I destroyed my Telecasters resale value...

[GuitarIV]

...and I'm happy I did!

Long story short, bought a 75th Anniversary Commemorative Telecaster about 2 years ago during the pandemic:



Fell in love with the guitar... the feel, the looks, and the sound... oh my god the thing sounds bloody great!


Now I just can't leave things be. Every guitar that has stayed with me over the years has gotten some kind of upgrade, simply to make it mine.

I also hate 60 cycle hum and since I play loud and with plenty of overdrive with the band I replaced the pickups with some DiMarzio noiseless singles....


Wich caused a problem: the guitar started squealing like a stuck pig as soon as I'd up the volume and the overdrive...



So here I am, stuck with a guitar I love but can't use with the band... it took me months to make this decision but last week I said "fuck it!"


Ordered a Gotoh 6 saddle replacement bridge and brought the guitar to my luthier to drill the 4 holes required to mount it:




The original bridge is thin, and I mean thin up to the point where it starts vibrating like a Mofo when the volume and the gain increase... also Fender decided to completely change the location of the mounting screws on the new American Pro 2 guitars so no aftermarket bridge from a different manufacturer would fit without drilling new holes... good move Fender!



Anyway, the Gotoh bridge is THICK and heavy, 3mms at least. Nothing vibrates, everything is solid and sturdy. Feels high quality. My Telecaster can scream again!


So I think... I love the guitar and don't plan on ever selling it. Now that it's back from the luthier with a full fret dress, nut job, setup and the new bridge it's even better than before... should I really care that I devalued it if it made the guitar more valuable to me personally? At the end of the day it's a tool to make music and the guitar feels like home everytime I pick it up. I have no regrets whatsoever.

Just wanted to share. Let me know what you guys think, cheers!

 

[PelliX]

If that makes it work for you, then it works! I've got a 60th Anni Tele and I couldn't get on with the 'Strat style' saddles. Put on the same ones as you, though I left the bridge plate in place. Replaced the pickups for - believe it or not - cheaper MIM style ceramics. It's a killer guitar now instead of just one that looks awesome. I've got all the original parts and nothing irreversible has been done to it yet, but I might go down.

I like the look of that Tele, enjoy in good health!

 

[BlueX]

I think you did the right thing. Musical instruments are meant to play, even old Stradivarius violins are being used. As long as the mod is made in a good way I don't see a problem. Collector's value is something different, but I'm not into that.

Remember your "NGD" post on that guitar (unless I'm confused). Great looking, and good to see that it's now also a great player!

 

[Mike_LA]

I think you've increased it's value to a player . . .

 

[GustHFS]

So I think... I love the guitar and don't plan on ever selling it.

So if you don't plan to sell it you haven't destroyed your Tele's resale value, as stated on the thread title.
Play that thing now 'til your fingers bleed, and be happy


Gust

 

[Gutch220]

If you become super famous, you will increase the value of the guitar that you never plan on selling.

 

[ido1957]

Agreed that it's a tool and any mod (within reason) that makes it easier to play is cool.

 

[V-man]

Floyd that bitch.

 

[Maxbrothman]

Get a gold toggle switch you can pull off and use as a mini-slide.

 

[DirtySteve]

I put the same bridge on my Tele only black. It made a huge difference for the better.

 

[Obi Plexi-nobi]

It's Excellent! No worries.

 

[Marshall Stack]

I have the same guitar. I'm not sure if they will be collectable or anything like that...

 

[lespaul339]

Some guitars I leave stock and some I don't. Just depends what I want out of the guitar. I never worry about resale value. If you can modify it to be what you want it to be then why not? That is, as long as it's not a super valuable vintage guitar.

 

[El Gringo]

...and I'm happy I did!

Long story short, bought a 75th Anniversary Commemorative Telecaster about 2 years ago during the pandemic:

View attachment 129720

Fell in love with the guitar... the feel, the looks, and the sound... oh my god the thing sounds bloody great!


Now I just can't leave things be. Every guitar that has stayed with me over the years has gotten some kind of upgrade, simply to make it mine.

I also hate 60 cycle hum and since I play loud and with plenty of overdrive with the band I replaced the pickups with some DiMarzio noiseless singles....


Wich caused a problem: the guitar started squealing like a stuck pig as soon as I'd up the volume and the overdrive...



So here I am, stuck with a guitar I love but can't use with the band... it took me months to make this decision but last week I said "fuck it!"


Ordered a Gotoh 6 saddle replacement bridge and brought the guitar to my luthier to drill the 4 holes required to mount it:

View attachment 129723 View attachment 129721 View attachment 129722


The original bridge is thin, and I mean thin up to the point where it starts vibrating like a Mofo when the volume and the gain increase... also Fender decided to completely change the location of the mounting screws on the new American Pro 2 guitars so no aftermarket bridge from a different manufacturer would fit without drilling new holes... good move Fender!



Anyway, the Gotoh bridge is THICK and heavy, 3mms at least. Nothing vibrates, everything is solid and sturdy. Feels high quality. My Telecaster can scream again!


So I think... I love the guitar and don't plan on ever selling it. Now that it's back from the luthier with a full fret dress, nut job, setup and the new bridge it's even better than before... should I really care that I devalued it if it made the guitar more valuable to me personally? At the end of the day it's a tool to make music and the guitar feels like home everytime I pick it up. I have no regrets whatsoever.

Just wanted to share. Let me know what you guys think, cheers!

Man I applaud your work in making this Tele work properly . Never mind about the devaluing , as this was an important mod ! (that many do )

 

[saxon68]

When you become famous they’ll all want to make theirs like your signature model.

 

[GuitarIV]

I think you did the right thing. Musical instruments are meant to play, even old Stradivarius violins are being used. As long as the mod is made in a good way I don't see a problem. Collector's value is something different, but I'm not into that.

Remember your "NGD" post on that guitar (unless I'm confused). Great looking, and good to see that it's now also a great player!

Yeah, I made a NGD thread about it and I'm as happy with the guitar as I was when I got it

I have the same guitar. I'm not sure if they will be collectable or anything like that...

They are the 75th Anniversary Editions, so they might go up in value, but I didn't get it to flip it again at a later date. Love the gold hardware and the bourbon burst finish, it just looks awesome

When you become famous they’ll all want to make theirs like your signature model.

Hahaha, as a matter of fact the mods were a bit inspired by Richie Kotzen signature Telecaster. Got the DiMarzio Chopper T in the bridge and it's a great sounding and very versatile pickup

 

[Torren61]

Generally speaking, when it comes to a non-run-of-the-mill guitar, there are no "upgrades". There are only changes. Nice Tele! If the changes worked for you, then SWEET!

 

[DJGranite]

Keep the original parts in a baggie in the case.
Sold with the original parts it will hold value.
Or just put the original parts back before selling.

 

[GuitarIV]

Keep the original parts in a baggie in the case.
Sold with the original parts it will hold value.
Or just put the original parts back before selling.

If I ever decide on selling it, that's exactly the plan