Another bargain--a mod project?

funkypadre · #1 June 20th, 2008

I was trolling this local store and found this Tele copy for $32.50 (it originally retailed for $149.95). I've pulled about 4 guitars out of this store and never paid over $35 for any of them. This is a discontinued brand and it had been sitting in the store for about 3 years. It's a major chain in Texas, and I guess they do this all of the time. So far I've kept one (a Silvertone SIK-11, Shredder), sold one (a Paul Stanley Sovereign Special by Silvertone), given one as a gift (a classical guitar by Telluride--that wasn't bad either), and now this Tele copy.

I've been thinking about doing a mod project and now I think I have a candidate. Anyone know of any good guitar modding guides? I was going to go to Guitar Fetish for ideas on parts, etc.

Anyone have any good resources on painting a guitar?

I tried it out and I was surprised to hear how hot the neck pickup was. Bridge pickup is pretty good. Pots very fair, selector switch seems kind of flimsy, and the tuners and hardware are predictably cheap. But for less than $35, I have something I can mod. Oh, and the color is atrocious.

krissovo · #2 June 20th, 2008

I love the color!

Sweet guitar for the price, did you snap a string already?

funkypadre · #3 June 20th, 2008

Yes, I did snap a string on my test run. These were the strings from the original set up and likely, old. I am going to change the strings tonight. I just bought this baby 3 hours ago!

allthumbs · #4 June 20th, 2008

Put on some custom saddles and base plate. Intone Saddles
GLENDALE INTONE COMPENSATED SADDLES

starsailor · #5 June 21st, 2008

Nice guitar funkypadre looks like a great project, hadn't heard of Tellaride before, this thread has a couple of links to paint sites, Spraytechs the Member to ask about painting he's an expert

Guitar painting

thodwris · #6 June 21st, 2008

I haven't heard of that model,but it sure looks nice.Congrats.Good luck with your project.Have fun...

funkypadre · #7 June 21st, 2008

starsailor and all thumbs... thanks for the recommendations. I will followup on both.

funkypadre · #8 June 21st, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by thodwris

I haven't heard of that model,but it sure looks nice.Congrats.Good luck with your project.Have fun...

Telluride is a company out of Oklahoma. Their guitars are typically at Hastings stores (which is regional chain--I am in Texas). I think they are "out of business" as their website is closed for non-payment (see www.telluride.aandemusic.com), and I have not seen any new products in the stores I mentioned.

They do have a decent, low budget (~$200.00) acoustic electric (see: Telluride TD-5CE: Harmony Central User Reviews) that I am hoping to see marked down at the store from which I purchased this Tele.

Anyway, I saw this as something cheaper than a kit and something on which to experiment. I am moving to North Carolina, so it will have to wait. I will post pics as I modify it.

thodwris · #9 June 21st, 2008

From the review that you posted,it seems like an impressive instrument.I wish you find it soon and go get it!Good luck with your moving in N.Carolina,I hope it works out great and again good luck with your project.Looking forward to seeing the pictures...Have fun there!See you around...
All the best,
Theo

funkypadre · #10 June 21st, 2008

Thanks, Theo. I hope that this move is worth all of the hassle. Look for pics in the future.

Cheers,

Clif

thodwris · #11 June 22nd, 2008

You are welcome Clif,nice to meet you by the way

.I think it will be worth it.It is up to you to make it worth it.I think it'll be just fine...Good luck again...
All the best,
Theo

knight46 · #12 June 23rd, 2008

Congrats on the new aquire Clif, good luck with the mod. I am with Kriss, I kind of like the color.

funkypadre · #13 June 23rd, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by knight46

Congrats on the new aquire Clif, good luck with the mod. I am with Kriss, I kind of like the color.

Thanks, Knight. The color is starting to grow on me. I typically like guitars that are more "classic" or traditional in color, but I've found since changing the strings and playing it for 3 days, the color has very little to do with enjoying it.

Brucehum · #14 June 23rd, 2008

Great find, yes! That will surely be a lovely project guitar.

And the colour, it is quite different, so it makes it special, loveable.

Here in Spain, I've never been able to see anything go for less than 70 euro (chinese stuff). That would be the cheap of the cheap.

For example, the Paul Stanley Sovereign you sold, in USA you could find it for $99 (or maybe less, as you seem to imply?), here in the few shops that still have it, it is 350€, as special discount 295€, when they have. (and I'm talking about the normal one, not the pro)

funkypadre · #15 June 23rd, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brucehum

Great find, yes! That will surely be a lovely project guitar.

And the colour, it is quite different, so it makes it special, loveable.

Here in Spain, I've never been able to see anything go for less than 70 euro (chinese stuff). That would be the cheap of the cheap.

For example, the Paul Stanley Sovereign you sold, in USA you could find it for $99 (or maybe less, as you seem to imply?), here in the few shops that still have it, it is 350€, as special discount 295€, when they have. (and I'm talking about the normal one, not the pro)

I've been a magnet for cheap guitars, but I think that this particular Hastings store is inclined to "dump" guitars rather than keep them on the shelves. I've been lucky enough to catch them as they were marked down. I paid $35 for that Paul Stanley Sovereign Special and then sold it months later for $135 on E-bay. I liked the guitar, but my wife was tired of the space that my guitars were taking in the home. Now I wish that I kept it.

Anyway, $35 is an anomaly for a guitar--even Chinese made guitars. I have seen those Sovereigns for $99 on Ebay, but not retail. I think retailers were selling them as low as $129 at one time.