Substitute MFDs with custom Tele pups

[felixq78]

I've been the proud owner of a 1991-92 ASAT Classic Leo Fender Commemorative guitar.
It's a great ax but the MFD pickups sound more like a quiet version of P-90s from a 1956 Les Paul.
I already have an Historic 1956 Goldtop so I would prefer the ASAT sounds more like a Telecaster which is what I'd originally expected.
I have a set of custom made Harmony Specials by Brierley pickups from South Australia.
They used to be fitted to a MIM Telecaster and they were amazing,. Mick makes his pups to the customer's specs and in my case he got it right first go.
I'm planning to replace the MFDs with them, has anyone replaced MFDs with a pair of Custom Tele pups in one of these Commemorative ASATs ?
Is it just a simple swap as in a stock Telecaster or is there something I should watch out for?

[brianr0131]

I swapped out for noiseless in my Tribute classic. I assume your setup is similar. Everything was straight forward. The neck pickup on my G&L screwed directly into the wood as opposed to the pickguard like most Fenders do. So, I just used the screws from the MFDs on the new pickups. It was very straight forward. Good luck. I hope you get the sound you're looking for.

[blargfromouterspace]

It is indeed a straight swap.

The neck pickup on my G&L screwed directly into the wood as opposed to the pickguard like most Fenders do. So, I just used the screws from the MFDs on the new pickups...

Be careful if you do this. Just last week I broke the chrome cover of a replacement pickup by using the G&L screw instead of the screw the replacement pickup came with. If it's a tight fit, drill the hole in the cover out a bit to accomodate the G&L screw.

Do the Brierley's have a gold cover? Chrome might clash with the gold on that commemorative model

[Boogie Bill]

I might think VERY carefully before doing that.

This model promises to be one of the most highly desirable and collectible of all G&Ls. Most collectors want a guitar in excellent condition--something so simple as non-original solder joints can adversely affect the value, often by hundreds of dollars in the price of a vintage guitar.

If it were mine, and I say this only since the guitar is a Commemorative and not a run-of-the-mill ASAT Classic, I would keep it as pristine and unmolested as possible. Go get a Road-Worn Tele, a Squire, or even another ASAT Classis to modify and play out.

My two cents.

Best of luck,

Bill

[blargfromouterspace]

I might think VERY carefully before doing that.

This model promises to be one of the most highly desirable and collectible of all G&Ls. Most collectors want a guitar in excellent condition--something so simple as non-original solder joints can adversely affect the value, often by hundreds of dollars in the price of a vintage guitar.

Maybe Bill is right - I came across this one on ebay and almost soiled my trousers when I saw the asking price. That guitar would be best left as it is!

[brianr0131]

It is indeed a straight swap.

The neck pickup on my G&L screwed directly into the wood as opposed to the pickguard like most Fenders do. So, I just used the screws from the MFDs on the new pickups...

Be careful if you do this. Just last week I broke the chrome cover of a replacement pickup by using the G&L screw instead of the screw the replacement pickup came with. If it's a tight fit, drill the hole in the cover out a bit to accomodate the G&L screw.

This is a good point. I used the G&L screws because they were wood screws. The ones that came with it were threaded screws meant to be used for pickguard mount.