emergency question re mod .. need answers in next few hours (tues 3rd)

Keira-WitherKay

hi ya... today i was scheduled to have a gibson classic 57 pup installed into neck position of my American standard tele ..........and last night i did a quick strip down .....and yes the American standard comes pre routed with space for neck humbucker and middle(strat) position single coil ............

so i need an answer quickly before i see the tech at 3 pm today

BUT and here's my dialema ............... the Gibson classic 57 fits size wise into the routed area..but because of the way the mounting tabs are situated on the pup the pickup is NOT set low enough ........so the humbucker pre routed hole will have to be routed even deeper by a few mm ( at the moment the pup rests on bottom of cavity but the strings just don't clear the top of the PUP , we talking a few mm at most of routing deeper............

no worries i have a good tech who can rout it no problem

BUT MY CONCERN is that it will devalue the instrument ......... cos at the moment this is pristine condition instrument bought brand new last year and with a retail ticket price of over 20K and a discounted price of 14 or 15 K this is a concern as i have no qualms modding or routing into a 5K - 6K guitar but this concern is that if i ever do decide to sell............. i expect a tele like this to be bought by a more discerning buyer who may NOT be happy with a cavity that is altered ............. and use that to drive any price down ......... as i do see this tele as an investment as well as a tool of my trade ............ and don't wanna be foolish about this ........

and the initial plan was to change the pup with a new scratchplate and not physically change anything on the guitar that can't be put back to restore it to premium original condition ...... so NOW it seems some changes will be made and the place where the routing takes place is right where my tele is quality controlled with a sticker and writing ..( some numers written in free hand ) ) prob date or the guy who signed off on it ...so this will be missing if i get the tech rout though it ........

so what seemed like a simple idea suddenly raises a red flag ...........

so any suggestions to deal with the tabs of the pup extending down below it .....or points of view........... do you think that will change and value for a perspective buyer

peace and light
keira

singemonkey

Won't it be simpler, cheaper and less of a mod to modify the pickup legs? Have them bent higher and new screw-holes drilled in the feet?

slyd

singemonkey wrote Won't it be simpler, cheaper and less of a mod to modify the pickup legs? Have them bent higher and new screw-holes drilled in the feet?

+1. Yeah, I would'nt rout the guitar, and the above suggestion would be very easy to do.

AlanRatcliffe

+1. ...or find a pickup that is shorter (some are). But routing so it takes a wider range of pickups is going to come in handy if you end up trying different pickups.

Anyway, are you playing it or collecting it? ? Personally, I don't think any modern mass-produced guitar is ever going to be so valuable that such small things will be a factor - as long as it is not butchered.

Keira-WitherKay

thanks guys...........

last question i assume someone if they shorten the tabs of the pup i assume they have to cut a thread into the hole ..is that easy ..

AlanRatcliffe

Yes, very easy with the right tools.

Bob-Dubery

Alan Ratcliffe wrote +1. ...or find a pickup that is shorter (some are). But routing so it takes a wider range of pickups is going to come in handy if you end up trying different pickups.

Anyway, are you playing it or collecting it? ? Personally, I don't think any modern mass-produced guitar is ever going to be so valuable that such small things will be a factor - as long as it is not butchered.

And especially if you keep the original pickup and scratchplate.

singemonkey

For all this help Keira, we expect pics AND video ?

aja

singemonkey wrote For all this help Keira, we expect pics AND video ?

No sound? That is no good...

I would demand sound...

Keira-WitherKay

thanks again guys always great to have a forum where the advice is freely handed out ......thanks it';s appreciated

X-rated Bob wrote
Alan Ratcliffe wrote +1. ...or find a pickup that is shorter (some are). But routing so it takes a wider range of pickups is going to come in handy if you end up trying different pickups.

Anyway, are you playing it or collecting it? ? Personally, I don't think any modern mass-produced guitar is ever going to be so valuable that such small things will be a factor - as long as it is not butchered.
And especially if you keep the original pickup and scratchplate.

@ Bob ......yes of course i am keeping the original pup and scratchplate ...... ? thats why i'm in a bit of a flap today as i was hoping to not have to change anything .. and everything would be 100% reversable........... cos .hey i might NOT like the tone ............. this is an experiment

@alan ......... oh i don't think my tele will be a collectors item .BUT i do know that 100% stock mint condition ones would fetch more 2nd hand if i decide to say sell it to buy something else ...... ? we all know by now NEVER say ..."i'll never sell this" as my musical adventures constantly push me in new directions...... maybe that 9 string hybrid bass & guitar ? i feel one on the horizon .......... which is exciting .......and keeps my musical life interesting

@ everyone else.......... yeah input appreciated and if it works out for sure i'll post a video ...........

AlanRatcliffe

It just struck me - most of the newer Fenders routed for humbuckers are actually deep enough for any humbucker, the problem is they don't have the extra plunge cuts for the legs, which is all you need. Like this:

So it's actually just a small mod...

Keira-WitherKay

Alan Ratcliffe wrote It just struck me - most of the newer Fenders routed for humbuckers are actually deep enough for any humbucker, the problem is they don't have the extra plunge cuts for the legs, which is all you need. Like this:

So it's actually just a small mod...

thats why you "the man " alan ........ great suggestion and yes thats exactly what i need ... i think that route is best at moment .the idea of cutting legs (which look pretty solid) on the pup rebending them and having holes threaded seems quite a task ....... but 2 little holes for the legs/tabs is perfect thanks...................... you "the man "