CV50s Tele - want neck humbucker but getting overwhelmed...

[ad720]

I finally got myself a CV Tele (Vintage White) and I love it.

My intention was always to put a neck humbucker in but I am totally overwhelmed by all the choices.

I am really happy with the current pickups, so I'd be happy keeping the bridge pickup but the OCD in me is saying get a new bridge pickup to match up sonically with the new neck pickup instead of patch-working it. I was planning on a GFS Professional series humbucker in the neck but if I replace everything would a GFS alnico tele bridge pickup basically be a side-ways move in quality?

Then I am reading that the 250k pots might not be good for both the single and the humbucker so I'm thinking I need to replace all the wiring too and add resistors to even them out?

Am I getting worked up for nothing here?

What is the best approach - two new pickups and current wiring? Two new pickups and new wiring? Stop being a wimp and just throw any humbucker in there as is?

[Bartholomew3]

I put a D'Imarzio PAF into a 68 tele in 1970 - never changed the pots.

But don't expect the bridge pick-up to be as loud as the neck if you do this.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it...still have the original 68 neck p/u - it sux.

[craigoslo]

The cheapest option you might want to try first is a 4 way switch for both pups in series. I use that position 40% of the time. That being said, if I was rich, I would get a second tele with a humbucker.

[Martinp]

my beater axe has body of dubious ancestry, a fernandes neck, and a Van Zant Flat Pole in the bridge, and an old T-top Gibson hummer in the neck, it's got 500K pots and a 3way switch. I had to crank the neck pickup down a bit to balance outputs but it sounds great, very versatile. it has a metallic blue duplicolor paint job.
All you really need is a decent vintage PAF voiced pickup, and a couple of 500k pots. the Dimarzio PAF, or the Duncan Antiquity come to mind, but I'm certain that there are lots more out there.
Keep an eye on the classifieds here, and on Ebay, you can find what you want without breaking the bank
good luck with it

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by craigoslo

The cheapest option you might want to try first is a 4 way switch for both pups in series. I use that position 40% of the time.

+1

Do this or just leave it be and use the saved money towards a cool amp.

[ad720]

Bumping this up.

I'm pretty sure that i am going to go with the GFS professional series Alnico II neck humbucker (7.6k) and the Professional series 52 Tele Alnico V repro bridge (7.8k).

Should I be looking to use 500k pots for this?

What should be looking to use as far as capacitor values?

[KokoTele]

Either choice is a compromise, so you'll have to choose which compromise you like best.

A 500k volume pot will make the guitar sound brighter than a 250k pot will. Neck buckers are usually darker (sometimes much darker) than bridge single coil pickups. Tele bridge pickups tend towards icepick highs.

So, do you want your neck to sound too dark or your bridge to sound too bright?

For me, the answer was that I could put up with darkness from the neck, so I stuck with 250k pots.

For the tone control, a 250k/.047uf combination has a similar effect as a 500k/.022uf combination. It doesn't matter that much.

If you search for posts by me, you'll find a wiring diagram that works to balance out the tone of the 2 pickups. I know I've posted it within the last 2 weeks.

[rstaaf]

One of the reasons I like the Toneshaper although I imagine it could be done with traditional wiring.

http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/ToneS...P3290C415.aspx

Optimized For Humbucker/Single-Coil Combinations
Most players who add a humbucker to the neck of their Tele use the stock 3-way switch. But we think most players would like to be able to split the humbucker, which allows for more tonal flexibility. Assuming your guitar has a 3-conductor or 4-conductor humbucker, then you can use the ToneShaper with a 5-way switch, which will allow you to split the humbucker. However, if you have a humbucker with a single-conductor braided lead, like the original Gibson pickups, you'll need to use the ToneShaper with a 3-way switch (you can also use this switch if you have a P-90 neck pickup).

In either case, the ToneShaper's volume pot is designed specifically to give you the best tone from your pickups. Mixing humbuckers and single-coils always presents a dilemma: Do you use a 250k volume pot to accommodate the single-coils, or a 500k volume to accommodate the humbucker? The value of the pot has an effect on the tone, and most single-coils are voiced for 250k pots, while most humbuckers are voiced for 500k.

With the ToneShaper, you don't have to compromise. When you order a Tele ToneShaper for hum/single combinations, we use a 500k volume pot to accommodate the humbucker, but we've incorporated a couple of resistors that are brought into the circuit in the other switch positions, lowering the load to 250k. So the full-humbucker setting (all the way forward) sounds like a humbucker should, and the single-coil and combination positions sound like they should. (Prefer sticking with 500k in all positions? No problem, ToneShaper can do this too, just give us a call).

This way I can run a humbucker and a single coil without the usual compromise.

[cactusrob]

Originally Posted by craigoslo

The cheapest option you might want to try first is a 4 way switch for both pups in series. I use that position 40% of the time. That being said, if I was rich, I would get a second tele with a humbucker.

+1 !!

I had this done to mine. I can't think of a humbucker out there that I'd trade it for either...

[ad720]

Originally Posted by KokoTele

Either choice is a compromise, so you'll have to choose which compromise you like best.

A 500k volume pot will make the guitar sound brighter than a 250k pot will. Neck buckers are usually darker (sometimes much darker) than bridge single coil pickups. Tele bridge pickups tend towards icepick highs.

So, do you want your neck to sound too dark or your bridge to sound too bright?

For me, the answer was that I could put up with darkness from the neck, so I stuck with 250k pots.

For the tone control, a 250k/.047uf combination has a similar effect as a 500k/.022uf combination. It doesn't matter that much.

If you search for posts by me, you'll find a wiring diagram that works to balance out the tone of the 2 pickups. I know I've posted it within the last 2 weeks.

I'll check it out thanks...

Originally Posted by rstaaf

One of the reasons I like the Toneshaper although I imagine it could be done with traditional wiring.

http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/ToneS...P3290C415.aspx



This way I can run a humbucker and a single coil without the usual compromise.

That looks great but wow, pricey. Interesting idea though, using different caps to lower the load on the single coil.

[Rhuantavan]

In my CV50 tele I've put a Bare knuckle Nantucket P90 in the neck and a BK Blackguard 50 tele pickup in the bridge position. I could not be happier. This let me keep the original wiring and pots (althrough I am planning to rewire it with quality pots and switch). The only hassle was getting a custom pickguard for the P90.

[multisergiod]

Im doing the same on a spare alder body/maple neck standard tele.
The output for the humbucker is described as "Vintage" and 7.9k, the bridge is described as "High" and 9.1k.
So i was thinking 500k pots as wanted to keep the humbucker bright but what to do about the bridge pickup ...
Would a .047 cap mean the bridge pickup wont be able to meet the humbucker or will the bridge pickups high output bring it close? Could the .022 leave the bridge too hot for the humbucker?
New to modding so apologise if this is a no brainer ...

[Verne Bunsen]

I tried a number of normal output humbuckers in the neck of my HS Tele, and although a few of them sounded really really nice, the lack of volume balance was always a stumbling block for me. A few months ago I popped in a Lollar Firebird, which is a mini humbucker of sorts, and is somewhat low output at 6.1k. It sounds phenomenal and balances very well with the Jerry Donahue in the bridge. I like "bright" so I wired it up with 500k pots. I think I'm finally happy with my pup configuration!

[multisergiod]

hi, have you used a capacitor and if so what value?

[MrCairo46]

My TerryKathster has a PRS McCarty Jazz hb in its neck, a Seymour Duncan 52 in the bridge and still have 250k pots on the controls. I did upgrade to Hoagland Brothers 4 way reversed control plate. It did sound way better than the old MIJ pots. They seem to balance well, with either controls in .

[xtrajerry]

Originally Posted by Verne Bunsen

I tried a number of normal output humbuckers in the neck of my HS Tele, and although a few of them sounded really really nice, the lack of volume balance was always a stumbling block for me. A few months ago I popped in a Lollar Firebird, which is a mini humbucker of sorts, and is somewhat low output at 6.1k. It sounds phenomenal and balances very well with the Jerry Donahue in the bridge. I like "bright" so I wired it up with 500k pots. I think I'm finally happy with my pup configuration!

Have the SD Mini Humbucker in the neck, it's also a Firebird pup and sounds fantastic..

[stng72]

i love the sound of the seymour duncan slash pickups, they are so sweet and articulate.

[stng72]

forgot to mention that the cv tele comes with the routing done for a humbucker.

[musicalmartin]

A Tonerider bucker ,an A2 or a Rocksong will give a great tone at a good price ,I suggest it as default pickup .It may not be the absolute best ,though many love them ,but it will do the job admirably.I would try a four way first ( a four way with Bill Lawrence micro coils is just fantastic IMHO)

[JaMmeRman]

Originally Posted by xtrajerry

Have the SD Mini Humbucker in the neck, it's also a Firebird pup and sounds fantastic..

This is the BEST double coil neck PUP for a tele IMO.

[multisergiod]

Originally Posted by musicalmartin

A Tonerider bucker ,an A2 or a Rocksong will give a great tone at a good price ,I suggest it as default pickup .It may not be the absolute best ,though many love them ,but it will do the job admirably.I would try a four way first ( a four way with Bill Lawrence micro coils is just fantastic IMHO)

i was looking at the toneriders, have you an opinion on their a iv classic bucker only ive seen them describe the a2 as more voiced like a single coil?

[Phelonious Ponk]

Originally Posted by ad720

I finally got myself a CV Tele (Vintage White) and I love it.

My intention was always to put a neck humbucker in but I am totally overwhelmed by all the choices.

I am really happy with the current pickups, so I'd be happy keeping the bridge pickup but the OCD in me is saying get a new bridge pickup to match up sonically with the new neck pickup instead of patch-working it. I was planning on a GFS Professional series humbucker in the neck but if I replace everything would a GFS alnico tele bridge pickup basically be a side-ways move in quality?

Then I am reading that the 250k pots might not be good for both the single and the humbucker so I'm thinking I need to replace all the wiring too and add resistors to even them out?

Am I getting worked up for nothing here?

What is the best approach - two new pickups and current wiring? Two new pickups and new wiring? Stop being a wimp and just throw any humbucker in there as is?

The simple solution is do what GFS does. I recently bought one of their Telemasters -- http://www.guitarfetish.com/BLOWOUT-...dy_p_2512.html
They use one of their GFS Fatbody Tele bridge pickups, A GFS Mini Crunchy mini humbucker in the neck and 250k pots.

Balance is very nice and the mini humbucker doesn't need a 500k pot to cut, it just needs a bit of the treble knob. That bridge pup is over-would a bit, though. It will twang, but not like a vintage pup. More suited for rock, blues and rocking country than traditional tones.

P

[SBgrand]

I too have one of the telemasters by Guirar Fetish. Hated the neck, replaced it with a baja tele copy neck, next I'm putting in an oaks grisgby switch, and though there may be a factory wiring mistake, I'm taking out the tone control, making it 2 volumes, bridge 250k, neck mini-hum at 500k. also flipping the control plate & ash yray cover. (leave it alone I like it)

[multisergiod]

Originally Posted by Verne Bunsen

I tried a number of normal output humbuckers in the neck of my HS Tele, and although a few of them sounded really really nice, the lack of volume balance was always a stumbling block for me. A few months ago I popped in a Lollar Firebird, which is a mini humbucker of sorts, and is somewhat low output at 6.1k. It sounds phenomenal and balances very well with the Jerry Donahue in the bridge. I like "bright" so I wired it up with 500k pots. I think I'm finally happy with my pup configuration!

So I went with the 7.9k humbucker and 9.1k single coil ( toneriders ), 500k pots and a .022 capacitor.
No surprises from the pickups selected individually ( bridge is a tad shrill if tone not rolled off a bit ) and voicing is generally more rock than vintage but the middle position gives me an interesting "honky" sort of tone, kind of like a warmer sounding quack you get from a standard tele in the middle position.
Well they're wired to a standard 3 way switch so i'm assuming they're running in parallel so I suppose I got what I should have expected!?
Sort of like the honky tone but also glad I have another tele as it comes .... mmmm juries out for me

[xtrajerry]

Originally Posted by multisergiod

So I went with the 7.9k humbucker and 9.1k single coil ( toneriders ), 500k pots and a .022 capacitor.
No surprises from the pickups selected individually ( bridge is a tad shrill if tone not rolled off a bit ) and voicing is generally more rock than vintage but the middle position gives me an interesting "honky" sort of tone, kind of like a warmer sounding quack you get from a standard tele in the middle position.
Well they're wired to a standard 3 way switch so i'm assuming they're running in parallel so I suppose I got what I should have expected!?
Sort of like the honky tone but also glad I have another tele as it comes .... mmmm juries out for me

the 52 Hot Rods use a 375 k pot and it works well mixing sc with humbuck, sounds like you're not completely happy with your setup..

[multisergiod]

Originally Posted by xtrajerry

the 52 Hot Rods use a 375 k pot and it works well mixing sc with humbuck, sounds like you're not completely happy with your setup..

i was certainly surprised by the result, i looked at all the wiring diagrams for the hot rodded/fat teles but settled on the HS just to keep it simple as it's my first mod although i havent yet put a resistor in it, i'll spend some time listening to it and get back to you