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Post subject: New pickups for Sq Vintage Modified Telecaster Thinline
Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 12:22 am
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So I have had my Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Thinline for a couple of years now, and have enjoyed the ride so far. I while back I was interested in a small cosmetic improvement by changing to a pearloid pickguard.. but fell away from the idea.

Recently though I have wondered if a tone upgrade would yield a decent return on investment. It's not that the guitar needs upgrading; however I was wondering and becoming more and more curious with time. After a while I took the plunge and secured a set of Fender Original Vintage pickups - Fenders authentic early fifties reproductions. It's like my own approach to a Vintage Modified model. The concept - early vintage twang meets warm semi hollow mids.

Does it work? You bet!! I am astounded by the added clarity. The Squire's "buttery jangle-pop goodness" is still there but it is majorly improved by the added clarity and fuller bottom end of those sensational OVs.

But it took a few steps get there.

First, the OV mounting screws are a little different as the 50’s models used slotted head screws and the neck pup was screwed into the body rather than mounted on the pick guard. I was able to use the original Squier Philips head screws on the neck pup but had to use the supplied slotted head screws for the bridge pup. The bigger problem was that I quickly realised that reassembly was a neck-off job. Because this Telecaster has 22 frets, the fingerboard overhang doesn’t allow the pick guard with the neck pick-up mounted to drop in. I was very apprehensive about unscrewing the neck. But there was no other way. Just take your time and don’t over tighten any screws when refitting – solid is good.

Second, I chose to shield the body cavities. I would recommend this to anyone who is cracking open their guitar for whatever reason. I used self-adhesive copper sheet that cost a few dollars off the web. Remember, every part of shielding you add needs to be electrically connected to each other and to the guitar ground. You don’t need to live with a humming guitar just because you have single coil antennas.. sorry pickups!

Third, I took the opportunity to replace the original Squier pots, cap, selector switch and jack with better quality parts. There are many sets available; I bought an aftermarket set from AllParts that included 250K solid shaft CTS pots and vintage style hook-up wire. Note, the pots have a larger thread so the original pick guard mounting holes needed to be opened up a little. The selector switch had a slightly longer throw so adding a milimetre to the each end of the slot was also required (no chanage for its munting holes).

The following magazine article discusses further thoughts on Telecaster modifications. But I didn’t stray too far from a fairly standard Telecaster set-up. http://www.premierguitar.com/magazine/I ... Guide.aspx

Finally, I replaced the Squier knobs with Fender flat top replacements – originally because I wanted the better feel and grip of the sharper knurling, but of course the Squier knobs didn’t fit the solid shaft CTS pots anyway.

With all that done I am so happy with the result. I have definitely improved the tonal quality, hardware quality (I assume longevity) and all at a very modest price. In my opinion, a definite high return on investment.


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Post subject: Re: New pickups for Sq Vintage Modified Telecaster Thinline
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 11:14 am
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Sounds like some great mods. Got any pics?


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Post subject: Re: New pickups for Sq Vintage Modified Telecaster Thinline
Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 12:08 am
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Sorry. I didn't take any in progress pics. Never ocurred to me at the time. The most interesting pic would have been one of the shielding in progress.
The overall look doesn't really change due to these mods. The only visual differences are:
a) the lack of "Duncan Designed" on the new Fender pickups, and
b) the sloted head screws now arround the bridge pickup.
Everything else just looks the same as a stock Fender Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Thinline in Shoreline Gold.
When I get a chance I'll phtograph it for you.


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Post subject: Re: New pickups for Sq Vintage Modified Telecaster Thinline
Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 11:19 pm
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I have posted an upated version of this article with a post-upgrade photo on the following blog..
http://ceegeebeetoday.blogspot.com/2011 ... ntage.html


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