Baritone Conversion -- Preferred String Size?

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I remember that youtube clip, quite expressive with that tone knob he is!
If you flip the plate, you might also consider a Rutters plate with the angled switch slot.  Makes it far more ergonomic than the simple right angle.
I have one on my Bari-Tele and it's totally comfortable. Oh, and don't worry, it comes unbranded, unlike the photo.
http://ruttersguitars.com/uploads/RuttersAngledControlPlate1.jpg

 

[rgand]

I've been kicking around the idea of some mods on this guitar. Probably one of the first is gonna be a mod that Bill Kirchen (of Hot Rod Lincoln fame) does with his Teles, where he switches around the switchplate.

This is one of the best mods I ever did on mine. I wouldn't have it any other way again. Just remember to reverse the control pots and turn the selector switch around. I also put Fender amp knobs on it, which I also like.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Mine

 

[rgand]

Mine

Is that covered with bridle leather? It brings up all kinds of possibilities.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Deerskin, from some former entree's that I harvested some years back.  There's an entire thread on it in the WIP section,
http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=15644.msg258232#msg258232

plus this:
http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=20498.msg303441#msg303441

 

[rgand]

Deerskin, from some former entree's that I harvested some years back.  There's an entire thread on it in the WIP section,
http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=15644.msg258232#msg258232

plus this:
http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=20498.msg303441#msg303441

Thanks, I was wondering. I'll go read about it.

 

[rgand]

Thanks for the links, tony. It was a good read to see how you did it. Nice work.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Thanks for the links, tony. It was a good read to see how you did it. Nice work.

Thanks!

I'd be interested to do another one with an SC layout only, no humbucker, in sandblasted chambered ash, perhaps a fully blond neck.

I have more TFS projects on the design bench at the moment though, so those take priority.  So does updating/upgrading windows in the house, as directed by Wifey.

 

[cooltouch]

Welp, it's been a while again since I checked in here. Nice to see and read about some of the mods you guys have done. TFS, that Rutters  plate looks interesting. Dang, if I had my milling machine set up (I just moved and it's laying on its side in my new garage), I could carve one easily enough out of a piece of aluminum plate.

Yeah, I know about switching around the selector and the pots to make sure it all works out. I'm wondering, as long as I'm in there, if I might should swap out those components with something better than comes on a Chinese-built Squier. At least OEM American Fender parts.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Welp, it's been a while again since I checked in here. Nice to see and read about some of the mods you guys have done. TFS, that Rutters  plate looks interesting. Dang, if I had my milling machine set up (I just moved and it's laying on its side in my new garage), I could carve one easily enough out of a piece of aluminum plate.

Yeah, I know about switching around the selector and the pots to make sure it all works out. I'm wondering, as long as I'm in there, if I might should swap out those components with something better than comes on a Chinese-built Squier. At least OEM American Fender parts.

Well, when it comes to blade switches, I feel like you can't beat the CRL-3 or CRL-5, but for pots, why not go all out & stick some Burns pots in there?  Isn't your tone worth it?

On the rutters plate, it was an easy $35-ish that I felt was worth it.  They also move the nearest pot-hole over 3/8" to give your finger some room to get in there.  It is very ergonomic, feels so much more natural than the hard right angle of the traditional Tele plate.