Just popped in a S.D. Broadcaster (Update) - Page 2

Kris · July 27th, 2003, 11:48 AM

Is your MIM the 50s classic? If it is, then I think you should try the stock pickup first. If you switch the wires (and move the cover shield connector to the other wire) then you'll get a good combined tone that is also hum-cancelling (I know -- I've done it). The MIM 50s Classic neck pickup is a very good pickup.

Another obvious choice would be the Antiquity neck pickup. Here the combination would also be hum-cancelling. The antiquity neck pickup is a really good sounding pickup with good treble for a traditional tele neck pickup. Some find that it also has too much bass, though.

A third choice, which I'll be trying shortly in a new guitar, is the Fender Original Vintage Tele neck pickup. Here you would also need to switch the wires and move the cover shield connector. I'm told this also gives a hum-cancelling combo with the Antiquity.

Moving away from traditional options, the Rio Grande Vintage Tallboy has been a popular choice. I've never tried it.

Good luck!

Kris

ravenfan · July 27th, 2003, 12:47 PM

Kris-

No. My MIM is just the standard. I'll just do as you say with the stock neck pup and see how it sounds. In the mean time, I'll keep an eye out for a good deal on a replacement.

Thanks,

Bob

Kris · July 27th, 2003, 06:20 PM

The reason you need to switch the wires on Fender neck pickups when you put in a Duncan bridge pickup is that otherwise they are out of phase with one another.

I would suggest that you first just install the bridge pickup and listen to the combined setting. If it sounds really thin, tinny and just plain strange then they are out of phase. In that case you need to switch the wires and move the connector from the cover. Maybe you'll be lucky and get hum-cancelling in the middle position.

Good luck!

Kris

ravenfan · July 27th, 2003, 07:02 PM

Kris-

A third choice, which I'll be trying shortly in a new guitar, is the Fender Original Vintage Tele neck pickup. Here you would also need to switch the wires and move the cover shield connector. I'm told this also gives a hum-cancelling combo with the Antiquity.

I was going crazy thinking about options and just went ahead with option 3. I ordered the Fender vintage pup. The price that musician's fiend had it for was just too good to pass up.

I'll let you know when it's installed and how it sounds. It's a bit strong compared with the Antiquity (6.5-ish, to 7.5-ish), but pickup hight should hopefully solve that.

Thanks,

Bob

Kris · July 31st, 2003, 07:22 PM

You should be getting a good volume match with those two pickups, of course needing to adjust heights properly as you point out.

My Antiquity bridge pickup rates 6.4 and has every bit as much output as my Broadcaster which rates in excess of 7. My much louder Harmonic Design '54 Special neck pickup reads out at below 6, according to my tech.

Ohm ratings don't translate directly into output -- a lot depends on the magnets, type of wire, etc.

Good luck!

Kris

ravenfan · August 1st, 2003, 07:54 PM

Kris-

Thanks for all the help. I'm going to be e-mailing you soon for a little more detailed description on how to make the stock neck work with the SD Antiquity. Musician's Friend was out of stock on the Fender real Vintage (and will not be offering that pickup anytime soon, or so they say). So I am going to use the stock neck MIM pickup. I have to say that since I recieved the guitar, The neck pup is my favorite part of this MIM Tele. The bridge is a little low on output and very low on dynamics. I'm using 9's right now so maybe 10's would help a bit.

Anyway, the Antiquity should help a great deal, as well.

Thanks,

Bob

July 27th, 2003, 11:48 AM	#41 (permalink)
Kris Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Reykjavik, Iceland Posts: 357	Neck pickup choices Is your MIM the 50s classic? If it is, then I think you should try the stock pickup first. If you switch the wires (and move the cover shield connector to the other wire) then you'll get a good combined tone that is also hum-cancelling (I know -- I've done it). The MIM 50s Classic neck pickup is a very good pickup. Another obvious choice would be the Antiquity neck pickup. Here the combination would also be hum-cancelling. The antiquity neck pickup is a really good sounding pickup with good treble for a traditional tele neck pickup. Some find that it also has too much bass, though. A third choice, which I'll be trying shortly in a new guitar, is the Fender Original Vintage Tele neck pickup. Here you would also need to switch the wires and move the cover shield connector. I'm told this also gives a hum-cancelling combo with the Antiquity. Moving away from traditional options, the Rio Grande Vintage Tallboy has been a popular choice. I've never tried it. Good luck! Kris

July 27th, 2003, 06:20 PM	#43 (permalink)
Kris Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Reykjavik, Iceland Posts: 357	More about neck pickups The reason you need to switch the wires on Fender neck pickups when you put in a Duncan bridge pickup is that otherwise they are out of phase with one another. I would suggest that you first just install the bridge pickup and listen to the combined setting. If it sounds really thin, tinny and just plain strange then they are out of phase. In that case you need to switch the wires and move the connector from the cover. Maybe you'll be lucky and get hum-cancelling in the middle position. Good luck! Kris

July 31st, 2003, 07:22 PM	#45 (permalink)
Kris Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Reykjavik, Iceland Posts: 357	Hey ravenfan! Don't let the kOhm ratings fool you You should be getting a good volume match with those two pickups, of course needing to adjust heights properly as you point out. My Antiquity bridge pickup rates 6.4 and has every bit as much output as my Broadcaster which rates in excess of 7. My much louder Harmonic Design '54 Special neck pickup reads out at below 6, according to my tech. Ohm ratings don't translate directly into output -- a lot depends on the magnets, type of wire, etc. Good luck! Kris

July 27th, 2003, 12:47 PM	#42 (permalink)
ravenfan TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 74	Kris- No. My MIM is just the standard. I'll just do as you say with the stock neck pup and see how it sounds. In the mean time, I'll keep an eye out for a good deal on a replacement. Thanks, Bob

July 27th, 2003, 07:02 PM	#44 (permalink)
ravenfan TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 74	Kris- A third choice, which I'll be trying shortly in a new guitar, is the Fender Original Vintage Tele neck pickup. Here you would also need to switch the wires and move the cover shield connector. I'm told this also gives a hum-cancelling combo with the Antiquity. I was going crazy thinking about options and just went ahead with option 3. I ordered the Fender vintage pup. The price that musician's fiend had it for was just too good to pass up. I'll let you know when it's installed and how it sounds. It's a bit strong compared with the Antiquity (6.5-ish, to 7.5-ish), but pickup hight should hopefully solve that. Thanks, Bob

August 1st, 2003, 07:54 PM	#46 (permalink)
ravenfan TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 74	Kris- Thanks for all the help. I'm going to be e-mailing you soon for a little more detailed description on how to make the stock neck work with the SD Antiquity. Musician's Friend was out of stock on the Fender real Vintage (and will not be offering that pickup anytime soon, or so they say). So I am going to use the stock neck MIM pickup. I have to say that since I recieved the guitar, The neck pup is my favorite part of this MIM Tele. The bridge is a little low on output and very low on dynamics. I'm using 9's right now so maybe 10's would help a bit. Anyway, the Antiquity should help a great deal, as well. Thanks, Bob