tele bridge pickup problems?

[stevie_d13]

hi there, this is my first post. but i was wondering if you guys could help me.

I have a 63 relic tele, with vintage stack in the bridge ( i swapped cause the original started to squeal an feed back) an no matter what i do it just wont sound right, i play dirty sleazy punk rock'n'roll like the Hellacopters an the backyard babies, so i kinda what a very rich mid driven tone, i no a les paul would be the thing to go for but i just cant get on with them, this tele is the most beautiful thing ive ever played, it just fits, ya Know.
The vintage stack just doesnt push enough in the mid range, so riffs like smoke on the water ( NO i dont play stuff like that, or want that sound but its a good example of a riff to illistrate the tonal area im talking about) just sound a bit "thin", ive tried every setting on my amp (JTM 45, 4x12 cab), an if i crank the mid, it just gets real mushy on the bass end, an if i back the bass off, it just pulls everything back!! Weird. i dont use any effects, (just a daddy'o for solo's) just straight in an flat out!! i dont want to go for a little 56 as i want to keep it looking as compleatly stock, an i think it would lose all it's subtly and charecter with a proper humbucker in there. So does any body have any ideas? Im really desperate!! :banghead: (sorry if this post i a bit long!!)

 

[Rich_S]

Re: tele bridge pickup problems?

Quarter Pounder. Getting a tapped one will give you some added flexibility. I like to rewire the tone pot to let me fade between the tap and the full coil. Full coil tends to get a bit mushy; great for leads but no so much for chords. You can regain some clarity by dialing in-between.

Don't feel bad about the "Smoke" reference. Blackmore always got the fattest sound out of a Strat. Without the album photos, most people would think it was humbuckers.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: tele bridge pickup problems?

Quarter Pound will kepp you looking somewhat stock and give you a fatter bridge tone. If you don't mind a slight aesthetic departure, the Hot Stack form Duncan might work out well for you.

 

[BS123]

Re: tele bridge pickup problems?

If you know that a Les Paul would be the thing to go for, then why not use a Lil 59 or Hot Rails?

 

[Kelsey]

Re: tele bridge pickup problems?

The STL-2 Hot Tele, standard or tapped, is definitely worth considering. I put one in my HS Tele, and adjusted close to the strings it can keep up with the Fender Atomic 2 neck HB. The STL-2 has great lows and mids with smooth highs, really nice thump and chunk, fat clean and stellar OD tones. Evan Skopp has said repeatedly that the STL-2 is his Tele pickup of choice, and he has lots of choices available. The JD can do a pretty good job of getting into P90 territory if you roll back the tone control a bit, so you might consider that one, too, but it doesn't have the stout low end that the STL-2 has.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: tele bridge pickup problems?

I'd say either go with a QP or Hot. You can get the hot in a stack as well. I haven't had a whole lot of experience with the hot so I can't comment on it.

I have a non-tapped QP. The QP has huge bass that keeps it thick on the low end of the neck. On everything above the 12th fret you'll have to use the Daddy O or mess with your EQ to get it to the fatness you like. A tapped version would be more versatile so you could get a more vintage-esque tone. I love my QP's though.

If you wanted to stay a vintage level of output maybe the Alnico 2 pro for tele? It would be fatter than vintage due to the A2 magnets.

Hope that helps!

Luke

 

[stevie_d13]

Re: tele bridge pickup problems?

thanks for all the advice.
After practise last nite, an now the ringing in my ears has gone, (damm i need to get a power breaker!) i think ive come to a discision. i think im gonna go with a hot vintage, or get the original pick up rewound. as ive come to the conclusion, why try an make a guitar that has such an inherently amazing sound, sound like something it isnt? it will never sound like a les paul, so why bother! It sound like a s£*t hot tele so im keeping it as a s$*t hot tele. So i think its either find an amp that fits or find a new guitar!!!

 

[deluxemeat]

Re: tele bridge pickup problems?

i play the same stuff an i think it's all attitude. if you like the tele, stick w/ it, find a hum cancelling pickup and play w/ a humbucker guy. the sound will be huge.
but if you really need to i say get the lil 59 for your bridge. i can't imagine playing the type of rock you mentioned w/ out a humbucker.

then again... consider that dregens sound is 335 into a fender head. very unique.

 

[Mephis]

Re: tele bridge pickup problems?

Quarter Pounder. Getting a tapped one will give you some added flexibility. I like to rewire the tone pot to let me fade between the tap and the full coil. Full coil tends to get a bit mushy; great for leads but no so much for chords. You can regain some clarity by dialing in-between.

Don't feel bad about the "Smoke" reference. Blackmore always got the fattest sound out of a Strat. Without the album photos, most people would think it was humbuckers.

Yea, QP...

I hate it, but it's perfect for the type of music the OP wants to play.