Part 2: Upgrades Squier Limited Edition Classic Vibe ’60 Telecaster Custom SH

Last week I rolled out an “On the Bench” video where I covered the Squier Limited Edition Classic Vibe ’60 Telecaster Custom SH.

I came away liking the guitar. I mentioned at the end a few upgrades or modifications that I would make if I had the chance. I am not saying that the guitar needs these modifications. I am doing the modifications because I thought it would be fun to take something I kind of sad flippantly at the end of the last video and actually do it in another video.

Here is what I said:

I would upgrade the electronics and add push pull coil splitting on the neck pickup. Also, maybe a four-position switch to add a Series position for both pickups.

I think this would look very cool to black out by replacing the chrome hardware (bridge, tuners, etc.) with black hardware.


I was lazy and purchased everything for the upgrade from Amazon.com. The links are in the video description.

Here is what I picked up:

Metallor Black Guitar String Trees for $7.99

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CGWPVPR?...


Dopro 8 Hole Matte Aluminum Tele Humbucker Pickguard Metal Anodized TL Pick Guard for $22.77

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C4PSH1P4?...

KAISH Black Split Post Vintage Guitar Tuning Keys Tuners Machine Heads for Strat/Tele for $18.99

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JLT92OK?...

4-Bolt Electric Guitar Replacement Neckplate Bass Metal Neck Plate with Screws for FD Strat Tele or Basses Black for $8.99

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CPD7D5C?...


Alnicov Guitar Strap Buttons Pins Metal End, Strap Locks For Guitar Bass, Black for $4.99

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KZQVZYV?...

Bogart Guitar Bridge Tailpiece 3 Pcs Zinc Saddles Bridge for Vintage Tele Telecaster Style Electric Guitar Parts Top or Bottom Load Ashtray Style Black for $16.99

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0915D3TB8?...


Vintage Forge Black Flat-Top Barrel Knobs for Fender Telecaster Guitar and Precision P-Bass (Set of 2) 1/4 Inch Solid Shaft BK3OUS-BLK for $12.99

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NKVCV2D?...

KAISH Black Brass Metric Electric Guitar Jackplate Electrosocket Jack Plate for FD Import Style Tele/Telecaster for $7.99

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JCKFEDQ?...


Musiclily 32mm Telecaster Control Plate for Fender Tele Electric Guitar Replacement, Black $9.99

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015II7RCM?...


Total - $111.69

For the electronics I used:

Genuine Bourns 500K Split Shaft Push-Pull Pot for Electric Guitar for $7.00

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...


The Art Of Tone CTS 500K Pot Short (3/8 inch) Solid Shaft, 10% Audio Taper, 10% Tolerance, for $9.00


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...

Guitar Switch 4 way Oak Grigsby Bulk Single for $11.99

https://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Switch-...


Resistor and Capacitor – nominal.

Switchcraft Output Jack - $7.99

$35.98

For the pickups I used:

For the bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan STL-1B Vintage Broadcaster Tele Bridge Pickup – Black for $86.91

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...


For the neck pickup: Seymour Duncan SH-2N Jazz Model Humbucker Neck Pickup - Electric Guitar $99.

https://www.squier-talk.com/threads/q...


Total - $185.91

Total for everything? $333.58

I have been stretching lately when building out wiring harnesses. Keeps me from getting board. In this case I took a diagram from a Seymour Duncan forum I found. Link to the diagram is in the video description.

https://www.squier-talk.com/threads/q...


When I saw the diagram, it was like someone had listened to me in the first video and made this drawing for me. It has a blade switch that is four way that allows for position for bridge and neck pickups in series. Yay!

Also it uses a push-pull 500k switch on the tone pot that allows for the neck humbucker to be split into a single coil for the three positions of the four-way switch that offer the neck pickup in some combination. So, all in all I get seven tones out of two pickups on a Telecaster – amazing!

There are two things you will have to get used to with this circuit. At least if you follow the diagram literally. It puts the tone pot where the volume pot normally is, and the volume pot is where the tone pot normally is. Of course, you could just swap them while assembling. I did not.