Telecaster control plate size, pick guard & electronics

[fender3x]

Hi Ben,

It's all about what you like. If you are happy with the kit pickguard and control plate, then no need to change.

I hadn't heard of obsidian wire (OW). It looks like their harness is on a sort of plate that is attached to a Kluson control plate with CTS pots. That suggests to me that it is fitted to the control plate, and that it is "US spec." There might be slight variances in the location of the switch and knob holes on your kit's "Asian-spec" plate. At the least, the holes for the pots will be a little smaller than the ones on the OW harness. If you want to use the kit plate I would ask OW if it will work.

If it were me and I had purchased one of their harnesses, I'd be inclined to use the Kluson. I'd do a dry-fit with the Kluson plate and the kit pickguard. If you don't like the fit, a US spec pickguard won't cost you much.

In my experience the holes for a new pickguard are never exactly in the same place as the old one, so it's better to drill for just one. Having not always taken this advice, however, I can also say that if you don't like the first pickguard you install, the new pickguard usually will cover both new and old holes.

That said, a Tele harness is relatively simple to build . You can get the same pots, switch jack, caps, etc. for about 1/3 the cost.

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[benh]

Hi Ben,
That said, a Tele harness is relatively simple to build . You can get the same pots, switch jack, caps, etc. for about 1/3 the cost.

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Right, that's my conclusion. I'm reasonably handy with the iron (been building pedals for the kid for a while now :-)

I've ordered a Fender US vintage spec plate (naked, found one for $35) and will get the boy to chose a fitting pickguard. That way the holes will fit anything designed for an actual fender tele.

I'll then initially fit the existing kit switch & pots (I have plenty of pots if those don't fit), and "upgrade" later to a 4 way & better pots as needed. The obsidian stuff is nice but overkill.



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