NGD -- '72 Roadworn Custom

[OutlawGJ]

Okay, okay I get it. Some people aren't cool with the roadworn stuff. I think its kinda silly, sure, and have reliced my share of Telecasters the good old fashioned way, but this one came at a real great price and knocked out 4 things I don't already have in one of my other teles:
1. Vintage saddles
2. 7.25 radius
3. Nitro finish
4. S/H pickup config

After playing this thing, though... I understand the roadworn thing. It's like a good broken in pair of shoes. It just feels SOOOOOO GOOOOOOOD to play. I'm digging the hell out of it. I feel people's pain in that the neck pickup is just a LITTLE too muddy. Not bad, but it needs some help. Any ideas on how to fix that?

[TeleKato]

Search around ... especially on the just-pickups forum; search for "WRHB" or 'wide-range' or something. Been chatter recently (including from me). Basically, you'll find a load of commentary on your question of 'how to fix that' ... none of it going to give you a single answer, but a lot of insight. Lots of suggestions on alternatives to buy to replace, and even some discussion on quick-fixes (I don't remember ... I decided to go toward an alternative pickup for my build project).

I also have long been meh about Relics ... then i came across an MJT Shell Pink relic body, and now I'm gonna make one and I can tell I'm already having WAY too much fun.

[Chris H.]

You might be interested in this:http://curtisnovak.com/pickups/repairs/WRHB-ri/

[dan79]

Very nice - I've got one in sunburst and it's an awesome guitar - have fun!!

[Six T. Six]

That's one cool looking RW. Can't help on the HB issue, but I like it!

[electrablue]

Congrats!

[lupowitz]

Originally Posted by OutlawGJ

Okay, okay I get it. Some people aren't cool with the roadworn stuff. I think its kinda silly, sure, and have reliced my share of Telecasters the good old fashioned way, but this one came at a real great price and knocked out 4 things I don't already have in one of my other teles:
1. Vintage saddles
2. 7.25 radius
3. Nitro finish
4. S/H pickup config

After playing this thing, though... I understand the roadworn thing. It's like a good broken in pair of shoes. It just feels SOOOOOO GOOOOOOOD to play. I'm digging the hell out of it. I feel people's pain in that the neck pickup is just a LITTLE too muddy. Not bad, but it needs some help. Any ideas on how to fix that?

Congrats!
Envy!
Enjoy!

Start with new pot values! Since you have separate vol and tone controls, you can use whatever serves your fancy, without effecting the other pickup. If you are happy with the bridge posi, change only the hummer's pots.

[studio1087]

That's a beauty! Congratulations.

I have a Custom Reissue & like the pickups....can't help with that.

That's a great looking guitar.

[tele salivas]

Man, I love these guitars. I like the RI cause of the maple neck, but this rosewood neck on the Roadworn looks great, too. plus the relic job is pretty cool for a mass repro. I know there are a lot of legendary tone stories that go with the original widerangers, but I like the present editions, as well. I'd just go with it and see what can come out. With a little bit of Fuzz or distortion, I find some really pleasing stuff in that mud. Then again, I am a bit of a dirt farmer. Plus, that middle position might benefit from the disparity between the two pups, lot of control in the knobs. Cool guitar, mang.

[OutlawGJ]

Well, I'm a tinkerer and have already popped the pickguard off and swapped the humbucker pots for 500k CTS ones. I also restrung with .10s. That fixed it. She's a scorcher now. Thanks for all the advice guys! This is why TDPRI is the best. So much knowledge in one place!

[xtrajerry]

Originally Posted by OutlawGJ

Well, I'm a tinkerer and have already popped the pickguard off and swapped the humbucker pots for 500k CTS ones. I also restrung with .10s. That fixed it. She's a scorcher now. Thanks for all the advice guys! This is why TDPRI is the best. So much knowledge in one place!

Thanks for sharing that.. I'm expecting mine tomorrow..

[kinkstah]

Originally Posted by tele salivas

I like the RI cause of the maple neck, but this rosewood neck on the Roadworn looks great, too. plus the relic job is pretty cool for a mass repro.

Same comment, here. Nice guitar! I've yet too see/hold one in person, though... Looks like they're not in the current Fender catalog... Are they discontinued?

[dan79]

Originally Posted by OutlawGJ

Well, I'm a tinkerer and have already popped the pickguard off and swapped the humbucker pots for 500k CTS ones. I also restrung with .10s. That fixed it. She's a scorcher now. Thanks for all the advice guys! This is why TDPRI is the best. So much knowledge in one place!

Good info there - at first I was happy with the the sound from my humbucker - but now I do think it's a bit muddy. I think I'll try the 500 pots too - the guitar is a beast as it is so I'm interested that this mod could push it into even better territory!

[southwoodgtars]

Nice! Congrats! I really dig the black on black!

[RussBert]

SWEET!