NGD: Baja redux

[Sparky472]

Picked up this 2017 Baja ‘50s today. The neck on my 2016 US Standard is pretty thin, which hasn’t really bothered me until the last six months— noticed some pain in the DIP joint of my left hand index finger when I play it, but not when I play my LP or my Strat, both of which have thicker necks.

And the US Tele of course doesn’t have the vintage stylings which I kinda dig. Found this one and grabbed it. Needs a good cleaning - the strings must be about as old as the guitar and the frets need a good polish.

I had a Baja about 8 years ago. Can’t remember why I got rid of it but I’m sure it was to fund another instrument purpose. That’s usually the reason unless I simply don’t like a guitar and I liked the Baja. I did swap pickups on it but I’m going to try and leave this one stock.

Hoping to clean it up tomorrow and spend some time playing it!

 

[mimmo]

Bajas are classics for a good reason, congratulations!

 

[OldTelePlayer]

That is very nice!! Classic looks!

 

[Julie Colligan]

Congratulations! That style is timeless

 

[Sgt Pepper]

nice. I like the Baja 50s I bought a few months ago more than either of the 2 US model Telecasters I have.

 

[boris bubbanov]

Really nice example!

Downside is basically the very thick body finish, which can come free in large chips. That and the guitar is a bit noisier than the average Tele, because no RWRP pickups and too many wires and soldered bits.

I still recommend them often, and own 7.

 

[Sparky472]

Today I polished up the frets, cleaned it all up, put on a fresh set of strings. It’s set up very well, much to my surprise - needs very little tweaking.

When I plugged it in I was immediately reminded about the horribly static-prone pickguard. Will need to find a decent fakelite guard to swap that out with. EDIT: copper shielding tape under the existing pickguard killed the static.

@boris bubbanov i didn’t realize the pickups were not RWRP. Interesting. I wonder how much of a difference shielding the cavities would make. I actually like the sound of the pickups - not sure why I didn’t take to them on my first Baja. Also… seven Bajas! Curious what mods you’ve done, if any.

 

[Vibroluxer]

Mine is stock and will be staying that way.

 

[Sparky472]

Mine is stock and will be staying that way.

Yeah, this one will be as well.

 

[Sollophonic]

Really nice example!

Downside is basically the very thick body finish, which can come free in large chips. That and the guitar is a bit noisier than the average Tele, because no RWRP pickups and too many wires and soldered bits.

I still recommend them often, and own 7.

I stripped the finish off my 2007 one and it lost over 1lb. Prefer it with the bare finish and mine is a complete workhorse.

The stock pickups packed up and now its sports a set of SD Hot Teles wired to a standard four way Tele setup



If I had to sell all my guitars, this would be the last to go. In fact, I'd fight the bailiffs with this one!

 

[Sparky472]

I stripped the finish off my 2007 one and it lost over 1lb. Prefer it with the bare finish and mine is a complete workhorse.

The stock pickups packed up and now its sports a set of SD Hot Teles wired to a standard four way Tele setup



If I had to sell all my guitars, this would be the last to go. In fact, I'd fight the bailiffs with this one!

Nice!!

 

[chris m.]

I stripped the finish off my 2007 one and it lost over 1lb. Prefer it with the bare finish and mine is a complete workhorse.

The stock pickups packed up and now its sports a set of SD Hot Teles wired to a standard four way Tele setup



If I had to sell all my guitars, this would be the last to go. In fact, I'd fight the bailiffs with this one!

How did you strip the poly finish? That can be quite difficult.

 

[Controller]

How did you strip the poly finish? That can be quite difficult.

I hear heat gun and putty knife works.

 

[drmordo]

I didn't realize they made a "50s" Baja. Is the neck still the soft V shape from other Bajas that I love so much?

 

[Sparky472]

I didn't realize they made a "50s" Baja. Is the neck still the soft V shape from other Bajas that I love so much?

The 50s Baja is the original Baja Tele. And yes, soft V, on the thicker side. Very comfy.