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Squier Classic Vibe Esquire conversion

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- Rated: 96 ↑
Apr 9, 2009 8:35 a.m. Ratrod:

Decision made. The CV Tele becomes an Esquire.

Here she is still stock.

Here's how it will be wired:
I stole that diagram from the Telecaster discussion pages.

Before continuing, I didn't use the original switch but a proper Allparts one.

So I ripped out all the guts (desoldered all the wires) except for the ones going to the jack because those were in the right spot.

Here's the finished Esquire wiring.

This Tele has two ground wires. One to the bridge plate and one to the body.

An empty pickup cavity with the build number.

Fully functional but waiting for the new pickguard to come in the mail.

To be continued.....
- Rated: 59 ↑
Apr 9, 2009 9:02 a.m. dmanlow:

Looks sweet! Did you keep the stock bridge pup or get something else for in there?
- Rated: 96 ↑
Apr 9, 2009 10:53 a.m. Ratrod:

Thanks guys.

It's still the stock pickup. It's a good pickup but I might upgrade it in the future.

The front position is much like the darkest setting of the mud switch and almost half the volume.

The middle position is super bright in a good way.
- Rated: 96 ↑
Apr 10, 2009 11:00 a.m. Ratrod:

The pickguard arrived today. A simple, cheap flat black non-bevelled Esquire pickguard.

In the hopefully near future I will swap the pickup for a 'period correct' Bare Knuckle Blackguard '50.
- Rated: 16 ↑
Apr 10, 2009 11:17 a.m. ladyscaglyc:

Sweet. If you don't mind my asking, How much USD all told?

Would love to build a white Esquire w/ gold PG & hardware to stand aside of The Falcon on larger gigs.

Vinnie
- Rated: 96 ↑
Apr 10, 2009 12:46 p.m. Ratrod:

In euros it's 12 for the switch, 13 for the pickguard and about 1,50 for the caps and resistors. So that's 26,50 for the entire mod.

I had the switch installed prior to this mod.

I'll probably be able to sell the original pickguard for a tenner. When I get the Bare Knuckle pickup for around 75 Euros I can probably sell the original pickups for 30 as a set.

Low budget modding in a harsh economic times.

It's a good sounding guitar but once that Bare Knuckle pickup is in it, it will be a tone monster.
- Rated: 13 ↑
Apr 11, 2009 9:44 p.m. Big_Burly:

Really great project. I've wanted a Tele for the longest time now. Recently I have fallen for the killer tones from Esquires.

This is an inexpensive way to try both, and keep whichever one I like the best.
- Rated: 35 ↑
Apr 11, 2009 10:34 p.m. fauves:

I played a custom shop one that had a stealth or hidden pu under the guard.

I was just playin that squier the other day and thinkin why did I spend more on mine.
- Rated: 96 ↑
Apr 28, 2009 4:15 a.m. Ratrod:

The story continues!

Oh happy day. Yesterday (monday) my Bare Knuckle Blackguard 50 arrived for my Squier Classic Vibe Esquire.

This pickup had the challenge to beat the pretty good stock pickup. The stock pickup was an 8K+, AIII pickup, copper (plated?) base plate. Very clear and transparant, good midrange. However, it needed to be far from the strings to sound good and had loads of highs and presence. I needed to switch off the bright switch and roll the treble back a notch.

I measured the Blackguard at 7.27K, mind you it was pretty warm in the room. AV magnets, zinc plated base plate. After installing I realised this was a very different animal. I started with setting the pickup height at the recommended Fender vintage style pickups (6/64" bass side, 5/64 treble side). A bit overwhelming and it picked up alot of side noises. I lowered the pickup untill it sounded right to my ears. I ended up with 8/64" bass side and 6/64" treble side.

With it's pine body and gloss finished maple neck and fingerboard and this pickup it should sound exactly like an early Esquire. And it does! I set my amp like I do when playing my Gretsch and hooked up the RE-20 Space Echo. Immediately I got that 50's Tele/Esquire tone that has dominated the songs recorded in the famous Sun Studio. i put it through it's paces playing a variety of classic and contemporary rockabilly. I ended with playing the intro and solo of Johnny Cash's 'Folsom Prison Blues' (origanally played on a 50's Esquire) and it nailed it dead on. It did it so right it was scary!

I also played some Status Quo licks using the Box Of Rock Clone. Less compressed but very convincing.

The Bare Knuckle Blackguard 50 has that definitive 50's tele tone. Extremely well balanced. A very open, blooming sound with nicely rounded and warm highs.
- Rated: 47 ↑
Apr 28, 2009 4:56 a.m. MrMoonlight:

That turned out great, Ratrod! I'd love to hear a sound clip of that guitar. I know a lot of people who think the Squier CV series guitars are a tremendous value for the money. I might have to look into getting one (as if I didn't have enough damn guitars already). I've been eying the '50s Strat, myself.

Judging by your report, it seems with a little bit of work and some upgraded components, you were able to capture the tone you were after without breaking the bank. Good on ya. Enjoy it!
- Rated: 96 ↑
Apr 28, 2009 6:44 a.m. Ratrod:

Too bad I don't have any recording equipment. If the next European Roundup is on the mainland, I'll bring it and let Sjolte play it and Will record it.

Normally this would be an expensive pickup but with the GBP at only 1.11 Euro instead of over 1.50, it was relatively cheap. Plus I only needed one instead of two.

I found the stock pickups pretty good. Better than most stock Fender pickups and on par (but different) with the SD AII Pro. But this Blackguard pickup slayed it.
- Rated: 75 ↑
Apr 28, 2009 7:06 a.m. Tsar Nicholas :

GAS GAS GAS!
- Rated: 31 ↑
Apr 28, 2009 8:52 a.m. TyPierce:

Nice work Ratrod! Sounds like you've found the dead-nuts-on combo of mods to get pure Esquire on the cheap!

Last night I picked up my Tele for the first time in quite a while and I forgot how good Teles feels.

And I'm not usually swayed by such things, but the construction and cosmetics - particularly the script engraving - on that Bare Knuckle pickup are really something!

Congrats!
- Rated: 28 ↑
Apr 28, 2009 10:22 a.m. The Shetland:

I love single pickup guitars...the ultimate hot rod...good one Ratrod, need to check out those Bare Knuckle pickups
- Rated: 18 ↑
Apr 28, 2009 10:31 a.m. bigfoot yancy:

awesome ratrod. I have that squire as well. Never heard of those bare knuckles. Gotta look into that as well. Would love to hear a demo if you are able. Thanks for the heads-up.
- Rated: 96 ↑
Apr 28, 2009 12:59 p.m. Ratrod:

Thank you all for the nice comments.

The next couple of days I'll probably be experimenting with the fine adjustments of the pickup. These pickups have a sweet spot somewhere and I need to find it.

I've been a happy Bare Knuckle user since 2004.

Right now the only two pickup brands I use are Bare Knuckle and TV Jones. Both companies with excellent products and customer service and with both companies you can get in touch with the founder/owner/boss.

Maybe I can record something with my MP3 player.
- Rated: 16 ↑
Apr 28, 2009 2:21 p.m. caliban335:

Congratulations on the Esquire. Did you ever consider the Eldred mod that's discussed on the TDPRI forum?
- Rated: 96 ↑
Apr 29, 2009 5:14 a.m. Ratrod:

Just looked that up.

Seems like a nice and usefull mod to try.

Is it this diagram?
- Rated: 96 ↑
Apr 29, 2009 8:53 a.m. Ratrod:

Did the Eldred mod. Works great. A very logical setup, really. Normal mode in the center position, roll off a bit of treble with the tone for a good rhtythm tone and flick the switch to the back for a bright, spanky lead tone.

I did use a .047 cap for the tone pot and changed the .047 mud cap on the switch for a .0103 cap that is a lot closer to the honky, nasal, half cocked wah sound.
- Rated: 49 ↑
Apr 29, 2009 10:57 a.m. Shuie:

Ratrod, that is one fabulous guitar.
- Rated: 96 ↑
May 5, 2009 8:36 a.m. Ratrod:

Could this be the final mod to this guitar?

I have contacted a pinstripe artist who can do this design for a reasonable price.

It's a rough photoshop scetch but I think this looks perfect.
- Rated: 58 ↑
May 5, 2009 2:04 p.m. JC:

I was very impressed with the Squier CV Tele i played at the weekend,and for so little money!

Looks great Ratrod,do it!
- Rated: 73 ↑
May 5, 2009 2:11 p.m. J(ust an old Cowboy)D:

Super job. Looks really killer.
- Rated: 33 ↑
May 5, 2009 3:25 p.m. Ellengtrgrl:

Ratrod, you are causing me a mutant form of GAS. When I bought my Squier Tele, I seriously considered getting an Esquier instead, since I hardly ever use the Tele neck pickup, and LOVE single pickup stripped down guitars, in the vein of the LP Junior amd the Single Pickup Tenessee Rose. But the price of new and used Esquiers turned me off. Now I wonder about converting my cheap bargain basement Squier Affinity Tele (which cost me about $48, after trading some Vox AMplugs towards it) into an Esquier.
- Rated: 14 ↑
May 5, 2009 8:04 p.m. doombuggy:

how do these Vibes compare to the old MIJ models??? I have been seriously think'n about doing the same thing you did... I need a damn Tonebender also!

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