Nocaster in my future, what about the circuit?

[73Fender]

I got a nice deal on a hardly used 2007 CS Nocaster haven't got it yet. Got a good deal as it doesen't have a COA (it is real) or a vintage type case. Anyone care to comment on the Nocaster circuit? I pretty much understand what the controls do, just unsure if I'll bond with it. The first two positions seem pretty cool but that dark tone never did it for me. Starting to look at alternative circuits. Jumping the gun a little I know. Any other comments welcome while I count the days...

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[TeleKato]

Congrats! I played that guitar out at Tony's (as we discussed) and was intrigued with the circuitry. The 'dark' circuit at the forward throw is NOT as dark as the Esquires I've played; kind of mellow. I also kinda liked the idea of the 'blend' feature.

If'n it were me, I'd get it and play it and see what YOU think of it. And if it isn't your cup-o-tea, re-wire it, or -- and this would be my favorite -- have Tony build you a 'regular' modern control assembly, have him put it in one of the plastic plates he's got and ship it to you, then swap it in, put the hardware on that and slip the old Nocaster assembly into the plastic plate ... and PM me.

Congrats on the forthcoming NGD!

 

[73Fender]

Thanks TeleKato, I plan to give it a try as is. When I heard dark circuit I thought of how the 52 and 62RIs come. I don't like that 3rd position bass tone. The blend deal sounds cool. I've heard that the 3rd position on the Nocaster can give good woman tone with some extra gain.

 

[gmann]

Great lookin' guitar! One of the many cool things about Teles is it's real easy to change the wiring and do mods, if you're handy with a soldering iron.

 

[NastyMojo]

MMMMMMM..Perfection!

 

[Ron Garson]

Congrats! I played that guitar out at Tony's (as we discussed) and was intrigued with the circuitry. The 'dark' circuit at the forward throw is NOT as dark as the Esquires I've played; kind of mellow. I also kinda liked the idea of the 'blend' feature.

If'n it were me, I'd get it and play it and see what YOU think of it. And if it isn't your cup-o-tea, re-wire it, or -- and this would be my favorite -- have Tony build you a 'regular' modern control assembly, have him put it in one of the plastic plates he's got and ship it to you, then swap it in, put the hardware on that and slip the old Nocaster assembly into the plastic plate ... and PM me.

Congrats on the forthcoming NGD!

This!! I just changed one of mine to modern wiring. I got a relic control plate off ebay, and wired it up with new pots, cap and jack socket. Then, all I had to do was unhook the pickup wires from the original wiring loom and unbolt the jack socket, and lift the complete control plate and jack socket off the guitar, and put it in the case, then all I had to do was bolt up the new jack socket to the cup and hook up the pickup wires to the new wiring and it was done!
If I ever want to change back, it will just be a 10 minute job to swap the original control plate and circuit!

 

[EsquireOK]

I'm not sure how the reissues are, but if they are accurate, it will have no tone control; it will have a blend control instead.

If you don't like that, it's easy enough to modify. It will also cost almost nothing to do, and it is easily reversible.

 

[telex76]

I kept the dark circuit on mine for quite awhile. Never used the first (dark) position,
But I really liked the blend knob.
I finally changed it to modern.

 

[H. Mac]

That's one nice looking guitar, 73 Fender. Congrats!

I suggest making the third position usable, although I understand that some prefer to leave it stock and just avoid using it. The bottom line is that there's lots of options for modding the third position dark circuit, even if you stick with the blend function. It's just a matter of finding a cap with values for the sound that you prefer. I used the blend function on mine for about 3 1/2 years, and just recently switched to a conventional tone knob with the post-1967 wiring (B- BN-N). At some point I may switch back though, since both are good.

 

[73Fender]

Congrats! I played that guitar out at Tony's (as we discussed) and was intrigued with the circuitry. The 'dark' circuit at the forward throw is NOT as dark as the Esquires I've played; kind of mellow. I also kinda liked the idea of the 'blend' feature.

If'n it were me, I'd get it and play it and see what YOU think of it. And if it isn't your cup-o-tea, re-wire it, or -- and this would be my favorite -- have Tony build you a 'regular' modern control assembly, have him put it in one of the plastic plates he's got and ship it to you, then swap it in, put the hardware on that and slip the old Nocaster assembly into the plastic plate ... and PM me.
Congrats on the forthcoming NGD!

Thanks for the congrats and the lead for this guitar Telekato. Your method might be good to keep the original control assembly as stock as possible, may be better than me diving in to the original one with soldering iron in hand. So the dark nocaster position is not as dark as the 62 and 52 RI's?

This!! I just changed one of mine to modern wiring. I got a relic control plate off ebay, and wired it up with new pots, cap and jack socket. Then, all I had to do was unhook the pickup wires from the original wiring loom and unbolt the jack socket, and lift the complete control plate and jack socket off the guitar, and put it in the case, then all I had to do was bolt up the new jack socket to the cup and hook up the pickup wires to the new wiring and it was done!
If I ever want to change back, it will just be a 10 minute job to swap the original control plate and circuit!

Another good idea, probably cheaper than having someone else do it and I could pick my own components, maybe a 4 way if I really went crazy.

Quote from Hmac:"I suggest making the third position usable, although I understand that some prefer to leave it stock and just avoid using it. The bottom line is that there's lots of options for modding the third position dark circuit, even if you stick with the blend function. It's just a matter of finding a cap with values for the sound that you prefer. I used the blend function on mine for about 3 1/2 years, and just recently switched to a conventional tone knob with the post-1967 wiring (B- BN-N). At some point I may switch back though, since both are good. "

The blend feature is something I've never tried, sounds interesting. If I could keep it and still make the 3rd position more usable I could be on to something.

Thanks for the replies and the congrats though it ain't NGD til the UPS dude is at the door.

If anyone has some circuit diagrams etc for Nocaster mods I would appreciate it. I will give the stock set up a good trial first. Checking Seymour Duncan and Guitar Electronics sites now.

 

[Cry of Love]

Love the looks of that one. That neck looks killer; you're in for a treat!

 

[jedi]

Change to modern wiring and don't look back...you just obtained IMHO the best Tele Fender has produced since the 50s. Enjoy.

 

[Hiker]

Congrats, what a beauty!

Great lookin' guitar! One of the many cool things about Teles is it's real easy to change the wiring and do mods, if you're handy with a soldering iron.

I can't imagine taking a gem from the CS, and modifying it.

 

[sjtalon]

I would go modern, and a 4 way switch !!!!!!!

 

[EsquireOK]

Congrats, what a beauty!



I can't imagine taking a gem from the CS, and modifying it.

If it improves the guitar for your uses, I say have at it. It's just some simple wiring changes. It's child's play to restore it some day if you ever want to do so.

I got lucky in that my CS Esquire came stock with some variation of the Eldred wiring (.0033 cap instead of .0047 cap), so I got to be lazy and leave it stock. However, if it had come with the bass setting, I would have changed it to the Eldred wiring without looking back. It's your guitar; you've got to make it work for you. I would probably not consider any mods on a real Nocaster, but on a modern repro, who cares...

 

[73Fender]

Congrats, what a beauty!
I can't imagine taking a gem from the CS, and modifying it.

Thanks and yes I have a bit of that sentiment but luckily this is kind of a poor man's Nocaster, no COA, candy or tweed case, not Masterbuilt etc, so I'm not too worried, I'm gonna play the dang thing and make it mine.

I would go modern, and a 4 way switch !!!!!!!

I did this to my Craigs List find 52RI and have no regrets.

If it improves the guitar for your uses, I say have at it. It's just some simple wiring changes. It's child's play to restore it some day if you ever want to do so.
I got lucky in that my CS Esquire came stock with some variation of the Eldred wiring (.0033 cap instead of .0047 cap), so I got to be lazy and leave it stock. However, if it had come with the bass setting, I would have changed it to the Eldred wiring without looking back. It's your guitar; you've got to make it work for you. I would probably not consider any mods on a real Nocaster, but on a modern repro, who cares...

This is what I'm looking for, never heard of Eldred's mod, is that only for an Esquire though? will google that later for sure.

 

[sjtalon]

I did this to my Craigs List find 52RI and have no regrets.

Ya, the Nocasters sound fabulous in series, and being the bridge is RW/RP ( unlike the Original Vintage in your '52) they sound kinda like a nice neck humbucker !

 

[73Fender]

Ya, the Nocasters sound fabulous in series, and being the bridge is RW/RP ( unlike the Original Vintage in your '52) they sound kinda like a nice neck humbucker !

So I would also get hum cancelling in the dual pick up positions I'm assuming?

 

[Twang Tone]

If'n it were me, I'd get it and play it and see what YOU think of it. And if it isn't your cup-o-tea, re-wire it, or -- and this would be my favorite -- have Tony build you a 'regular' modern control assembly, have him put it in one of the plastic plates he's got and ship it to you, then swap it in, put the hardware on that and slip the old Nocaster assembly into the plastic plate ... and PM me.

Congrats on the forthcoming NGD!

This is what I did. I got tired of not having a true Tone Control, but thought it would be too tricky trying to get that small resistor back in the switch if I ever wanted to go back.

So rather than re-wire the original Blend Circuit, I built a complete wiring harness away from the guitar using CTS pots, CRL switch and a Switchcraft jack.

I used cloth wire and 'modern' wired it with a 0.05uF Tone cap. The original Blend Circuit is stored away in case I decide later to sell the Nocaster.

But I'm pleased that while I am using it, I can roll the treble off, which you can't do with the stock Blend Circuit installed.

Thanks,

 

[sjtalon]

So I would also get hum cancelling in the dual pick up positions I'm assuming?

Yep, #2, ain't it great !


Oh I forgot ................ HNGD !!


If you go with a 4 way, let us know if you don't know how to mod the neck pickup for 3 wires (or you did your '52 job). You need to have a dedicated cover ground wire on that one.