GFS Xaviere Tele - My Experience

[Final13]

Ok, first let me start by stating what this thread is NOT, before I mention what it IS...

It is not an "avoid at all costs thread"...

But rather a "this is what you will need to look for thread" when buying/modding and GFS tele. (At least from my very recent experience anyway) YMMV

Now the good stuff...

I bought a lovely surf green tele from GFS and it arrived in quick fashion and right out of the box was a very nice guitar. Stayed in tune, played well, and the intonation was very very close to spot on. A few turns of the screw driver needed to tighten a few screws and I did have a scratchy tone pot, but all in all a very nice guitar that ranks right up there in fit in finish with most others I have ever owned. Frets were nicely dressed and all seemed very good until...I took stuff apart.

Now, if I had never touched a thing this guitar would be just fine. But, while I loved the bridge pup, it was WAY louder than the neck and I could never balance this out to my liking. Also, there was the scratchy tone pot that was almost useless in affecting tone until the very end of the travel and then it was unusable. (Edit: Mine came with an A500k pot and a B500k tone pot)

So time to rewire, new bridge, and maybe new pickups.

I bought the standard shield, cts, grigsby, orange drop, blah blah blah upgrade and basically did not do my homework on mixing and matching parts despite knowing better and fighting the metric standard game before.

First, the bridge. I picked up a babicz...I found one for a similar price as a modern bridge which is what I was looking for after I decided the stuff at armadillo guitar was just too much for this guitar.

WARNING: GFS pickups wont fit in the bridge of a babicz. The height screws are too large and the rear screw locations are ever to slightly off. After a few emails with GFS, they stated that they arent sure why this bridge would have moved the screw hole locations, blah blah blah.

I will test that when my Bill Lawrence Keystones arrive! I was going to upgrade the pups eventually, but the bridge situation made that become a reality much sooner than planned.

Now, on to the bridge plate...cts wont fit. I didnt research this enough so its my fault but for those looking to make the swap. Also the slot for the switch wont quite fit an oak grigsby and the mounting screws are not the right fit either. I didnt feel like sourcing a bit and figured buying one and hacking away isnt as good and simply buying a fender part, so that is what I did.

This fender plate's mounting screw hole locations dont quite line up either for those who are looking to do this as well. I will say the GFS plate is noticeably more "heavy duty" however. Against my better judgement I shoehorn this guy in there with new parts and four way wiring. We will see when the pickups arrive if my wiring job is up to snuf.

The cavity (in my guitar at least) is also arguably to shallow for the new switch. Possible mods to that for some of you guys too, just a heads up. I didnt pull out the router or dremel but I might have to.

Lastly is the pickguard. It looks like it was "hand cut". I never noticed it being off until I swapped the plate, but it is not quite right. No biggie though, a new guard is easily had, just got to pick a color!

So, for those keeping score at home:
Babicz: 80
Keystones: 65 (Almost the same as a pair of GFS Premium pups!)
Wiring: 25
Fender Plate: 14

A bit more than I had planned to spend extra, but I likely would have changed many of the same things on another guitar so Im not too mad. I kind of wish I ponied for the brass andy summers bridge but oh well. Maybe later.

I will let you guys know how the pups bolt up. I have not ruled out the babicz being the culprit yet either, but I dont have any other pups to compare with until the keystones arrive.

[telex76]

I think I will avoid at all costs anyway.

[Final13]

Almost forgot the pics! I also took a bit of the gloss down to pull some of the tackyness out. A bit of a "00" SM Pad, and then "0000" steel wool did the trick with the finish still there to protect but nice and smooth.

[Final13]

Originally Posted by telex76

I think I will avoid at all costs anyway.

For about 350 total its not a bad deal, besides I like tinkering a bit. I might have liked a more expensive model, but no funds for that at this time.

This purchase was a "im sad I sold all my other guitars to get married" purchase! Ha!

[telebyron]

thanks for sharing i have looke d at those and thought..mmm

[nomadh]

would you consider this level of problems standard onan imported guitar?

[Final13]

I think differences/problems are probably par for the course. I don't know if the parts they sell on the site are the same source as what is used to build their instruments or not. However, I will say that their site does expressly state that their plates are the "correct size and spacing". After buying a genuine fender part, I have to say they are not.

My issues with spacing on the pickup screws was a bit of a surprise. Again, could be the bridge I bought but I don't know. Obviously GFS pups work in other guitars ect.

Their stuff is metric and most of the stuff here in the states is not. For a guitar that is often a "good modding platform" I thought it would be nice to have some info out there so people can make the right choices when selecting components to swap out.

[Telepi]

Good to know. Thanks for posting.

That would be too daunting of a project for me to undertake.

[StratBluesRock]

I'm sorry you sunk a decent chunk of change into it, only to find out it won't work.

[Final13]

Originally Posted by StratBluesRock

I'm sorry you sunk a decent chunk of change into it, only to find out it won't work.

The bridge I bought will correctly bolt up with the stock bridge mounts and the string holes line up. The keystones should fix my pup screw problem hopefully.

The rest I'll make do and it should sound better than ever. It sounded pretty good from the get go but I just had to change something, ha!

[Final13]

I will also add that the pics you see are with the fender plate, cts pots and grigsby switch in place and NOT the original parts. It remains to be seen it it works with the tight fit or not.

[TeleMan59]

I for sure would have to replace that pick guard...hand shaped for sure!

[JCW1024]

Shoulda bought a CV '50s! [Holds up shield, runs back into cave]

[Final13]

Originally Posted by TeleMan59

I for sure would have to replace that pick guard...hand shaped for sure!

Mint pickguard in hand as of tonight!

[Final13]

Originally Posted by JCW1024

Shoulda bought a CV '50s! [Holds up shield, runs back into cave]

Ha! Maybe next time!

[Final13]

Minty fresh!

Full Disclosure: the pickguard lines up well. The five screws on the right are perfect, the 3 on the left are a hair off but you can't notice once it's on. And no I didn't screw new holes. The cut out for the bridge is a bit bigger too.

[el cheapo]

Originally Posted by Final13

Minty fresh!

Full Disclosure: the pickguard lines up well. The five screws on the right are perfect, the 3 on the left are a hair off but you can't notice once it's on. And no I didn't screw new holes. The cut out for the bridge is a bit bigger too.

That looks pretty good to me. How's the neck? Thin? Fat?

[Mike SS]

Although I love GFS products, and prices, the reality is that they are mass produced in third world countries. Therefore there is a trade off. You get a pretty good part, but you may have to do a little modding to make it work. Perfect example, I purchased a black pickguard for my P-bass. The GFS site says " you may have to massage a few holes to make it work". Reality was that only one of fourteen holes lined up. So for less than $20 I got a new pickguard for my bass, but had to do some "fillin' and drillin". I'm happy with the results.
Looks like you will have yourself a nice axe when you are done. Enjoy!

[GopherTele]

Originally Posted by TeleMan59

I for sure would have to replace that pick guard...hand shaped for sure!

I thought people paid a premium for hand made goods?

[Final13]

Originally Posted by el cheapo

That looks pretty good to me. How's the neck? Thin? Fat?

Neck feels great. Nice "C" shape doesn't feel chunky or thin, it's a good handful but not overly chunky like a bat at all.