GuitArcher

Time for Modifications? Despite not being convinced that the Squier 51 is a keeper, the charm and general good looks of the thing, combined with the happy accident of a pair of  GFS Nashville pickups being available locally for $20, meant I was was committed to modifying it. The presence of the chrome control plate and bridge made the all black pickups an odd, if financially understandable choice. How much better though, would this look with a chrome covered humbucker in the bridge and a lipstick single in the neck? A couple of things were standing in the way though. First, I was without a workspace, having sacrificed it to the needs of a certain 4 year old and her lego. Second, while I wanted to make the mods, I couldn't be bothered. Not sure why, but there it is. This weekend though, both kids sleeping with nothing to do meant there was a window open, and I was going to take it. There are a couple of things worth noting before I get into how I'm a moron. The...

Modifying guitars can be a great way to turn the guitar you have into the guitar you want.  Be careful though, because the definition of "the guitar you want" changes from week to week.  Last week's Tobacco Burst Les Paul quickly turns into this week's Pepto Bismol Pink Kramer. Because Hair. Pickups are normally where most people start, and with options at every point on the price scale, there are a ton of great options out there.  Here are some important things to keep in mind: Learn How to Solder If you can't install your own pickups, you're either shutting the door on a world of great tone or demonstrating that you have more money than brains (because you'll pay someone 50 bucks an hour to do it for you instead of learning yourself).  For $30 you can get yourself basic soldering iron, some rosin core solder and some wire.  With tons of resources online to teach you how to do it properly, and Seymour Duncan's excellent collection of...