My American Standard Tele has been revived!

91xlntS-3 · June 22nd, 2008, 04:52 PM

I posted a week or so ago about finally getting a set of CS NoCaster p-ups installed in my Am. Std. Tele. I didn't play her out because the p-ups sounded so thin.

Well, she is a totally different guitar now, with the NoCasters.

So today, I got her out for a string change and to make any adjustments that may be needed. I have always used 9-42 gauge strings on my guitars, 10's just seemed too stiff for me. So, my last trip to G.C., I bought a set of D'Addario EXL120+ strings (9.5-44 Gauge) because there are some folks here that really like them. After the string change, there was really very little adjustment to be made to action/neck/bridge etc. (very happy with that).

Also got my handy little ruler and made a few adjustments to the p-ups; I hadn't had the chance to really dial them in, so I figured this was just the time to do so. Got out my trusty Blues Jr. (gigging amp) and had at it.

Only a few minor tweaks/turns of the p-up adjustment screws and I was done. These have to be the easiest p-ups I've ever dialed in!

So I just sat there and played for a while; 2 hours later, I decided to give things a rest, figured my wife was tired of listening to all my "noodling".

I had almost given up on this guitar, just didn't want to play it, at all. My American Ash had been my #1 since I bought both of them last year (about this time). But so many folks here at TDPRI had so many good things to say about different p-ups, I thought I'd give it a try and see what happened.

New p-ups, different string gauge and this girl sounds INCREDIBLE! Just wanted to say "Thank You" to all who offered thier opinions on p-ups and I wouldn't have thought to try a different set of strings without the folks around here either.

VWAmTele · June 22nd, 2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91xlntS-3

...I bought a set of D'Addario EXL120+ strings (9.5-44 Gauge) because there are some folks here that really like them...

+1. Definitely more meaty than .9's but still able to do those full step 2nd fret G strings bends. Wish they sold them in 10 packs.

Tele Jr · June 22nd, 2008, 06:59 PM

I'm hearing you about the sweetness of the American Ash Tele, and the Nocaster pups are not all that far away from the MV's. In going with the vintage spec Nocaster pups you are effectively growing you own 8502 style modern vintage mojo with the Am Se.

What you are hearing now as a primary difference between the two based on my experience probably has to do alot with the bridge materials, if you were to put Am Ash spec bridgework on the Am Se it would be even sweeter and dive deeper into the so called modern vintage concept.

But if you were game to try something a little different I would recommend adding some Am Ash/8502 chrome brass saddles to the Am Se chrome brass plate and check out the Tele Jr approved all brass bridge.

June 22nd, 2008, 04:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
91xlntS-3 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 729	My American Standard Tele has been revived! I posted a week or so ago about finally getting a set of CS NoCaster p-ups installed in my Am. Std. Tele. I didn't play her out because the p-ups sounded so thin. Well, she is a totally different guitar now, with the NoCasters. So today, I got her out for a string change and to make any adjustments that may be needed. I have always used 9-42 gauge strings on my guitars, 10's just seemed too stiff for me. So, my last trip to G.C., I bought a set of D'Addario EXL120+ strings (9.5-44 Gauge) because there are some folks here that really like them. After the string change, there was really very little adjustment to be made to action/neck/bridge etc. (very happy with that). Also got my handy little ruler and made a few adjustments to the p-ups; I hadn't had the chance to really dial them in, so I figured this was just the time to do so. Got out my trusty Blues Jr. (gigging amp) and had at it. Only a few minor tweaks/turns of the p-up adjustment screws and I was done. These have to be the easiest p-ups I've ever dialed in! So I just sat there and played for a while; 2 hours later, I decided to give things a rest, figured my wife was tired of listening to all my "noodling". I had almost given up on this guitar, just didn't want to play it, at all. My American Ash had been my #1 since I bought both of them last year (about this time). But so many folks here at TDPRI had so many good things to say about different p-ups, I thought I'd give it a try and see what happened. New p-ups, different string gauge and this girl sounds INCREDIBLE! Just wanted to say "Thank You" to all who offered thier opinions on p-ups and I wouldn't have thought to try a different set of strings without the folks around here either.

June 22nd, 2008, 06:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tele Jr Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 209 9 Photos	I'm hearing you about the sweetness of the American Ash Tele, and the Nocaster pups are not all that far away from the MV's. In going with the vintage spec Nocaster pups you are effectively growing you own 8502 style modern vintage mojo with the Am Se. What you are hearing now as a primary difference between the two based on my experience probably has to do alot with the bridge materials, if you were to put Am Ash spec bridgework on the Am Se it would be even sweeter and dive deeper into the so called modern vintage concept. But if you were game to try something a little different I would recommend adding some Am Ash/8502 chrome brass saddles to the Am Se chrome brass plate and check out the Tele Jr approved all brass bridge.