Recently though, I have wondered if a simple tone upgrade would yield a decent return on investment. It's not that the guitar needs upgrading; however I was wondering and becoming more and more curious with time. Why not change out the Squier's original Duncan Designed pickups. After a while I took the plunge and secured a set of Fender Original Vintage 52 pickups - Fenders authentic early fifties reproductions. It's like my own approach to a Vintage Modified model - fifties vintage twang meets late sixties semi hollow warm mids.
Does it work? You bet!! I am astounded by the added clarity. The Squire's "buttery jangle-pop goodness" is still there but it is impressively improved by the added clarity and fuller bottom end of those sensational Fender Original Vintage 52s.
But it took a few steps get there.
First, the OV pickup mounting screws are a little different as the 50’s blackguard Telecaster models used slotted head screws and the neck pup was body mounted rather than mounted on the pick guard. I was able to use the Squier's original Philips head screws on the neck pickup but had to use the slotted head screws for the new bridge pickup (supplied). I quickly realised the bigger problem was that reassembly was going to be a neck-off job. This Squier model has 22 frets, the fingerboard overhang doesn’t allow you to to just drop in the pick guard with the neck pick-up mounted. I was very apprehensive about unscrewing the neck. But there was no other way. Just take your time, pay attention to alignment and don’t over tighten any screws when refitting – firm is good. It turned out to be quite a simple procedure.
Second, I chose to shield the body cavities. I would recommend this to anyone who is cracking open a single coil equipped guitar for whatever reason. You don’t need to live with a humming guitar just because you have single coil antennas.. sorry pickups! I used self-adhesive copper sheet that cost a few dollars off the web. Remember, every part of shielding you add needs to be electrically connected to each other and to the guitar ground.
Third, I took the opportunity to replace the original Squier pots, cap, selector switch and jack with better quality USA ma parts. There are many sets available; I bought an aftermarket set from All Parts that included 250K solid shaft CTS pots a replacement CTS 3 way pick-up selector switch and vintage style cloth covered hook-up wire. Note, the pots have a larger thread so the original pick guard mounting holes needed to be opened up a little. The CTS pick-up selector switch had a slightly longer throw so adding a millimetre to each end of the slot was also required (no change for its mounting holes). I also used the round head screws supplied with the new switch as Squier originals were a different thread size. One other point to note was that the original Squier switch cap did not fit the replacement pick-up selector switch shaft. A Fender replacement cap fitted perfectly. These little hardware differences can be significant when preparing to upgrade a 'import' Squier model with American replacement hardware.
As an aside, the following magazine article discusses further thoughts on Telecaster modifications. But I didn’t stray too far from a fairly standard Telecaster set-up. http://www.premierguitar.com/magazine/Issue/2007/Feb/The_Telecaster_Mod_Guide.aspx
Finally, I replaced the Squier knobs with Fender flat top replacements – originally because I wanted the better feel and grip of the sharper knurling, but of course the Squier knobs didn’t fit the solid shaft CTS pots anyway.
With all that done I am so happy with the result. I have definitely improved the tonal quality, hardware quality (I assume longevity) and all at a very modest price. In my opinion, a definite high return on investment. In my opinion I have taken a really good intermediate level guitar up a notch or two to become a really great intermediate level guitar.
The overall look doesn't really change due to these mods. The only visual differences are:
- Lack of "Duncan Designed" logos on the new Fender Original Vintage 52 pickups (of course)
- Slotted head screws now around the bridge pickup
- Dome screw heads now on the selector switch
The Fender control knobs feel much better than the perfectly adequate originals.
Everything else just looks the same as a stock Fender Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Thinline in Shoreline Gold.
Everything else just looks the same as a stock Fender Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Thinline in Shoreline Gold.
Unfortunately I didn't take any in progress photos. It never occurred to me at the time. The most interesting pic would have been one of the shielding in progress.
Here is a pic taken after the mod.. love the Shoreline Gold!
Click on the picture for a larger view.
