Chrome neck pup in middle

[GuitarJonz]

Anyone set up a tele with a neck pup with cover in the middle position, where a strat pup would usually go in a Nashville setup? What were your results, compared to using a strat pickup in the middle, how was the quack? Any recommendations on which covered neck pup would work well there? Pics? I assume that a brighter model would give better quack.

[e-merlin]

Fernandez used to make a Tele like that. It's been so long since I've played one I can't help with any tone descriptions, though.

[strat-o-teleman]

I've been wondering the same thing. I've got a U.S. Burton Tele and I'm wanting to get rid of the Lace Sensors, but it's routed just for those p/ups, but Tele neck p/ups would fit right in--I just have to route out for the Bridge p/up--Ugghh!!

I hope some others who have tried the neck/middle thing will chime in on this

[tjalla]

With a bucker in the neck...

It won't sound like a strat - the chrome covered tele pup lends a softer quack compared to my Fralin loaded hardtail strat. So far I'm finding the chrome pup in the middle to be a hard balance to get right ie chimey enough in the quack positions without being too thin by itself.

I'm dropping a Voodoo neck pickup in the middle soon, see how that goes... will be mated to either a RG Muy Grande or Duncan Antiquity Flatpole. Results later, but it would be easier to get punchy tones from a strat PU in the middle, IMO. The chrome pu does have its own character, but I'm trying to find the right pickup at the moment...

[Ray G]

I tried a Tele neck pup in the middle position when I modified my MIJ 50's RI. I wasn't happy with the results. The 2 and 4 sounds were dullesh. I have to say though that I used one of Fenders lower end Tele neck pups for the mod so that probably had a lot to do with the poor sound. I wound up installing a VanZandt Strat pup and the 2/4 sounds are a whole lot better/quackier... not exactly like a Strat but still very cool.

Having said that though, I think a brighter sounding chrome pup, such as a DiMarzio Twang King, might actually work well in the middle slot. I have the TK in the neck slot of my Tele now and it really has some snap to it, one of the best sounding Tele neck pups I have ever heard.

Good Luck

[e-merlin]

I've been toying with building one for some time, even before I tried the Fernandez. I think Twang Kings would be the ideal pickup for this. DiMarzio will do RWRP as a custom order, but I don't know what the lead time or extra cost would be.

[tjalla]

Originally Posted by tjalla

I'm dropping a Voodoo neck pickup in the middle soon, see how that goes... will be mated to either a RG Muy Grande or Duncan Antiquity Flatpole. Results later, but it would be easier to get punchy tones from a strat PU in the middle, IMO. The chrome pu does have its own character, but I'm trying to find the right pickup at the moment...

OK, its not working for me. If the chrome PU in the middle is bright enough to get a decent "quack" in the notch positions (texas special, Twang King), its too bright and shrill alone. If its sounds good by itself (Voodoo), notch postions are dull compared to my strat. Looks like the chrome PU is best where it was designed to be. Have to find me a Harmonic Design mini-strat PU now :?

[tjalla]

...sounds absolutely sublime!

For me the trick was to NOT expect bridge/middle quack tones - I'll leave that to my strat. Now I've matched it up with the right pickups in neck and bridge, namely a Steven Kersting 'bucker sized P90 and a Duncan Antiquity in the bridge. 3 way switch with no "in between" postions, just 3 distinct and usable sounds from each PU. Tone pot on bridge only, 500k pots (helps liven up the neck and middle pups).

Had alot of fun with the tele tonight...

Cheers,
Trevor

[JohnnyAtomic]

my 68 has a fralin rewound 68 neck PU in the middle and a gibson minibucker in the neck. the two position (neck/middle) is close enough to a strat cluck for my needs.
johnny atomic