Where to buy new electronics for MIJ tele

[telefanatic4221]

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased a '86 CAR MIJ Telecaster. All of the internals are original and i'm looking to upgrade. Where is a reputable site to buy replacement parts? I'm looking to replace the selector switch as well as the pots.

 

[Amby]

Try Darren Riley for Fender parts https://darrenriley.com/product-category/fender-parts/

 

[telefanatic4221]

Thank you, Amby.

Any feedback on these kits?

(link removed)

 

[LutherBurger]

Thank you, Amby.

Any feedback on these kits?

(link removed)

Good components, but that's a lot of money. You can get everything for a lot less if you shop around. I buy pots, switches, and jacks from Musicians Friend, and my wire and capacitors came from Radio Shack.

 

[Vizcaster]

When you say "upgrade" do you mean repair and restore? I wouldn't touch the wiring unless the switch is wonky or the pots are too scratchy after being cleaned with DeOxit. Sometimes the pots and switches you get (e.g. from Stew Mac) are imports that are no better in quality than what Fender Japan used on that model in the first place. if you plan on gigging the guitar and need road-worthy reliability, I still wouldn't touch anything until something breaks.

if you are going to re-wire, then IMHO the best pots come from RS Guitarworks who sell specially sourced CTS pots that are high quality, but they may not drop in as direct replacements. You'd need to check the size of the holes in your control plate (or pickguard if it was a Strat because import pots are usually smaller shafts than US ones). Teles with solid shaft pots and set-screw knobs aren't an issue, but if it wasn't a tele, press-fit knobs might not fit the shafts on new pots (different knurling on import vs domestic manufactured pots).

 

[ftbtx]

One thing about Stew Mac, they have crazy shipping charges, nice selection though.

 

[Slowisfast]

https://www.guitarpartsresource.com/

Where I get most of my stuff.

 

[telefanatic4221]

When you say "upgrade" do you mean repair and restore? I wouldn't touch the wiring unless the switch is wonky or the pots are too scratchy after being cleaned with DeOxit. Sometimes the pots and switches you get (e.g. from Stew Mac) are imports that are no better in quality than what Fender Japan used on that model in the first place. if you plan on gigging the guitar and need road-worthy reliability, I still wouldn't touch anything until something breaks.

if you are going to re-wire, then IMHO the best pots come from RS Guitarworks who sell specially sourced CTS pots that are high quality, but they may not drop in as direct replacements. You'd need to check the size of the holes in your control plate (or pickguard if it was a Strat because import pots are usually smaller shafts than US ones). Teles with solid shaft pots and set-screw knobs aren't an issue, but if it wasn't a tele, press-fit knobs might not fit the shafts on new pots (different knurling on import vs domestic manufactured pots).

Vizcaster,

I've never used DeOxit before, but i just bought a can to try and if that fixes the problem.

I've also noticed that when I plug the guitar in, there is a humming sound. I'm not sure if its from the pick up height or not, but my other MIJ tele's dont have this. Any ideas? Apologies for the newbie questions!

 

[hollowman]

Are you replacing the pickups too? I love me some MIJ, but always fond the PUPS a little "thin" for my taste... Lots of great PUP options out there. awesome looking guitar btw!

 

[Vizcaster]

Vizcaster,

I've never used DeOxit before, but i just bought a can to try and if that fixes the problem.

I've also noticed that when I plug the guitar in, there is a humming sound. I'm not sure if its from the pick up height or not, but my other MIJ tele's dont have this. Any ideas? Apologies for the newbie questions!

What's the problem with the pots? if you get a scratchy noise at the amp from turning the knobs, then Deoxit can clean them and usually fixes that for a good while.

Hum is impossible to diagnose over the internet since hum can be caused by a lot of things including a cold solder joint, poor shielding, bad string ground, or just plain mother nature's response to all the insults that man has inflicted.

Does the hum change when you use both pickups or just one? RWRP sets will be hum-canceling when using both pickups, but you get regular single coil hum with any one pickup alone. Some pickups are simply noisier than others, I have no reason to suspect that pickup height will cause hum. The guitar might not be as well shielded as other models, totally different issue that re-wiring won't help.

Does the hum get quieter when you touch the strings? how about the control plate? these tests will tell you if the string-ground is connected okay.

Were the pickups ever replaced? Any prior re-wiring could have left off a connection to the shielding on the neck pickup or the base plate to the bridge pickup.

 

[brokenbones]

https://www.ebay.com/str/theartoftone

Look no further...

 

[SPUDCASTER]

Angela, Darren Riley and Guitar Parts Resource are my go to's.

Sweetwater does carry name brand pots and switches plus free shipping.

 

[teleplayr]

There's a good chance that you'll need a new control plate due to the size of most import controls (if they are the mini pots). You should measure the holes in the control plate on the guitar now and measure the pot shaft size as well to see if they'll fit.

I changed out the electronics on my MIJ Tele. and needed a new plate. If you decide to swap out the pots chances are you'll need new knobs too.

It's much easier to buy a new plate and knobs than to try and drill out the original plate. And if you ever decide to sell you can convert it back to original. Or just supply the new and original plates if the buyer is picky about having it all original.

If you or a friend can solder the cost will be affordable as opposed to buying a pre-assembled control plate.

I think I paid less than $40 for quality new parts than to pay the crazy prices that most vendors charge for an assembly.

If you have a luthier in your area you might be able to buy parts to upgrade easier and cheaper than having to have them shipped to you.

Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[littlebadboy]

https://www.ebay.com/str/theartoftone

Look no further...

+1 on this eBay seller!

Guitar Fetish is good too.

 

[slauson slim]

Be aware that MIJs can use metric sizes for the openings for pots in the control plate, and use metric measurements elsewhere.

 

[Bk50]

sigler music. They have a ton of options.

 

[tfarny]

Just want to plug for Stew Mac - yes they charge a lot for shipping but their customer service is first rate and everything they sell is as well.

Warmoth.com also sells high quality electronic parts and hardware for good prices as well as guitarpartsresource.com

The pre-soldered control plates are very very expensive for what you get unless you don't have the ability to solder / access to a decent soldering iron. And I still think you need to be soldering the pickups to the selector switch anyhow, right - unless they use a gimmicky connector of some type.

 

[telefanatic4221]

What's the problem with the pots? if you get a scratchy noise at the amp from turning the knobs, then Deoxit can clean them and usually fixes that for a good while.

Hum is impossible to diagnose over the internet since hum can be caused by a lot of things including a cold solder joint, poor shielding, bad string ground, or just plain mother nature's response to all the insults that man has inflicted.

Does the hum change when you use both pickups or just one? RWRP sets will be hum-canceling when using both pickups, but you get regular single coil hum with any one pickup alone. Some pickups are simply noisier than others, I have no reason to suspect that pickup height will cause hum. The guitar might not be as well shielded as other models, totally different issue that re-wiring won't help.

Does the hum get quieter when you touch the strings? how about the control plate? these tests will tell you if the string-ground is connected okay.

Were the pickups ever replaced? Any prior re-wiring could have left off a connection to the shielding on the neck pickup or the base plate to the bridge pickup.

The humming stops when i touch the volume or tone knobs.

 

[Vizcaster]

The humming stops when i touch the volume or tone knobs.

You should have the same effect when you touch the strings or the bridge. If you have a volt-ohm meter set to check continuity, the bridge plate should show up as being connected to the control plate and the nut on the output jack. If not, then there is a missing 'string ground' which can be as simple as a wire coming from the back of the volume pot that's got the end stripped and sandwiched in between the bridge and the paint. If the bridge pickup has a metal base plate then usually there's a jumper from the eyelet to the base plate. The idea is that the bridge (saddles, strings) are connected to the signal ground so that your body can dump off some of the stray interference (not a great technical explanation but it's how I think of it).

 

[Iago]

Philadelphia Luthiers is a great place to shop for guitar electronics and hardware. Prices and shipping are very very reasonable too.