2 more photos:
The photos were taken before I put the screws on the pickguard...
Today I modded my Squier 51!!
I bought some stuff from GuitarFetish and I did the following mods:
1) Changed the white pickguard to a tortoise shell one:
2) I put the Dream 90 bridge pickup and the Fatbody Oversized Polepiece Tele Neck Pickup:
3) I've changed the tuners with the Wilkinson Vintage style ones:
(I had replaced the decal to a "Fender Fiftyone" some time ago...)
4) I put a concentric pot. Now I have have both volume and tone controls
5) I replaced the rotary switch to a cheap 3-way switch. In a few days I will put a Les Paul type one because this one is very bad...
My first impressions from the Pickups are VERY GOOD. I liked very much the neck pickup because it sounds like a tele but with its own personality (it has also some strat-ish sound in it). The Dream 90 sounds like a dark single coil pup, or a bright humbucker one (I have no experience up to now with p90s, but I guess that's how they are supposed to sound...)
The tone control is very useful! You can achieve a very good jazzy tone from both pups, by cutting it.
I experimented with the capacitor value and found that a .033 one was the best for my taste...
The volume pot works now much better than the cheap stock one and has a longer usefull range.
The tuners feel more stable, but I was dissapointed by the fact that although they are vintage styled, the strings is not coming in the tuner from above, but from the side...
The pickguard is not 100% the same as the stock one is shape, but it fits the body perfectly. 3 of the pickguard holes didn't line up with the ones on the body, so I had to make 3 new holes (very easy...I didn't have to drill the body, as the basswood is very soft wood).
One of these days I'll record some clips to hear my modded beauty
Last edited by elavd; March 31st, 2007 at 06:17 PM.
MY GEAR:Guitars: Gibson ES-335, Tokai LS160s LP, Rockinger strat 2-tone sunburst, Rockinger tele C.A.R., NS Custom Relic Tele, Epiphone Jeff Baxter electroacoustic, Admira classical guitar
Amps: Fender Deluxe Reverb II, Tech21 TM30
Main Effects Unit: VOX Tonelab SE
My Band:
http://www.blackframe.gr
Personal Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/eliasavdikos
2 more photos:
The photos were taken before I put the screws on the pickguard...
Last edited by elavd; March 31st, 2007 at 01:46 PM.
MY GEAR:Guitars: Gibson ES-335, Tokai LS160s LP, Rockinger strat 2-tone sunburst, Rockinger tele C.A.R., NS Custom Relic Tele, Epiphone Jeff Baxter electroacoustic, Admira classical guitar
Amps: Fender Deluxe Reverb II, Tech21 TM30
Main Effects Unit: VOX Tonelab SE
My Band:
http://www.blackframe.gr
Personal Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/eliasavdikos
BOO YEAH! That looks suh-weet Elavd! Nice work.
Electrics: Hagstrom Ultra Swede (Gold Eagle Burst) Gretsch 5120 Electromatic (Orange) Custom Nashville Blackout Telecaster (Black, Stat mid/neck p'ups; Lil Puncher (Modern Vintage) bridge p'up; Wilkinson Compensated Bridge w/ 3 brass saddles, Warmoth Vintage Modern Birdseye Maple Neck) Fender MIM Stratocaster (Blue Agave, Rosewood Fretboard, Fender Tex-Mex p'ups; GFS Trem/Block Kit) Highland Spitfire (semi-hollow, flame maple top w/ bubinga inlay)Acoustics:Washburn D10CEQSB, Yamaha FG160E
Bass: Westone Spectrum ST, Warwick Rockbass Corvette Basic Active
Amps: Vox NT15H/V112NT Night Train, Peavey Bandit 112, Hartke HyDrive 210C Bass Amp, Vox DA5
agreed! nice job on the mod's to make it your own....
Guitars: A Few
Amps: A Couple
Pedals/Effects: Sure
We've done four already, but now we're steady, and then they went one-two-three-four....
Looks great elavd! I like the mods you made, I added a tone control on mine and am happy with it too. tortoise always looks great with black. I have a SB and was thinking about trying tortoise. I like the white line laminated with the tortoise it really brings it all together. Very nice indeed.
M29
Very nice! I have yet to finish mine, but I think tortiseshell is cool on the black. That is what I used, and I love it! I think the tone control is a good idea, I've yet to change mine.
Congrats on the mods, you have a very great looking axe there, Elavd!
Question... is the concentric pot difficult to wire? This may sound simple, but I've never done one before.
Guitars
Wilburn Versatare, '52 FrankenTele(Fender licensed parts), Fender USA Roadhouse Strat, Fender USA Standard B-bender Telecaster, Agile AL 3000 w/ WCR pickups, Ibanez MIJ V300 Acoustic, Squier Precision Bass,
Amps
Ceriatone Overtone Special, Musicman 212 Sixty-Five, Fender Blues Jr., Peavey Classic 30, Fender Super Reverb, Traynor YCV-40 WR Anniversary w/ matching 1x12 ext. cab, Epiphone SoCal 50w head w/ matching 4x12 cab (Lady Luck speakers), Avatar 2x12 semi-open back cab w/ Celestion speakers
Pedals
Digitech Bad Monkey, Digitech Jamman, DVM's ZYS, Goodrich volume pedal
Thanks guys!!! I am glad that you liked it!!!
I wish I could get the neck tinted, and also a bit glossy...
No it was not difficult at all!Originally Posted by oldguy
I used this wiring diagram:
http://www.instituteofnoise.com/squi...sp?TOPIC_ID=17
from the Squier 51 Modders Forum
You can also find 2 more wiring diagrams here
MY GEAR:Guitars: Gibson ES-335, Tokai LS160s LP, Rockinger strat 2-tone sunburst, Rockinger tele C.A.R., NS Custom Relic Tele, Epiphone Jeff Baxter electroacoustic, Admira classical guitar
Amps: Fender Deluxe Reverb II, Tech21 TM30
Main Effects Unit: VOX Tonelab SE
My Band:
http://www.blackframe.gr
Personal Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/eliasavdikos
Elavd,
To tint the neck you can use Bullseye Amber Shellac, and to coat it you have many options (poly, etc.) This will make it shiny and not sticky if you use another topcoat. This is what I did w/ mine, I've just not had time to finish it yet. Check out my pics on the '51 Squier mods thread if you want to see how it came out.
http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=2556
Guitars
Wilburn Versatare, '52 FrankenTele(Fender licensed parts), Fender USA Roadhouse Strat, Fender USA Standard B-bender Telecaster, Agile AL 3000 w/ WCR pickups, Ibanez MIJ V300 Acoustic, Squier Precision Bass,
Amps
Ceriatone Overtone Special, Musicman 212 Sixty-Five, Fender Blues Jr., Peavey Classic 30, Fender Super Reverb, Traynor YCV-40 WR Anniversary w/ matching 1x12 ext. cab, Epiphone SoCal 50w head w/ matching 4x12 cab (Lady Luck speakers), Avatar 2x12 semi-open back cab w/ Celestion speakers
Pedals
Digitech Bad Monkey, Digitech Jamman, DVM's ZYS, Goodrich volume pedal
Did you you sand the neck first before applying the Shellac?Originally Posted by oldguy
Can you give me some details on the procedure of tinting?
I am afraid that neither I can find this product in Greece nor I can buy it online...
MY GEAR:Guitars: Gibson ES-335, Tokai LS160s LP, Rockinger strat 2-tone sunburst, Rockinger tele C.A.R., NS Custom Relic Tele, Epiphone Jeff Baxter electroacoustic, Admira classical guitar
Amps: Fender Deluxe Reverb II, Tech21 TM30
Main Effects Unit: VOX Tonelab SE
My Band:
http://www.blackframe.gr
Personal Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/eliasavdikos
I wiped mine down with acetone, but the "Squire" and "crafted in Indonesia" ink began to fade, so I ended up lightly sanding those out. That is the light spot you see in my pics of the neck.
Shellac is a fairly univeral finish for wood, perhaps you could find something similar in Greece?
I mixed the amber shellac 50/50 w/ denatured alcohol and wiped it on thinly until I had the tint I wanted.
Guitars
Wilburn Versatare, '52 FrankenTele(Fender licensed parts), Fender USA Roadhouse Strat, Fender USA Standard B-bender Telecaster, Agile AL 3000 w/ WCR pickups, Ibanez MIJ V300 Acoustic, Squier Precision Bass,
Amps
Ceriatone Overtone Special, Musicman 212 Sixty-Five, Fender Blues Jr., Peavey Classic 30, Fender Super Reverb, Traynor YCV-40 WR Anniversary w/ matching 1x12 ext. cab, Epiphone SoCal 50w head w/ matching 4x12 cab (Lady Luck speakers), Avatar 2x12 semi-open back cab w/ Celestion speakers
Pedals
Digitech Bad Monkey, Digitech Jamman, DVM's ZYS, Goodrich volume pedal
Very cool mods elavd. I especially like the new vintage tuners...they came out good you did a good job. Did you have to make any adjustments to the holes for the tuners? Where did you get that Fender Fiftyone decal?
Guitars/Bass - MIM Fender Classic 50s Strat, MIM Fender Standard Strat, Squier Classic Vibe 50s Tele, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Epi '56 Gold Top Les Paul, Martin DSR acoustic, Sigma Martin Auditorium electric/acoustic, Squier Jazz Bass.
Amps/Cabinets/Modelers - Model 2558 50 watt Marshall Silver Anniversary Jubilee combo w/ Celestion Vintage 30s, 4x12 Marshall cabinet w/25 watt Greenback Celestions, Fender Blues Junior w/ a couple of Billm mods, Line 6 POD 2.0, Roland Micro Cube
Pedals/Effects - Cry Baby Classic Wah, Boss TU-2, Boss NS-2, Boss RC-2 Loop Station, Ross Compressor, MXR Micro Amp, Danelectro FAB Echo, Danelectro FAB Chorus, Danelectro Chicken Salad, Marshall Guv'nor Plus, Marshall Echohead, Duhvoodooman's Zonkin' Yellow Screamer, Digitech Digiverb, Digitech Bad Monkey, Dunlop Fuzz Face, Homemade Loop Bypass pedal, Duhvoodooman's Sonic Tonic (Maxon SD-9 clone +), Voodoo Labs Superfuzz
I bought these conversion bushins:Originally Posted by tone2thebone
I've just learned that GFS used to sell CORRECT vintage style keys:
I made it by myself on Corel DrawOriginally Posted by tone2thebone
Last edited by elavd; March 31st, 2007 at 06:53 PM.
MY GEAR:Guitars: Gibson ES-335, Tokai LS160s LP, Rockinger strat 2-tone sunburst, Rockinger tele C.A.R., NS Custom Relic Tele, Epiphone Jeff Baxter electroacoustic, Admira classical guitar
Amps: Fender Deluxe Reverb II, Tech21 TM30
Main Effects Unit: VOX Tonelab SE
My Band:
http://www.blackframe.gr
Personal Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/eliasavdikos
Hey I have Corel Draw! So you printed the decal on water slide paper and applied it to the headstock? Did you coat the headstock over with some coating? Can those bushings be used on the Kluson vintage tuners?Originally Posted by elavd
Guitars/Bass - MIM Fender Classic 50s Strat, MIM Fender Standard Strat, Squier Classic Vibe 50s Tele, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Epi '56 Gold Top Les Paul, Martin DSR acoustic, Sigma Martin Auditorium electric/acoustic, Squier Jazz Bass.
Amps/Cabinets/Modelers - Model 2558 50 watt Marshall Silver Anniversary Jubilee combo w/ Celestion Vintage 30s, 4x12 Marshall cabinet w/25 watt Greenback Celestions, Fender Blues Junior w/ a couple of Billm mods, Line 6 POD 2.0, Roland Micro Cube
Pedals/Effects - Cry Baby Classic Wah, Boss TU-2, Boss NS-2, Boss RC-2 Loop Station, Ross Compressor, MXR Micro Amp, Danelectro FAB Echo, Danelectro FAB Chorus, Danelectro Chicken Salad, Marshall Guv'nor Plus, Marshall Echohead, Duhvoodooman's Zonkin' Yellow Screamer, Digitech Digiverb, Digitech Bad Monkey, Dunlop Fuzz Face, Homemade Loop Bypass pedal, Duhvoodooman's Sonic Tonic (Maxon SD-9 clone +), Voodoo Labs Superfuzz
Excellent work. I've been toying with the idea of getting the GFS Deluxe B/W/B pickguard, installing a volume and tone pot, and drilling a hole in the pickguard for a Gibson-style switch. Of course, with my desire to get my Tele project underway, my wife would impale me on a pike if I talked about modding my '51 too.
Axen: Jackson DK2M, Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Reverend Warhawk 390, Taylor 914ce, ESP LTD Surveyor-414
Amphen: Jet City JCA22H and JCA12S cab, Carvin X-60 combo, Acoustic B20
Effecten: "Thesis 96" Overdrive/Boost (aka DVM OD2), Hardwire DL-8 Digital Delay/Looper, DigiTech Polara Reverb, DigiTech EX-7 Expression Factory and CF-7 Chorus Factory, Danelectro CF-1 Cool Cat Fuzz
"I wish Imagine Dragons would be stuck in an Arcade Fire for an entire Vampire Weekend."--Brian Posehn
Actually I used self adhensive glossy transparent film. I printed the logo on the transparecy, and I used a gold marker to paint it VERY carefuly from the sticky side of the transparency.Originally Posted by tone2thebone
I paid great attention not to touch the sticky side because I would leave my fingerprint's grease on it, and I cut it very close to the letters.
If you pay attention to the last step, then the margins of the transparency won't be easily visible from a relatively close distance.
For best results you can coat the headstock
I took the idea from this site:
http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/logo.htm
Last edited by elavd; March 31st, 2007 at 07:16 PM.
MY GEAR:Guitars: Gibson ES-335, Tokai LS160s LP, Rockinger strat 2-tone sunburst, Rockinger tele C.A.R., NS Custom Relic Tele, Epiphone Jeff Baxter electroacoustic, Admira classical guitar
Amps: Fender Deluxe Reverb II, Tech21 TM30
Main Effects Unit: VOX Tonelab SE
My Band:
http://www.blackframe.gr
Personal Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/eliasavdikos
It looks pretty good on your photo. Thanks for the information.Originally Posted by elavd
Guitars/Bass - MIM Fender Classic 50s Strat, MIM Fender Standard Strat, Squier Classic Vibe 50s Tele, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Epi '56 Gold Top Les Paul, Martin DSR acoustic, Sigma Martin Auditorium electric/acoustic, Squier Jazz Bass.
Amps/Cabinets/Modelers - Model 2558 50 watt Marshall Silver Anniversary Jubilee combo w/ Celestion Vintage 30s, 4x12 Marshall cabinet w/25 watt Greenback Celestions, Fender Blues Junior w/ a couple of Billm mods, Line 6 POD 2.0, Roland Micro Cube
Pedals/Effects - Cry Baby Classic Wah, Boss TU-2, Boss NS-2, Boss RC-2 Loop Station, Ross Compressor, MXR Micro Amp, Danelectro FAB Echo, Danelectro FAB Chorus, Danelectro Chicken Salad, Marshall Guv'nor Plus, Marshall Echohead, Duhvoodooman's Zonkin' Yellow Screamer, Digitech Digiverb, Digitech Bad Monkey, Dunlop Fuzz Face, Homemade Loop Bypass pedal, Duhvoodooman's Sonic Tonic (Maxon SD-9 clone +), Voodoo Labs Superfuzz
Looks great. I would like to upgrade my tuners too. Do you notice if your '51 stays in tune better with the Wilkinson vintage ones?
The Law of Gravity is nonsense. No such law exists. If I think I float, and you think I float, then it happens.
Master Guitar Academy - I also teach via SKYPE.
I love the mods and the look of your guitar.
I modded my blonde '51 by installing a GFS string-through bridge and ferrules and a set of GFS Gotoh-style tuners. The guitar never goes out of tune, and I play it everyday.
I am thinking about that pickguard now -- thanks.
Guitars: Ibanez SCA220BP, Modded Squier Bullet Strat, Ibanez ARX100CA
Amps: G-DEC 30
Videos/messing around with gear:
http://www.youtube.com/wwwdwhite
My Music:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...?bandID=498962
So GFS has a string through bridge for the '51? Hmm, maybe I should try that. I replaced my '51 bridge with a GFS one, but it wasn't string through. It sounded slightly better but not a huge difference.
I don't know much about tuners - why Wilkinson or why Gotoh?
The Law of Gravity is nonsense. No such law exists. If I think I float, and you think I float, then it happens.
Master Guitar Academy - I also teach via SKYPE.