Report on SX STL50 with GFS Pickups

[FirstBassman]

Here (finally!) are photos and a (very basic amateurish) assessment of new pickups put into Rondo SX STL50 Telecaster copy.

When I first played the SX STL50 I thought both pickups were a little weak plus I was looking to get either a P90 or a humbucker in the neck position to go after a rockier/blusier sound.


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Changes Made
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Fat Mini Humbucker Alnico V Magnets - Chrome Case (H100) NECK Position Pickup (Jay says these have a “20% of P90 dialed in.")

Alnico Fatbody Oversized (I20) Polepiece Tele Bridge Pickup

Set Fender Stainless Steel Strings 10 - 46


Here are photos:

















All tests done through Fender Blues Junior amp with all EQ settings at “12 o’clock.”

CLEAN

NECK P/U ONLY

Strum – Pretty nice on the higher strings. A little “boxy” and less defined on the lower strings.

Pick/Lead – Nice old fashioned Jazz guitar-like sound

BOTH P/Us

Strum – Full and big - yet sharp and clear bell-like too at same time

Pick/Lead – Fairly non descript

BRIDGE P/U ONLY

Strum – Country-ish

Pick/Lead – Twang-ish but not overly so


DIRTY (through Bad Monkey set at 12 o’clock)

NECK P/U ONLY

Strum – HBish in a nice way, thicker & darker than below

Pick/Lead – nice bluesy tones except on high e. But when picked gently get very nice ringing tone. Think Country Joe & Fish song from Monterey.

BOTH P/Us

Strum – Very similar to neck only. Louder and a little more higher overtones

Pick/Lead – loud, clear w/ crunch, lots of sustain

BRIDGE

Strum – Still kinda HBish but more piercing than with both P/Us

Pick - Rock sounding

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COST
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Mini Fat Alnico Humbucker – Neck $ 36
Alnico Fatbody Oversized Polepiece Tele Bridge $ 35
Tele Pickguard custom cut for Neck Mini Humbucker Black 3 Ply $ 18
Two 500K Pots $ 12
New Switch $ 14
(Strings I would have changed anyway.)

Total parts: $ 115

Total labor: $ 100


Was it worth it? Very hard to say. For one thing I'm still experimenting with amp and stompbox settings to try and dial in the "best" sound I can.

If I was able to do the labor myself, I'd say it was definitely worth it. But even with paying someone else to install the pups, it still came out as the same price as the new Squiers with the humbucker pickups. And, truthfully, (a) I'd rather have the SX guitar (b) I prefer the STL50 color and (c) I got to choose exactly the pickups I wanted (though, of course without hearing them first).

[bowlfreshener]

NICE!

So was the body routed for a humbucker i the neck? Or did you have to get that routed out? Just wondering because I have been debating getting a BSB SX Tele then getting a GFS mini humbucker in the neck to make a poor mans Hot Rod '52 Tele...

[FirstBassman]

Originally Posted by bowlfreshener

NICE!

So was the body routed for a humbucker i the neck? Or did you have to get that routed out? Just wondering because I have been debating getting a BSB SX Tele then getting a GFS mini humbucker in the neck to make a poor mans Hot Rod '52 Tele...

Sorry, I forgot to mention about the routing.

If you search you'll see my post where I included photos with the original pickguard lifted up showing that there is room for a mini H/B or a P90.

However, the tech said even though the opening is wide and long enough he had to dig out just a tiny little bit for the depth. Something about how the mini H/B gets mounted into the body of the guitar.

[TeleRon]

FirstBassman
You already know I have a SX on the way, and the mods that you made are just what I was looking for. I will have to see how I like it stock first but I already am looking for the parts. Are the mods to difficult to do yourself or did you just not have time? Money is an issue for me, and I would like to try to do it myself. I have no guitar experience but I have several years of very serious soldering while building several ham radios for my other hobby. The wood work might be a problem as I do not have the tools or experience. One reason I picked the guitar was the budget price and I wanted to experiment and if I messed up something it would not be a big loss. As you have time to check it out more please keep us informed on how you like the mods.
Thanks
Ron

[Steve G]

Originally Posted by TeleRon

FirstBassman
You already know I have a SX on the way, and the mods that you made are just what I was looking for. I will have to see how I like it stock first but I already am looking for the parts. Are the mods to difficult to do yourself or did you just not have time? Money is an issue for me, and I would like to try to do it myself. I have no guitar experience but I have several years of very serious soldering while building several ham radios for my other hobby. The wood work might be a problem as I do not have the tools or experience. One reason I picked the guitar was the budget price and I wanted to experiment and if I messed up something it would not be a big loss. As you have time to check it out more please keep us informed on how you like the mods.
Thanks
Ron

Mate, if you can build radios you could do this too. All you need is a little common sense and the willingness to have a go. Im no genius but have made successful mods on a lot of teles since finding this forum.

Firstbassman, she looks gorgeous, thanks for the info!

[Steve G]

Teleron,
dont forget to that if you get stuck theres plenty of folks here wholl help you out!

[bowlfreshener]

Originally Posted by FirstBassman

Sorry, I forgot to mention about the routing.

If you search you'll see my post where I included photos with the original pickguard lifted up showing that there is room for a mini H/B or a P90.

However, the tech said even though the opening is wide and long enough he had to dig out just a tiny little bit for the depth. Something about how the mini H/B gets mounted into the body of the guitar.

Thanks for the info!

In case anyone is wondering, here's is the thread he's referring to (it took me awhile to find it because the search option can be weird at times):
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaste...er-covers.html

[TeleRon]

Thanks SteveG, and I was thinking it should not be that hard, when mine gets here I am going to take a look and see. He sure made a good looking guitar look better, at least to me anyway. Since I am new to all this, only been playing about 2 months, its hard to take it all in at one time. Need to spend time playing, practicing, so I will know what sound I am after.

Firstbassman it sure does look good

[FirstBassman]

Are the mods to difficult to do yourself or did you just not have time? Money is an issue for me, and I would like to try to do it myself. I have no guitar experience but I have several years of very serious soldering while building several ham radios for my other hobby.

As others have stated, with your experience, you probably won’t have much trouble.
I have absolutely no experience in these matters at all. None. And none of the tools required. I figured that if I have no idea what I’m doing, I will muck it up and waste the time and money.

In case anyone is wondering, here's is the thread he's referring to (it took me awhile to find it because the search option can be weird at times):

Sorry. Usually you’ll notice I include links in my posts to other threads but this time I didn’t. Just lazy I guess.

Firstbassman it sure does look good

Thanks! I also love the way the guitar looks.
I was strongly considering replacing with a white guard instead. But chose to stick with the original black.
And she sounds great too. A lot hotter than with the original pups which, I said, I’m still trying to get used to. As well as the best amp settings.

Now …if I only had GE’s or Weider’s talent I’d be all set.

[ChazM]

I think with those new Guitar Fetish Teles, nobody's gonna want an SX soon!

[Steve G]

Originally Posted by ChazM

I think with those new Guitar Fetish Teles, nobody's gonna want an SX soon!

You could be right, but I still prefer the SX headstock, vintage colours and neck profile.

FirstBassman - good work.