Breathing new life into CIJ 52...

Fatmanstratman · May 9th, 2008, 02:22 PM

When I bought my CIJ 52 a few years back, I was blown away by the stunning good looks, fit & finish, and wonderful playability of the guitar. It came fitted with OV pups as standard, but there was just something that didn't quite grab me, so I popped her back in her case and she's hardly seen the light of day over the last couple of years.

A few weeks ago, I was digging through all my cases looking for one of my Epi Sheratons to loan to a friend, and suddenly "rediscovered" her....

I immediately ordered a nice set of brass Glendale compensated saddles, two new CTS 250k pots to replace the tiny little stock pots, and a CRL selector switch to replace that awful plastic Japanese one. Obviously, two new domed knobs were needed, so they were ordered too.

A couple of days ago I got around to fitting all the new goodies. I restrung here, set her up, and WOW! What a difference! The Glendales have given me just about perfect intonation, and she now plays and sounds like a good 52 should!

I'm finding it hard to put her down right now, and I'm kicking myself for not doing these simple upgrades a long time ago. It's just like I've bought a new Tele, but without all the grief that Mrs. Fatman would have heaped upon me if I had!.....

I guess the moral of the story is.... if you've got a Tele that doesn't quite "talk" to you, try a few simple mods/upgrades before you give up on her!

riolux · May 9th, 2008, 02:43 PM

Beautiful guitar. What year is it from? Did you buy it new?

GilmourD · May 9th, 2008, 03:01 PM

Is the pickguard original? If so, my buddy in high school had one just like that. Gorgeously V-shaped neck on her. I was so mad when he sold that guitar.

ajgus · May 9th, 2008, 03:04 PM

Fatman, is that by chance a Dunlop Tortex 1.00mm pick under the guard? Nice guitar, btw.

Jellecaster · May 9th, 2008, 03:08 PM

I did basically the same thing to mine. Glendale Blackguard bridge with Redd Volkaert saddles, Lollar 52's and a new switch. The guitar is just awesome!

Your's is prettier...

91xlntS-3 · May 9th, 2008, 03:12 PM

Fatman, that is some AWESOME looking grain there! If she sounds as good as she looks, you better hang on to that one!! b e a u t i f u l !

Fatmanstratman · May 9th, 2008, 05:59 PM

Sheesh! Guys - many thanks for all your kind comments! I'm not lucky enough to own an AV52 like many of you, so this is the nearest I get! With nearly 40 guitars in the house, convincing Mrs. Fatman to let me buy an AV52 would be a tough task...

Quote:

Originally Posted by riolux

Beautiful guitar. What year is it from? Did you buy it new?

Thank you. Its a 2004. I bought it "used" (ahem....) from Don at Bluzey Guitars. It still had the plastic on the pickguard, plus the "Original vintage pickups" sticker, etc. In all honesty, I don't believe it had ever been played, but Don did me a deal I just couldn't turn down. I believe I paid $590, which included shipping from Japan to the UK...

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilmourD

Is the pickguard original?

Yes - it's a cool matt black finish. I thought it was Bakelite at first, but its just a single ply plastic guard with a shiny finish on the rear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajgus

Fatman, is that by chance a Dunlop Tortex 1.00mm pick under the guard?

Not quite! It IS a Dunlop, but I use the Standard Nylon 0.73mm. In fact, I never use anything else! I buy them by the bucketload.

ajgus · May 9th, 2008, 11:09 PM

Funny I use the nylon .73's too, but for acoustic work. But I've been using Tortex 1.0's (the blue ones) on all my electrics since I was about fourteen, & I haven't looked back. I too buy mine in bulk.

Fantastic guitar man. I've dreamed about owning a '52 for a long time now. Some day...some day...

May 9th, 2008, 02:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
Fatmanstratman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Fatmanville, Cambs., UK Posts: 2,626	Breathing new life into CIJ 52... When I bought my CIJ 52 a few years back, I was blown away by the stunning good looks, fit & finish, and wonderful playability of the guitar. It came fitted with OV pups as standard, but there was just *something* that didn't quite grab me, so I popped her back in her case and she's hardly seen the light of day over the last couple of years. A few weeks ago, I was digging through all my cases looking for one of my Epi Sheratons to loan to a friend, and suddenly "rediscovered" her.... I immediately ordered a nice set of brass Glendale compensated saddles, two new CTS 250k pots to replace the tiny little stock pots, and a CRL selector switch to replace that awful plastic Japanese one. Obviously, two new domed knobs were needed, so they were ordered too. A couple of days ago I got around to fitting all the new goodies. I restrung here, set her up, and WOW! What a difference! The Glendales have given me just about perfect intonation, and she now plays and sounds like a good 52 should! I'm finding it hard to put her down right now, and I'm kicking myself for not doing these simple upgrades a long time ago. It's just like I've bought a new Tele, but without all the grief that Mrs. Fatman would have heaped upon me if I had!..... I guess the moral of the story is.... if you've got a Tele that doesn't quite "talk" to you, try a few simple mods/upgrades before you give up on her! __________________ . . . *"Behind every argument is someone's ignorance."*

May 9th, 2008, 03:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
GilmourD Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nutley, NJ Age: 28 Posts: 1,349	Is the pickguard original? If so, my buddy in high school had one just like that. Gorgeously V-shaped neck on her. I was so mad when he sold that guitar. __________________ Good deals: Joel Terry Layla Skye Sunny Wally Franky Honey Wolfy

May 9th, 2008, 03:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
ajgus Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chicago Posts: 1,437	Fatman, is that by chance a Dunlop Tortex 1.00mm pick under the guard? Nice guitar, btw. __________________ ...because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, & dog gone-it...people like me.

May 9th, 2008, 03:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jellecaster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Hampshire, USA Age: 39 Posts: 1,840	I did basically the same thing to mine. Glendale Blackguard bridge with Redd Volkaert saddles, Lollar 52's and a new switch. The guitar is just awesome! Your's is prettier... __________________ It was born at the junction of form and function...

May 9th, 2008, 11:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
ajgus Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chicago Posts: 1,437	Funny I use the nylon .73's too, but for acoustic work. But I've been using Tortex 1.0's (the blue ones) on all my electrics since I was about fourteen, & I haven't looked back. I too buy mine in bulk. Fantastic guitar man. I've dreamed about owning a '52 for a long time now. Some day...some day... __________________ ...because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, & dog gone-it...people like me.

May 9th, 2008, 02:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
riolux Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Age: 29 Posts: 129 6 Photos	Beautiful guitar. What year is it from? Did you buy it new?

May 9th, 2008, 03:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
91xlntS-3 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 572	Fatman, that is some AWESOME looking grain there! If she sounds as good as she looks, you better hang on to that one!! b e a u t i f u l !