From the pros give me some suggestions

[oldschool]

I play semi-professionally and I'm going to build a tele type guitar. I want a 3 pickup configuration like a strat for versatility meaning I want all 3 to be single size but not necessarily single coil. I have to play every genre of music with the exception of classical, rap, and that non-understandable screaming so-called metal. I need crystal clean, jazz, twang, crunch, and creamy distortion. I realize there is no such an animal that can do everything perfectly but I want a combination that can get very close. I already have a nice rack rig setup that I can adjust pre-amp EQ MIDI wise to get a lot of what I'm already looking for but I would prefer to use this as a tweak.

I'm tired of having the upkeep of 5 guitars on stage to change genres. Please help.

 

[gripweed]

Re: From the pros give me some suggestions

I'm not an old pro-- lol -- to take this for what it's worth. If nothing else consider this a bump.

I'd put a lil '59 in the neck (it might take a little routing depending on the body, definitely on the pickguard) a classic Strat plus in the middle and a vintage Tele stack on the bridge. Should get you everything you need.

 

[gordon_39422]

Re: From the pros give me some suggestions

Well, there are MANY combinations that will get you where ya wanna go.. Some will zone in on specific tones more than others, but as you said, nothing exists to cover all genres "perfectly"....

That being said...

I have an American Deuxe Strat with Lil 59 in the Bridge and Neck positions, and the stock SC in the middle..... I have the spin-a-split mod also, so here's what I can get...

#1A - HB split with spin-a split (SRV/Hendrix/Henry Garza-esque tones)
#1B - HB Full (AWESONE Les Paul-ish tones - Skynyrd, Slash)
#2A - HB split combined with middle pup (Standard Strat with a little kick)
#2B - HB full with Middle SC (Uniquley useful tones)
#3 - Middle SC (Standard Strat)
#4 - Middle SC with Bridge HB (Uniquley useful tones - Randy Rhoads-ish)
#5 - Bridge HB (AWESOME tones from Clapton's Cream to Downtuned Chugga CHugga!)

In the near future, I will expand the versatility with either a Super-Switch, or using a concentric pot in the T2 position to control the split function of BOTH Lil 59's....

NOW...

I can cover ANYTHING adequately with that except that mid-scooped hi-gain sound from EMG 81's

The T1 has a no-load pot, so I can roll to the click and get the pups unbridled or just roll off the highs for some buttery cream tones!


Honestly, as versatile as the 59's are, I'm SERIOUSLY considering just installing a 3rd 59 in the middle pup, with the super switch and push-pulls to control the splits..

I had the HotRails in the Bridge for awhile, but lucked up and scored an even trade for the Lil 59! The Hotrails was HOT, and had a narrow tonal pallette.... When I can afford multiple guitars, I would stick with traditional setups.. but for now, I need a multi-purpose guitar, and THIS is it!!!

What I'm trying to say is....:reporter:

DITCH the TELE and grab a REAL guitar.... :smokin:

The STRAT!!!!:bowdown: :chairfall :banana:

 

[oldschool]

Re: From the pros give me some suggestions

I do already have a strat but it's one I won't ever mod. It's a 57 and it has to stay like it is.

The main reason I was looking at the tele was the fact I don't own a tele body guitar and the only twang I can get close to has to come from the strat. With the EQ I can get very close with the strat. Having said that, the strat is the one that stays in my hands the most. But I want to get a more natural twang from the body and pup and use the EQ to tweak it.

 

[tone4days]

Re: From the pros give me some suggestions

i really like gripweed's recommendation alot ... if you are free to put a full size humbucker in the neck, go for a real-deal '59 ... i am not sur ehow exotic you want to get with switching, splitting, etc ... there are some killer ways to make a tele do a ton of tones if you are willing/able to get a little 'franken tele' with it

brent mason's tele comes to mind ... and an H-S-H tele with an Alinicoo II pro - classic stack plus - JB also comes to mind ... but you'd have to be ok with a superswitch and some mini toggles, etc ...

good luck - have fun

t4d

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: From the pros give me some suggestions

What I'm trying to say is....:reporter:

DITCH the TELE and grab a REAL guitar.... :smokin:

The STRAT!!!!:bowdown: :chairfall :banana:

A: Teles are as real as it gets... best tone that came from Fender.

B: Now to business: have you thought about adding a mid boost or a varitone? It would get you more tone from every pickup.

c: If you want versatility then the classic metal tone usually comes from the bridge (EVH anyone who played for Ozzy) and the Jazzier tone comes from the neck... I would go for something with high output from the bridge (hot rails or tele? if you like ceramic pups) and something more mellow from the neck... How about putting a minibucker in the neck (you'll need to dig a lil in the wood if you're buying from the shelf)- they have the looks for teles and good tone for Jazz and Blues...

 

[oldschool]

Re: From the pros give me some suggestions

A: Teles are as real as it gets... best tone that came from Fender.

B: Now to business: have you thought about adding a mid boost or a varitone? It would get you more tone from every pickup.

c: If you want versatility then the classic metal tone usually comes from the bridge (EVH anyone who played for Ozzy) and the Jazzier tone comes from the neck... I would go for something with high output from the bridge (hot rails or tele? if you like ceramic pups) and something more mellow from the neck... How about putting a minibucker in the neck (you'll need to dig a lil in the wood if you're buying from the shelf)- they have the looks for teles and good tone for Jazz and Blues...

There's really no need for a boost as the EQ will do what I need. I know the hotter pups in the single coil size are ceramic. I usually don't like ceramics but from what I've read the smaller wire size in the single coil size makes the difference in keeping the sound more tele like so it might be a choice.

Body routing for any need is not a problem.

 

[oldschool]

Re: From the pros give me some suggestions

i really like gripweed's recommendation alot ... if you are free to put a full size humbucker in the neck, go for a real-deal '59 ... i am not sur ehow exotic you want to get with switching, splitting, etc ... there are some killer ways to make a tele do a ton of tones if you are willing/able to get a little 'franken tele' with it

brent mason's tele comes to mind ... and an H-S-H tele with an Alinicoo II pro - classic stack plus - JB also comes to mind ... but you'd have to be ok with a superswitch and some mini toggles, etc ...

good luck - have fun

t4d

The sky is the limit. I can get the body routed in any configuration I need and I can split, or switch however I need. I'll do whatever I have to keep me from having to carry 5 guitars. The main reason I'm hell-bent on this project is so I can keep my vintage strat and 335 at home and really have a lighter les paul.

Ok, let's say I put in a full size 59n. I like em. I had one in an LP one time. Great sound. I have no problem with that. What is the sound like when split? Do you get a significant volume drop-off? I need a more articulate jazzy sound from the neck when bucked but I like the SRV, Hendrix sound from the neck in single. Those are the two sounds I use the most.

Also I wouldn't have a problem with putting a full size hb in the bridge either but then again I'm concerned about when split could I get a decent tele sound from it without significant drop-off ? If split I want decent twang from the bridge but I need creamy distortion in bucker mode.

I'm not a big fan of both pickups selected on a les paul but I love the middle position on my strat. Now if I could alternate between a true single coil and split both buckers and be able to select each single in a series or parrallel with a switch that would be icing on the cake.

Any ideas?

I think this kind of goes along the other thread where I asked you about HSH wiring.