It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:18 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 7 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: A humbucker in the neck position of a Tele?
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:18 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2009 2:05 pm
Posts: 148
I'm going through the process of picking out a Tele and have been thinking about why some folks go for a humbucker in the neck position instead of the standard Tele single coil. Please bear in mind that I haven't played a Tele in years.

Some of the possible reasons I thought of for this choice were:
1) The standard Tele single coil is weak compared to the bridge pickup so using a humbucker helps to balance the output between the bridge and neck positions.

2) Some folks just want a different range of tones that only a humbucker can offer.

I'm looking to get a Tele for a the classic standard Tele tones so I'm leaning towards a single coil in the neck but I'd appreciate if folks that have gone with a humbucker in the neck would chime in with the reason(s) behind their choice.

Thank you.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 12:02 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:13 am
Posts: 3317
Location: The Alpha Quadrant.
For me its simply tonal options. I like to go from the smooth and creamy bucker tot the soaring brightness of the bridge pick-up.

Plus take note I play a Classic Series RI of a 72 Tele Custom so I have separate volume and tone controls for each which creates more tonal options as I can blend the pick-ups when the selector is in the middle.

I'm sure poeple will have different reasons than me though.

Cheers,

CC

_________________
Fender Stratocaster (parts build)
Fender Telecaster 72 Custom RI
Fender Telecoustic Deluxe
Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet
Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
Gibson ES-135
Zenith Type-17
Marshall 70's JMP Superbass 100w
Blackstar HT-5


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 12:02 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:28 pm
Posts: 651
Location: Boston, Ma. USA
I mainly use single coils, but added a tele with a humbucker at the neck to produce a different tone on certain songs we cover. Keith Richard (rolling stones), Albert Collins, Denny Dias (steely dan), Jeff Beck on the song "we ended as lovers", Robbie Robertson with The Band, and Andy Summers of the Police are a few players that have used H.B's at the neck position on teles. The H.B's at the neck of a tele add a gutty mid-range and bass sound, warm and powerful to the guitar. It's a nice option to have.

_________________
2012 American Vintage Telecaster 1958
09 Fender american deluxe strat.
97 Gibson les paul special P90's double-cut
65 Princeton reverb re-issue
2010 Guild Gad-F40e


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 12:34 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2009 2:05 pm
Posts: 148
Thank you for sharing your opinions and please keep them coming.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:14 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2007 6:25 pm
Posts: 693
Location: High on a Mountain Top
To me there is nothing better than the combination of the tele bridge and a vintage humbucker. First heard one in the early 70's and I've been hooked ever since. I owned/played dozens or guitars but no other guitar could produce that sweet sound kinda like cutting your heart out and kicking your butt in the same note. The factory combo's are good but I've felt that the homebuilt's just seem to nail the sound better. Don't know why, maybe cuz the pickups came out of the guitars that the players loved and were melded together for something unique. 8) :idea:


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 6:06 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:51 pm
Posts: 25353
Location: Witness Protection Program
I've been liking the sounds of a local guy's Tele with a lipstick tube pickup in the neck position. Sounds shweet!

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 3:30 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:08 pm
Posts: 2472
Location: Virginia
I like the HB neck, SC Bridge PU Tele config. Perhaps if you want the best of both worlds, a neck HB, bridge SC, but a 4-way switch, with the extra position for the neck HB to be split and just using one of the coils...

_________________
RAMA LAMA FA FA FA


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 7 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: