tele with H/B in neck position

[cycler]

years ago I had a US Fat tele, which I foolishly sold...can anyone tell me if there is another mfg besides G&L who makes a tele, with that particular pickup configuration? Or, am i gonna have to try one of the custom builders? thanks in advance, emilio

[moonshiner]

Besides Fender(Squier, et. al) too?

If you don't want it to be telecaster in shape... yeah...

If you want it in that telecaster shape... your choices are slim.. but, yes...

[AJ Love]

All of the Fender American Series and American Deluxe guitars are pre-routed for a humbucker underneath the pickguard.... a Lollar Imperial humbucker is one of the first mods for me with my Telecasters

[Geyser]

I too had a US Fat Tele but mine was stolen. I got a 72 Custom RI and it has that same pickup config (Fender widerange hb in the neck, standard Tele in the bridge). Squier also still makes a "Fat Tele". Or as the others suggested, just pop a bucker in the pre-routed hole of any Tele and make your own "fattie".

[Geo]

Fender Japan offers several models in various type woods
with a neck H/B.
Most of those can be seen on the Ishibashi web site.

[Mr. Sparkle]

Originally Posted by AJ Love

All of the Fender American Series and American Deluxe guitars are pre-routed for a humbucker underneath the pickguard.... a Lollar Imperial humbucker is one of the first mods for me with my Telecasters

How do you like that Imperial?

[cycler]

AJ, thanks for the info on the amer/amer dlx series teles...never had a clue...certainly opens up some options for me...and thanks for all the other suggestions, too

[jwells393]

Fender Ensenada made a fat Telecaster in the 90's ........... think it was called the Telecaster Special. They come up on Ebay from time to time.

[AJ Love]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sparkle

How do you like that Imperial?

Thrilled with it... I love it more than words can say

[eryque]

Originally Posted by jwells393

Fender Ensenada made a fat Telecaster in the 90's ........... think it was called the Telecaster Special. They come up on Ebay from time to time.

It's direct descendant was the California Fat Tele, which is almost identical and both are cool guitars. The CA series was produced from roughly '97-early '99

I think that the current MIM 50s Classic is also routed for a 'bucker, so installing one just takes a new pickguard (or modifying your old one) and a pickup.

[jwells393]

Just checked two 50s Classics ......... both 2002 models....... no humbucker rout.

[a42]

Originally Posted by jwells393

Just checked two 50s Classics ......... both 2002 models....... no humbucker rout.

Recent MIM Standards are routed for a neck humbucker. (I've got a 2004.)

To those of you who've done this -- any other mods you make because of the humbucker? Like changing pots, caps, etc.

[Sarge]

Levinson Blade makes a fantastic tele with a neck humbucker. I belive it is the Delta Thin Line THD. F hole, VSC and coil tap. That model has been discontinued but every now and then one turns up for around a grand. Very much worth the wait, I have one and it is my #1 Tele, it's versitility is outstanding.

[BB]

Originally Posted by a42

Recent MIM Standards are routed for a neck humbucker. (I've got a 2004.)

To those of you who've done this -- any other mods you make because of the humbucker? Like changing pots, caps, etc.

The "rule of thumb" for years has been 250K pots for single coils and 500K's for humbuckers. Personally, I prefer 250's. It all boils down to what works for you. If you have 250's in the guitar now, I would leave them and see how you like the sound. If you find the high end/sparkle lacking, try 500k's.

As far as caps, you usually see .022's for buckers and .047's for single coils. Again, no set rule. For my neck bucker, bridge single coil guitars, I use either a .033 or .047 cap with the 250K pots. I use the tone control a lot.....from just taking the edge off, to full on roll off when usuing overdrive for that wonderful "woman" tone.

This is what works for me and may or may not work for you. Thankfully, pots and caps are an inexpensive and easy way to tweak your tone.

[AJ Love]

Originally Posted by a42

To those of you who've done this -- any other mods you make because of the humbucker? Like changing pots, caps, etc.

Haven't changed the Pots or Caps, but I have noticed that a Callaham bridge seems to work particularily well both in terms of balance of tone between the neck Humbucker and the bridge pickup and specifically in terms of great tone from the Humbucker. Better (imho) than the original 6 saddles bridges

[Robert H.]

Yamaha makes the Mike Stern model as part of the Pacifica line of guitars. It is a Tele styled guitar and after some modifications is a great one. The neck has a Duncan 59 humbucker while the bridge has a Duncan hotrails HB p/u. Great sound and feel on the unfinished maple neck.
The bridge was absolute junk---I now have a Joe Barden bridge on there---and the frets were very rough and needed dressing.
All in all, a first rate guitar after these adjustments.

[Fatmanstratman]

Much more fun, and you get to choose the exact parts, pups etc. that you want!

This one plays like a dream, and with that 'bucker selected, it rocks!




Same guitar - pics taken at different times with different lighting.

[BB]

Originally Posted by Fatmanstratman

Much more fun, and you get to choose the exact parts, pups etc. that you want!

This one plays like a dream, and with that 'bucker selected, it rocks!




Same guitar - pics taken at different times with different lighting.

Beautimus I must say! I like! Is that a GFS split pup in the neck? I so, how do you like it?

[cycler]

thanks again for all the suggestions and ideas...

Fatmanstratman, it may come down to your suggestion, I dont know, probably will just keep my eyes/ears open and look for a good deal, and then make the changes...btw, that is a cool looking tele you put together

[FatTeleTom]

Originally Posted by a42

To those of you who've done this -- any other mods you make because of the humbucker? Like changing pots, caps, etc.

I've got an American Series Fat Tele that I really like.

I would suggest checking the wiring schematics for this guitar in the support section of Fender's web site (it's called the American Series Hot Rodded Fat Tele or something like that). They're available as downloadable PDF files.

The setup they came up with in terms of the pot values, plus (if I recall correctly) an extra resistor in there somewhere seems to handle balancing out the two pickups very nicely.

[Fatmanstratman]

Originally Posted by BB

Beautimus I must say! I like! Is that a GFS split pup in the neck? I so, how do you like it?

BB, you are spot on - yep, that is indeed a GFS "Vintage Split" humbucker.

I've bought loads of the various types of GFS pups, both for myself and for friends who hear mine and want them for themselves! Every time they arrive, I marvel at the quality, drool over the sounds, then pinch myself when I see how cheap they are.

The Vintage Split overdrives my Twin Reverb without trying; I fitted a GFS Hot TC Alnico (10k!!!) in the bridge, but rarely use it, as the neck pup is so juicy and raunchy. Additionally, the neck pup is very responsive to your picking - soft and sweet with a gentle touch, snappy and snarling if you dig in. Just how it should be.



I can't recommend these highly enough - for so little money, just "buy one and try it".....

Thanks to all for the kind comments about my guitar - I really enjoyed building this one, and I have been rewarded with a beaut.

[gbenson]

what's your guy's experiences with how the two pickups combine in the middle pos.?

Isn't it sort of tricky to find a good pairing? I'm not talking about hum cancelling necessarily (a bonus), but can you still get a clucky chucka cluckster twang with botha dems?

[a42]

Originally Posted by Fatmanstratman

I can't recommend these highly enough - for so little money, just "buy one and try it".....

I did, and I don't care for it. Mine sounds kinda weak and/or dull. (That's why I was asking about pots, etc.) It certainly isn't juicy and raunchy. I did install it myself so it isn't out of the question that I goofed something up. (Wouldn't be the first time.) I may have to open up and investigate things now...

Or, it could just not be the sound I was looking for. Hard to tell; I find I'm pretty picky sometimes. (And not always in a good way.)

[BB]

Originally Posted by gbenson

what's your guy's experiences with how the two pickups combine in the middle pos.?

Isn't it sort of tricky to find a good pairing? I'm not talking about hum cancelling necessarily (a bonus), but can you still get a clucky chucka cluckster twang with botha dems?

THe tone is wonderful! I have never had a problem
( using many different bucekrs and many different bridge pups ) with balance. They key is to use a fairly low output, PAF type pup in the neck I believe....at least thats what works for me....others experiences may be different. Anywa, I really dig the tone of a neck bucekr and bridge single coil mixed.

[Ben Harmless]

Originally Posted by jwells393

Fender Ensenada made a fat Telecaster in the 90's ........... think it was called the Telecaster Special. They come up on Ebay from time to time.

Yep. Got one, and they're great. Of course, mine came to me Esquirized, but it's got the most resonant body I've yet to find in a Tele, and the neck was great untill I wore most of the frets off... I swear I'd take it over any 52RI I've ever tried.