because is was shop soiled (it had a small dent in the fretboard).
To me the guitar was not really suitable as a player.
The reasons for this were:
1- The fretboard reflects like a mirror.
Due to the reflection you would see twelve strings instead of 6 strings.
Very hard to pick the right one.
2- The pick up was mounted too close to the bridge resulting in a nasty trebly sound.
In addition, the pick up was of substandard quality with hum.
3- The bridge was a flimsy piece of thin sheet metal.
4- There is a huge cavity under the very thin metal control plate.
As the bridge was on top of the control plate and it was seated just above the cavity,
the bridge worked like a banjo bridge on a banjo skin.
Result: No sustain and it sounded a little like a banjo.
I decided to make it a player so here are the tasks I set out to do:
1- Fix the fretboard somehow.
2- Get a better pick up and move it away from the bridge.
3- Get a better bridge
4- Get a better mechanical connection to the body
Here is what I did:
1- I sprayed the fretboard with a matte laquer. The result is that the guitar still looks the same
but the nasty reflection has gone and the dent became almost invisible.
(Notice that the reflection of the pencil is still in the keyhead,
but there is hardly any reflection on the fretboard.)
2- Nic du Toit gave me a couple of 6 string pick ups to play with.
I installed a Fender Lace Sensor for the moment. No more hum!
3- I got a Telecaster bridge assembly from StewMac which allowed me to move the
pick up away from the bridge for a warmer tone.
I just had to cut a bigger hole in the thin control plate for the pick up's new position.
It is a much better bridge which is fully adjustable.
4- The Telecaster assembly is a solid metal plate making a better connection to the body
with the new big screws. There is a huge improvement in sustain.
My Costs:
1 spray can with matte laquer - $ 7.00
1 Telecaster bridge assembly #0099 - $ 27.70
1 6 string pick up - Free from a Friend.
