Is it possible to reduce "plink" in a tele?

[teleamp]

I have a partscaster e-type that is made up of a 60's tele body/pickup and a Nocaster neck, and a 52 ri bridge plate/saddles. It is very twangy, has some bell like tones, but also has some plink. The guitar is very well set-up, good neck to pocket fit, and has plenty of threads under the saddles. The strings are Fender 150s 10-46's.

Should I try different strings, a modern style bridge, anything else?

If I decide to roll another partscaster, what is the basic recipe for a "bell" like tele?

[caloyburger]

How's your action? Low, medium low? In my case I raised the action from 4/64 to 5/64. Big difference in tone and feel. Reduced some "plink" and added some "beef". I also lowered the pickups a tad. I'd start there before trying the bigger mods.

[ole AZ]

Originally Posted by teleamp

If I decide to roll another partscaster, what is the basic recipe for a "bell" like tele?

Lots of opinions here. Many say that esquire style guitars sound more chimey and bell like because of the reduced magnet draw. That might be the sole recipe right there.

[Mark Davis]

Change the strings first thats the cheapest thing to do use pure nickel strings they are a tad darker than the nickel wrap ones.

If its still too twangy get a Callaham bridge that will kill some of the twang and replace it with a tad more sustain.

[Chris S.]

You say it's well set up, but IME "plink" usually comes from either a) the action being too low, b) a reverse bow in the neck, or c) a fret problem, which is much less common. Try raising the strings slightly and see if that doesn't help. Best of luck, CS

[Esquire1]

By plink do you mean "articulate"? Meaning sharp, quick response, but a lack of sustain in some situations, kind of like a jag? It's one of those terms like "Dark". From what Mr. Davis wrote he and I have the same definition of dark. But when I talk to gibson guys I have no idea what they mean by dark...

[mellecaster]

You want sumptin cheaper than Mark's suggestion ?....turn your pick over to one of the rounded corners, instead of using the point (assuming you're using a std. 351 style plectrum) ?

[maestrovert]

Originally Posted by originalmatthew

mix one part "experimentation" with two parts "maybe", add a dash of "I wonder" in a 90% solution of "practice, practice, practice" and cook on low for about 20 years. See the back of the package for high altitude instructions.
Really though, there is no "recipe". You can try different pups, pickup height adjustment, pots, strings, caps, etc. and keep playin with it till it sounds the way you want it to. If you are going to use a tech to help you, it would be a good thing to let him or her hear the guitar, and then you will be on the same page when you start describing the sound you want, and what you dont like about it now.

+1


plinkiness ? i take that to mean a two sizes too light string gauge with thin plectrums and/or the action set too low type of sound, easily remedied.

Bell tone.....depends on the timbre you imagine your Tele-bell having...
is it Big Ben like, or a top-of-it's-range Glockenspiel ?
your picking/attack is a large part of it, and your amp has a fair bit to do with it also....

can you post some examples of what you're trying to describe so we're all on the same page ?

[teleamp]

Originally Posted by caloyburger

How's your action? Low, medium low? In my case I raised the action from 4/64 to 5/64. Big difference in tone and feel. Reduced some "plink" and added some "beef". I also lowered the pickups a tad. I'd start there before trying the bigger mods.

Originally Posted by maestrovert

+1


plinkiness ? i take that to mean a two sizes too light string gauge with thin plectrums and/or the action set too low type of sound, easily remedied.

Bell tone.....depends on the timbre you imagine your Tele-bell having...
is it Big Ben like, or a top-of-it's-range Glockenspiel ?
your picking/attack is a large part of it, and your amp has a fair bit to do with it also....

can you post some examples of what you're trying to describe so we're all on the same page ?

I may just be getting too picky, and am reaching the limits of what I can do with an esquire with a vintage pup can do. I'm pretty sure it's not a setup or fret issue.

I can get bell like tones with a light touch, but am trying to get them with a little more force. I have tried raising/lower the string height and have found the optimal.

The plink is not really that bad, but it is there and may be a result of the vintage style bridge and the old grey bottom pup. The guitar out twangs the 3 Nocasters I used to own. And, it does rockabilly with the best of them.

I'll give pure nickel strings a try. But, I'll probably part the guitar out.

I've talked to another forum member and have another guitar on the way that is supposed to cure my woes, but that is 3-4 weeks out.

[e-merlin]

Try picking closer to the neck. It's going to plink if you pick right on the bridge, especially if you try picking hard.