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Post subject: Need to pinpoint a model.
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 7:24 pm
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Hello all!

I have fallen in love with Fender.. it took a long time but it did happend! :) This being said, I am not knowledgeable about specific models but I do have a specific need.

I am looking for a Telecaster and I want the clean tone from a single coil AND a humbucker for grunt. I would prefer no active piclups. Budget wise, I will likely need to go to a MIM axe. Any suggestion as to what model I should look for?

Thank you


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Post subject: Re: Need to pinpoint a model.
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 9:18 pm
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There are not a lot of current models that sport a humbucker, but not two of them:

- Classic Series '72 Telecaster Custom has a singe-coil diagonal bridge pickup, and a neck humbucker. MIM, $800 street.

- USA Professional Telecaster HS has a bridge humbucker and a neck single-coil. USA, $1000 street.

That's basically it in the $1000 and below segment.

Some stores may still have some of the Chinese made "Modern Player" teles, but I would not recommend that. Then you might as well look at Squier, where the high end is generally considered better than low end China Fenders.

Another option is a Baja tele, which while it has two single coil pickups, has a unique four-position switch as well as a push button, giving you the option to run in serial or parallel, in and out of phase. One of the settings sounds very much like you have a big fat humbucker. MIM, $800 street

Finally, you might want to go for a SS tele, and replace one of the pickups with a Vintage Noiseless or N3 noiseless pickup. Those are humbuckers in a single coil size package.


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Post subject: Re: Need to pinpoint a model.
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 11:28 pm
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Check out the Baja, as already stated.
It's MIM, it's not an entry level guitar, it has very good pickups, you have either the '50 and the '60 styles (maple vs rosewood).
I can speak for the '50, I own a blonde one, it's an amazing guitar. The neck is a chunky soft V which is to die for, 21 frets with 9.25" radius, she rings like none of my Strats, the single coils sounds beautiful (and if I'm not wrong are the same installed in the 52 vintage reissue.......), the look is a super classic like the 52, the fourth position which put the two single coils in series it's a bright idea, you have a thicker, humbuckerish tone.
I don't care that much for the additional sounds provided with the s1 switch.
Very nice, check it out!!!


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Post subject: Re: Need to pinpoint a model.
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 8:24 am
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The MIM Standard Telecaster HH comes with 2 humbuckers and a push-pull knob that allows you to split the coil on the bridge pickup giving you the choice of humbucker or single coil in that position. Affordable at well under $1,000.00.


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Post subject: Re: Need to pinpoint a model.
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 4:48 pm
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Thank you for the suggestions! I will look into them.


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Post subject: Re: Need to pinpoint a model.
Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2015 12:48 am
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FrankVicto wrote:
I am looking for a Telecaster and I want the clean tone from a single coil AND a humbucker for grunt. I would prefer no active piclups. Budget wise, I will likely need to go to a MIM axe. Any suggestion as to what model I should look for?

Unless you just have to have a brand new guitar, there's plenty options on the second hand section.
Plus, you could mod any single coil Tele with a single coil sized humbucker.
The latter might be the best option - there's a lot more to a guitar feeling right for you than just pickup configuration. Get a guitar with your favorite features (neck profile, radius, frets, fretboard, body version...) and upgrade one pup.


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Post subject: Re: Need to pinpoint a model.
Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2015 5:54 am
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jmattis wrote:
Plus, you could mod any single coil Tele with a single coil sized humbucker.
The latter might be the best option

Yes, but it requires the help of a good tech or someone familiar with this mod. Matching a humbucker with a single coil on a guitar that doesn't have separate volume/tone controls generally needs some small resistor/cap mods. Just replacing one pup, matching the stated impedance to the old pup, tends to give a combination that sounds good only when dimed.


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Post subject: Re: Need to pinpoint a model.
Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2015 2:00 pm
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arth1 wrote:
it requires the help of a good tech or someone familiar with this mod
True, I took that too much for granted on my post.

arth1 wrote:
Just replacing one pup, matching the stated impedance to the old pup, tends to give a combination that sounds good only when dimed.

Hmm... You mean there are other positions on the controls besides eleven?
:wink:


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Post subject: Re: Need to pinpoint a model.
Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2015 7:00 pm
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jmattis wrote:
FrankVicto wrote:
I am looking for a Telecaster and I want the clean tone from a single coil AND a humbucker for grunt. I would prefer no active piclups. Budget wise, I will likely need to go to a MIM axe. Any suggestion as to what model I should look for?

Unless you just have to have a brand new guitar, there's plenty options on the second hand section.
Plus, you could mod any single coil Tele with a single coil sized humbucker.
The latter might be the best option - there's a lot more to a guitar feeling right for you than just pickup configuration. Get a guitar with your favorite features (neck profile, radius, frets, fretboard, body version...) and upgrade one pup.


You are so right! I did try a couple of brand new Teles this week-end but they just were not "it". I have a home build Strat that was build specifically for me. It has no street value but no other guitar has ever felt so good to me. I just might want to build my Tele using the knowledge from what worked on the Strat.


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