Update on my Telecaster Special...

[91xlntS-3]

Finally was able to trade my bass player out of his Blonde Telecaster Special.

The guitar had a few issues (nothing major) and needed at least a new pickguard (had a home-made oversize guard installed).

Eventually, I want to turn this into a Hot Rod 52 with a mini-bucker in the neck, but for now I've installed a new GuitarFetish 3 ply B-W-B pickguard.

I hadn't spent a lot of time trying to tweak out this guitar, not knowing if it was going to be mine or not. But spent some time today installing the new guard and tweaking it a bit. Adjusted the neck bucker, adjusted the saddle height and checked the intonation. It's got a TBX Control, and this is one of the things I originally wanted to change out. But now that I've made a few adjustments, I may leave it stock for a while and see how it does. The neck bucker sounds good in all positions, except by its self, then it gets a little muddy sounding. It's better now, and may still have a "sweet spot" to be found.

Anyone have any suggestions on the electronics that might brighten up the tone of the bucker? When I mod it with the mini-bucker, I was thinking of buying a pre-wired control assembly with the greasebucket circuit, any thoughts on this? Will probably go with the GFS Mini-Bucker and keep the original bridge p-up that's installed; I really like the tone of the stock bridge p-up.

Anyway, just wanted to update the crowd...

[Ed Bickert]

Sounds like a winner to me. The mud could be a number of things. Including, but not limited to, the pickup itself. I think most buckers sound muddy comapred to single coils. But you have to tweak a bit and see for yourself.

[outbreak]

isn't their some mod for the specials that involves r5emoving pole pieces?