Bridge PUP for Mahogany Tele?

RobD

New member
Ok; I could use some opinions please. I'm building a Tele style with mahogany body and Brazilian hardwood top ( Lauro Canela ). I'ld like some ideas for the bridge pup. I've never owned a Tele so I'm not too familiar with the ins and outs of Teledom. The thing that's getting me is the mahogany body. If this was an Ash body I would go with a Jerry Donohue bridge pup. Would the JD be too mellow with the mahogany? I don't like Ice Pick Tone, but I want some Tele Twang and bite. What do you think? The neck will be a humbucker, probably with an A2 magnet. I like vintage tones and play alot of blues, r&b, classic rock, and some jazz too. I've been playing for 35+ yrs. and just caught the building bug. Any help is most welcome. Thanks, RD.
 
Re: Bridge PUP for Mahogany Tele?

I agree with you ... although I love the JD in my alder tele, it may not be as well suited in a mahogany body, so perhaps the Hot bridge would be better, or since you're going with a HB neck, even a QP
 
Re: Bridge PUP for Mahogany Tele?

The QP is a pretty hot pup isn't it? I don't want to get too far away from the classic Tele bridge sound. To me thats the best part of a Tele.
 
Re: Bridge PUP for Mahogany Tele?

RobD said:
The QP is a pretty hot pup isn't it? I don't want to get too far away from the classic Tele bridge sound. To me thats the best part of a Tele.

Then you should forget about a humbucker. Seriously, you'll never even get close without a traditional tele-style bridge pup. I'm not even aware of any splittable HBs that will do the job properly. Good luck! I always find myself second-guessing with pup choices...
 
Re: Bridge PUP for Mahogany Tele?

I agree witrh Curly about the STL-2 Hot model. I would also think about an STL-1b Broadcaster. In a mahogany body, it won't be ice pickey at all; but will have that really cool vintage twang and vibe to it.
 
Re: Bridge PUP for Mahogany Tele?

Sounds like a perfect guitar for the 21 day Duncan exchange plan! :laugh2:

I'd start with the STL-2T Tapped Tele Hot bridge pickup...it'll give you both classic vintage output and modern hot output that can keep up with your neck humbucker.

For the neck, I'd go with a Pearly Gates, Seth Lover, APH-1n or Antiquity...personally, I'd start with a Pearly Gates.

Good luck! Lew
 
Re: Bridge PUP for Mahogany Tele?

Thanks for the ideas. I thought about the Broadcaster lead pup too. It's pretty bright but, in a mahogany body it might be OK. I don't know much about the Tapped Tele Bridge or the STL-2; I'll have to check those out. I have a set of Seth Lovers in a Les Paul that I love. The Pearly Gates in the neck of this Tele might be good; a little brighter than the Seths I think.
 
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