How to determine what polarity tele neck pickup I need...

[MDS]

Hey guys!

I have an original 1966 tele bridge pickup that was rewound by Don Mare. My existing neck pickup is the opposite polarity and I don't like the sound in the middle position on the 3-way. I don't know what the neck pickup is, but I think its a Fender Reissue.

Is there a way to tell what polarity I should get? I can't seem to find any rhyme or reason to who used what polarity when, haha.

Thanks!

Mike

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: How to determine what polarity tele neck pickup I need...

If they're opposite polarity, you're in luck. Reverse the leads of one of the pickups and they will be back in phase.

The one proviso is you have to make sure that either the baseplate of the bridge or the cover for the neck -- depending on which pickup's leads you choose to reverse -- has either a separate ground lead or has the little jumper soldered to the "new" ground lead. Otherwise the baseplate or cover will be piping in tons of noise.

 

[MDS]

Re: How to determine what polarity tele neck pickup I need...

Thanks...I may try that, but I'd also like to know how I can try out other pickups with out having to worry about this issue. Seems like its kind of a crap shoot...

 

[MDS]

Re: How to determine what polarity tele neck pickup I need...

Here's a thought: I could just go to guitar center with my bridge pickup and see what pushes and what pulls against it. I wonder if they'd let me do that...