Warning: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is deprecated, use preg_replace_callback instead in ..../includes/class_bbcode.php on line 2958
Telecaster controls - Like em or not?
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 19 of 28

Thread: Telecaster controls - Like em or not?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Idaho (I-duh-ho)
    Posts
    12,581
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Telecaster controls - Like em or not?

    I have a big problem with Telecaster controls.

    It seems hard (nearly impossible) to get my finger between the volume knob and the switch when the switch is in the bridge position. It makes fast pickup selection a bit of a chore and very frustrating.

    A Strat switch is out there where you can easily flick it. Same with a Les Paul switch. Why isn't the Tele as easy to use? Does anyone make an aftermarket control plate that moves the volume knob towards the tone knob? Should we start a movement to get the spacing changed at the factory?

    There is a lot of unused real estate between the two knobs. Shouldn't they be closer together?

    What is your take on it?

    "No Tele For you." - The Tele Nazi

    Ha! Tele-ish now inbound.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
    Posts
    6,009
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    That is not a problem with my Muddy Waters Tele knobs. I think all Teles should benefit from the use of Fender amph knobs like the Muddy!
    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

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Exterra Cognita
    Posts
    5,724
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by tone2thebone
    That is not a problem with my Muddy Waters Tele knobs. I think all Teles should benefit from the use of Fender amph knobs like the Muddy!
    I've heard good things about the Muddy Waters Tele. What's your opinion Tone?
    I pick a moon dog.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Idaho (I-duh-ho)
    Posts
    12,581
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I could see how those knobs would give just a little more space to get to the switch. Unfortunately, every other Tele comes with the chrome knobs. I like those myself.

    "No Tele For you." - The Tele Nazi

    Ha! Tele-ish now inbound.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Posts
    1,060
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I really like the switches and knobs on my Tele...I wouldnt change a thing...but thats just my opnion.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
    Posts
    6,009
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by tot_Ou_tard
    I've heard good things about the Muddy Waters Tele. What's your opinion Tone?
    The first thing I noticed when playing the Muddy was how loud and clean the strings vibrate. I attribute that to the vintage tailpiece with 3 brass saddles, the medium jumbo frets and the ash body. Plus the fact that it IS a standard string through body design by nature. You get a much more defined tone on this compared to a floating trem Strat. My Muddy is about as heavy as my Gibson LP.....about over 8 pounds. I also think the CAR finish has something to do with how absolutely spanky that baby gets. Seriously it's pure magic to play. It inspires you to play stuff you didn't think was possible. It has stock pickups in the neck and bridge that sound wonderful. I can play anything with this guitar. Bridge stuff is just freakin' awesome....bridge/middle very sparkly....and the neck just plain SMOKES. It also sports a fine set of vintage Fender/Gotoh tuners. The Muddy Waters Telecaster is probably the best guitar for the blues period! I've learned that the Telecaster is one versatile instrument. I never owned a Tele until I found this one.
    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

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Sun Valley, Idaho
    Posts
    10,955
    Post Thanks / Like
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    So if you had to pick between your tele and your les paul for ONE guitar to diversify guitar ownership from a strat, which would you pick?, and why?

    EDIT: Dang, I passed 500 posts in the last day or two and didn't even notice.
    Steve Thompson
    Sun Valley, Idaho


    Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
    Amphs: Peavey Classic 30, '61 Fender Concert
    Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects, Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi, DuhVoodooMan's Rabid Rodent Rat Clone, Zonkin Yellow Screamer Mk. II, MXR Carbon Copy Delay


    love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. . .
    - j. johnson

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
    Posts
    6,009
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sunvalleylaw
    So if you had to pick between your tele and your les paul for ONE guitar to diversify guitar ownership from a strat, which would you pick?, and why?

    EDIT: Dang, I passed 500 posts in the last day or two and didn't even notice.
    I would be torn but I'd probably have to say my Tele. BUT when I stand around playing some blues the Gibson is right at home with that too. I just come down on the volume knob for a lot of that stuff and utilize all the pickup position choices...either both neck and bridge or just neck. Bridge goes a long way as well. You can blues out or rock out with the Les Paul thats for damn sure. GEE DO YOU HAVE TO MAKE ME CHOOSE?! heh But sure I'd take the Tele to a show or a studio.
    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

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    110
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I actually prefer the tele configuration because I am always bumping the switch on my strat out of the neck position by accident. (I dont play it that much, though) On the tele I can hook the switch from underneath with my pinky when it's in the bridge position.
    Also, the gap between the pots makes for easy swells.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Nashville TN & Grass Valley CA
    Posts
    79
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Tele Control Plate switch

    I too didn't like the layout from the factory. I turned my plate 180 degrees & now the order is like this:

    3-way switch nearest Jack (rear)
    Tone in the middel
    Volume nearest the neck (front)
    BTW- I'm a Lefty and those are Glendale Saddles

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Posts
    1,060
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by fendermojoman
    BTW- I'm a Lefty
    Well theres your problem, your stuff is installed upside down/backwards.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Idaho (I-duh-ho)
    Posts
    12,581
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by fendermojoman
    I too didn't like the layout from the factory. I turned my plate 180 degrees & now the order is like this:

    3-way switch nearest Jack (rear)
    Tone in the middel
    Volume nearest the neck (front)
    BTW- I'm a Lefty and those are Glendale Saddles
    I like this idea. I think I'll try it too.

    "No Tele For you." - The Tele Nazi

    Ha! Tele-ish now inbound.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Ioannina, Greece
    Posts
    317
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    You can change the standard control plate:



    To this one that has the volume pot's hole closer to the tone pot's one:


    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

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Idaho (I-duh-ho)
    Posts
    12,581
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    elavd
    So who makes that control plate? That is EXACTLY what I've been talking about.

    "No Tele For you." - The Tele Nazi

    Ha! Tele-ish now inbound.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Camrose, Alberta, Canada - used to be Umea Sweden.
    Posts
    12,854
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Interesting, I've never had any problems with this myself. One of my students has strat, and he is constantly turning his volume knob down by accident - tragic to see!

    I love those chrome knobs on the Tele!
    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.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Ioannina, Greece
    Posts
    317
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    As far as I know, the main source of these control plates in Europe is Goeldo.

    The Greek distibutor of Goeldo's products is Stavros Ntukas: www.guitars.gr
    and the German main distributor is Rockinger: www.rockinger.de

    Unfortunatelly, as far as I know, they both don't sell overseas...

    Here is the page with Goeldo's other international retailers:
    http://www.goeldo.de/gshop.php?p=haendler

    Also, why don't you check out on Stew & Mac's site? Maybe they have something similar!
    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

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Ioannina, Greece
    Posts
    317
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I just saw on Stew & Mac's site, that they sell only typical Tele control plates...
    http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardware...ol_Plates.html

    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

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Canada
    Posts
    1,399
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    fendermojoman must be onto something! The Squier Vintage Modified HS and HSS tele's have a flipped control panel too.
    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


  19. #19
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Posts
    7,260
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Robert
    Interesting, I've never had any problems with this myself. One of my students has strat, and he is constantly turning his volume knob down by accident - tragic to see!
    That's what torques me about the volume pot on my Charvel, although it's not as close as a Strat's is.
    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

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •