Holy Smokes!!! (Tele Mods)

BritishBluesBoy · May 19th, 2008, 06:33 PM

So, I just finished doing a little modding to my 50's Classic Telecaster with some parts that I had originally bought for a partscaster project that I changed my mind about doing...

I swapped out the stock bridge and saddles with a Glendale 'Blackguard' bridge and steel saddles. Replaced the pickups with a Duncan Broadcaster in the bridge and a Alnico Pro II in the neck, also I swapped out the stock cap with an orange drop one...

Holy Moly... It sounds HUGE now. What an incredible change. The bridge position on this thing is just freakin' awesome!! I can't get over it... Bridge and neck are also sublime. Neck only is big and fat and very warm and totally smoky, jazzy sounding - just gorgeous. I'm absolutely and totally in love all over again!!! Ha Ha... Haaa... Heeeeee!! Woo Hoo!!!!!

Happy...?? Me...?? Oh YES!!

91xlntS-3 · May 19th, 2008, 06:45 PM

Good on you, BBB! Always great when a plan comes together (even if it wasn't a plan to start with). Love my 50's Classic just the way it is, but if I EVER decide to do any mods, I'm gonna keep these in mind! Thanks for the heads up,BBB.

mellecaster · May 19th, 2008, 06:49 PM

Triple B, that SD Broadcaster is one of my all time favorite Pickups...glad it worked for ya...like gettin your Ole Girlfriend one of those TV Makeovers....

whitebread · May 19th, 2008, 06:50 PM

The Duncan APTR neck pu is seriously underated. It really has a nice jazzy sound to it without the mud. Glad your diggin it!

BritishBluesBoy · May 19th, 2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mellecaster

like gettin your Ole Girlfriend one of those TV Makeovers....

Ha Ha Ha!!! Totally!!!!

woodman · May 19th, 2008, 06:57 PM

any successful mod's a victory! like having a new guitar, except, well, better, cuz you know the axe.

BritishBluesBoy · May 19th, 2008, 07:13 PM

Predictably, I'm giving my 60's Classic a sideways glance now too...

Hmmmmmmm...

Flannel Pat · May 19th, 2008, 07:20 PM

The Broadcaster is an awesome bridge pickup.

cminor7b5 · May 19th, 2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BritishBluesBoy

Predictably, I'm giving my 60's Classic a sideways glance now too...

Hmmmmmmm...

BBB:

If you do decide to make similar mods to your 60's Classic, it would be great if you could do the mods in stages and give us a review as you go. You know, bridge change impressions… cap change impressions… pickups…

but then, you probably have a life.

cheers

Brick · May 19th, 2008, 08:37 PM

Half of what you're hearing is the Glendale bridge.

BritishBluesBoy · May 19th, 2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brick

Half of what you're hearing is the Glendale bridge.

Very true. It's amazing the difference a Glendale or Callaham (or similar) bridge will make...

BritishBluesBoy · May 19th, 2008, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cminor7b5

BBB:

If you do decide to make similar mods to your 60's Classic, it would be great if you could do the mods in stages and give us a review as you go. You know, bridge change impressions… cap change impressions… pickups…

but then, you probably have a life.

cheers

Ummm... Yeah... Well... That's just not going to happen. Sorry...

You are right though, it would be interesting to hear each change step by step. Unfortunately time is a precious thing... (Not sure if I'm even going to mod it yet - I had these parts already and I'd have to order a bunch of new stuff specifically for the 60's Classic. We'll see..?)

Cheers!

mjb1967 · May 19th, 2008, 08:57 PM

I totally know what you mean....I got this 2005 American Standard with a blue plush G&G Suitcase for 550.00....i immediately put locking "F" fender tuners on it and upgraded the pickups to AVRI 52' RI pickups, and sheilded all cavities with copper tape. I was then forced to sell my hot rod 52, so I bought the neck HB from ebay, and put it in the guitar.....still did not like the bridge pickup so I tried a S. Duncan Lil 59, and I split the coil....I hated it, it was no longer a telecaster....so I tried the S/D Broadcaster on the advice of a forum member...put a mojotone .47 oil paper cap in it and wow.....all I can say is wow....I do want to change to a 3 saddle bridge, but for now, Im very happy. It just goes to show how versitile the instrument can be with a little tweaking....heres a pic from before the broadcaster....

and when it was new...

BAW4742 · May 19th, 2008, 08:58 PM

Does the Glendale bridge really make that much difference?

I have a Am Standard Tele. What would the Glendale do for that?

mistermullens · May 19th, 2008, 09:02 PM

You guys are giving me thoughts!

boris bubbanov · May 19th, 2008, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAW4742

Does the Glendale bridge really make that much difference?

I have a Am Standard Tele. What would the Glendale do for that?

http://www.glendaleguitars.com/Americandouble.jpg

That's tricky. The differences between a standard MIM "ashtray" bridgeplate and a Glendale vintage plate, except for the cut down sides, is in choice of materials and in precision. A lot of things about an Am Se compatible Glendale have to be quite different, so do not just assume it will sound the same.

My reason for not getting one yet is aesthetics. I just think any plate that long looks funny, and they're expensive and they hafta look right, IMO.

Mark Davis · May 19th, 2008, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mellecaster

Triple B, that SD Broadcaster is one of my all time favorite Pickups...glad it worked for ya...like gettin your Ole Girlfriend one of those TV Makeovers....

I think of the SD Broadcaster as the 57 Chevy of Tele bridge pickups.

It works so good and doesnt cost alot.

Ive done lots of mods to 50's Classics and it makes a huge difference changing the pickups. The bridge makes very little difference.

If you mod a 60's Classic it actually sounds worse than stock.

The 60's is perfect as is.

BritishBluesBoy · May 19th, 2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

Ive done lots of mods to 50's Classics and it makes a huge difference changing the pickups. The bridge makes very little difference.

I guess your experiences were different than mine...? Obviously doing a bunch of changes at once makes it hard to determine exactly what is making the most significant change. However I can actually feel a dramatic increase in the resonance and liveliness of the guitar before even plugging it in... I'd say the Glendale bridge and saddles is probably responsible for that. With the SD pickups and new cap it all adds up to a delicious, twangy, growly, smooth and jazzy Telecaster. Suffice it to say I'm very happy with the changes. It was already a nice guitar. Now it's a REALLY nice guitar...

Mark Davis · May 19th, 2008, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BritishBluesBoy

I guess your experiences were different than mine...? Obviously doing a bunch of changes at once makes it hard to determine exactly what is making the most significant change. However I can actually feel a dramatic increase in the resonance and liveliness of the guitar before even plugging it in... I'd say the Glendale bridge and saddles is probably responsible for that. With the SD pickups and new cap it all adds up to a delicious, twangy, growly, smooth and jazzy Telecaster. Suffice it to say I'm very happy with the changes. It was already a nice guitar. Now it's a REALLY nice guitar...

Next time you do a string change replace the bridge with the stock one and see if its whats makaing the biggest difference.

I put a Callaham on my 50's Classic thought it sounded better until 2 weeks later did a string change put the old bridge back on and it sounded the best.

rhinocaster · May 19th, 2008, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BritishBluesBoy

I guess your experiences were different than mine...? Obviously doing a bunch of changes at once makes it hard to determine exactly what is making the most significant change. However I can actually feel a dramatic increase in the resonance and liveliness of the guitar before even plugging it in... I'd say the Glendale bridge and saddles is probably responsible for that. With the SD pickups and new cap it all adds up to a delicious, twangy, growly, smooth and jazzy Telecaster. Suffice it to say I'm very happy with the changes. It was already a nice guitar. Now it's a REALLY nice guitar...

Your experience matches mine. I've changed out many bridges and saddles on guitars over the years, and it can be stunning how you can change the fundamental sound of a guitar with something like a different saddle or bridgeplate.

Congratulations on the positive changes!

BritishBluesBoy · May 19th, 2008, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

Next time you do a string change replace the bridge with the stock one and see if its whats makaing the biggest difference.

I put a Callaham on my 50's Classic thought it sounded better until 2 weeks later did a string change put the old bridge back on and it sounded the best.

Good idea... I'll give that a go... Answer the fancy, expensive bridge plate question after all..

Brick · May 20th, 2008, 12:09 AM

The Glendale bridge (I have two) has had a dramatic effect on the secondary harmonics of each guitar I've put one on. This translates to a much livelier sounding guitar. Pinch harmonics jump out of the guitars with Glendale bridges. Weather or not you would like this sound is subjective.

May 19th, 2008, 06:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
BritishBluesBoy Friend of Leo's Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Age: 40 Posts: 3,952 62 Photos	Holy Smokes!!! (Tele Mods) So, I just finished doing a little modding to my 50's Classic Telecaster with some parts that I had originally bought for a partscaster project that I changed my mind about doing... I swapped out the stock bridge and saddles with a Glendale 'Blackguard' bridge and steel saddles. Replaced the pickups with a Duncan Broadcaster in the bridge and a Alnico Pro II in the neck, also I swapped out the stock cap with an orange drop one... Holy Moly... It sounds HUGE now. What an incredible change. The bridge position on this thing is just freakin' awesome!! I can't get over it... Bridge and neck are also sublime. Neck only is big and fat and very warm and totally smoky, jazzy sounding - just gorgeous. I'm absolutely and totally in love all over again!!! Ha Ha... Haaa... Heeeeee!! Woo Hoo!!!!! Happy...?? Me...?? Oh YES!! __________________ BBB.

May 19th, 2008, 06:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
mellecaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,798 17 Photos	Triple B, that SD Broadcaster is one of my all time favorite Pickups...glad it worked for ya...like gettin your Ole Girlfriend one of those TV Makeovers.... __________________ Let's Not Forget the Other 75% of The Tone Equation...It's Called an AMP

May 19th, 2008, 06:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 62 Posts: 5,183	any successful mod's a victory! like having a new guitar, except, well, better, cuz you know the axe. __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)

May 19th, 2008, 07:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
BritishBluesBoy Friend of Leo's Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Age: 40 Posts: 3,952 62 Photos	Predictably, I'm giving my 60's Classic a sideways glance now too... Hmmmmmmm... __________________ BBB.

May 19th, 2008, 09:02 PM	#15 (permalink)
mistermullens Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,574 56 Photos	You guys are giving me thoughts! __________________ Jonathan - Demos@purevolume.com When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. - Jimi All I need is my Esquire - MM

May 19th, 2008, 06:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
91xlntS-3 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 566	Good on you, BBB! Always great when a plan comes together (even if it wasn't a plan to start with). Love my 50's Classic just the way it is, but if I EVER decide to do any mods, I'm gonna keep these in mind! Thanks for the heads up,BBB.

May 19th, 2008, 06:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
whitebread TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Destin, FL Age: 32 Posts: 49	The Duncan APTR neck pu is seriously underated. It really has a nice jazzy sound to it without the mud. Glad your diggin it!

May 19th, 2008, 07:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
Flannel Pat Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Age: 20 Posts: 418	The Broadcaster is an awesome bridge pickup.

May 19th, 2008, 08:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
Brick Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Jose Age: 57 Posts: 773	Half of what you're hearing is the Glendale bridge.

May 19th, 2008, 08:57 PM	#13 (permalink)
mjb1967 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: orlando florida Age: 41 Posts: 124 8 Photos	I totally know what you mean....I got this 2005 American Standard with a blue plush G&G Suitcase for 550.00....i immediately put locking "F" fender tuners on it and upgraded the pickups to AVRI 52' RI pickups, and sheilded all cavities with copper tape. I was then forced to sell my hot rod 52, so I bought the neck HB from ebay, and put it in the guitar.....still did not like the bridge pickup so I tried a S. Duncan Lil 59, and I split the coil....I hated it, it was no longer a telecaster....so I tried the S/D Broadcaster on the advice of a forum member...put a mojotone .47 oil paper cap in it and wow.....all I can say is wow....I do want to change to a 3 saddle bridge, but for now, Im very happy. It just goes to show how versitile the instrument can be with a little tweaking....heres a pic from before the broadcaster.... and when it was new...

May 19th, 2008, 08:58 PM	#14 (permalink)
BAW4742 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore Age: 51 Posts: 357	Does the Glendale bridge really make that much difference? I have a Am Standard Tele. What would the Glendale do for that?

May 20th, 2008, 12:09 AM	#22 (permalink)
Brick Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Jose Age: 57 Posts: 773	The Glendale bridge (I have two) has had a dramatic effect on the secondary harmonics of each guitar I've put one on. This translates to a much livelier sounding guitar. Pinch harmonics jump out of the guitars with Glendale bridges. Weather or not you would like this sound is subjective.