Balancing pickups- a technical/wiring question

[kayarcee]

I'm planning to put a p90 pickup in the neck position of my mid-90's MIM standard. While part of the point of the Tele is that there's an inherent imbalance in pickup output, that imbalance usually favors the bridge. With the p90 (it'll likely be an "economy" pickup from GPR), that balance will be shifted, but i would ideally like to dial some of the output back. EDIT: I should note that the current pickups are stock Fender standards from the mid-90s

With that in mind, would it be a good idea to wire a capacitor or resistor in the signal chain for the p90 as a way to "dial back" some of the output?

i.e.

p-90 lead---------------cap/resistor-----switch lug 1------switch lug 2
ground|_____________________________back of pot

[jrfrond]

Originally Posted by kayarcee

I'm planning to put a p90 pickup in the neck position of my mid-90's MIM standard. While part of the point of the Tele is that there's an inherent imbalance in pickup output, that imbalance usually favors the bridge. With the p90 (it'll likely be an "economy" pickup from GPR), that balance will be shifted, but i would ideally like to dial some of the output back. EDIT: I should note that the current pickups are stock Fender standards from the mid-90s

With that in mind, would it be a good idea to wire a capacitor or resistor in the signal chain for the p90 as a way to "dial back" some of the output?

i.e.

p-90 lead---------------cap/resistor-----switch lug 1------switch lug 2
ground|_____________________________back of pot

By inserting a resistor in series with the pickup, you are going to kill some tone and sparkle from an already (apparently) budget pickup. I would not do this at all. It's just the wrong thing to do.

A P90 (or even mini-HB) neck in a Tele is not a new concept. I would just make sure that you have enough depth in the P90 cavity to adjust far down enough and balance it using HEIGHT, which is really the RIGHT way to do it.

[mellecaster]

I agree with John...this is a Rio Grande Bastard w/ a Std. Bridge Pup, and there is no real sense of Overpowering....P-90s work well with Teles I feel.

[kayarcee]

Thanks for the advice- I know that p90s for the Tele aren't a new idea, but wanted to know if there were any additional steps in the wiring I should take to make it work the best it can.

Thanks again!

[newey]

KRC-

Have you considered adding a concentric volume pot and giving each pickup a separate volume control? This would give you the ability to adjust the relative outputs of the 2 pickups when they're both on.

Wire each half of the concentric pot across the respective pickup, then out to the switch as usual.