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Duncan Lil 59 in the bridge. What do you use in the neck?

Discussion in 'Just Pickups' started by danzigdan, Jan 22, 2021.

  1. Jan 22, 2021 #1
    danzigdan

    danzigdan TDPRI Member

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    I'm not usually a pickup matching fanatic but a regular Tele neck pickup is a poor match for the Lil' 59 bridge; output and character-wise. I'd like to keep the neck in the single-coil sounding realm, and it doesn't have to be a Duncan pickup. I suppose just a "Hot Tele" neck would work.

    Anyone use this pickup in the bridge?
     
  2. Jan 22, 2021 #2
    EspyHop

    EspyHop Tele-Holic

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    Usually, the STK-T1n Vintage Neck Stack was advertised as neck pickup that compliments the Lil 59.
     
    985plowboy likes this.
  3. Jan 22, 2021 #3
    Blues Twanger

    Blues Twanger Tele-Afflicted

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    A P90 would be nice. Another out of left field option would be a Dimarzio FS-1 strat pickup. Tonally it would be a good match.
     
  4. Jan 22, 2021 #4
    Oldsmobum

    Oldsmobum Tele-Meister

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    I have one of those and a dearmond gold foil that I intend to try together.

    Since the plan was to make a tele from scratch to use them in, I can’t tell you how it works.

    maybe I need to finally get one of those glittery bullet teles and a bigsby and get me some instant gratification...
     
  5. Jan 22, 2021 #5
    985plowboy

    985plowboy Friend of Leo's

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    I had a lil 59 in my #1 for awhile.
    Way unbalanced with the stock neck pickup.
    I returned the guitar to stock.
    Fast forward a few years and I replaced the stock pickups with a set hot from Lindy Fralin. They shall remain with that guitar.
     
  6. Jan 22, 2021 #6
    darkwaters

    darkwaters Friend of Leo's

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    radiocaster and uriah1 like this.
  7. Jan 22, 2021 #7
    danzigdan

    danzigdan TDPRI Member

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    That’s what I’m finding. However, I like the sound—it’s pretty rude almost like a LP Junior.

    I was going to go with a Strat pickup of some sort (have plenty of those) but this particular guitar is routed only for a Tele neck pickup.
     
  8. Jan 24, 2021 #8
    don

    don Tele-Meister

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    My tele with a little 59 is currently working as an Esquire with no switch - I have contemplated putting a humbucker in the neck but so far its still an Esquire. IMG_7108.jpg
     
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  9. Jan 24, 2021 #9
    Ron C

    Ron C Tele-Holic

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    I found it mixed well with a broad range of neck pickups - a full size 59, a Yamaha minibucker, an overwound Strat A5 pickup and my current favorite, a Duncan Classic Stack Plus Strat neck pickup.

    Pretty anything with moderate output that doesn't need you to cut much treble at the amp seemed to be a good pairing.
     
  10. Jan 24, 2021 #10
    danzigdan

    danzigdan TDPRI Member

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    I had that epiphany yesterday and I think that’s what I’m going to do. The Esquire I built is a little bit tame. I’m going to swap the Duncan out and put it in that. I have some vintage options for the other Tele.
     
  11. Jan 25, 2021 #11
    DeepDangler

    DeepDangler Tele-Meister

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    If you end up replacing the neck pickup, try a Duncan Quarter Pounder tele neck. It’s a powerful single coil with enough oomph to balance with a hot bridge pickup but it still sounds like a tele neck. I use the quarter pounders in the neck and bridge.
     
    Muku likes this.
  12. Jan 26, 2021 #12
    uriah1

    uriah1 Telefied Gold Supporter

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    52B2ABB7-3232-46DE-9F82-A07184752063.jpeg
     
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