Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

[cactus jack]

I love the Tele bridge pup, and love the Strat neck pup. Therefore, I've decided to build a Nashville Tele/Strat mashup. The pickup configuration will be Tele bridge and Strat middle and neck.

For the neck and middle I'm thinking about the SSL1 and SSL2 respectively. I'm not sure about the bridge, but I want more Tele rock vs twang. I play on the neck 80% of the time, but when I hit the bridge I want it to hit back. Maybe a Jerry Donahue for a vintage hot vibe?

I have a vintage voiced Strat (Fralin Blues Specials) and a Tele (Bare Knuckle Flat 52) so I'm also toying with the idea of a full quarter pound set to change things up a bit.

What do you think? What would you do?

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

SSL-1 and SSL-2 are the same thing but the 1 has staggered poles and the 2 does not. I'd say your idea for the JD bridge is definitely a good one, and while it will definitely work stellar with either of the SSLs you mentioned, there may be some benefit to the Quarter Pound idea as well.

If it were me, I'd go JD bridge, SSL-1 middle, and a Quarter Pound neck. That way you have a Tele bridge, Strat middle position, P90ish rock neck position, and some cool in-between sounds on the 2 and 4 positions.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

Go with 2 SSL-2s, (middle RWRP) and the Jerry Donahue, and that will be one amazing Tele even I would love.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

The Quarter Pound for the neck is a great idea if you play there 80% of the time. but I'd get it tapped, and a full QP for the bridge & SSL2 for the middle. Got the basses loaded.

 

[cactus jack]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

I'm about to dive in and research tapping the QP neck, but can you provide a quick primer? I assume this is a service SD provides to tame the pup a bit correct?

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

I play on the neck an awful lot too. Wouldn't consider a QP there. It's too loud and too dark. Tapped will be better, but it won't sound as good as an SSL-2 there.

For the strat / tele mashup wiring, I'd use a regular 5 way switch and swap the connections for the neck and middle. Then you get the following on the switch:

Bridge - bridge/neck - neck - neck/mid - mid

This way you get the best strat sounds (neck and neck/mid) and the best tele sounds (bridge and bridge / neck) without any need for complicated switching or push-pulls.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

I play on the neck an awful lot too. Wouldn't consider a QP there. It's too loud and too dark. Tapped will be better, but it won't sound as good as an SSL-2 there.

For the strat / tele mashup wiring, I'd use a regular 5 way switch and swap the connections for the neck and middle. Then you get the following on the switch:

Bridge - bridge/neck - neck - neck/mid - mid

This way you get the best strat sounds (neck and neck/mid) and the best tele sounds (bridge and bridge / neck) without any need for complicated switching or push-pulls.

I had a QP in my tele neck and didn’t like it much either.

 

[CK71]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

Another option for the middle pickup would be an APS-2. It is a warmer single coil. I like it when it is paired with a brighter single as it can give a really nice balance of bright and warm.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

I'm about to dive in and research tapping the QP neck, but can you provide a quick primer? I assume this is a service SD provides to tame the pup a bit correct?

Yes, they offer it...they wind the coil, attach an output wire, and wind some more. You can order it with the tap anywhere, although they sell one with the tap in a specific place.

 

[cactus jack]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

Thanks for all the suggestions.

What would be a solid middle ground between the SSl-2/JD and QP sets? Something with Strat clarity in the neck, ass kicking rock in the bridge, but slightly hotter than vintage, but not as extreme at the QP?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

Perhaps a Five Two in the neck, and a Broadcaster in the bridge. The Five Two is warmer and rounder than an SSL-2, and the Broadcaster is a hotter, warmer Tele thing that isn't quite as hot as the JD.

 

[cactus jack]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

Circling back for a quick update. I picked up a SSL-2 neck and middle. After reading about them and listening to clips they seem like a no brainer.

Now I need to settle on the bridge pup. I'm leaning towards the Jerry Donahue, but any last contenders I should checkout? The Broadcaster has my attention, but I've ruled out the Quarter Pounder as it might be a bit more than I'm looking for.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

the jd is a great tele bridge pup and should work great with the ssl2

 

[Mincer]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

The JD has more output to me than the Broadcaster, so it really just depends on how much you need. The JD also is further away output-wise from SSL2s. Some people are just fine with that.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

How about this BG 1400 bridge Texas Hots neck and middle?
This is the BG 1400 from the Custom shop

Would be rude nasty and distinctive when it needed to be but also have that real Strat vibe in the neck middle or Teli vibe bridge with a BIG kick!

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

For classic Strat/Tele I reckon SSL-2/SSL-2/Broadcaster would cover that. I do agree that the JD would be a good alternative in the bridge.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

i dont really hear the jd as having much more output than the broadcaster. the eq is different for sure, which is why i like it better

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

i dont really hear the jd as having much more output than the broadcaster. the eq is different for sure, which is why i like it better

Yeah, same for me. Broadcaster feels raunchier to me, the JD sweeter.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

yeah, the broadcaster is snottier. more treble and upper upper mids, tight bottom with more spank than the jd which i hear as having a broader, sweeter mid range with less bottom and warmer top

 

[cactus jack]

Re: Telecaster Strat Hybrid Pickup Set

I decided to go with the JD. Honestly, I didn't want to go down an OCD rabbit hole searching for the perfect pickup. Instead, I made a decision, and if I don't like it, I'll try the Broadcaster out. I'll post some pics once I get the guitar built and let you know what I think about the tone. Pretty excited, and think this is gonna be a special instrument.