I have a custom-made tele with 3 pups: tele single coils in neck & bridge, humbucker in middle. 5 way switch. The pup there now is an old GFS that sounds thin, not much bottom end. I'm looking for a vintage blues/tube amp sound, (I usually play thru a Fender Deluxe Reverb II, Peavey Delta Blues 210 as a backup, 68 Super Reverb if I have a roadie) and I want this pup to drive the amp more than it does now. I'm going to have to choose a neck or bridge version in most cases. I'm think the warm sound of a neck pup would sound better than a bridge, but may still sound kind of thin. Also thinking of an Alnico 4 pup for this slot. Any feedback would be most welcome.
Bridge or neck pup for mid-position on a 3-pup tele?
- Thread starter farnsy
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Mr. B
New member
Re: Bridge or neck pup for mid-position on a 3-pup tele?
If you use a warm neck pickup, it would sound about right for the middle position. I would worry that a bridge pickups in the middle would greatly overpower your bridge and neck singles. Something like a Pearly Gates Neck, 59n, or Seth neck would probably work.
If you use a warm neck pickup, it would sound about right for the middle position. I would worry that a bridge pickups in the middle would greatly overpower your bridge and neck singles. Something like a Pearly Gates Neck, 59n, or Seth neck would probably work.
Re: Bridge or neck pup for mid-position on a 3-pup tele?
Usually, you would use a neck pickup in the middle, but there are no real rules. Some people even put a regular Strat neck pickup here- I've used one with a Strat Five-Two neck pickup in the middle, and it sounded great. You just have to choose your tone and go with it.
Usually, you would use a neck pickup in the middle, but there are no real rules. Some people even put a regular Strat neck pickup here- I've used one with a Strat Five-Two neck pickup in the middle, and it sounded great. You just have to choose your tone and go with it.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: Bridge or neck pup for mid-position on a 3-pup tele?
IMO you'd want the warmest low-output humbucker you can find. A2P neck would probably be a good choice. A possible option would be to wire a permanent high-end rolloff like a dedicated tone control for the middle only, maybe using a trimpot so you could tweak it to taste and then leave it.
I agree any humbucker with muscle would be likely to overpower your Tele neck & bridge pickups unless they're something pretty strong like a QP Tele set.
IMO you'd want the warmest low-output humbucker you can find. A2P neck would probably be a good choice. A possible option would be to wire a permanent high-end rolloff like a dedicated tone control for the middle only, maybe using a trimpot so you could tweak it to taste and then leave it.
I agree any humbucker with muscle would be likely to overpower your Tele neck & bridge pickups unless they're something pretty strong like a QP Tele set.
