More guitar ruminations

[JohnRippert]

When you look at my 70's Japanese Tele copy at the right angle to the light you get to know its primary owner/player a bit. They spent a lot of time over the high strings and really pulled on the upstroke as well. Almost all the wear is on the bottom side of the guard, and it extends up under the high E almost to the B string. It is little things like that which I really like about old guitars.

I have not gotten to polishing the frets on the Fender MIM Telecaster yet but I did sit down a couple nights ago, took it apart and cleaned it. Pictures just do not do the Surf Pearl paint justice. When you look at it from close the pearl just pops, especially now that I cleaned the layer of scunge from it. Wiping it down with alcohol soaked rag cut through it but left a lot of streaks. I had to go over the finish with a slightly damp cloth followed by a dry one to get rid of the last of it. It is unfortunate that the rust made its way to the bridge plate and the saddles, but I am planning on going a bit more vintage with this one anyway. I have a Fender marked 3-saddle Tele bridge on the way, as well as a set of as new Fender Classic Tuners that were pulled off a Player II Strat. Combine those with the new brass barrel saddles I have in my parts bin and that classic look will be complete.

 

[biku324]

An acoustic story....

I picked up my guitar from a luthier last week- he's an older guy that does outstanding work. He mentioned that a preacher came by with a 1952 Martin D-28 that needed work; the preacher said an old man at his church gave it to him because he played guitar and sang gospel songs; the old man had no one to leave it to.

The luthier gave an estimate on the repairs (he's a Martin authorized repairman) - the preacher gulped and said, "Is it worth fixing?" The old craftsman laughed and said he'd pay $2000 for it right there. The preacher decided to get the work done.

When he picked up the guitar, he asked the luthier how much much he should insure it for, the old craftsman told him that in the factory repaired condition it could not be replaced for less than $20,000.

Quite a gift from the old guy at church.

 

[Narragansett]

This is very interesting what you are doing with these guitars. You might want to check yard sales and ask if they have any old guitars. The stuff that is in closets is unbelievable. That is where you will find wonderous treasures. If you ever come across a vintage Telecaster with one pickup, it is probably an Esquire. They are worth a ton these days. Also, there is an American deluxe telecaster out there with 3 pick ups. only 3500 or so were made and they have a small bat handle switch on the tone plate for a total of 7 tone combinations. They are American made and have a bound body. I had 2, sold one and gave 1 to #2 son. Then there is the world of strats.. Guitars can be a DEEEEEEEEP rabbit hole

 

[JohnRippert]

I am focusing more on one and two pickup guitars. I prefer simpler combinations. The only Strat I own is a Buddy Guy signed Squier Affinity that hangs on the wall next to his picture. I plan to hit flea markets around here to check for old electrics, especially '60s amd '70s Japanese guitars. I really like the 'lawsuit era' Tele and Jazzmaster/Jaguar/Mustang copies.

 

[rwsmith]

Looking good! It appears you have found a great hobby outside of firearms. In my 'spare' time if I'm not shooting or reloading, I'm doing music, some photography and building projects when I can get into my garage.

 

[Kiwi cop]

When you look at my 70's Japanese Tele copy at the right angle to the light you get to know its primary owner/player a bit. They spent a lot of time over the high strings and really pulled on the upstroke as well. Almost all the wear is on the bottom side of the guard, and it extends up under the high E almost to the B string. It is little things like that which I really like about old guitars.

I have not gotten to polishing the frets on the Fender MIM Telecaster yet but I did sit down a couple nights ago, took it apart and cleaned it. Pictures just do not do the Surf Pearl paint justice. When you look at it from close the pearl just pops, especially now that I cleaned the layer of scunge from it. Wiping it down with alcohol soaked rag cut through it but left a lot of streaks. I had to go over the finish with a slightly damp cloth followed by a dry one to get rid of the last of it. It is unfortunate that the rust made its way to the bridge plate and the saddles, but I am planning on going a bit more vintage with this one anyway. I have a Fender marked 3-saddle Tele bridge on the way, as well as a set of as new Fender Classic Tuners that were pulled off a Player II Strat. Combine those with the new brass barrel saddles I have in my parts bin and that classic look will be complete.

I have a soft spot for Tele’s since 2018 when I was hit by the country bug. I have two, both Squire, not cheap entry level but not really expensive either. I paid around NZ$800/US$500 for them. The best thing about them is I can stand for more than 2 hours playing them without the back pain a Les Paul causes me.

The first is a basic Tele, Honey Blonde, and is stock standard except for a 4 way switch mod. It is a backup to what, until now, has been my main player, a Squire Vintage Modified Tele in Butterscotch Blonde, which is fitted with a Jazzmaster neck and front pickup, and another 4way switch. That P90 in the neck position really purrs in position 4 with both pickups wired in series. Both have maple fingerboards, which I really like sound wise.

I have just committed to a third Tele, this one is a Fender Nashville Tele, with a middle pickup from a Strat, a 5 position pickup selector, phase switch, and a pull out tone pot that brings the neck pickup in when the switch is in positions 1 and 2. It has sat in my local guitar shop for more than 6 months and I was offered a 10% discount on the sticker price. I think this one will become my new favourite guitar .

I have to admit I am also looking at a third new guitar this year (the first was an Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J200 acoustic). It is an Epiphone Insisted by Gibson Les Paul Muse, a chambered body that I should be able to play standing for a few hours without getting back pain. I’m still thinking about that one but have the budget sorted if I do go ahead with it.

 

[JohnRippert]

I have a soft spot for Tele’s since 2018 when I was hit by the country bug. I have two, both Squire, not cheap entry level but not really expensive either. I paid around NZ$800/US$500 for them. The best thing about them is I can stand for more than 2 hours playing them without the back pain a Les Paul causes me.

The first is a basic Tele, Honey Blonde, and is stock standard except for a 4 way switch mod. It is a backup to what, until now, has been my main player, a Squire Vintage Modified Tele in Butterscotch Blonde, which is fitted with a Jazzmaster neck and front pickup, and another 4way switch. That P90 in the neck position really purrs in position 4 with both pickups wired in series. Both have maple fingerboards, which I really like sound wise.

I have just committed to a third Tele, this one is a Fender Nashville Tele, with a middle pickup from a Strat, a 5 position pickup selector, phase switch, and a pull out tone pot that brings the neck pickup in when the switch is in positions 1 and 2. It has sat in my local guitar shop for more than 6 months and I was offered a 10% discount on the sticker price. I think this one will become my new favourite guitar .

I have to admit I am also looking at a third new guitar this year (the first was an Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J200 acoustic). It is an Epiphone Insisted by Gibson Les Paul Muse, a chambered body that I should be able to play standing for a few hours without getting back pain. I’m still thinking about that one but have the budget sorted if I do go ahead with it.

Kiwi Cop, I must admit that I am finding them a lot like potato chips. Hard to stop now that I have started. I am waiting for the economy to turn around some before I start paring down the firearms collection, and I am pretty sure some of that money is going to go to more guitars.

 

[Narragansett]

I am focusing more on one and two pickup guitars. I prefer simpler combinations. The only Strat I own is a Buddy Guy signed Squier Affinity that hangs on the wall next to his picture. I plan to hit flea markets around here to check for old electrics, especially '60s amd '70s Japanese guitars. I really like the 'lawsuit era' Tele and Jazzmaster/Jaguar/Mustang copies.

My first guitar was a candy apple red 1965 Jaguar. It cost 221.00. I recently sold a 1965 Jaguar reissue in fiesta red. The mustang was a nice guitar with the short scale. Gibson made the Kalamazoo which was a nice small scale unit. The Epiphone guitars are nice. My only solid body electric is an Epiphone Les Paul custom with 57 humbuckers.

The picture is me in Marion, Ohio in 2016 playing 1967 stereo Gretsch White Falcon signed by Neal Young

 

[JohnRippert]

Slight update on the MIM Fender Tele. I spent most of last week helping my sister and her husband pack and load the remainder of Mom's antique/art glass collection and inventory from her and Dad's business. They left Friday morning and I have been shuffling bits and pieces from the house into the garage and rearranging things in there. Sat down last night and went to work on the tarnished to the point of looking rusted frets on the Tele. There were a few tiny rockers on the high E side of the board. A couple taps with the nylon hammer on the fret seating tool took care of them. Good job at the factory on this fretboard. Now this is what frets should look like when they are basically new.

 

[Fredo Batali]

I'm on number five. Just picked up a Tele to match my Strat both, in Blue Burst. Beautiful colors and great sound. Looking at a Fender Jazz Master bass in Blue Burst now. I l like blue a lot

De Oppresso Liber

 

[JohnRippert]

I'm on number five. Just picked up a Tele to match my Strat both, in Blue Burst. Beautiful colors and great sound. Looking at a Fender Jazz Master bass in Blue Burst now. I l like blue a lot

De Oppresso Liber

I have purchased a Squier Classic Vibe Jazzmaster partially stripped body (still has the bridge and saddles), and a loaded takeoff Fender Player II Jazzmaster pickguard. Planning on putting together a Partsmaster. Still have not decided whether to get a stripped Squier Jazzmaster neck and refretting or go with A Fender MIM replacement neck. Couple hundred dollars difference between them.