u/Alpineholydog

I was inspired by Alex Lifeson’s interview with Rick Beato where he discussed and brought out his early 80’s 50’s Reissue telecaster. He related that 80% of Rush material since that time written on that guitar. He sanded the finish off the fretboard and neck and threw on brass Armadillo Mighty Might saddles similar to what Andy Summers of The Police had at the time. Lifeson’s sound was strongly influenced by Summers at the time. He has Psoriatic Arthritis and claims the lack of finish is easier on his fingers.

Got a shot at a nice 2018 50’s Reissue telecaster. Had a nice relic on it. Played great. But inspiration leads to folly.

Took off the finish on the neck which was a tad harder than described. Left finish on my fretboard. Thought it really would not make a difference for me or the sound.

Armadillo is sadly out of business but found similar saddles online. Was not told these were really intended for Stratocasters.

First purchased bridge plate was wrong due to string holes not lining up at all. I bought one that was traditional ‘50’s reissue which would fit the ashtray. Sadly this was wrong. Had the guitar Pleked and Gotoh tuners installed which matched the relic’d look great. Played like a dream. Just felt like an idea unfinished though. An itch.

Pivoted to a modern 6 saddle bridge plate once that figured out. Back to luthier with fingers crossed.

String holes matched. On intonating found out that saddles intended for a Statocaster as mentioned earlier screws not long enough for G through e strings. John at Straight Frets Houston though saw that filing a tiny 1/16 bit of meat off the saddle might work.

Indeed. Spot on. Excellent work.

Got it back today. Just killer action and tone. Bright as hell.

Folly paid off.

Special thanks to John at Straight Frets Houston for his excellent work.

Pics are prior to any work. After neck sanding. After Gotoh Saddles thrown on. Lastly, the final outcome and how he filed the saddles. Last picture is next to my American Performer Humbucker Telecaster.

I recently purchased a 2018 50’s American Original Telecaster. After watching him and Beato discuss his Tele. On a mission to make Lifeson’s Go-To telecaster on which he claims he writes 80% of Rush guitar material. His is an 80’s reissue. He stripped off the finish of neck and fingerboard to suit his arthritis. He has Armadillo Mighty Might brass saddles -6 like Andy Summers. So far have neck sanded down. Used 400 grit followed by 1600. Very smooth. More tools to get it perfect on the way. So far plays like a dream. Awaiting 6 hole bridge plate and 6 Mighty Might brass saddles. I have to finish the neck and bravely go onto fretboard to remove the finish off. Will post progress as it goes. Already feels and sounds cool. Will de relic’d as well. Will post update coming soon.