This is one of the last MIJ Breezies before production headed overseas and that MIJ soul and quality character was lost. We choose Evil Sheep pick-ups for our Dreambuild Teles - Mark truly understands the characteristics we need for these MIJ guitars. An Evil Sheep tapped Alnico 5 pick-up now provides the bridge tones - either traditional tele, or a fuller mid-boosted hotter tone that works clean as well as driven. It's neither P-90 nor humbucker - it retains the tele characteristic but thickens up the sound. Unlike coil split humbuckers, there is no dramatic rise or drop in volume between the normal and hot outputs - just a thickening and introduction of more lower mid frequencies to provide a fuller sound - ok, and yes, a bit louder on the clean channel.
 
The mini-toggle between the controls on the black control plate selects the output of the bridge pick-up. ATE-50 Breezies had modern but disappointing specs for controls, so we binned the mini-pots and the sealed switch and replaced them with premium CTS pots, a Sozo PIO capacitor, a CRL switch and a Switchcraft output jack; all connected with proper Gavitt.
 
Also, gone is the TE-VBK bridge plate, and in its place is a new Gotoh Ti-TC2 chrome flat plate - no more uncomfortable palm muting. The titanium barrels provide a very clean and defined attitude to the sound.
 
Everything else is pure Tokai - the weight is substantial at 3.9kg (8lbs 10oz), but not overly heavy. This extra few lbs is disguised very well with a slim C neck profile and fatter frets - not the super skinny profiles and narrow frets seen in most MIJ teles of the 90s.
 
This Tokai is stage ready - a very giggable guitar with the little sonic tricks up its sleeve will probably get you through a whole set without the need to swap guitars.
 
Why stop here? We can upgrade the neck pick-up too, make it into a Cornwell tribute with an interesting middle pick-up - most things are possible, but this level of upgrade keeps the price manageable and gets you a reliable, fantastic playing and sounding, premium looking Tele for less than the price of an MIM Player Plus.