Esquire make up ?!?

[Jazz Rock]

http://www.telecaster.demon.co.uk/home.htm

I just read on this web page that the early Esquire
had a hole in place of the neck pickup under the pickguard.

I thought the whole point of having only one pickup was to have
more wood, thus better resonance?!?!?!?

Does anybody know about this? If true, is it still the case with
the new one from Fender. I was really diging for an esquire, but if
it's just a tele with an omitted puckup... What's the point? :thumbsdow
I'd rather go for a standard tele!

 

[GrooveHT]

Re: Esquire make up ?!?

think I read somewhere that it was designed as an entry-level guitar? Less pickups = less $? Anyway, the three way switch is used to take the tone pot out of the loop (gives you more top end), normal tone, or tone rolled way down (pseudo-bass tone). I hear the pickup on an Esquire sounds pretty rockin'!

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Esquire make up ?!?

Yes, the original Esquire was routed for a neck pickup, as is the new Classic 50's version. The concept was originally intended to allow a player to save some money up front with the Esquire and then add on later with a simple rewiring of the switch and a Tele pickguard. I doubt that the small neck pickup rout has much effect on tone, but not having the magnetic pull of a neck pickup does have an effect on the tone and sustain of the lead pickup. I like the results, but I always end up missing the neck pickup.

 

[Jazz Rock]

Re: Esquire make up ?!?

So basically, Kelsey, what you're sayin' is, if money is not an issue, I could go for an american tele and if I'm still in a mood for an esquire, get rid of the neck pup, change the pickguard and the wiring, and end up with an esquire but with the american tele specs. I would have the same advantages sutain and tonewise.


Interesting indeed...

 

[mrfjones]

Re: Esquire make up ?!?

So basically, Kelsey, what you're sayin' is, if money is not an issue, I could go for an american tele and if I'm still in a mood for an esquire, get rid of the neck pup, change the pickguard and the wiring, and end up with an esquire but with the american tele specs. I would have the same advantages sutain and tonewise.


Interesting indeed...

that is basically right, i would just suggest that you use a hotter than normal pickup. they just sound so good in an esquire