if you dont need high fret access, an upside down Tele, isnt that much worse than a strat. Others may disagree with me though.

bowlfreshener · May 7th, 2008, 09:43 AM

I plan on making an Esquire with my tax rebate, but my check won't be in the mail for awhile, so I may lose my battle with patience and may end up doing it in a few weeks as I have most of the accessories for the conversion (pickguard, upgraded knobs and jack), just need to get the guitar and the wiring taken care of...

spankdplank · May 7th, 2008, 10:20 AM

Halcyon85--Under "Resources" at the top of the page there are some esquire wiring diagrams, inlcuding a simplified esquire wiring scheme without the resistor that works well. Welcome to the TDPRI.

straightface · May 8th, 2008, 09:07 AM

Halcyon85, I built a lefty Esquire a while back with an MIM body and an MIJ neck. Bought the pickguard from Warmoth. It fit ok, but I did have to do a little reshaping around the control plate. Sorry but I don't have any pics of it.

Tele295 · May 8th, 2008, 09:12 AM

Find Bryan Boots (dazbootman on ebay). He makes amazing pickguards that fit my MIM Esquire perfectly.

April 21st, 2008, 06:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
halcyon85 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Fort Smith, AR Age: 22 Posts: 3	Wanting to make an Esquire - help? Hello all! I'm glad I found this place. I am wanting to turn my Telecaster into an Esquire. I know I have a long road ahead of me, but so far finding information on this adventure has been difficult. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough. Maybe I'm looking for the wrong things. But I figured this was the best place to go for help. I have a left-handed Telecaster. I've always wanted a lefty Esquire, but as far as buying one outright from Fender, or even finding a used one on the Internet, well... kind of goes without saying that they're pretty much non-existent. I've seen a picture or two on the Internet of a lefty Esquire, but none have I found that are for sale. Even if I were to ever happen upon one I'm sure it would be way out of my price range, so I figured I'd just hunker down and do it myself. I just don't have a starting point to guide me through this process. If anyone knows of any websites or books that will help me that would be of great assistance. And does anybody know where I can get a left-handed Esquire pickguard made? Thanks so much!

April 21st, 2008, 07:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 10,806 101 Photos	I ordered an Esquire pickguard from Warmoth. Just tell them you want it left handed .......... shouldn't be a problem. Pull out the neck pickup. Here's your wiring diagram. Wire it up....... put on the new pickguard......Done. ...... __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

April 21st, 2008, 07:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ronkirn Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Age: 61 Posts: 2,044	Did somebody say Lefty Esquire? I just finished this one this past weekend... Ron Kirn __________________ Lord, give me a sense of humor. Give me the grace to see a joke, To get some humor out of life, and pass it on to other folks. The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing......

April 21st, 2008, 07:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
shades Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: north of Rock 'n Roll City Age: 51 Posts: 1,031 7 Photos	Hey man, glad to have you here. You're at the right place to find out everything that you've ever wanted to know about an Esquire but were afraid to ask... Tons of info available-have fun using the search option! __________________ ...grinnin' like a butchers dog.

April 21st, 2008, 07:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 10,806 101 Photos	Here's mine............. I flipped the picture to inspire you. Man those lefties look wierd. ...... __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

April 21st, 2008, 06:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
SixString821 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Delaware Age: 21 Posts: 229	you can try warmoth.com for the pickguard, shouldnt be too much money at all... as far as information of making the conversion yourself, it shouldnt be too difficult honestly as long as you have basic soldering skills. if you search on tdpri.com, you should find tons of info to help you out. good luck, and dont forget to post pics when you're done

April 21st, 2008, 09:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 57 Posts: 11,574	Funny when that pic is flipped it makes the control panel look crooked as compared to the bridge. But when its filipped over the right way it doesnt look like that. Strange huh? __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

April 21st, 2008, 09:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
amp boy Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: toronto, Canada Age: 27 Posts: 330 4 Photos	my thoughts exactly Ron. Great work. I'm always impressed and inspired with what you create. __________________ I'm kinda like class act simplicity with a raw edge that can rip out yer bones.

May 6th, 2008, 07:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
halcyon85 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Fort Smith, AR Age: 22 Posts: 3	Thanks a bunch for all of your help. Those pics are inspiring, indeed. I've decided I'm going to spare my one and only lonely Tele and buy a Squier and convert that instead. I still want an Esquire but I just can't part with the neck pup. But another question: will the pickguards from Warmoth fit my MIM (04-05), and will they also fit the Squier models? I don't know if the measurements for the Americans are any different from the MIMs and Squiers. I was worried about having to alter it. I'm going to get a different colored pickguard for my MIM and replace the stock pups with Lollars (Lollars for the Esquire project as well ), so I need to make sure the Warmoth pickguard I order will fit, and if the Esquire pickguard for the Squier will fit as well. Thanks again for your help! Edit: Squier = Rondo. Had a brain fart, forgot Squier doesn't make lefty Teles. Was going to say The Man - 1, Lefties - 0, but I forgot about Rondo, which is even cheaper. Same question still applies though. And has anyone reading this thread modded a Rondo? How did it go? I can't really shell out the four or five hundred odd bucks for another MIM right now. Last edited by halcyon85 : May 6th, 2008 at 08:25 PM.

May 6th, 2008, 09:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
Cole Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 158	Warmoth does warn buyers that their pg's are made to fit US made Fenders.. so MIJ, MIM and such could have some minor issues... like pg screw holes not matching up with factory holes, different fit around the neck pocket... nothing a file & drill bit wouldn't fix. Hey fellas stop showing pics of lefty Esquires will ya! I'm tossing & turning at night losing sleep fantasizing about my next project. And that would be a lefty Esquire... for now, I must live vicariously through those have 'em! Halcyon85 it would be very easy to convert your tele over just as jwells393 says it is, perfect project to build some confidence with... go for it! __________________ ~Cole Cole's website Cole's MySpace "The only currency we have is influential communication."

May 7th, 2008, 02:25 AM	#12 (permalink)
Sollophonic Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Skipton, N. Yorkshire, England Age: 44 Posts: 176	Slightly off topic, but I seem to recall a couple of players who use right handed teles left handed. And you know what, to me it doesnt look that odd. I remember some band back in the early 90s whos left handed singer/guitarist used a sunburst right handed tele restrung. And there used to be a band called the Wolfhounds, in the UK in the mid 80s, whos singer played guitar on a couple of songs. Being left handed, he used the guitarists spare right handed tele, but played it with the thing as it was, in other words he used upside down chords!!! I think that if you dont need high fret access, an upside down Tele, isnt that much worse than a strat. Others may disagree with me though.

May 7th, 2008, 09:43 AM	#13 (permalink)
bowlfreshener Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2007 Location: Virginia, USA Age: 32 Posts: 1,306 6 Photos	I plan on making an Esquire with my tax rebate, but my check won't be in the mail for awhile, so I may lose my battle with patience and may end up doing it in a few weeks as I have most of the accessories for the conversion (pickguard, upgraded knobs and jack), just need to get the guitar and the wiring taken care of... __________________ RAMA LAMA FA FA FA

May 7th, 2008, 10:20 AM	#14 (permalink)
spankdplank Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 503 22 Photos	Halcyon85--Under "Resources" at the top of the page there are some esquire wiring diagrams, inlcuding a simplified esquire wiring scheme without the resistor that works well. Welcome to the TDPRI.

May 8th, 2008, 09:07 AM	#15 (permalink)
straightface Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: MA Posts: 767	Halcyon85, I built a lefty Esquire a while back with an MIM body and an MIJ neck. Bought the pickguard from Warmoth. It fit ok, but I did have to do a little reshaping around the control plate. Sorry but I don't have any pics of it. __________________ At the end of time, all that will remain is Keith Richards, a Fender Telecaster, a bunch of cockroaches, and roots rock music. With nobody left to categorize it for, I bet Keef’ll just call it rock and roll… -Brian Henneman of The Bottle Rockets

May 8th, 2008, 09:12 AM	#16 (permalink)
Tele295 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tiger Town Posts: 3,089 14 Photos	Find Bryan Boots (dazbootman on ebay). He makes amazing pickguards that fit my MIM Esquire perfectly. __________________ "Turn it up and it doesn't need any reverb." - Danny Gatton www.dannygatton.info Tiger Town Aces - Music That Bites Back In Redd we trust! Free Bill Kirchen! If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?