Question on Tele Pickup Output and Movement

Chris F · June 2nd, 2008, 10:02 PM

Hi,

I'm new to this forum. I just got my first telecaster, and it is a MIJ in very good condition. Close to perfect cosmetically, and the neck feels nice. As this is my first tele, I have some questions on the pickups in this one. Apparently it has 'TL-Vintage' pickups. When I compare the output to my strat (which has texas specials) or my PRS (with Dragons II set at single-coil), the output from the tele is lower than the Strat and the PRS (with amp at same volume). If the Strat and the PRS output's 4/4, the tele's is perhaps 2.5-3/4 compared. Is that to expect? I know the texas specials and the dragons are hotter.

The next question is that when I place a finger in the bridge picup above the low E-string and one below the high E-string, and alternate pushing the pickup in and out, it moves. It doesn't change the sound or make any noise. Just not used to this. Is that normal too or do I need to tighten up the two screws behind the PUP and the one in front?

I look forward to input and to continue using this forum. I am very happy with the tele so far, and getting those questions answered, will probably complete my satisfaction.

Cheers,
Chris

Cole · June 2nd, 2008, 10:28 PM

Hi Chris F...

Welcome to the forum. You have discovered that the weaker the pickup the more you must turn your amp up to match the relative volume to the guitars that have stronger pick ups. Welcome to the world of amps & guitars! Don't expect expect them to match in output volumes and it's not a good idea to adjust the height of the pick ups so they will have equal volume when plugged into your amp. You may not like the results.

In a gig situation, most of the time I compensate by cranking my amp high enough for my weakest pickup guitar and turn the guitar volume down for higher output guitars. The idea being you create an evenly matched global volume through the guitar instead of the amp. This is a place to start.

You notice that strat & HB pups are all 2 point height adjustments, however the tele bridge pup has a 3 point. Tightening the screws will change the pickup height. Like strat & HB pups there is a spring or rubber spacer tube to keep tension on the adjustment screws to keep it from vibrating loose. Chances are your pickup is where it needs to be... so you may want to leave it alone. The movement is considered normal.

Go here to make sure your pickup height is at factory specs:

Fender setup guide

Good luck... hope this helps!

Chris F · June 2nd, 2008, 11:04 PM

Hi Cole,

thank you for your reply. I guess I just have to get used to it. I did suspect it, but it was good to have it confirmed. I have fallen in love with the Tele so much that I have a second one coming next week. I also picked that one up used, made in the US and in good condition.

Again, thanks Cole.

Cheers,
Chris

Cole · June 3rd, 2008, 02:01 PM

if you haven't discovered it already... there's no cure for your tele-itis son... and I don't think there's no such animal as a recovering tele-holic either! Fortunately it's a joyful bunch of folks here... stick around.

How 'bout some pics of that new tele eh?

Chris F · June 3rd, 2008, 10:03 PM

Here it is: 1996 Telecaster (50th Anniversary), Made in Japan. Rosewood neck, TL-Vintage pickups. Plays very nice:

[IMG]

[/IMG]

I also have a 1988 Fender Tele coming, cream blonde with white pickguard and maple neck. One Voodoo Hotwound and one Seymour Duncan Pickup.

They're GREAT!!

Cole · June 3rd, 2008, 10:08 PM

oh yeah! You got it bad!! Nice guitar!

woodman · June 4th, 2008, 03:54 AM

cranking your amp beats pickup output any day, in my world. no worries! and welcome!

Mark Davis · June 4th, 2008, 04:10 AM

The pickup moves cause its mounted on springs.

Chris F · June 6th, 2008, 03:44 PM

Thanks for reply guys. Only regret I have: why didn't I get a Telecaster earlier

johnnylaw · June 6th, 2008, 06:31 PM

Welcome Chris. And listen to Woodman. I like lower output single coils with a cranked tube amp. Its a musical concoction- good dynamics. Helps to suck more tonal variety out of those fingers!

Hunker down and woodshed for a spell before drawing conclusions. Have fun!

June 2nd, 2008, 10:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
Chris F NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 4	Question on Tele Pickup Output and Movement Hi, I'm new to this forum. I just got my first telecaster, and it is a MIJ in very good condition. Close to perfect cosmetically, and the neck feels nice. As this is my first tele, I have some questions on the pickups in this one. Apparently it has 'TL-Vintage' pickups. When I compare the output to my strat (which has texas specials) or my PRS (with Dragons II set at single-coil), the output from the tele is lower than the Strat and the PRS (with amp at same volume). If the Strat and the PRS output's 4/4, the tele's is perhaps 2.5-3/4 compared. Is that to expect? I know the texas specials and the dragons are hotter. The next question is that when I place a finger in the bridge picup above the low E-string and one below the high E-string, and alternate pushing the pickup in and out, it moves. It doesn't change the sound or make any noise. Just not used to this. Is that normal too or do I need to tighten up the two screws behind the PUP and the one in front? I look forward to input and to continue using this forum. I am very happy with the tele so far, and getting those questions answered, will probably complete my satisfaction. Cheers, Chris

June 2nd, 2008, 10:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cole Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisville KY Age: 57 Posts: 215	Hi Chris F... Welcome to the forum. You have discovered that the weaker the pickup the more you must turn your amp up to match the relative volume to the guitars that have stronger pick ups. Welcome to the world of amps & guitars! Don't expect expect them to match in output volumes and it's not a good idea to adjust the height of the pick ups so they will have equal volume when plugged into your amp. You may not like the results. In a gig situation, most of the time I compensate by cranking my amp high enough for my weakest pickup guitar and turn the guitar volume down for higher output guitars. The idea being you create an evenly matched global volume through the guitar instead of the amp. This is a place to start. You notice that strat & HB pups are all 2 point height adjustments, however the tele bridge pup has a 3 point. Tightening the screws will change the pickup height. Like strat & HB pups there is a spring or rubber spacer tube to keep tension on the adjustment screws to keep it from vibrating loose. Chances are your pickup is where it needs to be... so you may want to leave it alone. The movement is considered normal. Go here to make sure your pickup height is at factory specs: Fender setup guide Good luck... hope this helps! __________________ ~Cole Cole's website Cole's MySpace "The only currency we have is influential communication."

June 3rd, 2008, 02:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cole Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisville KY Age: 57 Posts: 215	if you haven't discovered it already... there's no cure for your tele-itis son... and I don't think there's no such animal as a recovering tele-holic either! Fortunately it's a joyful bunch of folks here... stick around. How 'bout some pics of that new tele eh? __________________ ~Cole Cole's website Cole's MySpace "The only currency we have is influential communication."

June 3rd, 2008, 10:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chris F NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 4	Here it is: 1996 Telecaster (50th Anniversary), Made in Japan. Rosewood neck, TL-Vintage pickups. Plays very nice: [IMG][/IMG] I also have a 1988 Fender Tele coming, cream blonde with white pickguard and maple neck. One Voodoo Hotwound and one Seymour Duncan Pickup. They're GREAT!!

June 3rd, 2008, 10:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cole Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisville KY Age: 57 Posts: 215	oh yeah! You got it bad!! Nice guitar! __________________ ~Cole Cole's website Cole's MySpace "The only currency we have is influential communication."

June 2nd, 2008, 11:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Chris F NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 4	Hi Cole, thank you for your reply. I guess I just have to get used to it. I did suspect it, but it was good to have it confirmed. I have fallen in love with the Tele so much that I have a second one coming next week. I also picked that one up used, made in the US and in good condition. Again, thanks Cole. Cheers, Chris

June 4th, 2008, 03:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 62 Posts: 5,963	cranking your amp beats pickup output any day, in my world. no worries! and welcome! __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)

June 4th, 2008, 04:10 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 12,846	The pickup moves cause its mounted on springs. __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

June 6th, 2008, 03:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
Chris F NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 4	Thanks for reply guys. Only regret I have: why didn't I get a Telecaster earlier

June 6th, 2008, 06:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
johnnylaw Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New England Age: 51 Posts: 284	Welcome Chris. And listen to Woodman. I like lower output single coils with a cranked tube amp. Its a musical concoction- good dynamics. Helps to suck more tonal variety out of those fingers! Hunker down and woodshed for a spell before drawing conclusions. Have fun! __________________ Its not how long you make it, its how you make it long.