Looks like the CS Jim Campilongo Tele is almost ready...

A couple of days ago the Fender Custom shop sent out some tweets with photos of Jim checking out the neck. Man, I wish I could afford one of these!

 

Me too, Telehackster.

 

Wow, still making 11th hour tweaks. This speaks well of the Fender CS and how they work with artists, working for so long with Jim to get it as right as possible.

 

Sooooo WANT!

Wow, looking at the pic above, Jim wasn't kidding when he said they were making the area behind the nut deeper cut for behind-the-nut bends. Even if this Tele had nothing to do with such a fine artist and true gentleman as Campy, I'd still want one. Seems like a lot of features I'd want for myself anyway...

 

wiring question

One of the many things I've learned during my Campy Signature Guitar journey is that the potentiometer wiring I prefer ("Late '67 Tele Wiring") is no longer "stock".

Is this true learn-ed friends?

This is the configuration I prefer and all Campy Signature guitars will have...
"Late '67 Tele Wiring"
FORWARD-neck p/u alone with tone control
MIDDLE-both p/u's together with tone control
REAR-bridge p/u alone with proper tone control

My understanding is the current "stock" potentiometer wiring has a "tone boost" that employs treble gain upon turning down the volume. In my humble opinion, this "Tone Boost" takes the guitar out of the players hands and eliminates a myriad of desirable sound options.

 

Is this guitar going to be a relic or is it going to be available in new or "NOS" condition?

 

Amen on the tone mod, Jim. Had it on, taking it off made the guitar much more playable.
Your signature model looks great! Can't wait to check on out! Good luck with it.

 

To eliminate the awful "tone boost," one need only to clip the .01 capacitor that connects the first and second lug on the volume pot of a "standard" Tele. Jim, I have to agree, your wiring sounds a lot better than the modern wiring, and allows the player to control the tone with the volume control as well as with the tone control.

 

Thank you Dan. Now that you mention it, this is what I witnessed my guitar repair guy (Izzy) modifying/changing for me. I was taken aback that the "tone boost" was "stock" and I personally dislike it. It made me wonder if the "I have a Tele and Princeton but I don't sound like you" letters I receive had anything to do with this wiring combo. I felt that volume and tone swells diminish and woofy jazz chord sounds kind of disappear.

 

I will relic mine all by myself.

 

Jim, I'm really happy for you. For guitar nerds like us, you might as well be running around Wonka's factory with a golden ticket.

Since I discovered your music a couple of years ago, I've approached the guitar differently. I'm just now mastering the "tremolo" by pinning the guitar body close to me while moving the neck (Man, you have to pin it hard to get it to work!)

Are you still pretty happy with Princetons? I've heard that you've been looking into bigger amps also, like Twins.

 

It's nice to read your post because it reminds me of how lucky I am.

Anyway, yes I still love Princeton Reverbs but I've been playing my Vibrolux Reverb at the Living Room gig where we seem to be getting louder and louder (and quieter and quieter too). I was looking into a Twin because I think they are great headroom amps but my common sense won out when I imagined lugging it around in NYC. I didn't want to buy a "lamp stand" for the practice room but I guess I'm still considering it. My knees and I are discussing it!

 

twins are too fun not to have just one! i've had my trusty blackface 67 since i was 21. i don't take it out as much these days, but i'll be damned if it isn't a recording monster. also, it's really fun to lug it out for the occasional gig and have that floor thumping clean tone with 3-D reverb swirling all around the room.

 

No discussion,. listen to your knee speak softly now, or scream at you later...

I am surprised you could not have impacted the CS in as far as the circuit goes, maybe you need to show them the requests you are getting.

Ciao, all the best, Robt

 

I have a Tele and a Princeton II, and I don't sound like 2 of you.

Must be the wiring.

 

I was thinking along those lines when I read that.

If I had his Tele and a Princeton, I doubt I would sound like 1/2 of him.

Jim has been a household name for me way before he became one on the scale he is now. I am sure he likes it better now. I kid, I bet he liked it fine before too, just my impression of his demeanor now and then, which seems constant to me.



I have a Tele and a Super, And I sound like me.

 

I forgot what's under my control plate. I'm going to have to pop that tonight and have a closer look. Thanks to Dan for the info and to Jim for the update on the CS guitar. I'll repeat that it's nice to see Fender is working so closely with Jim on getting the sig guitar just right. It's been what, 2 years, now? Individual artist vision/input to finished product must be a very interesting process. I'm sure this project will reflect well on both Jim and Fender. Good things come to those who wait.

 

Well I'll drink to that! But in the original pic at the top of the page the neck has a large area with worn finish, so it looks like maybe a relic. I prefer NOS or new look myself.

 

Does anyone have a diagram of the 'late 67' wiring available?