The first time I tried doing this was on my Highway 1 Tele (Fender SCN at the neck and SD Lil '59 at the bridge.) It sounded OK but I had a feeling that something's not right.
It stayed like that for a few months and purchased a few pickup sets since then. I haven't touched the Highway 1 for weeks 'cause the new pickups on the other Teles sounded far more superior.
I was bored the other day and didn't really feel like playing guitar so I thought I'd swap some pickups around. I've attached a pic so it's easier to explain things.
From left to right - Black Partscaster, Blonde Squier, Highway 1 Sunburst
The Squier is fitted with Flatwound strings. Didn't really like the sound of the bridge pickup; I think it's because of the flatwound strings so I put it on the black partscaster (roundwound strings) and it sounds fantastic. This combo made the black partscaster a much better sounding guitar and the single blade pickup sings; like a beefy single coil with balls. It also has a push/pull pot. Got the diagram from Deaf Eddie's site (thanks D.E.)
The Squier now has a better middle position tone as well. It paired really nicely with the pickup from the partscaster. I only use this guitar for Jazz type stuff and don't use the bridge pickup by itself, no real loss here.
I decided to check the wiring on the Highway 1. Checked the SD wiring diagram and Doh! The reason why the pickups sound weak is because I grounded two wires that are suppose to be soldered to each other and left alone. After fixing this problem, the Highway 1 nows sounds much, much better specially with the 4-way switch.
I'm really happy because it's like getting a new guitar (soundwise) simply by swapping pickups around, checking the wiring, and about 5 hours of my time.
The only problem is I don't know which guitar to play more 'cause they're almost on even terms now.
Anybody experienced something similar?
October 18th, 2007, 06:02 AM
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