I telestratted my 51

TG · October 22nd, 2005, 02:36 PM

I got a Squier 51 yesterday and I spent this afternoon noodling up in the workshop. I knew I'd hate the stock pickguard (never did like the look of those early Fender basses) so I had a sheet of pickguard material handy. I was going to try a thinline guard something like that Japanese doo dah we were all looking at last week here, but I didn't fancy taking my thinline's guard off to use as a template, so I used an old strat guard I had instead. I had a standard US Fender neck pickup around so I put it in after routing out the cavity to straighten it (I don't like angled neck pickups either)...and shielding. I've just ordered a GFS Vintage Split humbucker (like a Fender Wide Range supposedly) and a TUSQ nut. I was thinking of getting a blend pot to replace the 3 way, and maybe a dual concentric double pot to have volume and tone as well.
Anyway, I thought you all might find it interesting to see. It's not the best picture (overcast day here) but you'll get the idea.

Whatcha think?

BrianF · October 22nd, 2005, 02:47 PM

I like that pickguard better!

Roli · October 22nd, 2005, 03:11 PM

Became pretty much just a hardtail Strat this way.

David Barnett · October 22nd, 2005, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roli

Became pretty much just a hardtail Strat this way.

Agree. The 51 guard has a lot more character, and makes the guitar look less like just another Strat mutation.

TG · October 22nd, 2005, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roli

Became pretty much just a hardtail Strat this way.

True maybe. I'd often considered getting a hardtail strat but I figured I'd need a beefier bridge pickup.... and a tele neck.... and a volume control NOT right where I rest my hand....and a simpler pickup arrangement. I prefer tele neck pickups to strat ones too.
I wanted a strat-bodied tele...... or a very telefied strat, perhaps?

Seems I got one...whatever it is.

J-man · October 22nd, 2005, 04:04 PM

I prefered the old pickguard.

But it still looks cool this way! :D

chickenpicker · October 22nd, 2005, 04:56 PM

...is in the eye ofthe beholder.

jwells393 · October 22nd, 2005, 07:24 PM

Good job TG !

..........I'm doing a different sort of remake of my sunburst Squier 51. The Squier 51 has got way too much plastic showing.

.............and what's the deal with that slanted neck pickup? Who's bright idea was that? ........Stupid....stupid ....stupid.

shakedancer · October 22nd, 2005, 08:09 PM

I like the stock pickguard. It's what makes that guitar look cool.

October 22nd, 2005, 02:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
TG Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Beside a bog in the west of Ireland Age: 47 Posts: 4,504 7 Photos	I telestratted my 51 I got a Squier 51 yesterday and I spent this afternoon noodling up in the workshop. I knew I'd hate the stock pickguard (never did like the look of those early Fender basses) so I had a sheet of pickguard material handy. I was going to try a thinline guard something like that Japanese doo dah we were all looking at last week here, but I didn't fancy taking my thinline's guard off to use as a template, so I used an old strat guard I had instead. I had a standard US Fender neck pickup around so I put it in after routing out the cavity to straighten it (I don't like angled neck pickups either)...and shielding. I've just ordered a GFS Vintage Split humbucker (like a Fender Wide Range supposedly) and a TUSQ nut. I was thinking of getting a blend pot to replace the 3 way, and maybe a dual concentric double pot to have volume and tone as well. Anyway, I thought you all might find it interesting to see. It's not the best picture (overcast day here) but you'll get the idea. Whatcha think?

October 22nd, 2005, 02:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
BrianF Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Carlsbad, Ca Posts: 2,155 7 Photos	Looks good.. I like that pickguard better!

October 22nd, 2005, 04:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
J-man Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Wales/Scarborough Age: 20 Posts: 6,288 9 Photos	I prefered the old pickguard. But it still looks cool this way! :D __________________ Write a wise saying and your name will live forever. - Unknown "The large print giveth and the small print taketh away." - Tom Waits

October 22nd, 2005, 04:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
chickenpicker Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: UK Posts: 3,060 14 Photos	Beauty... ...is in the eye ofthe beholder.

October 22nd, 2005, 07:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,253 101 Photos	Good job TG ! ..........I'm doing a different sort of remake of my sunburst Squier 51. The Squier 51 has got way too much plastic showing. .............and what's the deal with that slanted neck pickup? Who's bright idea was that? ........Stupid....stupid ....stupid. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

October 22nd, 2005, 03:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
Roli Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: ¤ Hungary ¤ Age: 30 Posts: 1,573 5 Photos	Became pretty much just a hardtail Strat this way.

October 22nd, 2005, 08:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
shakedancer Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: north of Boston Posts: 1,634	I like the stock pickguard. It's what makes that guitar look cool. __________________ "If you don't like the Blues, you got to have a Hole in your Soul." Luther Allison JOE