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Post subject: My MiM Telecaster isn't all that twangy
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 2:24 pm
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I'm not complaining, either.

I'm sure there's some debate on this, but doesn't it boil down to the alder wood (less likely) and the 6 saddle bridge? (more likely). I've seen some guys with these and the Squier counterparts that have the 6 saddle bridge and many look to replace the electronics which IMHO is a mistake. (I never considered pickups to be anything other than microphonic in nature and they're not going to put out something that isn't there already.)

The Tele is working for me though since I am a rock/blues guy, and not really much of a chicken pickin' country player. I guess the question I have is this: Are other MiM teles like this, or is it just mine?

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PS: I also have a Squier CV..now that thing IS a twang machine which is where I'm getting this reference and mindset.

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Post subject: Re: My MiM Telecaster isn't all that twangy
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 6:20 pm
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The pickups on the MIM standards, while being true single coils, are voiced in a much more modern way. They handle gain a bit better, but they lose some of that vintage-sounding sparkle. Same deal with MIM Strats.

Pickups can be a lot more important than you might think.


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Post subject: Re: My MiM Telecaster isn't all that twangy
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 11:11 pm
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Mine isn't very twangy either. It is a more modern sound. My Classic Vibe Custom and Lite Ash Telecasters have more twang. But I think for my taste the MIM standard is the more versatile for the music I play.

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Post subject: Re: My MiM Telecaster isn't all that twangy
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 1:30 pm
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String gauge also has a LOT to do with it !

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: My MiM Telecaster isn't all that twangy
Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 2:26 pm
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flyingchicken wrote:
The pickups on the MIM standards, while being true single coils, are voiced in a much more modern way. They handle gain a bit better, but they lose some of that vintage-sounding sparkle. Same deal with MIM Strats.

Pickups can be a lot more important than you might think.


I agree to disagree.

The twang factor is noticeable when the guitars are both unplugged.

In fact, that's how I decided to purchase the MiM Tele. I was at a Guitar Center...they had mine used for 300 dollars, and a new one on clearance for the same price.

I tested them both sans amp...and walked away with the used one.

The Squier CV sounds much twangier than the MiM...same string gauge, unplugged.

I also suspect alder might not lend itself to twanginess as much as other woods do...and the bridge. Both sound great in their own way....


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Post subject: Re: My MiM Telecaster isn't all that twangy
Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 5:22 pm
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G_Strange wrote:

I agree to disagree.

The twang factor is noticeable when the guitars are both unplugged.

In fact, that's how I decided to purchase the MiM Tele. I was at a Guitar Center...they had mine used for 300 dollars, and a new one on clearance for the same price.

I tested them both sans amp...and walked away with the used one.

The Squier CV sounds much twangier than the MiM...same string gauge, unplugged.

I also suspect alder might not lend itself to twanginess as much as other woods do...and the bridge. Both sound great in their own way....


Not disagreeing with you at all... obviously, the woods and hardware have as much to do with the tone as the pickups. I was just stating what I believed caused the lack of twangy-ness.

Regardless, Teles rule. ;)


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Post subject: Re: My MiM Telecaster isn't all that twangy
Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 7:01 pm
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The brass bridge and saddles give it a modern voice. Try steel bridge plate and brass saddles. See "Telecaster Bridge Change" post.

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Post subject: Re: My MiM Telecaster isn't all that twangy
Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 8:30 pm
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The ash body resonates better both unplugged and plugged in. Plugged in it produces more treble and bass tone than an alder body which carries more mid tones.

Plugged in, the vintage 3 saddle ash tray bridge will have more of a sharp treble sound than the modern bridge with no sides and 6 saddles.

A 3 or 4 ply pick guard will dull the tone taking away some of the sharpness compared to a single ply pickguard (especially bakelite).


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Post subject: Re: My MiM Telecaster isn't all that twangy
Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 8:44 pm
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RRR wrote:
The ash body resonates better both unplugged and plugged in. Plugged in it produces more treble and bass tone than an alder body which carries more mid tones.

Plugged in, the vintage 3 saddle ash tray bridge will have more of a sharp treble sound than the modern bridge with no sides and 6 saddles.

A 3 or 4 ply pick guard will dull the tone taking away some of the sharpness compared to a single ply pickguard (especially bakelite).


Not sure about the pick guard analogy, but the steel bridge plate and the brass saddles sounded good to Leo. There is very audible difference between the stock brass/strat saddle and the Joe B. steel/brass. I went into it not wanting to like it too much because of the holes I had to drill, so I mounted it with just the two outside holes screwed in. After playing it, I went ahead and mounted it. I assure you, I'm no beginner, and I don't have to like things I buy. It's all about tone.

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