My project Tele...

[Michael]

... is taking shape! I just got the body back from Mark Jenny and I am thrilled by the results, which anyone interested can view via the link. The neck is going out soon; it has a rosewood board and a profile like a JV neck. I'm interested in hearing your opinions on pickguard styles, hardware, and pickup choices. I'd like it to carry a vintage vibe with a high twang factor. The neck pickup is very important to me for swing and jazz stuff and it might receive my lap steel pickup in a transplant from my `50's Classic. I originally wanted to copy the vibe of the Robben Ford Tele but I'm leaning toward something more personalized. I'd appreciate your suggestions.

Tele Project

[eryque]

Michael, I have an old Fender neck pickup from the 60s that is a very versatile pickup, and with the right amp gives a very warm, clear, full tone that is perfect for swing and jazz. While these are hard to come by, in my neck pickup shootout a while back I found that the Van Zandt true vintage pickups sounded almost identical. I would have been hard pressed to tell you which was which in a blind taste test.

You could also reroute for a humbucker or mini-humbucker if you want an even thicker tone, and the Duncan '59 is a good choice for that.

Good luck!