Firebird mini in Tele neck; picguard source?

[David Covell]

I have a new American Fat Tele with the DH-1 humbucker in the neck. Not bad, but the DH-1 is just a bit too fat for my taste, and I'd like to try a mini-humbucker in the neck, possibly a Firebird reissue from Duncan. I have a Muy Grande in the bridge, and a mini-HB would match better than does the DH-1.

My first question concerns good sources for pickguards. The stock guard is three-layer MOTS and pretty decent, but I'd like a few more color options. I definitely want a quality product, meaning a good fit and cleanly-cut edges.

Second question: I assume the 5-way switch requires a 4-wire output from the DH-1. Does the Duncan have this?

Finally, and most importantly, I'd like to hear from someone who's done this. I've never played a mini'ed Tele and am willing to risk the cost of the pickup and guard, but I'd love to get some feedback first, since there are several options for mini's in terms of output levels.

I play a variety of styles, and I usually make a neck pickup sound brighter than when other people play it. I also play a LP Standard, and spend 90% of my time on the neck pup. I usually play in the clean to edgy range; if i want all-out crunch I'll use the LP. So, I'd want a mini that's not overly bright; this might rule out a Firebird. The DH-1 is even darker than the PAF in my LP. My other option is to stick with the full-size HB, but go with something with lower output, and thus, a little more treble. I love the Fralin PAF's on my LP; should I talk to him and see about having him wind me a "weaker", brighter PAF? It would cost less than a mini and a custom pickguard.

Ideas?

[Andy B]

I have 3 Tele's with Mini humbuckers in the neck position. My 71 & 90's Thinline have Duncan Vintage Firebird pickups. My 83 has a vintage Gibson/Epiphone Mini. Both of these pickups have typical Gibson 2 wire connectors. I have 4 way selectors in all my guitars. I don't care for the sound of a split pickup.
As for pickguards, I have been using AllParts guards. They do not have pickup mounting screw holes. What I do is hand enlarge the stock cutout with a file leaving the edge closest to the neck as is. With a little work it looks like it was factory made.

[gbd]

WD music will do custom pickguards, at a reasonable price.

[Barrett]

Chandler guitars has all kinds of pickguards and has done a fine job for me in the past for custom work. A little more $ though. -b