The Fifth Course

Took the Altered Tele to band practice last night, and used it in tunes on which I normally play mandolin (acoustic). It performed well. It's naturally quite different than my Vessel F5, but the advantages are numerous.

1) It's audible in a full band situation; no SM57 required.
2) It goes through the same signal chain as my Mando(la)bird.
3) It has greater range than a guitar.
4) It's more versatile than the Mando(la)bird, it can cover some of my mandolin duties, ...

Some detail about the instrument and the experience...

My mid-80s Fender Squier Telecaster is not stock. I mean besides the fact that it has only 5 strings. I think it has an alder body, I know it has a one-piece maple neck. The neck is amazing, I am never getting rid of this guitar.

Around 1992 I yanked out both pickups, bought a stacked humbucker, wiring kit, and controls from Carvin Guitars and installed, the humbucker in the neck position. It took a little work ...

I've had my favorite solid body electric guitar, mid 80's Fender Squier Telecaster, tuned in fifths for a few years now (CGDAE), but
1) never had a regular use for it and
2) never really liked the low C, it was too low for the scale length I think.

Recently I slapped a capo on the 7th fret and played it GDAEB. Ahhh, nice. But a little limiting given the length of the neck and the poor intonation. Compromise, tune DAEBF# and capo at the fifth fret. Better. But it occurred ...