Lets look at our guitars thread
Discussion
Today I treated my Fender Special Edition '72 Thinline Tele to a bridge upgrade.
It's a great guitar, but I always found the original bridge and bent saddles rather uncomfortable (pokey-out height adjustment screws), a bit unstable (could move side-to-side slightly with very enthusiastic strumming) and rather cheap looking.
So I ordered a hardtail bridge from Axecaster (https://www.axecaster.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=55) and fitted it this afternoon.
Before...
...the replacement bridge. I swapped the supplied saddles (matt with black screws) for some chrome/silver ones...
...after...
First impressions are really good! I'm really pleased! It's MUCH more comfortable to play, the string spacing is slightly narrower, to match all my other guitars (53mm rather than the previous 56mm) and I think it looks really attractive.
I'm happy, the guitar seems happy, it's all good.
It's a great guitar, but I always found the original bridge and bent saddles rather uncomfortable (pokey-out height adjustment screws), a bit unstable (could move side-to-side slightly with very enthusiastic strumming) and rather cheap looking.
So I ordered a hardtail bridge from Axecaster (https://www.axecaster.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=55) and fitted it this afternoon.
Before...
...the replacement bridge. I swapped the supplied saddles (matt with black screws) for some chrome/silver ones...
...after...
First impressions are really good! I'm really pleased! It's MUCH more comfortable to play, the string spacing is slightly narrower, to match all my other guitars (53mm rather than the previous 56mm) and I think it looks really attractive.
I'm happy, the guitar seems happy, it's all good.
Edited by chemistry on Friday 15th March 17:45
Edited by chemistry on Friday 15th March 17:46
B17NNS said:
Elderly said:
I've lusted after a blonde Tele ever since watching Ralph Macchio duel it out in Crossroads.
"Eugene's Trick Bag"
Impossible to play on a Tele (can't reach the high note at the end of the solo, because only 21 frets)
Then again, as it was played by Steve Vai, it's largely impossible to play unless one has Vai skills (which I certainly don't)
I was rocking a Yamaha SG2000 and Knophler red Tokai Strat at the time (complete with matching Alchemy jacket) 
Had the frets, just lacked the skills
I’m going to have to search out the movie now.
https://youtu.be/b8eymimAV8k
Had the frets, just lacked the skills
I’m going to have to search out the movie now.
https://youtu.be/b8eymimAV8k
B17NNS said:
I was rocking a Yamaha SG2000 and Knophler red Tokai Strat at the time (complete with matching Alchemy jacket)
Funny you should say that; I'm playing a small gig on Sunday and I bought a red Alchemy jacket and white headband. Technically incorrect as I'm playing Money for nothing, but close enough I guess.OldSkoolRS said:
Funny you should say that; I'm playing a small gig on Sunday and I bought a red Alchemy jacket and white headband.
Superb! Hope it goes well I peaked in the late 80’s with a Shadows number (FBI I think) followed by Going Home at Audley Village Hall.The jacket lived on into the early nineties though seeing a resurgence when Axl started wearing one.
Cheers B17NNS. 
I don't normally bother with a special outfit, but I thought this might be my last term at the college, so I'd push the boat out. Since the original song fades out, we had to come up with an ending, so I jump up and we all stop as I hit the ground...it could all go badly wrong in so many ways, or not. I'm sure if it goes wrong someone will have a video though, which is always the worry these days.
Completely unrelated; I've been working on my Strat. I've built up a separate pickguard with new pickups and a mid boost kit. After 36 years with a white pickguard I fancied a change. I didn't like the shinny black, so I wet sanded all the plastic bits with P1000 then P2000 grade and buffed with a micro-fibre. Still have to wire in the mid boost PCB and then re-string it, but pleased with the different look so far:
I don't normally bother with a special outfit, but I thought this might be my last term at the college, so I'd push the boat out. Since the original song fades out, we had to come up with an ending, so I jump up and we all stop as I hit the ground...it could all go badly wrong in so many ways, or not. I'm sure if it goes wrong someone will have a video though, which is always the worry these days.
Completely unrelated; I've been working on my Strat. I've built up a separate pickguard with new pickups and a mid boost kit. After 36 years with a white pickguard I fancied a change. I didn't like the shinny black, so I wet sanded all the plastic bits with P1000 then P2000 grade and buffed with a micro-fibre. Still have to wire in the mid boost PCB and then re-string it, but pleased with the different look so far:
Contract Killer said:
vsonix said:
Ooooh that is a bit gorgeous... Very unusual gradiated finsh too. Kinda wish the headstock was plain, but that's just me. What model is it?
This is it: https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/18020632221...The stripes are not just for show! I believe (may be wrong) they are wooden inserts used to cover up the carbon fibre reinforcement rod.
RATATTAK said:
I'm fancying an SG ... any advice about what to look for before I buy ? ... I presently have a couple of Jacksons and a Maverick ... I've owned a Les Paul Custom many years ago and found it too heavy
I'm into Def Leppard, ZZ Top and currently AC/DC, hence the desire for an SG
Funnily enough I've always associated the SG with Matt 'Guitar' Murphy because the first time I'd ever seen an SG (or at least when I was just getting into guitars enough to 'trainspot' the various models) was him playing one in 'The Blues Brothers' movie. Great close-up shot when he does the intro to 'Sweet Home Chicago' I learned to play the riff copying it I'm into Def Leppard, ZZ Top and currently AC/DC, hence the desire for an SG
vsonix said:
RATATTAK said:
I'm fancying an SG ... any advice about what to look for before I buy ? ... I presently have a couple of Jacksons and a Maverick ... I've owned a Les Paul Custom many years ago and found it too heavy
I'm into Def Leppard, ZZ Top and currently AC/DC, hence the desire for an SG
Funnily enough I've always associated the SG with Matt 'Guitar' Murphy because the first time I'd ever seen an SG (or at least when I was just getting into guitars enough to 'trainspot' the various models) was him playing one in 'The Blues Brothers' movie. Great close-up shot when he does the intro to 'Sweet Home Chicago' I learned to play the riff copying it I'm into Def Leppard, ZZ Top and currently AC/DC, hence the desire for an SG
Got back on with my Strat today. It was a pain trying to fit the mid boost PCB in with the extra wiring, but I managed to put the battery in the back by removing one spring and then adjusting the tension afterwards to compensate.
I'm really pleased with how it looks, but I'm even more pleased with the range of tones it has now: The mid boost thickens the tone, but can be used with just a subtle boost when playing clean. Along with the TBX tone control that came with the kit I can add some treble too if I want to make it bit more jangly (or roll things back a touch). It's not just for distortion tones either as it works really well with my Deluxe reverb.
Back of the pickguard, mid build:
Re-strung and set up:
With it's matching brother:
I'm really pleased with how it looks, but I'm even more pleased with the range of tones it has now: The mid boost thickens the tone, but can be used with just a subtle boost when playing clean. Along with the TBX tone control that came with the kit I can add some treble too if I want to make it bit more jangly (or roll things back a touch). It's not just for distortion tones either as it works really well with my Deluxe reverb.
Back of the pickguard, mid build:
Re-strung and set up:
With it's matching brother:
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