Question: Considering a couple guitar upgrades - gimme a "go" or "no go" for launch

tiger roach

tiger roach

Urban Bovine Knievel
I'm not going full @baimun or even @PunkKitty, but have an urge to mix things up a little. I'm not unhappy with the sound or playability of either guitar (except for the pup selector on the PRS), so "no go" is an acceptable answer. Any input appreciated, including specific hardware recommendations.
  1. The PRS S2 McCarty 594 Slimline - the pup selector is wonky so that's the main thing. While I'm at it, maybe a pup upgrade, like to Lollar Imperials or something like that. And if I do all that, should I swap out the caps and pots? And maybe the nut? I do want to keep the coil-splitting ability.
  2. The '05 American Standard Tele - I never have been crazy about the looks of the six-saddle bridge. I don't have any problems with the sound though. Would putting in a vintage-style bridge be a good idea? Compensated saddles would be a plus.
 
Lerxst said:
Why would either of these be a no-go in your view?
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Well, I don't think I can go far wrong with the PRS upgrades. On the Tele, I guess if the sound changed noticeably there is a chance it wouldn't seem like an improvement. But even in that case, I could aways put the old bridge back on.
 
Changing the tele bridge is fine so long as you don't have to do any drilling to make a vintage type fit...keeping the OEM bridge on hand for resale would be wise...so that's a solid GO...

The PRS is also a GO since it's an S2 and not a CORE version...if you're going to start swapping out electrics then by all means go all in and change it all...that would allow you to keep the OEM electrics assembled as a harness to simplify reinstalling it down the road if the need arises...
 
@tiger roach My new go-to for 3-way toggle switching is the Stew Mac Freeway toggle.

https://www.stewmac.com/electronics...tUzgtJXD_3LWvg0h6UfKKnnAK30Rx1kIaAqvnEALw_wcB

Now you may think $44 is a bit much for a three way toggle.... but here's another way to look at it: If you had to pay to get some holes filed and repaint from a couple mini--toggles, how much would that cost?

Basically it's a normal three way toggle, but with the toggle leaning up or down and then three way right or left. You can have three way humbucker or three way tapped or something else. On the Fishman Fluence pickguard I'm currently experimenting with, it's Voice 1, bridge/both/neck or Voice 2 bridge/both/next. If I pop the tone control, then "Voice 2" becomes "Voice 3" which are singles. It's great because at any given time I can go from whichever alternate voices i've chosen to a bridge or neck humbucker without touching multiple controls.
 
PRS- Just change the switch. If you want new pickups... It is possible to reuse pots if they are decent quality. To me, it's just easier with brand new pots that have never been soldered. I can never get rid of 100% of the solder to have hole big enough to get wires through. Nut- ???

Tele- I'm with you on not liking the looks of 6 saddles but, that's where we part. I'm thrilled that my Tele now sounds like a Tele. :grin:
 
PRS - New switch, maybe new pickups if you want. If the pots, etc work, don't fix what isn't broken.
Tele - I usually replace stock Tele bridges with Wilkinson compensated bridges. It's a drop in. No mods needed. And you can get a Wilkinson bridge for less than $30.
 
PunkKitty said:
Tele - I usually replace stock Tele bridges with Wilkinson compensated bridges. It's a drop in. No mods needed. And you can get a Wilkinson bridge for less than $30.
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Yeah those are just what I had in mind.

Maybe I'll order one and start with that. When I bring the Tele to the guitar tech, I can get his take on the PRS options.
 
I have a Lp copy and the pickups were dark sounding. The only way I liked it was with the tone on 10. I put strat caps in it and it made a
difference to where I could use the entire range of the tone pot. I would consider the cap change. Easy and cheap first step.
 
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OK, I am in possession of a new Wilkinson bridge for the Tele. And then I thought, "hmm, while I'm at it..." So, I just ordered a set of Lollar Special pups for it.

When I get all that installed, then I'll get back to the PRS.
 
tiger roach said:
OK, I am in possession of a new Wilkinson bridge for the Tele. And then I thought, "hmm, while I'm at it..." So, I just ordered a set of Lollar Special pups for it.

When I get all that installed, then I'll get back to the PRS.
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"hmm, while I'm at it..." Is my problem. Why is my guitar so much better? Pickups? Callahan bridge? removing the polyester coating?
 
Bob411 said:
"hmm, while I'm at it..." Is my problem. Why is my guitar so much better? Pickups? Callahan bridge? removing the polyester coating?
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Yes.


Yes.





Yessss...... :stir:







:helper:









That reminds me....


... Daddy needs another Jet sander.

45PD06_AS01
 
UPDATE

Turns out the Tele bridge screw holes did not match. So fuggit, I’m keeping the 6-saddle bridge. :annoyed:

The new pups and electronics have been installed, just got the Tele back from the guitar doctor. So a sound report will soon follow.

One interesting note - he said the original bridge pup looks suspiciously like an Asian import. Shouldn’t an American Standard have had made-in-USA pups?

The pups for the PRS have arrived, still waiting on pots, caps, knobs etc.
 
There are traditional ashtray bridges that are a swap, but just man up, plug the holes and re-drill. The 3xbrass saddles are the way to go no matter what it takes. Fuqabuncha6saddleshit. I have done the 6>3 swap with a Wilkie and it isn't that big of a deal.
 
335clone said:
There are traditional ashtray bridges that are a swap, but just man up, plug the holes and re-drill. The 3xbrass saddles are the way to go no matter what it takes. Fuqabuncha6saddleshit. I have done the 6>3 swap with a Wilkie and it isn't that big of a deal.
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Drilling more holes is not an option! This is a sacred piece of ash.

I’ll take another stab at finding a bridge that will drop in tho.
 
In other news - the new pups sound outstanding through the Lone Star Special. Not a drastic change, but a little smoother and more 3D. And the touch higher output helps me find the yummy zone without messing up my amp settings for the other guitars.

The difference is more subtle through my lil practice amps. I had a great session this pm getting both the Blackstar and the Little Lanilai dialed in.
 
In my extensive experience (I’ve had at least a dozen teles of various descriptions) the “three or six saddle” appears to have no discernible impact on tone. Just my two cents.
 
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