Maximizing Tele Versatility-Part 2 (Thanks to Lew/Robert S.)

[1ManGarageBand]

I decided to put a humbucker in the bridge of my '77 CBS Tele (replacing a JDb) before thinking about installing a middle PU. I've got a Pearly Gates in the neck (after trying a Jazz and an AN2P). Both Robert S. and Lew endorsed the PGn/CCb combination but Lew recommended the Custom for the bridge (I think because it offers more "versatility"). However, after trying to sort through Lew's philandering between the CC and the C in this forum, I decided to try the CC: I wanted some of that "fat, thick, syrupy tone" for myself.

So I got a CCb, a Gotoh HB bridge from Warmoth, and a new control plate. Expanded the bridge routing for the HB (the hard way: drill press and Dremel tool) and put in 3 new switches (neck full/split/parallel, neck/bridge phase, and bridge full/split). (I left in the Torres Engineering "Blues Tone" wiring harness which gives me N/B in-series in addition to other tone-shaping options.) Finished, set up the guitar, and plugged it in a few hours ago.

I'm definitely in Les Paul territory! It's really, REALLY, fun to play!! If I keep it this way I can sell my Tube Screamer. (The sound of the bridge and neck both split and in-series is a nice bonus: a nice, punchy, HB tone.)

I haven't had time to mess with EQ, etc., but I think I'm going to want a cleaner clean than the PGn/CCb gives me. The neck/bridge both split and out-of-phase isn't as close to "Sultans" as I'd hoped either.

The HB in the bridge will stay for sure. (I've still got the Jazz and AN2P neck PU's.)

Do you think the Custom bridge would get me closer to where I want to go? Any other suggestions?

Thanks (and special thanks to Lew and Robert S.)

 

[Artie]

Re: Maximizing Tele Versatility-Part 2 (Thanks to Lew/Robert S.)

I have a similar setup to you - my Peavey Genny has a Custom 5 in the bridge with a 59 in the neck. The middle position of the 3-way connects one coil of each into a series/humbucking mode. Its quickly becoming the guitar I play the most - and with the switch in the middle. Its a cool configuration.

 

[1ManGarageBand]

Re: Maximizing Tele Versatility-Part 2 (Thanks to Lew/Robert S.)

Hi ArtieToo--

Which of your tele set-ups give the best clean sounds?

 

[Artie]

Re: Maximizing Tele Versatility-Part 2 (Thanks to Lew/Robert S.)

Thats a tough question. The bridge-only, and middle positions of both my Tele's is great clean. On my Squier, the middle is the Antiquity with the Stag Mag split. And on the Genny, its a virtual hybrid made up of the slug coil of the C5 and the screw coil of the 59.

Between those two, its like four different flavors of clean. If I had to pick a favorite, I guess I'd have to go with the Ant/SM-split combo. But then again, I pick up and play the Genny more.

Tough choice.

Artie

Edit: When I wired up the Squier, I only had 1 meg pots laying around. I just got in my CTS 500's/250's. I'll install those tonight, and report back. I think it will improve the Squier quite a bit.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Maximizing Tele Versatility-Part 2 (Thanks to Lew/Robert S.)

I recently swapped the lead of my bridge humbucker to get the inner coil when i split. Far better SC tone with the inner coil. This mod is easy for you, because you have already a phase Switch. Just swap the green and the black lead, while the blank remains.

 

[1ManGarageBand]

Re: Maximizing Tele Versatility-Part 2 (Thanks to Lew/Robert S.)

Hamerfan--

I started to say I already did that, just because I wanted the in-phase switch position to be down, but I think you're talking about a switch that puts a humbucker's coils in/out of phase with themselves, right? My switch puts bridge/neck in or out of phase. I'm fuzzy on this without my electrical engineer friend in the same room with me.

I read in this forum (I think) that Semour Duncan's wiring diagrams for split HB's leave the stud coil active, and that to switch the active coil you had to switch the wires AND flip the magnet?? (Using the stud coil seems counter-intuitive to me; the setup that I had before this mod had a phase switch that allowed me to select which neck coil was active, and I liked the sound of the adjustable coil much better than the stud coil.) What do you think? Is there any way to tell which coil is active in a split HB (without opening up the guitar and measureing voltages)?

 

[Artie]

Re: Maximizing Tele Versatility-Part 2 (Thanks to Lew/Robert S.)

I read in this forum (I think) that Semour Duncan's wiring diagrams for split HB's leave the stud coil active, and that to switch the active coil you had to switch the wires AND flip the magnet??

I think this is a popular misconception caused by the way SD draws their diagrams. They want to keep it simple.

Is there any way to tell which coil is active in a split HB (without opening up the guitar and measureing voltages)?

Yes. To make the stud coil active, short the red/white combo to the green wire. To make the screw coil active, short the red/white combo to the black wire. Thats all there is to it.

Where the "switch the wires/reverse the magnet" confusion comes into play is when someone wants to have both inner, (or both outer), coils active, and keep it humbucking. Thats when you reverse wires/reverse magnets. On one pup only.

Artie

 

[1ManGarageBand]

Re: Maximizing Tele Versatility-Part 2 (Thanks to Lew/Robert S.)

Thanks Artie.

 

[1ManGarageBand]

Re: Maximizing Tele Versatility-Part 2 (Thanks to Lew/Robert S.)

SO, I ordered a Duncan Custom bridge.

Any other bridge PU ideas to pair with my PGn for cleaner cleans and better bridge/neck split and out-of-phase tones?

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Maximizing Tele Versatility-Part 2 (Thanks to Lew/Robert S.)

Are you still using 250k pots in that guitar? If you are I'd suggest trying 500k pots before you give up on the CC or make a decision on the Custom. 500k pots will make the guitar brighter and add some clarity which will improve your clean tone. Dailing in your amp to allow for a little more headroom - a little less push may also help.

I'm glad you are getting closer. It took me years to get my Strat right.

 

[1ManGarageBand]

Re: Maximizing Tele Versatility-Part 2 (Thanks to Lew/Robert S.)

Hi Robert S.!

Yes, It's a 500k pot. But I haven't spent much time tweaking the PGn/CCb combination. I'll do that before I install the Custom. THANK YOU!

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Maximizing Tele Versatility-Part 2 (Thanks to Lew/Robert S.)

Do that and check your pickups heights. The distance from the strings makes a big difference.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Maximizing Tele Versatility-Part 2 (Thanks to Lew/Robert S.)

Yes...the CC can be brightened up alot by just moving it very close to the strings.

The Custom Custom is not as bright as the 59B but it is slightly stronger in output than the 59B.

The Custom is brighter and hotter than the CC but not as bright as the 59B and has the highest output of the three...but it's not SUPER high output.

Those three are my three favorite Duncan bridge humbuckers...

For vintage output: 59B
For medium output: Custom Custom
For hotter than medium output: Custom

Lew