The day has come...

joshigh · August 6th, 2003, 10:59 PM

Well, I am the proud new owner of a MIA '52 RI. Some of you may remember me asking about a trade between a LP and a '52, so I finally went through with it. It's definately a change from a Les Paul, but I love it. I can feel the strings move in the body, and it is easier to play. The strings aren't as close together as they are on a LP. And OH LORDY IS THERE TWANG!!! I cut my teeth way back on an Olympic White Tele MIM Std. I didn't have any preference at the time, and eventually went with a Gibson, but maybe I'm back home now. Anyway, I just thought I'd share, thanks for the help for the few questions that I've asked, I'm sure I'll have more. If fact, here's one. How can I tell if the previous owner changed the wiring to modern? If I flip the switch to the neck PU, will the tone knob make any difference in the sound, or is it bypassed? Thanks again...I'm off to play...

alabubba · August 6th, 2003, 11:06 PM

I made the move from Gibson to '52RI in '00, and never have looked back. I feel like when I got it the search was over.

Can't answer your question, mine had the wiring change done before I got it, so I've not heard it the other way. I'm sure someone will know, however.[/b]

Cam · August 7th, 2003, 01:38 AM

If you put the switch to the neck pup and it is rather dark and a touch muddy with little to no tonal control, it is wired in the old original way. If your tone knob gives you a lot or variety, it has been upgraded.

boogaloo · August 7th, 2003, 10:20 AM

Congrats on your new acquisition! I just traded a G&L ASAT toward a 52RI. Man, I love it! I'm too new to know much about new wiring to be of any help-mines been converted by the previous owner and you can see the orange-drop cap when you look at the vol and tone controls under the control plate- but there is surely several on the board that will provide the proper information. Post a pic if you get a chance and again congrats. You'll have a long relationship, no doubt!

Raymond · August 7th, 2003, 11:38 AM

Once you go Tele, you wouldn't need the "other guitars" ever!
Just curious, How does the change in radius feel like?

telemann51 · August 7th, 2003, 11:43 AM

I sold off my ES-335 and now only play (only have) my relic Nocaster. I found I never played the ES-335. It was a nice one that deserved to be played, though.

joshigh · August 7th, 2003, 11:54 AM

Thanks for the replies. I think I've already had my wiring changed in the past. When I flip to the neck PU, and use the tone control, there is a dramatic difference from wide open to closed.

As for the neck, I've never really been caught up in that? It does feel 'thinner' than the Les Paul, but maybe I don't realize consciously, if it affects playability. I guess I have larger than 'average' hands, so maybe it's not an issue. I do notice that the frets are farther apart, so my fingers are readjusting to hit the right spots.

I don't know if my pots are in good shape. When I rotate the vol knob from full to maybe not even halfway down, I lose nearly all volume. And when I turn it all the way down, there is some play left, with a little bit of resistance, like I can keep turning after it's reached it's max, same with the tone knob. Are Tele pots just like this, or could something be wrong? That may be hard to understand. It's like the pots don't turn lock to lock, I hit the lock position, and I can still turn them some more, with just a little force.

I also want to re-wire the knobs to put the volume on the bottom, instead of next to the switch. I can't wait to get home and start playing again. I need to get a new amp now. My Mesa DC-3 isn't giving me what I want, so it's going up for sale/trade here pretty soon. I'm looking towards a Fender DR, but I will always have a spot in my heart for el-84 amps, so I'm looking at Dr.Z and Top Hat as well. I want something toneful, and portable.

August 6th, 2003, 10:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
joshigh Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Plant City, FL Posts: 185	The day has come... Well, I am the proud new owner of a MIA '52 RI. Some of you may remember me asking about a trade between a LP and a '52, so I finally went through with it. It's definately a change from a Les Paul, but I love it. I can feel the strings move in the body, and it is easier to play. The strings aren't as close together as they are on a LP. And OH LORDY IS THERE TWANG!!! I cut my teeth way back on an Olympic White Tele MIM Std. I didn't have any preference at the time, and eventually went with a Gibson, but maybe I'm back home now. Anyway, I just thought I'd share, thanks for the help for the few questions that I've asked, I'm sure I'll have more. If fact, here's one. How can I tell if the previous owner changed the wiring to modern? If I flip the switch to the neck PU, will the tone knob make any difference in the sound, or is it bypassed? Thanks again...I'm off to play...

August 6th, 2003, 11:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
alabubba Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Alabama Age: 56 Posts: 123	Congrats! I made the move from Gibson to '52RI in '00, and never have looked back. I feel like when I got it the search was over. Can't answer your question, mine had the wiring change done before I got it, so I've not heard it the other way. I'm sure someone will know, however.[/b]

August 7th, 2003, 01:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Cam Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Alberta Canada Posts: 937 7 Photos	Cool! If you put the switch to the neck pup and it is rather dark and a touch muddy with little to no tonal control, it is wired in the old original way. If your tone knob gives you a lot or variety, it has been upgraded. __________________ Relic Schmelic! Play the darn thing! Wipe it down after and put it in it's case!

August 7th, 2003, 10:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
boogaloo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: S/E Pa. Age: 52 Posts: 1,129	Ha! Another Convert! Congrats on your new acquisition! I just traded a G&L ASAT toward a 52RI. Man, I love it! I'm too new to know much about new wiring to be of any help-mines been converted by the previous owner and you can see the orange-drop cap when you look at the vol and tone controls under the control plate- but there is surely several on the board that will provide the proper information. Post a pic if you get a chance and again congrats. You'll have a long relationship, no doubt! __________________ "..and I've got some tricks up my sleeve...oh yes indeed! It might come back to haunt 'cha..don't you throw that Mojo on me!"

August 7th, 2003, 11:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
Raymond Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 2,417 3 Photos	Wellcome home son... Once you go Tele, you wouldn't need the "other guitars" ever! Just curious, How does the change in radius feel like? __________________ "That's a hard pill to swallow, buddy; when you find out what the blues is all about"

August 7th, 2003, 11:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
telemann51 Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 525	It wasn't an LP, but... I sold off my ES-335 and now only play (only have) my relic Nocaster. I found I never played the ES-335. It was a nice one that deserved to be played, though.

August 7th, 2003, 11:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
joshigh Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Plant City, FL Posts: 185	Thanks for the replies. I think I've already had my wiring changed in the past. When I flip to the neck PU, and use the tone control, there is a dramatic difference from wide open to closed. As for the neck, I've never really been caught up in that? It does feel 'thinner' than the Les Paul, but maybe I don't realize consciously, if it affects playability. I guess I have larger than 'average' hands, so maybe it's not an issue. I do notice that the frets are farther apart, so my fingers are readjusting to hit the right spots. I don't know if my pots are in good shape. When I rotate the vol knob from full to maybe not even halfway down, I lose nearly all volume. And when I turn it all the way down, there is some play left, with a little bit of resistance, like I can keep turning after it's reached it's max, same with the tone knob. Are Tele pots just like this, or could something be wrong? That may be hard to understand. It's like the pots don't turn lock to lock, I hit the lock position, and I can still turn them some more, with just a little force. I also want to re-wire the knobs to put the volume on the bottom, instead of next to the switch. I can't wait to get home and start playing again. I need to get a new amp now. My Mesa DC-3 isn't giving me what I want, so it's going up for sale/trade here pretty soon. I'm looking towards a Fender DR, but I will always have a spot in my heart for el-84 amps, so I'm looking at Dr.Z and Top Hat as well. I want something toneful, and portable.