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Post subject: Difference between N3 and Noiseless pickups
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 2:48 pm
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I have noticed that the 2010 Deluxe Teles have a N3 bridge pickup, whereas the older ones have Noiseless pickups. What is the difference, if any? Are the both SCN?

I have a Strat with SCN pickups and I am not too keen on them, as they seem to make the sound very generic (not very Fender-ish).

Are there any other difference between 2010 and, say 2006 Deluxe Teles? For example do the older ones have the compounded 9.5-14 fretboard radius?


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Post subject: Re: Difference between N3 and Noiseless pickups
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 9:12 pm
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The compound radius is offered on the US Deluxes series produced after March 23, 2010. The pre-2010 models didn't had that feature.

I believe the N3s sound much better than the previous hum-free pickup designs.


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Post subject: Re: Difference between N3 and Noiseless pickups
Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:33 am
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Minor adjustment to Chromeface's post - the 2010 models were introduced on March 23, 2010. However, Fender had made some production runs of the 2010 models ahead of that date so they could start filling orders immediately on March 23. There are a few of these (both Teles and Strats) with DZ9XXXXXX (i.e. 2009) serial numbers hanging around. If they have the N3 pickups they also have the compound radius.

I don't know why Fender didn't introduce these at the NAMM show in January since I believe they were ready to roll at that time. Fender chose only to introduce the American Specials at that time.


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Post subject: Re: Difference between N3 and Noiseless pickups
Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:42 am
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The 2010's also have a N3 pickup in the neck. In addition to new pickups and a compound radius fretboard, and I'm not entirely sure if this is a post-2006 feature, the 2010's also have a body and heel contour. The 2010's also went with pearloid fret inlays instead of the abalone fret inlays. Last but not least, the new Deluxes come with a new SKB guitar case! Hope this helps and sorry if any of my information is incorrect! The experts will correct me I'm sure!

Btw, I've been waiting for my 2010 Deluxe for about 9 months now and got to play one within the past week or so at a local Guitar Center and the fit, finish, and sound are phenomenal. This will be my first Fender guitar, and to be honest, I kind of bought the guitar blind (never played it prior to buying it) but I couldn't be happier with my purchase.


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Post subject: Re: Difference between N3 and Noiseless pickups
Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 2:37 pm
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ohiho1010 wrote:
. . . and I'm not entirely sure if this is a post-2006 feature, the 2010's also have a body and heel contour. . . .


The body contour and top binding actually goes back to the 2nd generation Tele Plus that came out in late 1995; this is not the "Radiohead" version of the Tele Plus, the 2nd generation had 3 gold label (vintage tone) Lace Sensor pickups in a "Nashville" configuration (tele-sized neck pickup, strat-sized middle pickup, and tele-sized bridge pickup). That body contour and binding was carried forward to the 1st generation American Deluxe in 1998 (and those 1998s also had the "Nashville" configuration with a Strat noiseless pickup in the middle; the middle pickup was dropped for 1999). I'm not 100% sure when the contoured heel started, I know that the 2nd generation alder bodied American Deluxe Teles had them. I'm not sure if that started earlier than that (the contoured heel started on the American Deluxe Strats in late 2002 or early 2003). I also don't think that the 2004-2009 American Deluxe Ash Teles have the contours.


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Post subject: Re: Difference between N3 and Noiseless pickups
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 2:19 am
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American Deluxe Ash Teles use plain slab bodies and rectangular neckplates since their inception in 2004. They also sport an early 50's spaghetti decal instead of the raised silver-foil "appliqué" actually found on the alder-bodied models.

The contoured heel officially debuted in 2004. It was solely reserved for the "alder body" versions.


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Post subject: Re: Difference between N3 and Noiseless pickups
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 6:58 am
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So is the 2010 Am Dlx Tele superior than the previous generation thanks to its N3 pickups and compounded fretboard?

Can anyone who has played both generation give us an opinion?

I am seriously considering an Am Dlx 2006 Tele but if the 2010 Teles are much better, then I have no problem shelling out a bit more...


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Post subject: Re: Difference between N3 and Noiseless pickups
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:02 am
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Not necessarily superior; just newer. If possible I would play them both and see which one you like better. Pickups are always a subjective thing; for me I have never cared for any noiseless pickup compared to the American Vintage pickups - of course I haven't had a chance to try out a new model with the N3s yet. Similarly the compound radius is also a subjective thing.


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Post subject: Re: Difference between N3 and Noiseless pickups
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:09 am
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chromeface wrote:
American Deluxe Ash Teles use plain slab bodies and rectangular neckplates since their inception in 2004. They also sport an early 50's spaghetti decal instead of the raised silver-foil "appliqué" actually found on the alder-bodied models.

The contoured heel officially debuted in 2004. It was solely reserved for the "alder body" versions.


Thanks; I had forgotten that the Am Dlx ash models had the regular headstock decal; it's been a while since I have seen one. Did Fender update the Am Dlx ash model with contours for 2010? I can't find the 2010 ash version on the website. Also, the 1998-2003 models with ash bodies did have the top binding and the back contour; back in that generation it was just that you got an ash body with the trans teal, trans red, and trans white finishes and an alder body with the other colors.

I wasn't sure about the neck heel on the alder version also; I rarely saw any Am Dlx Teles between 2002 and the 2004 update - the local dealers were only ordering Am Dlx Strats and the the Strat got the neck heel update early. I didn't think that happened until 2004 but you never know with Fender.


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Post subject: Re: Difference between N3 and Noiseless pickups
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:42 am
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John C wrote:
Did Fender update the Am Dlx ash model with contours for 2010?


No, the 2010 American Deluxe Ash Telecaster still retain the slab body/rectangular neckplate of the 2004-2009 models.

The first-generation American Deluxe Ash Teles (produced between 1998 and late 2003) had only the bound contoured body.


Last edited by chromeface on Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:50 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Difference between N3 and Noiseless pickups
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:48 am
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John C wrote:
I can't find the 2010 ash version on the website.


Here you go!

http://www.fender.com/products/american ... dNo=011950

Image


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Post subject: Re: Difference between N3 and Noiseless pickups
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:47 pm
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chromeface wrote:
John C wrote:
I can't find the 2010 ash version on the website.


Here you go!

http://www.fender.com/products/american ... dNo=011950



Thanks - I have no idea what's going on with my browser; it only happens to me on the American Deluxe Tele link. Instead of taking me to the product page where you can get the specs of both the regular and the ash model it redirects me to the "electronic brochure" for all the 2010-spec American Deluxes. Time to clear out the cookies and cache again. :lol:


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Post subject: Re: Difference between N3 and Noiseless pickups
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 4:04 pm
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Another thing to think about is the shape of the neck. Correct me if I'm wrong here guys but don't the ash bodies come with a U-shaped neck and the alder bodies come with a C-shaped neck? I know this is true for the 2010's but I'm not sure about earlier models.


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