In praise of the bridge pickup

blacklinefish · October 28th, 2007, 12:26 PM

I've seen threads talking about preference for one pickup setting over another, or other threads about not getting into the bridge only or neck only pickups. I probably would be in the camp that identifies more with the neck rather than the bridge. When I play at home, I usually have my amp set up with a clean sound, and over 80% of the time I am playing with the neck position.

I don't twang, and when I play along to country stuff on the radio, I usually use position 2 or the middle of my 5-way (3-pickups). Never bridge only. Today, that changed.

I used to play a Les Paul exclusively (for over 20 years), but I put this guitar together early in the year. Today, I was playing with a 15-piece band, two of which are rather heavy-handed keyboardists (piano and organ). I can find my way around that wall-of-sound, even with the Les Paul, but it's tough. Today, with brass, winds, and three percussionists added, I was getting myself prepared for frustration. Then, I selected the bridge pickup. My-oh-my, that telecaster cut through perfectly, I almost sounded like I was out in front of the band. I played bridge and bridge+middle the whole time.

Now I get it, I totally get it. What a versatile guitar. I'm glad I had an open-mind for six months before the opportunity came up.

--gh

marc sosnoff · October 28th, 2007, 01:15 PM

cool looking rig i to am learning to use the brodge more and more
in all my years of playing (mostly with humbuckers) i could never get into the bridge tone since i moved into teles i find i can use the bridge more and more and with the tone knob ther is so many possiblities

what is your amp rig

TY · October 28th, 2007, 02:02 PM

Wait a minute, teles have neck pickups?

I'll have to try it some time.

blacklinefish · October 28th, 2007, 07:13 PM

The amp is a homebuilt, using one of the designs from ax84.com. I need to admit that I am not playing that quarter-stack out, though. I need something a bit more compact, and am going to build a combo next year for playing. I'm embarassed to say that right now I am playing through a modeling pedal, though.

--gh

modelo dos · October 28th, 2007, 07:39 PM

Hey, nice job on that amp, like the dovetail work on the cabinets, too...

Welcome to the world of the Telecaster bridge pickup, it's never to late to discover auditory bliss... :)

Oh, and just my opinion, but no need to be embarrassed about the modeling pedal. Hell, currently I don't even have an amp, I use a Line6 Toneport and play through studio monitors, record digitally as well (and I love it).

trag-o-caster · October 28th, 2007, 10:22 PM

There are some nights were I just stay on the bridge PU all night long. Then there are other nights when I just stay on the front PU all night long (I have a Strat PU in the front position on my main Tele). I love 'em both - I use 'em both!

Edited to add:

I just noticed that this just made post number 3500 for me! I'm glad it was used wisely!

raf · October 28th, 2007, 10:37 PM

I just "got it" within the last year...I love the bridge pickup...crisp, cuts through, plenty of jangle!

sax4blues · October 28th, 2007, 10:45 PM

In my simplified, not very experienced world I mainly use:

Rhythm - Bridge, or once in a while bridge/neck
Clean or blues lead - neck
Overdrive lead - bridge

JimiBryant · October 28th, 2007, 10:53 PM

oh, man, I LIVE on that bridge pickup!

I gotta make myself use the neck pup more often, actually.
well.. that and score a set of Bare Knuckle pickups!

telechaser · October 28th, 2007, 11:07 PM

I used to live on the neck and middle position only. I don't twang as well but love the Tele shape.

But when it comes for those lead tones, with some OD, the bridge pup just sings specially on blues.

October 28th, 2007, 12:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
blacklinefish Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northwest Missouri Age: 40 Posts: 1,065	In praise of the bridge pickup I've seen threads talking about preference for one pickup setting over another, or other threads about not getting into the bridge only or neck only pickups. I probably would be in the camp that identifies more with the neck rather than the bridge. When I play at home, I usually have my amp set up with a clean sound, and over 80% of the time I am playing with the neck position. I don't twang, and when I play along to country stuff on the radio, I usually use position 2 or the middle of my 5-way (3-pickups). Never bridge only. Today, that changed. I used to play a Les Paul exclusively (for over 20 years), but I put this guitar together early in the year. Today, I was playing with a 15-piece band, two of which are rather heavy-handed keyboardists (piano and organ). I can find my way around that wall-of-sound, even with the Les Paul, but it's tough. Today, with brass, winds, and three percussionists added, I was getting myself prepared for frustration. Then, I selected the bridge pickup. My-oh-my, that telecaster cut through perfectly, I almost sounded like I was out in front of the band. I played bridge and bridge+middle the whole time. Now I get it, I totally get it. What a versatile guitar. I'm glad I had an open-mind for six months before the opportunity came up. --gh

October 28th, 2007, 07:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
modelo dos Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: SusQ Valley, PA Age: 37 Posts: 167	Hey, nice job on that amp, like the dovetail work on the cabinets, too... Welcome to the world of the Telecaster bridge pickup, it's never to late to discover auditory bliss... :) Oh, and just my opinion, but no need to be embarrassed about the modeling pedal. Hell, currently I don't even have an amp, I use a Line6 Toneport and play through studio monitors, record digitally as well (and I love it). __________________ Regards, Dave

October 28th, 2007, 10:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
trag-o-caster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Flushing, Michigan Posts: 4,438	There are some nights were I just stay on the bridge PU all night long. Then there are other nights when I just stay on the front PU all night long (I have a Strat PU in the front position on my main Tele). I love 'em both - I use 'em both! Edited to add: I just noticed that this just made post number 3500 for me! I'm glad it was used wisely! __________________ Timothy Jon Lamb

October 28th, 2007, 10:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
raf Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2007 Location: Indiana Age: 41 Posts: 608 9 Photos	I just "got it" within the last year...I love the bridge pickup...crisp, cuts through, plenty of jangle! __________________ "Great playing! Awesome tone! Cool Tele! All is right with the world!"...raf '08

October 28th, 2007, 10:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
JimiBryant Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chicago Chicago that toddlin' town Age: 46 Posts: 1,575	oh, man, I LIVE on that bridge pickup! I gotta make myself use the neck pup more often, actually. well.. that and score a set of Bare Knuckle pickups! __________________ I'm sick and tired of following my dreams, so I'm just gonna ask 'em where they're going and hook up with them later!

October 28th, 2007, 01:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
marc sosnoff Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: new jersey Age: 55 Posts: 531 10 Photos	cool looking rig i to am learning to use the brodge more and more in all my years of playing (mostly with humbuckers) i could never get into the bridge tone since i moved into teles i find i can use the bridge more and more and with the tone knob ther is so many possiblities what is your amp rig

October 28th, 2007, 02:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
TY Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hell-A Posts: 304	Wait a minute, teles have neck pickups? I'll have to try it some time.

October 28th, 2007, 07:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
blacklinefish Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northwest Missouri Age: 40 Posts: 1,065	The amp is a homebuilt, using one of the designs from ax84.com. I need to admit that I am not playing that quarter-stack out, though. I need something a bit more compact, and am going to build a combo next year for playing. I'm embarassed to say that right now I am playing through a modeling pedal, though. --gh

October 28th, 2007, 10:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
sax4blues Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Jose, CA Age: 51 Posts: 502	In my simplified, not very experienced world I mainly use: Rhythm - Bridge, or once in a while bridge/neck Clean or blues lead - neck Overdrive lead - bridge

October 28th, 2007, 11:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
telechaser Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 533 10 Photos	I used to live on the neck and middle position only. I don't twang as well but love the Tele shape. But when it comes for those lead tones, with some OD, the bridge pup just sings specially on blues. __________________ Slowing down . . . to get faster