Thinline Teles: differences between pickup configs?

dg27

dg27

New member
I'm a bass player: Not a guitarist. That being said I'm considering get an electric guitar just to bang around on. I prefer Teles (had one years ago) and particularly like Thinlines. I've been looking at Fenders and Squiers on EBay (have no aversion to the latter).

I'm hoping someone could educate me a little on the three distinctly different pickup configs. I'm only familiar with the first example shown here. Some Teles are too twangy for my tastes--would like to avoid that.

example 1.jpg

example 2.jpg

example 3.jpg

Thanks.

dg
 
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Re: Thinline Teles: differences between pickup configs?

Of the three, I would go for the original second generation Thinline with the Fender Wide Range humbuckers. The modern re-issue guitars do not sound the same.

Squier offers some Teles with Gretsch Filter'Tron style pickups. These might prove interesting.
 
Re: Thinline Teles: differences between pickup configs?

Thanks, Funkfingers. I assume that'd be like the one on the middle? (Just so I can rule out the others when I'm shopping around.)
 
Re: Thinline Teles: differences between pickup configs?

Funkfingers said:
Of the three, I would go for the original second generation Thinline with the Fender Wide Range humbuckers.
Click to expand...

It looks like the original 2nd gen are all well beyond my budget.

Would you automatically rule out any of the MX models?
 
Re: Thinline Teles: differences between pickup configs?

I have one of the (first) '69 style (MIJ) and one of the (second) '72 style (MIM). Both resonate well, but I prefer the '69 style more. The squire version they rolled out a couple years ago was actually pretty nice. I played a few of them, they all played and sounded pretty good.
 
Re: Thinline Teles: differences between pickup configs?

I can't comment on the last one since I've never played the thinline with P90s but I'm guessing the first one is going to be the most twangy of the three because it's got tele pickups in it.

The second one with Fender's reissue pickups doesn't have the sound of the real WRHB but is still a pretty good sound. Not too twangy and pretty warm. The authentic sounding WRHBs have a lot more snap and are more lively than these which are really just PAFs. Again these don't sound bad but they don't really match the original tone if that's what you're looking for.

You can't just buy regular HBs to fit those either without either changing the guard or using pickup rings (which I think looks a bit odd).

Hope this helps.
 
Re: Thinline Teles: differences between pickup configs?

Thanks, Brunogio--this is all very useful info.
 
Re: Thinline Teles: differences between pickup configs?

I'm pretty sure I won't be opting for the first one ('69 style) because I want to avoid too twangy.

I like the '72 style, but have no idea about P-90s (or their apparent goodness) in the 3rd one shown (which 'style' is that considered?).

Would the p-90s be warmer than the HBs in the '72?

Forgive what could be inane questions (I'm a bass player)...

dg
 
Re: Thinline Teles: differences between pickup configs?

dg27 said:
It looks like the original 2nd gen are all well beyond my budget.

Would you automatically rule out any of the MX models?
Click to expand...

What is your budget? You could build one from parts/order an unfinished body and build it yourself...just a thought...
 
Re: Thinline Teles: differences between pickup configs?

treyhaislip said:
What is your budget? You could build one from parts/order an unfinished body and build it yourself...just a thought...
Click to expand...

I don't want to build: I already have a bass build that's been in progress for what seems like forever. I'm just looking for something to bang around on, in the $500-600 range. I'm not concerned with it sounding "authentically" like any given model: just want to avoid anything too twangy. Prefer warmer and fatter.

I'm never opposed to swapping in new pickups though and have done so on most of my basses. But my first choice would be something "off the rack."

The ones in my price range seem to be like the third example above (P-90s?). The '72 series are all a few hundred $ more on eBay.

dg
 
Re: Thinline Teles: differences between pickup configs?

dg27 said:
I don't want to build: I already have a bass build that's been in progress for what seems like forever. I'm just looking for something to bang around on, in the $500-600 range. I'm not concerned with it sounding "authentically" like any given model: just want to avoid anything too twangy. Prefer warmer and fatter.

I'm never opposed to swapping in new pickups though and have done so on most of my basses. But my first choice would be something "off the rack."

The ones in my price range seem to be like the third example above (P-90s?). The '72 series are all a few hundred $ more on eBay.

dg
Click to expand...

Ah I see! I can definitely understand that!

I would recommend a Mahogany body with a Rosewood fretboard–that should give you a nice warm sound. And I would not go for the single coils version–get the humbuckers.

I've never really been a big fan of the P-90's; however, I really have never had time to sit down with a set (guitar with a set in) and dial in my tone. I've seen a couple of these at the Guitar Center near me, is there one near you that you could call up and see if they have one in stock that you could play? Just to see what you think?
 
Re: Thinline Teles: differences between pickup configs?

treyhaislip said:
I would recommend a Mahogany body with a Rosewood fretboard–that should give you a nice warm sound. And I would not go for the single coils version–get the humbuckers.
Click to expand...

I'll keep this mind--thanks!

treyhaislip said:
I've never really been a big fan of the P-90's; however, I really have never had time to sit down with a set (guitar with a set in) and dial in my tone.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I think I'll have to go and play a few to see what I think overall

treyhaislip said:
I've seen a couple of these at the Guitar Center near me, is there one near you that you could call up and see if they have one in stock that you could play? Just to see what you think?
Click to expand...

I'll probably check out Sam Ash.

Thanks again.

dg
 
Re: Thinline Teles: differences between pickup configs?

dg27 said:
I'll keep this mind--thanks!

Thanks. I think I'll have to go and play a few to see what I think overall

I'll probably check out Sam Ash.

Thanks again.

dg
Click to expand...

No prob! Best of luck finding your tele and I hope you can find exactly the tone you are looking for!
 
Re: Thinline Teles: differences between pickup configs?

dg27 said:
I'm just looking for something to bang around on, in the $500-600 range. I'm not concerned with it sounding "authentically" like any given model: just want to avoid anything too twangy. Prefer warmer and fatter.
Click to expand...

Grab Squier CV Thinline, replace the stock pickups with Hot for Tele set or Quarter Pound set and call it a day.
 
Re: Thinline Teles: differences between pickup configs?

Thanks--great idea! That's all I need...
 
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