Your welcome Dwight. Try that same cap on a 250K tone pot and see if there is a difference in the sound. Also, try Audio Taper vs. Linier Taper tone pots. As the pot tends to act like an inductance coil, it too can have a "rolloff" effect on the sound. I love experimenting around with different types of configurations just to see what I might come up with. I bought a piece of copper plating from the local hardware store and drilled a dozen or so holes in it to use like a project circuit board. Being solid copper, it grounds everything on it together so I don't have to worry about that while I do the experiments. I ran the leads of the pickups out to it and this gives me a great lab, so to speak, to experiment in. I use jumper wires with alligator clips to connect everything up, to avoid a lot of soldering.

Just an idea I thought you might like to try, since you seam to like experimenting too.

Also, I read your post about "Split Pole Humbuckers", the poles with screws in them can be used to adjust the volume of the individual strings. Just like raising the entire pickup closer to the strings makes it louder, raising the pole up under one string increases the volume of that string only. If you play a lot of 5 chords (G5, A5, etc.) on the E, A and D strings and play leads on the G, B and little E strings, you can make the smaller strings louder to some degree so they will stand out better. The draw back to this of course is when you play whole chords the notes on the smaller strings will be louder than the other ones.

Pookster

: Hi Andy,

: thanks a lot for your quick and expert response ! I have already checked the vintige website which looks very promising. Can I ask you a last question: I am not very happy with the sound of the sound of the middle PUF selector position of my Teles (Mexican and Classic); sounds like the typical Die Strats sound. Does it make sense to add a 3rd PUF (like some guitar heroes like Rory Gallagher did).

: Thanks in advance from a truly Tele lover.

: Olaf

: : : Hello guys,

: : : I recently purchased a Telecaster which was sold as a Highway 1 model but I rather think it is a Classic model due to the pegstock and the neck). The guitar comes with the original 3-saddle-bridge I'd rather like to replace with the modern 6-saddle-bridge like on modern American Telecaster models.

: : : I measured the distances between the string and fixation holes in the guitar body and it seems that the new bridge could fit into the Classic model.

: : : Does anybody already tried this experince ? Thanks in advance for your advice.

: : : Olaf

: : To Olaf & everyone. If you like Teles, a must-see site is www.vintique.com, operated by custom builder and Tele parts manufacturer, formerly with Danny Gatton ... Jay Monterose. Between him, James Burton, Dan Smith and the Hellecasters - do they know Telecasters!

: : To answer your question. We've built Teles with all types of bridges, and changed from every type to every type. Your measurements are good, but aren't the issue. The Highway 1 or similar comes with a vintage style bridge which has 4 screws into the body. Modern Teles have only 3 screws into the body, at different places. But, your 6 saddle idea would work, as long as they are on a vintage style bridge.

: : We prefer the angled saddles, just 3 of them. They are a prestige option, and really look good. They are bold and say something about your Tele. Of course intonation is better, that's why they were made. You can buy just the saddles & screws from the aftermarket, or a Fender dealer now. Or you can buy the complete bridge assembly with the 3 brass angled saddles.

: : Personally, we think they look much better than all 6 little barrel-type chrome saddles, 6 screws & 6 springs on the face of a customized & improved Tele.

: : May you look good & be in tune while you're twangin'. Andrew Listmayer - Advanced Guitar Tech, RockItSciencelabs

That's a great follow-up question about tones, and your proposed solution will definitely take you out of a rut and have you soaring to new heights.

First and easiest, the 4 way Tele switch will add a fattened-up both-pickups-in-series combination like you wouldn't believe. And you keep the 3 stock sounds as well. You could read all you want about the switch, like on fender.com or Dwight's review under pickups/ElectroKraft/custom Tele neck at www.harmonycentral.com but ... hearing is believing. I definitely recommend you make a series connection!

For something truly wild and one-of-a-kind, there is also a 5th combination - yes, 5 sound options from a 2 pickup Tele. We have one of those too, also I swear it's fantastic, with a superfat sound plus one of the pups out of phase. Wiring diagram and if necessary, parts available from www.deaf-eddie.net.

You're on the right track. Andrew/Dwight Listmayer