Question for Tele experts...

aroman

New member
I just bought a Fender American Elite Telecaster.
I like the Pickups when I play clean. However I do not like how they distort.
I like to play Led Zep, ZZ-Top, Aerosmith, Black Crowes, Jeff Beck, etc.
What would you recommend ?
 
Re: Question for Tele experts...

Duncan Broadcaster bridge with some variant of early 52/Broadcaster wiring.

Fender TexMex neck actually was better for me than 'traditional' Tele neck pickups (sounds more like a Strat neck) I'm still searching for the perfect Tele single-coil neck, however.
 
Re: Question for Tele experts...

I just bought a Fender American Elite Telecaster.
I like the Pickups when I play clean. However I do not like how they distort.
I like to play Led Zep, ZZ-Top, Aerosmith, Black Crowes, Jeff Beck, etc.
What would you recommend ?

Can you return the guitar and get one you like better? That might be the best option.
 
Re: Question for Tele experts...

I just bought a Fender American Elite Telecaster.
I like the Pickups when I play clean. However I do not like how they distort.
I like to play Led Zep, ZZ-Top, Aerosmith, Black Crowes, Jeff Beck, etc.
What would you recommend ?

Can you return the guitar and get one you like better? That might be the best option.

Swapping out pickups and devaluing a brand new $2000 guitar doesn't seem....right.
 
Re: Question for Tele experts...

for me i like a jd in the bridge and a ssl2 strat pup in the neck or antiquity II firebird pup. if you wanna drop a little extra coin, call the custom shop and have them make you a '53 tapped esquire bridge pup and a tele ala strat neck pup and wire it up to a 5 way
1-tapped bridge
2-tapped bridge & neck
3-neck
4-neck & full bridge
5-full bridge

looks like a cool guitar but id probably swap out the noiseless pups too, although i havent heard these new 4th gen models
 
Re: Question for Tele experts...

Why would you spend all that money on an American Elite then want to change pickups?
Get your money back, get a Classic Vibe, put a lil 59 in the bridge and an SSL-1 in the neck.
Next step is to spend your money on an amp that will get you the sound your looking for.
 
Re: Question for Tele experts...

Can you return the guitar and get one you like better? That might be the best option.

I bought the Guitar used for 1300.00. The Guitars I like are 2K and more. I think with a pickup upgrade I can still save $.
 
Re: Question for Tele experts...

I swapped out the N3 Noiseless pickups on my American Deluxe Tele (generation prior to the Elite) for similar reasons. Went with TVJones Starwood for Tele set - have NEVER been happier with a choice in my life.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Re: Question for Tele experts...

rewire the pups to get a series mock humbucker with a 4way switch. If it doesn't have the s1 which already gives that.
If that is not to your likeing, you need a 2H guitar for those styles without simulation.
I'm more of a traditionalist when it comes to telecasters and those noiseless pups are too modern and airy.
If money is no object put a jerry donahue in the bridge & add a high pass filter for better twang and to clean up the mud.
 
Last edited:
Re: Question for Tele experts...

I swapped out the N3 Noiseless pickups on my American Deluxe Tele (generation prior to the Elite) for similar reasons. Went with TVJones Starwood for Tele set - have NEVER been happier with a choice in my life.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thank you !
 
Re: Question for Tele experts...

rewire the pups to get a series mock humbucker with a 4way switch. If it doesn't have the s1 which already gives that.
If that is not to your likeing, you need a 2H guitar for those styles without simulation.
I'm more of a traditionalist when it comes to telecasters and those noiseless pups are too modern and airy.
If money is no object put a jerry donahue in the bridge & add a high pass filter for better twang and to clean up the mud.

Thank you !
 
Re: Question for Tele experts...

Duncan Broadcaster bridge with some variant of early 52/Broadcaster wiring.

Fender TexMex neck actually was better for me than 'traditional' Tele neck pickups (sounds more like a Strat neck) I'm still searching for the perfect Tele single-coil neck, however.

Thank you !
 
Re: Question for Tele experts...

for me i like a jd in the bridge and a ssl2 strat pup in the neck or antiquity II firebird pup. if you wanna drop a little extra coin, call the custom shop and have them make you a '53 tapped esquire bridge pup and a tele ala strat neck pup and wire it up to a 5 way
1-tapped bridge
2-tapped bridge & neck
3-neck
4-neck & full bridge
5-full bridge

looks like a cool guitar but id probably swap out the noiseless pups too, although i havent heard these new 4th gen models

Thank you !
 
Re: Question for Tele experts...

a friend of mine has an elite tele. It sounds gorgeous clean and dirty. What amp are you using and where do you get your grit from?
 
Re: Question for Tele experts...

a friend of mine has an elite tele. It sounds gorgeous clean and dirty. What amp are you using and where do you get your grit from?

Marshall JTM-1, Marshall 18 Watt, Marshall JTM-45. IMO the Noiseless PUP sounds big and open which is good for clean. It does not compress well when pushed. It wants to stay clean.
 
Re: Question for Tele experts...

Unless you're made out of money, don't throw more money into the Tele which will automatically detract from its resale value. A $299 Jackson Dinky is a lot of guitar for the money that will give you those sounds (while keeping the Elite elite). I have a Tele (actually a G&L ASAT Classic Trib) in which I installed the Fishman Fluence Greg Koch signature "Gristle Tone" system for an extra $350. It made the ASAT super versatile in getting every kind of Fender sound. But it didn't make it sound like a Les Paul or a Ibanez top line shredder. Like the other gents said, take it back if you can or buy a low price addition that will cover the basses. I got a Jackson Dink in mahogany with natural satin. It snarls and stays in tune great--the Floyd Rose actually works.
 
Re: Question for Tele experts...

For the bridge: Hot Tele, JD, or a Custom Shop BG1400 would be good. For neck Vintage Tele, A2 Pro, Antiquity II. But that's just my opinion
 
Back
Top