P'up suggestions for 12 string?

jtougas

jtougas

New member
Hi folks... haven't been on in a while.

I made a goof recently. I've had a semi-hollow Jazzcaster body (maple cap on hard ash) for a while, that I've been planning on building as a 12-stringer, and someone offered me a deal on a Warmoth snakehead 12 string neck that I jumped at... forgetting that my Jazzcaster has a Tele neck pocket instead of a Strat neck pocket, and that the neck has a Strat neck heel*.

D'oh!

So, the Jazzcaster's going to be a Jazzcaster with a Tele neck, and I'm going to design the 12-caster from the ground up. Right now, I'm leaning towards the Jazzmaster body shape, 'cuz I think it'll offset the 12 string headstock (and the weight of 12 tuning heads) better. I want to keep it bright and twangy, so I'll probably stick with ash and/or maple for the body.

P'ups. P'ups are where I'm getting stuck. Thinking maybe minihumbuckers? Does Seymour do a Jazz Minihumbucker set? Maybe some flavor of 'trons?

Throw something at me, maybe it'll stick.


*I know that a Strat heel will technically go into a Tele neck pocket, but I'd rather keep the pocket tight...
 
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Re: P'up suggestions for 12 string?

If you want minihumbuckers, Firebird pickups are better in just about every way, especially if you want to keep things on the twangy side. Look to the Antiquity II Firebird pickups.
 
Re: P'up suggestions for 12 string?

Well, there is no issue with a strat heel and Tele pocket from a scale length issue, nor is there woodwork required.....unlike the other way around where you get one issue or the other.
So your original plan would have worked, all you needed was a pickguard cut for a strat shaped heel and you would have never known the difference most likely. And not at all if the fretboard was a 22fret model.

I find you need something low output but not too bitey in the pickup department . There is enough high end from the strings, and you are getting a lot of overtones and harmonic action, so something not overbearing through the mids or you might lose the charm of the 12.
I like the idea of the minis myself, of the option you have given.
I am just in the process of finishing a set neck Tele 12, and I've gone full vintage strength pickups, but like the broadcaster type.....a bit more beefy than just pure twang.
Mine also has the 4 way Tele switch for a series combo, plus an OOP toggle. Not sure how useful these will be, but I will get to find out once I build it up.
 
Re: P'up suggestions for 12 string?

I would think that any pickup that is described as clean and clear would work just fine.
 
Re: P'up suggestions for 12 string?

Silence Kid said:
Lace Sensors?
Click to expand...

I have a Lace Sensor Red / Silver / Blue set in my 12-string with PTB tone controls and they're great. Plenty of output from the bridge, but still Stratty along with nice versatility from the other two pickups. If the Blue is a little bit too boomy for what you're playing, dial out a little bass with the PTB.
 
Re: P'up suggestions for 12 string?

Deathbuckers are a very clear balanced pickup. They would capture every nuance of a 12 string.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk
 
Re: P'up suggestions for 12 string?

Deathbuckers are one of the few p'up designs that can literally do any type of music. There are a lot of guys out there that throw that of claim around, but this pickup actually delivers.

If you wanted a clearer neck, the standard Alumitone model will work wonders, but it's a bit too wimpy in the bridge, so I'd recommend the Deathbucker for that spot.
 
Re: P'up suggestions for 12 string?

For a 12 string, they would be insanely clean.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk
 
Re: P'up suggestions for 12 string?

the parallel Axis series is designed for 12 String use, so the strings and pole pieces line up perfectly!
:haha:
that's complete bullocks, but that's what I first though when i first saw a Picture of them
 
Re: P'up suggestions for 12 string?

Hm. I already have a trio of Alumitone singles that I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with...
 
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