NGD: 2002-ish AVRI Custom Telecaster OTM

[JSett]

The other thread got bogged down into another discussion so I thought it fitting to start anew.

This landed earlier. An early 2000's Tele in Ocean Turquoise. Its VERY greened now though, almost looks like a light Sherwood in person. I've colour-corrected the pictures as best I can on my phone but it's still not that close. The phone turns it blue, which is common for phone camera sensors I've found.

Anyway, I knew this was coming without electronics and a bridge - which was part of the reason I got it for a good price - and I would be changing all that stuff anyway. So I went straight to it.

As it arrived (well, it came in a box, otherwise this might be a different NGD story):









Tan lines...



Quite a light piece of rosewood...



A little flame on the neck, that's nice...





One-hole volume only plate (with dummy tone load under the hood...



American Original 60s Bridge pickup...



Gotoh cut wall bridge with compensated brass saddles...







With it's younger comrade...



I've only played it briefly as the neck is settling for the setup but, from what I can tell, its great. The neck is noticeably thinner than the AO60s one but still very comfortable. Feels more Like a JM/Strat profile to me. Sounds like a Telecaster. It's lighter than my other one too. I haven't weighed it yet but it's for sure a lighter lump.

I kinda wish it was a little less greened-out but it's still a beautiful colour. The binding is super yellow now too.

[F15hface]

Sorry for the meme and the prior derailment.

Looks cool, great pair. This is backing up the bmm for live duties right?
Also, the ouch sticker

[Gav Haus]

I had an 07 AVRI JM years back with a similarly stripy board to that. Love the greening of the body though, that’d be a plus in my book - looks great.

[JSett]

Sorry for the meme and the prior derailment.

Looks cool, great pair. This is backing up the bmm for live duties right?
Also, the ouch sticker

No problem about the derailment...I do it all the time

This will probably get a Kinman at some point but I'm in no great rush. The AO60s pickup sounds great anyway and I don't play with a ton of gain ever really. You are correct this is as a backup to the BMM - but that's obviously a semi-excuse to buy a new guitar ahahah *rubs hands*

I had an 07 AVRI JM years back with a similarly stripy board to that. Love the greening of the body though, that’d be a plus in my book - looks great.

I don't mind the greening, but I would prefer it to be a little less is all. It's not make-or-break.

[sal paradise]

If you get bored of it I’ll buy it off you & re-learn guitar right-handed. I think it’s gorgeous.

[zhivago]

That is one sweet looking Fender!!!

I have always had a soft spot for this model in this colour. Ever since I saw one at Peter Cook’s in Hanwell over 20 years ago.

Very cool!

[JamesSGBrown]

Ooof Johnny. Can I get UK bro dibs if you ever move it on 🥹
I snagged a beat up 86 double bound Japanese ri on the weekend, awaiting delivery. Can’t beat a bound tele

[sal paradise]

That is one sweet looking Fender!!!

I have always had a soft spot for this model in this colour. Ever since I saw one at Peter Cook’s in Hanwell over 20 years ago.

Very cool!

That’s where/when I first laid my eyes on & fell in love with the avri 52 Tele. And now I own one

[efiug]

how does the dummy tone work? just a capacitor wired to the volume pot output before it gets to the jack? I'm wiring up a 1 pickup guitar and wondering if i should try this out.

[JSett]

how does the dummy tone work? just a capacitor wired to the volume pot output before it gets to the jack? I'm wiring up a 1 pickup guitar and wondering if i should try this out.

Yeah, it's just a cap and resistor in series between lug 1 and 3 on the volume pot. It stimulates the load of a tone pot on max and helps tame a little of the shrill highs. I use a 50nF and a resistor as close to the same size as the tone pot would have been (250k). It's subtle but it works.

[luau]

Those both look really great.

And congrats on all the free foam.

[Embenny]

That looks great.

You're going to need a guitar rack of your own soon. Welcome back to the dark side.

[ThePearDream]

how does the dummy tone work? just a capacitor wired to the volume pot output before it gets to the jack? I'm wiring up a 1 pickup guitar and wondering if i should try this out.

Yeah, it's just a cap and resistor in series between lug 1 and 3 on the volume pot. It stimulates the load of a tone pot on max and helps tame a little of the shrill highs. I use a 50nF and a resistor as close to the same size as the tone pot would have been (250k). It's subtle but it works.

That's a great trick. Hadn't heard of that before. Great color too. It looks nice with the BMM. I need some OTM (and BMM) in my collection again someday.

[garyptaszek]

how does the dummy tone work? just a capacitor wired to the volume pot output before it gets to the jack? I'm wiring up a 1 pickup guitar and wondering if i should try this out.

Yeah, it's just a cap and resistor in series between lug 1 and 3 on the volume pot. It stimulates the load of a tone pot on max and helps tame a little of the shrill highs. I use a 50nF and a resistor as close to the same size as the tone pot would have been (250k). It's subtle but it works.

Just get a better sounding pickup that’s not so shrill.. something higher output

[JVG]

And congrats on all the free foam.

Haha - hadn’t noticed the foam until reading this. Genuine lol here.

Beautiful guitar by the way, in case enough people haven’t already said it!