Questions from yet another happy Baja owner ...

[Fourth Feline]

Hi everyone,

I took delivery of a lovely blonde / black guard Baja Tele today. I was impressed by the solid build quality and lovely springy sounds coming from the pickups ( I've not heard it through my big amp yet though ).

Anyhow,

It set up great, the truss rod was already 100 % as it should be be - and the intonation, nut and saddle height just needed the usual 'new guitar' tweeking.

My questions are just these:

1 ) What specific pickup heights do you use for this guitar and these pickups ?

I ask because the best sounds seem to dictate the bridge be almost 1/16" lower than the neck. I must confess to not writing down the original PU heights before moving them.

2) Anybody find bending the high 'e' and the general feel to be stiffer than their other Tele ( ? ).

To compare, I have one other 1986 Squier with the same radius, small frets and compensated brass saddles, top loader strung with 10 - 46 D'addarios - and it plays very 'soft'.

On this Baja, I have Fender 10-46 strings, medium jumbo frets, plain brass saddles and a string through body arrangement.

So you good people out there, what are your experiences of pickup height and string tension On the Baja?

Thanks in advance,

F.F.

[boris bubbanov]

The top of the bridge pickup on all 3 now looks to be about 3/16th inch above the bridge plate; the neck pickups I like as they are, no lesser space on the treble sides, just dead level.

I do not find the high E to be especially hard to bend, perhaps a bit of graphite in the nut slot will do. And I have 11-49s on one.

I'd just play on it a good while, it'll come in.

We North Americans are jealous of ya'll, seems as though all recent blonde Baja production was directed to the EC.

Enjoy,


Bubbanov

[improv4]

My friend's baja feels like it has a little more tension than the average electric; but, I really like the feel of it. I've spentmost of my time on an acoustic though; so I like a little extra tension.

[mellecaster]

Most String Thru types, always (usually) play a little stiffer than a Top-Loader

[beep.click]

Originally Posted by Fourth Feline

1 ) What specific pickup heights do you use for this guitar and these pickups ?

Did you get an owner's manual? You can download one from the Fender website. There's a section in there that tells how to set pickup height. Basically, hold the strings down at the last fret. There should be roughly 6/64" between the string and the top of the pickup/polepiece on the bass side, and about 5/64" on the treble side.

If you want an exact, specific measurement from a stock Baja, let me know, and I'll measure mine -- I've never changed my pickup height.

2) Anybody find bending the high 'e' and the general feel to be stiffer than their other Tele ( ? ).

No, I'd say it's very similar to other Teles.

P.S. Congratulations!!!

[Fourth Feline]

Originally Posted by beep.click

Did you get an owner's manual? You can download one from the Fender website. There's a section in there that tells how to set pickup height. Basically, hold the strings down at the last fret. There should be roughly 6/64" between the string and the top of the pickup/polepiece on the bass side, and about 5/64" on the treble side.

If you want an exact, specific measurement from a stock Baja, let me know, and I'll measure mine -- I've never changed my pickup height.



No, I'd say it's very similar to other Teles.

P.S. Congratulations!!!

Thanks beep.click

Yes, I would be curious what the original factory set pickup heights where on yours, due me moving mine prematurely. I am especially curious as the neck pickup adjustment range seems to keep it in the 5-6/64" arena ( from underside of fretted strings to top pickup ) as you mentioned - but the bridge seems to yeild even more pleasant sounds further away, even towards the 8/64ths range. I did get paperwork with the guitar, but it is such a gem, I was saving the documentation intact.

I appreciate this may not sound to be a problem, but I am trying to avoid excessive volume drop between pickups and yet still optimise all the delicious 'Baja' sounds. Unfortunately, I do not have the opportunity to run my Baja through a nice load / clear amp at this time without offending the neighbours.

Thanks again,

Regards,

F.F.

[Fourth Feline]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

The top of the bridge pickup on all 3 now looks to be about 3/16th inch above the bridge plate; the neck pickups I like as they are, no lesser space on the treble sides, just dead level.

I do not find the high E to be especially hard to bend, perhaps a bit of graphite in the nut slot will do. And I have 11-49s on one.

I'd just play on it a good while, it'll come in.

We North Americans are jealous of ya'll, seems as though all recent blonde Baja production was directed to the EC.

Enjoy,


Bubbanov

Cheers Boris !

You have 3 Bajas ? Whoo hoo !

Meanwhile can you also kindly confirm what the measurement is between top of neck p/u and the underside of strings when held down at last fret ? your patience is appreciated.

This Baja is so solidly built, I may even end up going from 10s to 11s myself to enhance the overall effect.

Regards,

F.F.

[beep.click]

Originally Posted by Fourth Feline

Yes, I would be curious what the original factory set pickup heights where on yours, due me moving mine prematurely.

Here are the numbers from my stock Baja -- I haven't changed the pickup heights.

Measured using Fender methodology: hold down string at last fret, and measure space between pickup and string.

Neck Pickup -- top of pickup cover to bottom of string

bass side: 5/64"
treble side: 4/64"

Bridge Pickup -- top of pickup/polepiece to bottom of string

bass side: 7/64"
treble side: 6/64"

Hope this helps!

[Fourth Feline]

Originally Posted by beep.click

Here are the numbers from my stock Baja -- I haven't changed the pickup heights.

Measured using Fender methodology: hold down string at last fret, and measure space between pickup and string.

Neck Pickup -- top of pickup cover to bottom of string

bass side: 5/64"
treble side: 4/64"

Bridge Pickup -- top of pickup/polepiece to bottom of string

bass side: 7/64"
treble side: 6/64"

Hope this helps!

Thanks beep.click - that was really helpful - and sets my mind at rest

Thanks also to the other people who replied to this post , as it all helps me to understand more about that enigmatic wonder that is the Telecaster.

Cheers !

F.F.