NGD American Designer Edition 62 Tele Custom

[Starrman44]

I came across one of these on Craigslist. The man was asking $850. Great guy, and I couldn't pass up the price. I think it is absolutely beautiful.

This first picture doesn't really capture the color, it makes it look a little dark and orange...


Here is a better idea of the color


I put Callaham knobs on it and a Gelendale switch tip (it's something I like to do with all my teles).


I kinda like this shot...

[Starrman44]

Here is the butt of the neck


More of the neck stickers, etc.


Neck Pocket


The guts...

[Starrman44]

For some reason I thought this was cool in the bridge pocket...


Showing the binding


One final look

[Starrman44]

My initial impressions are that I don't like the vintage wiring. I didn't get a modern kit in the deal, but I did get a molded plastic case, a hercules stand and a strap.

I am going to have to find a schematic so I can change it to the modern wiring.

The neck isn't as skinny as I anticipated. It feels like a modern C, but it's not really thin. I like Chunky necks, but I can definitely live with this. If I change the neck out eventually it will be because I simply like Maple necks. I still would keep this one in a safe place...

Other than the vintage wiring, the pickups aren't my favorite so far, but I will continue to mess around with different heights.

I may eventually put some OC Duff planksters in there, or something else, I don't know.

Anyway, I still can't believe I got this. It is one of 125 made for Guitar Center in 2000. I feel real blessed to have it in the fold. It definitely is a keeper.

[DoodlySquat]

Wow I really like thy, I want to reach in the picture and play it soooooo bad. Nice purchase!

_____________________________________________ If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all. ~ Albert King

[Ron Garson]

Every now and then, one of these pretty guitars shows up. I had one for a few years too, and then sold it while re-arranging the herd! Getting rid of it wasn't the easiest thing to do!
They were made, AFAIK, for GC and they were built in 2000. All nitro "Tobacco Sunburst" finish. All have that #12 in the bridge pup cavity, but I don't know what it refers to.
Here's an old pic of the one I owned.



BTW, this pic was the May page of the only calendar that TDPRI ever produced, in 2007...
Maybe that calendar is a collector's item now!

[Starrman44]

Originally Posted by Ron Garson

Every now and then, one of these pretty guitars shows up. I had one for a few years too, and then sold it while re-arranging the herd! Getting rid of it wasn't the easiest thing to do!
They were made, AFAIK, for GC and they were built in 2000. All nitro "Tobacco Sunburst" finish. All have that #12 in the bridge pup cavity, but I don't know what it refers to.
Here's an old pic of the one I owned.



BTW, this pic was the May page of the only calendar that TDPRI ever produced, in 2007...
Maybe that calendar is a collector's item now!

Ron, that's a stunner, for sure. You captured the color perfectly. When I first found it, I didn't know about it being limited, I just loved it and wanted it.

I hope I never have to get rid of this one...

[Ron Garson]

Here's a schematic from Seymour Duncan that shows how to wire it to "modern."

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support...hematic=66tele

[Starrman44]

Thanks, Ron. I've been looking for that!!

Thanks for the compliment, Doodly. If you every come by Planet Earth you oughta check it out!!

[Hotrod40]

Great find...Congrats...Enjoy.

[Starrman44]

BTW - it is my 1,000 post. Can't believe it, oh well, carry on...

Can anybody tell from the picture or from knowing this wiring scheme what value those two little CAPS are and if I need to get rid of them. Can I reuse one?

Problem being, I am heading out of state real soon and I may not be able to find what I need to take this to modern wiring.

FWIW, I have some experience with Soldering, etc. I did all the BillM mods on a Blues Jr (made it a 6V6 amp)...

[electrablue]

Nice! Congrats!

[Ramblin Ray]

Threaded saddles I assume? Can't quite tell from the pics. Nice guitar--give the pups some time before you start needlessly spending more $ on the never ending hunt!

[rebelwoclue]

Very nice find!

[Starrman44]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Ray

Threaded saddles I assume? Can't quite tell from the pics. Nice guitar--give the pups some time before you start needlessly spending more $ on the never ending hunt!

That's good advice, and I actually am liking them as the guitar is settling in. Previous owner had 12's or 13's on her. I like 9's and 10's.

The other pups I mentioned I still want to get sometime down the road. Eventually, I want to either buy Fender bodies and necks and configure myself or do a build.

I doubt these pups will come off anytime soon as I am starting to really like 'em.

[Starrman44]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Ray

Threaded saddles I assume?

Yes, threaded saddles. I really don't like them. They for sure will come out. I have some brass ones. I might pick up a set of compensated saddles....

[telex76]

Beauty, congrats.

[johnthatcher]

gorgeous!

[RubyRae]

That is really nice looking. Unique finish and model too. Congrats!

[Starrman44]

Thanks, you guys!! I sure love it. It's the prettiest guitar I have. It's funny, when I had my Kirn strat done, this is the color I almost chose (I was also thinking Candy Apple Red), but I really wanted to get a tele like this (at that point I wasn't interested in matching the two, because I wanted variety). Anyway, this tele looks like a nice piece of furniture.