Telecaster mod: Little Pearly Gates and wiring help needed

[3l3ctron]

Hi, everyone!

Please share your recommendations for a neck/rhythm pickup to mate with it, and why. Also, I need help to find a wiring diagram for the scheme that I’m after. I’ve searched for a week with no luck.

Quick explanation…I’m wanting a hotter (hard rock) noiseless experience, than I currently have with the Nocaster and Twisted Tele pickups that are being removed (I happen to LOVE that combo, but already have another T guitar setup identically like this.)

Since I noticed that the Lil ‘59 is mated with it as a set, the Vintage Stack Rhythm is my first thought for a likely good candidate. Or, perhaps the Quarter Pound Rhythm?

I want to wire the LPG to a push-pull pot, so that pickup can be switched from in-series (full humbucker, when the pot is pushed in) to parallel (with itself, when the pot is pulled up). I don’t know, if it’s preferred to use either the volume or tone pot as the push-pull switch. The Rhythm stacked single coil would function the normal way in a 3 blade switch with the standard functions - where 1: bridge only, and 2: bridge and neck blend are each effected by the use of the push pull pot on the lead pickup. Pos 3: neck only (completely unaffected by the use of the push-pull pot).

Sincerely,

3l3ctron

 

[Mincer]

Welcome to the forum!
The QP is a great pickup, but not noiseless. The Little 59 is a great pickup, but doesn't sound like a Telecaster. A traditional Tele sound is probably not what you are going after, I'd guess. For Hard Rock, you might also consider a Hot Rails neck pickup, which is a 'heavier' sounding pickup that the Vintage Stack.

 

[3l3ctron]

Welcome to the forum!
The QP is a great pickup, but not noiseless. The Little 59 is a great pickup, but doesn't sound like a Telecaster. A traditional Tele sound is probably not what you are going after, I'd guess. For Hard Rock, you might also consider a Hot Rails neck pickup, which is a 'heavier' sounding pickup that the Vintage Stack.

Thank you. You are correct. I’m after something different - doesn’t have to be a complete departure though.

I have the traditional Tele tones in the other Nocaster guitar.

 

[3l3ctron]

 

[Artie]

In a Tele, I would typically use the tone pot for the push-pull since it moves the raised knob a little farther back from where you may be strumming.

 

[Mincer]

Well, that's a fine pickup right there.
You can also consider a Tele S1 switch, which is more expensive but easier to engage than a push-pull.

 

[3l3ctron]

Well, that's a fine pickup right there.
You can also consider a Tele S1 switch, which is more expensive but easier to engage than a push-pull.

I’ve never used one myself. But, I’ve read complaints over the years that those are noisy switches.

 

[Mincer]

I’ve never used one myself. But, I’ve read complaints over the years that those are noisy switches.

I use an S1 on a Music Man guitar, for maybe about 7 years. It is still going strong and dead quiet. It is such an elegant (if expensive) way to cut coils.

 

[3l3ctron]

I use an S1 on a Music Man guitar, for maybe about 7 years. It is still going strong and dead quiet. It is such an elegant (if expensive) way to cut coils.

If one of the pots I already have doesn’t meet my satisfaction, I’ll try it out.

 

[3l3ctron]

I heard back from support. It turns out that there isn’t an existing diagram that has exactly what I’m after here. I was given 2 separate ones that contain 1/2 each of what I’m after.

When I’ve completed the changes to my axe, I’ll draw up the diagram, and post it here myself!

 

[jeremy]

pretty easy to figure out from the two they sent ya?

 

[3l3ctron]

pretty easy to figure out from the two they sent ya?

Yes. I think so. 1. double humbucker set, and 2. stack with humbucker.

I sent Chris a message back about the resistance differences of the pots between the two diagrams. And, he said 500k always for humbuckers, and I can go either way with Vol. He said, if 500k Vol is too bright, just roll the Tone back.

I’m going to try out 500k Tone/250k Vol. first.

 

[3l3ctron]

Edit…The bridge humbucker has the switching in this diagram that I want for the LPG.

 

[3l3ctron]

This has the Vintage Stack in the Rhythm position.

 

[3l3ctron]

Depending on when the parts arrive, I will probably be getting started on the physical build about Wednesday next week.

 

[3l3ctron]

I’ve thoughtfully combined the elements that I want from those 2 diagrams into a new mock-up wiring diagram via photoshop.

Take a look. Please let me know, if you can verify that it’s correct, or if you see a mistake therein.

 

[3l3ctron]

I heard back from Chris @ SD support. He gave my diagram the green light.

 

[3l3ctron]

The pickups are installed. I put in about 45 mins playing on them. They sound very nice. The output match is fine.

A happy accident occurred. I wired the PP switch backwards from what I intended. Up is now full humbucker. Initially, I’m liking the humbucker in parallel with itself the best. With a pull for serial operation, there’s a slight boost and it darkens up a little. I like it! I’m going to keep it this way.

The only thing, that I don’t like so far, is that the taper of the volume pot sucks. It’s not even/smooth enough. Turning the last little bit of twist on the knob, to reach full volume, it’s almost like a switch - the volume jumps up so fast. It’s not expressive, and needs to be exchanged for one with the correct taper.

The tone pot sweep does almost the same thing. Except, there’s more action starting earlier, from the bottom of the twist from dark to bright. It’s not perfect. But, I can live with it. All of the tone that I’m looking for can be easily found there. Still, a smoother taper would be an improvement.

This job took me much longer to compete, to this point than I expected - considering the simplicity of this circuit.

Doing it yourself is satisfying. But, next time I want this type of work done on one of my guitars, I’ll bring it to my guy, like I have previously been doing for years.

After I get this last bit ironed out with the volume pot. I’ll figure out how to post some sound examples of this combo, to post in here.

 

[3l3ctron]

The new pot is installed. Success!!’ It sounds awesome.

 

[Securb]

That guitar has a lot of character, its beautiful