STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
I keep seeing some Fender Teles mentioning this neck pickup...Could someone explain to me what the "twisted" part of the equation is with this pickup....:bigok:
What Is Fender's "Twisted Tele Pickup"?
- Thread starter STRATDELUXER97
- Start date
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: What Is Fender's "Twisted Tele Pickup"?
The deal is that with a traditional Telecaster neck pickup you are stuck with that small bobbin so you have to use 43 gauge wire, just like vintage Tele neck pickups. This works but you get a sound thats not as clear as a Strat pickup for example even thought the DC resistance looks to be the same or higher the output is actually a little lower than a typical strat pickup.
So, with the Twisted Tele they use alnico 5 magnets from a Jazz Bass pickup, which are the same diameter but slightly taller, this allows them to use a taller bobbin, which allows them to use 42 gauge wire, like a Strat pickup. This allows for the use of a "typical' amount of magnet wire as well so that the tone and output is about the same as a typical Strat pickup. In addition to this they use a nickel/silver cover as oposed to the traditional brass cover used in the 50's...
Those old school brass covers do attenuate a LOT of top end on their own. The taller bobbin, filled with 42 gauge wire and a cover thats a LOT more transparent than the old brass covers gives you a pickup that is a lot closer to a Strat in tone than any traditional Tele pickup ever would be.
If you're not into Fender pickups there are several pickup winders doing pickups like these now, truth is Fender wasn't the first! I've tried them and if you want a more Strat like tone in the neck they are great...I actually prefer the darker tone of a typical vintage Tele neck pickup but I know that I'm in the minority!
The deal is that with a traditional Telecaster neck pickup you are stuck with that small bobbin so you have to use 43 gauge wire, just like vintage Tele neck pickups. This works but you get a sound thats not as clear as a Strat pickup for example even thought the DC resistance looks to be the same or higher the output is actually a little lower than a typical strat pickup.
So, with the Twisted Tele they use alnico 5 magnets from a Jazz Bass pickup, which are the same diameter but slightly taller, this allows them to use a taller bobbin, which allows them to use 42 gauge wire, like a Strat pickup. This allows for the use of a "typical' amount of magnet wire as well so that the tone and output is about the same as a typical Strat pickup. In addition to this they use a nickel/silver cover as oposed to the traditional brass cover used in the 50's...
Those old school brass covers do attenuate a LOT of top end on their own. The taller bobbin, filled with 42 gauge wire and a cover thats a LOT more transparent than the old brass covers gives you a pickup that is a lot closer to a Strat in tone than any traditional Tele pickup ever would be.
If you're not into Fender pickups there are several pickup winders doing pickups like these now, truth is Fender wasn't the first! I've tried them and if you want a more Strat like tone in the neck they are great...I actually prefer the darker tone of a typical vintage Tele neck pickup but I know that I'm in the minority!
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: What Is Fender's "Twisted Tele Pickup"?
HA!
I guess I took too long to type out my reply!
HA!
I guess I took too long to type out my reply!
Falstaff
New member
Re: What Is Fender's "Twisted Tele Pickup"?
IIRC, they were designed by Alan Hamel when he worked for the Fender Custom Shop. As Hermetico said, I don't think they are supposed to be completely Strat-like but rather a sort of clearer Tele pickup. I don't know if one can purchase them new without buying a guitar around them but other makers (Don Mare, Voodoo, and maybe Stuart) do a similar thing, I think.
IIRC, they were designed by Alan Hamel when he worked for the Fender Custom Shop. As Hermetico said, I don't think they are supposed to be completely Strat-like but rather a sort of clearer Tele pickup. I don't know if one can purchase them new without buying a guitar around them but other makers (Don Mare, Voodoo, and maybe Stuart) do a similar thing, I think.
ACH91332
New member
Re: What Is Fender's "Twisted Tele Pickup"?
Yeah I thought these pickups were a good idea since I hate how traditional Tele necks sound. Too muddy and smooth and just didn't have any output. I always found myself taking off the covers. Gives me that Strat tone without having to shell out money on a Strat single coil and a new pickguard to accommodate it.
Yeah I thought these pickups were a good idea since I hate how traditional Tele necks sound. Too muddy and smooth and just didn't have any output. I always found myself taking off the covers. Gives me that Strat tone without having to shell out money on a Strat single coil and a new pickguard to accommodate it.
lowenzz
New member
Re: What Is Fender's "Twisted Tele Pickup"?
The "twisted tele" neck pup came on the Baja Tele, Along with a Broadcaster bridge pup. They are custom shop/custom shop designed, not sure which or the difference, probably just marketing.
Granted this is my first and only Tele, But I found the neck pickup dark, muddy, muted, dull, and low output. The bridge was thin and ice picky.
Maybe all tele's are like this I dunno. Maybe I'm just not a Tele tone type person. I dropped some Rio's in it and it was vastly improved, huge difference. This one was the single most dramatic change from a swap.
I did make out well, got $140 for the old pups on CL.
The "twisted tele" neck pup came on the Baja Tele, Along with a Broadcaster bridge pup. They are custom shop/custom shop designed, not sure which or the difference, probably just marketing.
Granted this is my first and only Tele, But I found the neck pickup dark, muddy, muted, dull, and low output. The bridge was thin and ice picky.
Maybe all tele's are like this I dunno. Maybe I'm just not a Tele tone type person. I dropped some Rio's in it and it was vastly improved, huge difference. This one was the single most dramatic change from a swap.
I did make out well, got $140 for the old pups on CL.
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: What Is Fender's "Twisted Tele Pickup"?
Thanks to all of you...Great info!
Thanks to all of you...Great info!
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: What Is Fender's "Twisted Tele Pickup"?
The Fender Twisted Tele neck pickup appears on three or four models, including one expensive USA variant. I had one in a CP Baja model. I did not like it. I fitted a SD Vintage Stack instead.
In my opinion, some of the myth about Tele neck pickups sounding muddy dates back to the 1953-67 three-way switching circuit. This offered Bridge PU, Neck PU, Neck PU through passive filter network. The third position predates the launch of the electric bass guitar. Go figure!
After 1967, the switch layout was altered to Bridge PU, Both, Neck PU. Unfortunately, under CBS, manufacturing standards slipped and the pickups did not sound so good, adding to the belief that T neck pickups are a waste of space.
In my opinion, a decent T neck pickup in a decent guitar sounds wonderful. Of course, I am biased. I am a Roy Buchanan enthusiast.
Quick story. A few years ago, I bought a pre-owned Squier JV series Telecaster from a local music store. The shop assistant praised the sound with the selector switch in the middle position but did not rate the neck position. I immediately asked for a screwdriver to demonstrate the instrument's pre-67 style wiring. Conclusion, the tone of that Squier Tele neck pickup was not so bad. Just of very low output.
The Fender Twisted Tele neck pickup appears on three or four models, including one expensive USA variant. I had one in a CP Baja model. I did not like it. I fitted a SD Vintage Stack instead.
In my opinion, some of the myth about Tele neck pickups sounding muddy dates back to the 1953-67 three-way switching circuit. This offered Bridge PU, Neck PU, Neck PU through passive filter network. The third position predates the launch of the electric bass guitar. Go figure!
After 1967, the switch layout was altered to Bridge PU, Both, Neck PU. Unfortunately, under CBS, manufacturing standards slipped and the pickups did not sound so good, adding to the belief that T neck pickups are a waste of space.
In my opinion, a decent T neck pickup in a decent guitar sounds wonderful. Of course, I am biased. I am a Roy Buchanan enthusiast.
Quick story. A few years ago, I bought a pre-owned Squier JV series Telecaster from a local music store. The shop assistant praised the sound with the selector switch in the middle position but did not rate the neck position. I immediately asked for a screwdriver to demonstrate the instrument's pre-67 style wiring. Conclusion, the tone of that Squier Tele neck pickup was not so bad. Just of very low output.
coffee_party
New member
Re: What Is Fender's "Twisted Tele Pickup"?
what is the seymour duncan or dimarzio equivalent of the fender twisted neck pickups? thanks!
what is the seymour duncan or dimarzio equivalent of the fender twisted neck pickups? thanks!
Last edited:
elelpe
Well-known member
Re: What Is Fender's "Twisted Tele Pickup"?
Duncan doesn't have it. Dimarzio has Twang King. Check also Wilde Keystones and Onamac pickup.
Duncan doesn't have it. Dimarzio has Twang King. Check also Wilde Keystones and Onamac pickup.
MacBradley
New member
Re: What Is Fender's "Twisted Tele Pickup"?
FYI, you can buy the Twisted Tele pickups by themselves from Fender. You don't have to buy a Tele with one already in it to get one.
FYI, you can buy the Twisted Tele pickups by themselves from Fender. You don't have to buy a Tele with one already in it to get one.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: What Is Fender's "Twisted Tele Pickup"?
check out the uncovered fralin 5% overwounds too.
check out the uncovered fralin 5% overwounds too.
coffee_party
New member
Re: What Is Fender's "Twisted Tele Pickup"?
yah i know, but they're being sold as set
i just wanted the neck pickup so i was wondering maybe seymour duncan was selling a neck pickup exactly like the twisted set neck pickup
yah i know, but they're being sold as set
i just wanted the neck pickup so i was wondering maybe seymour duncan was selling a neck pickup exactly like the twisted set neck pickupRe: What Is Fender's "Twisted Tele Pickup"?
I realize that this is an old thread, but figured I'd add my 2 cents.
I picked up a 2013 American Tele second hand which came stock with the "twisted" pickup in the neck and the Broadcaster in the bridge. Comparing it to other Telecasters the overall sound is a bit fuller and richer. It doesn't sound like either of my Stratocasters, but it does sound exactly like a Tele, only richer. This model also has the contour back instead of the flat slab which I like very much.
I realize that this is an old thread, but figured I'd add my 2 cents.
I picked up a 2013 American Tele second hand which came stock with the "twisted" pickup in the neck and the Broadcaster in the bridge. Comparing it to other Telecasters the overall sound is a bit fuller and richer. It doesn't sound like either of my Stratocasters, but it does sound exactly like a Tele, only richer. This model also has the contour back instead of the flat slab which I like very much.
KNUCKLHEAD
New member
Re: What Is Fender's "Twisted Tele Pickup"?
Muddy ? I'll show You muddy : )
Muddy ? I'll show You muddy : )
Progbusters
New member
Re: What Is Fender's "Twisted Tele Pickup"?
55,000+ views? I had them in my Baja Tele. They're round and deep and clear sounding with a little of that Strat bite. But I was having single coil hum issues with this guitar at that neck pickup slot no matter how much I rewired it and grounded it. So I replaced them with Fender SCN neck pickup which sounds similiar, although a bit humbuckery.
55,000+ views? I had them in my Baja Tele. They're round and deep and clear sounding with a little of that Strat bite. But I was having single coil hum issues with this guitar at that neck pickup slot no matter how much I rewired it and grounded it. So I replaced them with Fender SCN neck pickup which sounds similiar, although a bit humbuckery.
