who's using a mini HB and SC tele bridge setup?

Cole · October 9th, 2008, 10:32 AM

I been toying with the idea of using a mini HB pup in the neck position for my next build. So I have a few questions for those who are already using mini HB neck pup with standard tele SC pup arrangement. Here goes:

1. What do like on the mini HB pup better over the standard SC tele neck pup?
2. what value volume & tone pots are you using with this combo? 250K or 500k pots?
3. How about the value on the cap?/What value gave you the results you were looking for? .047 cap?
4. special wiring considerations?

thanks!

Wally Gator · October 9th, 2008, 05:34 PM

Hey Cole,
I'll share my recent experimentation with you. I've got a Schecter USA PT Tele that had a Duncan Mini in the neck and a Broadcaster in the bridge. I love the Mini so it stays, but I didn't like the volume difference when switching between the two. I did a lot of height adjustment, but couldn't get the same volume without adding distortion. Swapped out the Broadcaster for a Don Mare 0038 10K wind. Got closer, but still not what I'd call balanced. Swapped that for a stacked Schecter that I'm used to hearing (two other guitars have this pickup) and now it is perfect - rich and full sounding with the ability to split. The Mini has a nice crispness to it that I normally don't associate with the neck position. My guitar has stock 500K pots with a .047 green cap. Basic wiring with a push/pull tone knob for splitting the bridge. This guitar has a maple top and birdseye neck so it was pretty bright in stock form. The 0038 now resides happily in a heavy 72 Custom clone that was pretty blah sounding when I got it. Hope this helps ya.

4mal · October 10th, 2008, 09:31 PM

Just swapped my Duncan Designed Mini out for a Charlie Christian in mini hum form factor. One reason was that I didn't want to go the stacked pot volume control. The mini wants a 500, the sc wants a 250.

The pikcups in my Tele are both from Pete Biltoft at Vintage Vibe. If you're looking for a full body jazzy thing that blends well with a Tele SC in the bridge - it's a sweet setup. More Grant Green than say SRV ... The DD mini hum is a rippin' neck pickup for a rock'n blues kinda thing.

Ringo · October 10th, 2008, 10:40 PM

I have one Tele that has an early pat number Gibson mini humbucker for the neck, it measures about 6k, and a Fralin Blues Tele bridge pickup.
Volume wise they balance pretty well in all 3 positions, the middle position (neck and bridge) sounds really good.
The Gibson mini is pretty fat sounding, sounds good clean or with od/distortion.
I am using a 300k volume pot, 250k tone pot and a .022 cap.

Everyone has different tastes and pickups do sound different in different guitars, guess the type wood, weight, type neck (maple or rosewood) all have some effect on the overall tone.
IMO you'll never know for sure unless you try it for yourself.

I've had full size humbuckers, Strat neck pu's, assorted different Tele neck pickups, they all have pros and cons, the mini bucker sounds very good.
I am going to try a Tele with a P90 neck pu next though for something different.

October 9th, 2008, 10:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
Cole Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisville KY Age: 58 Posts: 304	who's using a mini HB and SC tele bridge setup? I been toying with the idea of using a mini HB pup in the neck position for my next build. So I have a few questions for those who are already using mini HB neck pup with standard tele SC pup arrangement. Here goes: 1. What do like on the mini HB pup better over the standard SC tele neck pup? 2. what value volume & tone pots are you using with this combo? 250K or 500k pots? 3. How about the value on the cap?/What value gave you the results you were looking for? .047 cap? 4. special wiring considerations? thanks! __________________ ~Cole Cole's website Cole's MySpace "The only currency we have is influential communication." Last edited by Cole; October 9th, 2008 at 11:24 AM.

October 10th, 2008, 10:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ringo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Memphis TN Posts: 2,017	I have that setup now I have one Tele that has an early pat number Gibson mini humbucker for the neck, it measures about 6k, and a Fralin Blues Tele bridge pickup. Volume wise they balance pretty well in all 3 positions, the middle position (neck and bridge) sounds really good. The Gibson mini is pretty fat sounding, sounds good clean or with od/distortion. I am using a 300k volume pot, 250k tone pot and a .022 cap. Everyone has different tastes and pickups do sound different in different guitars, guess the type wood, weight, type neck (maple or rosewood) all have some effect on the overall tone. IMO you'll never know for sure unless you try it for yourself. I've had full size humbuckers, Strat neck pu's, assorted different Tele neck pickups, they all have pros and cons, the mini bucker sounds very good. I am going to try a Tele with a P90 neck pu next though for something different.

October 9th, 2008, 05:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Wally Gator TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 28	Hey Cole, I'll share my recent experimentation with you. I've got a Schecter USA PT Tele that had a Duncan Mini in the neck and a Broadcaster in the bridge. I love the Mini so it stays, but I didn't like the volume difference when switching between the two. I did a lot of height adjustment, but couldn't get the same volume without adding distortion. Swapped out the Broadcaster for a Don Mare 0038 10K wind. Got closer, but still not what I'd call balanced. Swapped that for a stacked Schecter that I'm used to hearing (two other guitars have this pickup) and now it is perfect - rich and full sounding with the ability to split. The Mini has a nice crispness to it that I normally don't associate with the neck position. My guitar has stock 500K pots with a .047 green cap. Basic wiring with a push/pull tone knob for splitting the bridge. This guitar has a maple top and birdseye neck so it was pretty bright in stock form. The 0038 now resides happily in a heavy 72 Custom clone that was pretty blah sounding when I got it. Hope this helps ya.

October 10th, 2008, 09:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
4mal Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Gorge Posts: 2,390	Just swapped my Duncan Designed Mini out for a Charlie Christian in mini hum form factor. One reason was that I didn't want to go the stacked pot volume control. The mini wants a 500, the sc wants a 250. The pikcups in my Tele are both from Pete Biltoft at Vintage Vibe. If you're looking for a full body jazzy thing that blends well with a Tele SC in the bridge - it's a sweet setup. More Grant Green than say SRV ... The DD mini hum is a rippin' neck pickup for a rock'n blues kinda thing.