Tele pickup replacement vs. pot replacement ??

micp33

micp33

New member
Got a Tele with a Harmonic Design Super 90 with a 250k pot (they recommend 500k so that could be part of the problem) I'm considering replacing it with a moderate output pup (maybe APTL-1).
The HD seems to sound more 'overwound' to me than it used to. Not sure if swapping out the pot with a 500k will make enough of a difference or my ears have changed and I need a more traditional sounding PUP (Crowes, No. Miss. All-Stars, Driveby Truckers, etc.).

Any ideas??? Thanks in advance!
 
Re: Tele pickup replacement vs. pot replacement ??

I'd try replacing the pot first. The 500k should open it up.
 
Re: Tele pickup replacement vs. pot replacement ??

Consider a Fender No-Load tone control kit. With the pot set at maximum, the capacitor is completely out of circuit.

Part of the traditional Tele twang and brightness comes from the stamped steel three-saddle bridge. The most recent Fender Am Std bridge with Strat style bent steel saddles comes close to matching this but, to a purist, only the original design will do.

Final quick question. How old are your strings?
 
Re: Tele pickup replacement vs. pot replacement ??

Strings are changed regularly as anywhere from 2-8 times per month. Got the old school bridge with 3 compensated brass saddles.

Used to love the pickup but when I play my other guitars with hotter and moderate pickups, this one just sounds over the top. Want more distortion coming from the amp while this pup (which is HDs version of a P-90 in Tele form) seems like alot of pickup distortion.
 
Re: Tele pickup replacement vs. pot replacement ??

Try setting the Super 90 further away from the strings. Lowering the bobbin and raising the polepiece screws will give more of a Telecaster/G&L Magnetic Field Design pickup tone.

Alternatively, if the Super 90 is constructed along P90 lines, it should be easy to swap one or both of the magnets.
 
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