As some of you know I tinker with my guitars quite a bit, if nothing else takes away winter boredom.

I did this Jaguar project a while ago.

https://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/35154/

Telecaster project under way is a basic conversion of single coil pickups to a cool pair of TV Jones Classic Filtertrons.
While I am at it, add a new Bigsby, the real deal.

I own both components already on my Gretsch 6120 Nashville.
But wanted the twang in solid body.

I had done lots of work before, on this original Baja, in the coolest color of 'faded sonic blue'...much debate on the color name and reality of actual shade.
Tell you it does change in different lighting.
I mostly see a soft minty green..not blue..not ever.
And the "story" goes, the vintage paints, originally was blue in the 60's...but fades to green with age. Or so I am told or read somewhere.
It's my color and I love it! Even if its repro poly!

So, with the body decidedly a keeper,
I had previously upgraded the neck to Fender roasted maple.
Wow it seriously one of the best upgrades I have done to any guitar!
The slim 60s shape is close to the Jaguar spec for shape, but still Telecaster long scale length.

Onto the next upgrades!
I have most of the components in now.
The decision how to cover up the bridge pickup base, will be a first attempt to make this cool pickguard.
I had this mint pearl sheet stock from another project and was in disbelief the color matches so well.
I considered installing the pickup into the bridge plate, like I have seen on so many other conversions.
Cutting plastic is easier than metal!
Neatness matters!
Adding some flair to the basic Tele design, I made some different custom curves for the back of the pickguard to nest the bridge and sweep the control switch plate
If it gets sloppy I can always use the pickup ring...but would rather not.

Wiring shall be pretty standard, 500meg pots, 3 way switch, Nothing special.
But I do plan to flip the switch plate and have the volume knob forward so I can balance right off the Bigsby arm and access for volume swells..and tremelo..that's cool.

Stay tuned for more project updates!

This old axe has seen a lot of changes from original-TIME AGAIN

Last edited: Mar 03, 2023 14:38:32

Finished the custom pickguard and it came out pretty good

The goal was to make a clean fit for just the pickups, but I goofed on the dimension and the hole is slightly larger but still looks good.
The question and decision to make is to use the rings or not.?
It's mostly an appearance thing.
I kind of like the silver ring and it goes well with the pearl pickguard.
Without the ring the pickups look kind of naked and small.
Opinions?

I lean toward no pickup rings. You can always add the rings later.

Tonight's progress resumes with copper shielding. I had previously shielded the single coil cavities.
But the humbucker retool wasted a lot.

Next up is mounting pickups!
Thinking no rings and a clean cut opening in pickguard.
The bridge fit to pickguard was critical to cover the last open corner cavity. I had also cut this bridge plate down carefully to match this last fit.

Last edited: Mar 08, 2023 23:02:46

Gretsch pickups are a mind blower just love the sound of them .......... I also like the TV Jones Super'Tron they are off the chain although it really depends what you are looking for .........

It's Alive!
Wiring all checks out.
I used a basic 3 way switch with a few cool mods.
500meg pots
Tone Bleed circuit
NOS Russian paper and oil 0.015uf capacitor!!

The reverse switch plate required making ground jumper lines from the PU terminations. Soldered & Heat shrink tubed.

Using the fine screwdriver I tested the active sweep of controls and was thrilled!
Next and last up is the Bigsby!

It's DONE!
Wow what a great new vibe!
I think it came better than I expected.

I invented my own alignment method to mount the Bigsby.
Using 2 strings and an elastic at the headstock, I could move around the Bigsby and keep tension on the strings!
Was pretty easy to do

The effort to exactly fit the cutouts in the custom pickguard for the pickups were as good as I could muster.
There is a little more gap at the bottom of the bridge pickup than I wanted.
From my playing perspective I don't see it.
From audience perspective the whammy is mostly in the forefront.
I do not like the looks of using the rings either.
My mistake was using the rings as a template. They are way oversized.
Eh, it's all good!
...I'll get it perfect on the next custom pickguard!

I used flatwound strings and got the setup perfect! Wow it's so smooth to play! Low action , no buzzing and slick!
The tone and volume controls are also within excellent ranges.
So my pot and cap combo is a keeper.

I have these same pickups in my Gretsch 6120 Nashville hollow body, so I knew what the sound would be like similar.
Well it's more powerful!
I have to roll off the volume on the guitar or turn the amplifier down a smidgen.
The sustain is way more than the Gretsch!
All goals sought-after and accomplished!

Thanks for your interest if reading!

Last edited: Mar 10, 2023 12:48:50

synchro wrote:

You do some great work.<

Thanks Synchro!
I always appreciate your feedback.

Last edited: Mar 10, 2023 19:59:48

Very nice!

Well I think I answered my own question.
My Dad used to say "when all else fails, read the directions"

I reset the PU height exactly to TV JONES specifications and the whole thing mellowed out.
I swap other guitars with the same amplifier volume setting and all are similar audio levels.
The Telecaster tone and volume controls also increased range capabilities.

But, as expected, the low height of the PUs are really close to the pickguard, dropped into the body. I might shim and tilt the neck and raise the bridge, to allow pickups also to be raised.

Checking the Gretsch Nashville arrangement, I do have both guitars now with the same PU height to strings.
The Gretsch was made for these PUs as seen in the extra raised exposure of pickups, with the neck tilt, break angle to bridge ect.

Last edited: Mar 14, 2023 09:38:22