Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

[nate1492]

I swear I searched everywhere on the net for tet-a-tet comparisons of these pups, but alas. . .

Anyone like to weigh in? From what I can tell the QP has proportionately more bass and mids (compared to treble) than the Lil '59. I'm just looking for a good fat bridge tone. I had an SSL-3 Hot in the bridge of my strat, with 500k tone pot, and it had this screeching upper mid spike that I hated. I'm trying to avoid that kind of sound. I'd like something more even and full bodied and hot, of course.

 

[ibanezrocks]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

The QP definitely has a P-90 quality to it. Its fat sounding, but doesn't lack any clarity. I wouldn't say it has any upper mid spike to it.

I can't comment on the lil 59 though.

 

[Mark Cearlock]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

The lil 59 in my ashcaster was a little harsh for my needs. I have a 59n in the neck, and the lil 59 just seemed compressed and harsh. (I dont like ceramics anyway) If the lil59 would have been an alnico, It probably would have worked better for my needs. I reinstalled my broadcaster p/u just a few minutes ago. I prob. will try the qp in the future, as others have stated its "p-90" like. I'll keep the lil59 for an esquire project down the road.

 

[nate1492]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

yeah. i don't want harsh. just a fatter, warmer tone. i can do without twang too.

 

[Mark Cearlock]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

yeah. i don't want harsh. just a fatter, warmer tone. i can do without twang too.

Yeah, I'm not really into twang either, I really want to try a qp!

 

[nate1492]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

according to the Duncan tone chart, the QP has slightly scooped mids, whereas the '59 is enhanced in that area. those mids could sound harsh or nasally, i suppose.

 

[Mark Cearlock]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

according to the Duncan tone chart, the QP has slightly scooped mids, whereas the '59 is enhanced in that area. those mids could sound harsh or nasally, i suppose.

harsh and nasally, is just about right, compaired to the reg. 59 that is.

 

[Mark Cearlock]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

Check this out:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZUxjTnLu0E
Sounds like this would be up my alley!

 

[Stevo]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

I've had 59, little 59, hot rails, hot stack, BG1400 and others in teles. The little 59 is not quite like the full 59, but I like it for what it does. The tone of the little 59 is sharper in certain ways.
The advantage of the little 59 over a QP is that you can get humbucker tone. You can also wire up a series/parallel switch so you can switch from humbucker tone to a single coil style tone. The parallel wiring won't give you the true single coil that the QP will give you though. The little 59 wont have the issue with 60 cycle hum, but the tele-ness of the tele wont be as apparent as it would be with the QP.
Both nice pickups for what they do.

 

[nate1492]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

ah. so the Lil '59 will give real humbucker tone? I think that's what I'm after, not simply a hot single coil sound like the QP will provide. Actually two guitarists that I admire, Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead) and Jason Simon (Dead Meadow) use Tele Plus guitars. Those have two red lace sensors in the bridge. The humbucker will probably get me closer to that territory.

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

ah. so the Lil '59 will give real humbucker tone? I think that's what I'm after, not simply a hot single coil sound like the QP will provide. Actually two guitarists that I admire, Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead) and Jason Simon (Dead Meadow) use Tele Plus guitars. Those have two red lace sensors in the bridge. The humbucker will probably get me closer to that territory.

If that is what you're looking for, get the lil 59. I like them both, but the time btw them was so long that I couldn't give a good compare/contrast answer. But, the QP certainly has more of a P90 vibe, and the lil 59 is a somewhat sharper 59, as described in previous posts.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

ah. so the Lil '59 will give real humbucker tone?

I have a Lil 59 in my Tele and it is very fat; huge sound comes from that pickup. The twang factor? To my ears, it doesn't exist. It just rocks. also, in my guitar and in my hands, it's very smooth...

 

[nate1492]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

I hear the cleans tones are not as good as a real humbucker. I wish I could hear the Pearly Gates for Telecaster.

 

[Mark Cearlock]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

I hear the cleans tones are not as good as a real humbucker. I wish I could hear the Pearly Gates for Telecaster.

Don't we all!

 

[nate1492]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

Don't we all!

****. Cm'on Duncan! We need sound clips of that thing. There's like only one guy on this entire forum who owns that pup.

 

[Mark Cearlock]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

****. Cm'on Duncan! We need sound clips of that thing. There's like only one guy on this entire forum who owns that pup.

And he ain't makin' no clips (that I know of)

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

I had a QP in my Ash tele and it was far and AWAY the best rhythm pup ever, but the lack of true and high mids made for lack of cut for a solo. The QP has some twang but not a lot. It is authoritive as all get out.


Luke

 

[pencil-in]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

I hear the cleans tones are not as good as a real humbucker. I wish I could hear the Pearly Gates for Telecaster.

WHAT?!!!... they're making this!?!

 

[Mark Cearlock]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

WHAT?!!!... they're making this!?!

If you gots the money, they will make it
http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/custom-shop/telecaster/pearly_gates_fo/

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Lil '59 v. QP for Tele Bridge

As a user and firm believer in the power of the Lil 59 for Tele, I would love to hear Frank Falbo's or Evan's comparison of the Lil 59 vs. the PG for Tele....