Tele neck mini humbucker to combine with Hot Tele bridge?

[briluster]

What neck mini (or full sized) humbucker would combine well in a Telecaster with a SD Hot Tele STL-2 bridge pup? I play mostly riff based classic rock and 90s grunge with some blues and very little heavy music (a little RATM or Tool every once in awhile). I want the guitar to retain some of the traditional, albeit higher output, Tele sound--hence the Hot Tele in the bridge. But I want a little more warmth and versatility in a hot neck mini humbucker that will match well with the STL-2. Having no experience with mini humbuckers, the Seymourized Mini Humbucker SM-3N (alnico 5) and Custom Mini Humbucker SM-2n (ceramic) both caught my eye.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Tele neck mini humbucker to combine with Hot Tele bridge?

It isn't exactly the same, but I use an SM-1n Vintage Mini Humbucker in the neck of my Tele paired with an STK-T2b Hot Stack in the bridge and 500K pots. I don't care for full-sized humbuckers in the neck position of a Tele as they can be a bit boomy and not balance well with the bridge. The SM-1 is bright and clear; almost like a good Strat pickup, but a bit thicker and smoother. If I roll of the tone a little, it gets closer to a full humbucker sound, but without the boominess. I haven't tried the SM-2 or SM-3 as I don't feel I need the extra output.

FWIW the Fender '52 Hot Rod Tele also uses an SM-1.

 

[ravachol]

Re: Tele neck mini humbucker to combine with Hot Tele bridge?

It isn't exactly the same, but I use an SM-1n Vintage Mini Humbucker in the neck of my Tele paired with an STK-T2b Hot Stack in the bridge and 500K pots. I don't care for full-sized humbuckers in the neck position of a Tele as they can be a bit boomy and not balance well with the bridge. The SM-1 is bright and clear; almost like a good Strat pickup, but a bit thicker and smoother. If I roll of the tone a little, it gets closer to a full humbucker sound, but without the boominess. I haven't tried the SM-2 or SM-3 as I don't feel I need the extra output.

FWIW the Fender '52 Hot Rod Tele also uses an SM-1.

Hello! I have made something like that whit my guitar. Nice sound !

 

[ravachol]

Re: Tele neck mini humbucker to combine with Hot Tele bridge?

...Whit a push/pull in "Boost" on the tone potis...

 

[swissmountain]

Re: Tele neck mini humbucker to combine with Hot Tele bridge?

A mini humbucker in the neck position of a telecaster is a good choice. I have one set up with a DiMarzio DP-240 and one with a Lollar Firebird. Like dystrust I don't like full size humbuckers in a tele for the same reasons he stated.
No experience with Duncans mini offerings but they should work well, too.

 

[swissmountain]

Re: Tele neck mini humbucker to combine with Hot Tele bridge?

Forgot to mention the bridge pickups I use - a DiMarzio Chopper T in the guitar with the DP240 and a Kinman AVn 48b in the guitar with the Firebird but that is going to be replaced with a DiMarzio Virtual Hot T soon.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Tele neck mini humbucker to combine with Hot Tele bridge?

What neck mini (or full sized) humbucker would combine well in a Telecaster with a SD Hot Tele STL-2 bridge pup? I play mostly riff based classic rock and 90s grunge with some blues and very little heavy music (a little RATM or Tool every once in awhile). I want the guitar to retain some of the traditional, albeit higher output, Tele sound--hence the Hot Tele in the bridge. But I want a little more warmth and versatility in a hot neck mini humbucker that will match well with the STL-2. Having no experience with mini humbuckers, the Seymourized Mini Humbucker SM-3N (alnico 5) and Custom Mini Humbucker SM-2n (ceramic) both caught my eye.

For a full size humbucker, take a look at the Jazz or the Whole Lotta Humbucker. The Jazz is cleaner and clearer with a m ore open voice. The WLH has less highs, and is more complex in the mids..it also has more power.

 

[marcello252]

Re: Tele neck mini humbucker to combine with Hot Tele bridge?

it depends on body and neck wood type too: what do you have?