pickups for tenor four string build?

[Lingwendil]

Getting ready and planning for a tenor guitar build with four strings, and that will have 10.5mm string spacing at the bridge, 10mm spacing at the nut. I was hoping to keep the pickup to a four string specific variety in order to match the overall reduced scale of the buld, and look lees like a kludge of just slapping full size parts in there. For reference, think 7/8 sized Les Paul Jr. Tentatively I'm planning on a single pickup and it'll be close to the bridge. I'm not a skilled guitarist and don't have to replicate any specific sound, I just want something that will work and fit, with the option to change it later if I find I have more specific needs. Single coil or humbucker is fine, with me sort of leaning towards humbuckers.

I already ordered a cool little bridge for the build-



The first few options to come up in a more professional side is the stuff the cigar box guitar guys use, like these-

https://mgbguitars.com/collections/pickups/products/guitar-parts-pickups-4-box-bucker-gen2

https://www.cbgitty.com/guitar-inst...x-guitar-pickup-by-foundry-tone-no-soldering/

I also found this one on amazon, and I actually am strongly considering it-


Alternatively, I see MGB sells a 4-string specific bridge like a baby telecaster, but I don't want to have it part of the bridge on this build, and don't see this specific pickup listed separately-
https://mgbguitars.com/collections/pickups/products/loaded-bridge

Another option I've heard some folks do is to get a pair of p-bass pickups, and separate them, but I'm unsure if that would have issues with frequency response or not.

Anybody have any input or experience here?

 

[mandoloony]

Any of these look like they'll work, assuming the spacing is remotely close. However, I've found that tenors and other mandolin-family instruments are particularly succeptable to bad string balance unless you have adjustable poles. Something like the Rio Grande Mock 4, while expensive, eliminates that as an issue. Duncan used to make a couple of mandolin pickups, including a mini humbucker, but it looks like those are no longer offered (maybe by special order?). And there are some P-bass pickups with adjustable poles, too.

 

[Lingwendil]

Well, after some more digging, I decided to grab the MGB bridge/pickup combo. I'll keep an eye out for a mandolin pickup in a decent price range, but I can at least start from there.
https://mgbguitars.com/collections/pickups/products/loaded-bridge

Gonna start another thread soon but looking good so far at mock up with that bridge I already have-

 

[archetype]

Gibson used a P-90 with the outermost pole screws removed and replaced with glued-in mother of pearl dots. You could fill with black plastic, instead.

 

[Peegoo]

@Lingwendil

Another option is a single-coil-sized "rails" humbucker. That way the six poles won't look odd under four strings. You could angle them under the strings if you like.

Sort of like this...but not this ridiculous!

 

[randomhitz]

Don't have a specific recommendation but look into the cigar box guitar
world. I've seen pickups for 2, 3 and 4 strings.

 

[Lingwendil]

The four string tele style bridge with built in 4 string pickup came in from MGB cigar box guitar parts shop last night. This thing is pretty darn nice. Looks like it'll be a nice complete and clean solution. Not a bad buy at ~$32 shipped. Seems well made and great quality.

I'll keep the headless bridge I already had on hand for a future project, it was cheap enough at $8! Maybe I'll make a half scale tele or les paul into a 4 string electric mandolin/domra thing later.

 

[archetype]

The four string tele style bridge with built in 4 string pickup came in from MGB cigar box guitar parts shop last night. This thing is pretty darn nice. Looks like it'll be a nice complete and clean solution. Not a bad buy at ~$32 shipped. Seems well made and great quality.
View attachment 1086268

I'll keep the headless bridge I already had on hand for a future project, it was cheap enough at $8! Maybe I'll make a half scale tele or les paul into a 4 string electric mandolin/domra thing later.

Ok, this makes me turn on my brain and actually think. Fender made an Alternate Reality Telecaster Tenor. Chicago Music Exchange was one retailer that carried these. Check out the pickups and bridge. There's a vague, near-improbable possibility that the pickup and/or bridge could be ordered from Fender.

Fender Alternate Reality Tenor Telecaster Butterscotch Blonde

From Fender:A modern take on the 4-string tenor guitar, the Fender Tenor Tele has a huge sound that belies its small size. Tuned to the same pitches as the top 4 strings of a 6-string or any of a number of popular alternate tunings, guitar players will feel right at home on this fun-to-play tiny...

www.chicagomusicexchange.com

Fender Alternate Reality Tenor Telecaster Fiesta Red

Expand your tonal palette with this very fun take on the Tenor Guitar - done in only the way that Fender can. This is the Alternate Reality Series Tenor Telecaster finished in Fiesta Red. The guitar has a 22.75" scale length with "U" neck profile and modern 9.5" radius. Two custom-designed...

www.themusiczoo.com

 

[Lingwendil]

You know, I was looking into it and couldn't find the part itself that the Fender ones use listed anywhere. The tenor tele is one of my inspirations for this project. I wonder if I reach put to Febder if they'd be any help for the future- genuine parts are always nice street cred on projects like this.

I'm curious who the OEM for the MGB part is.

 

[Buzzardeater]

I have seen somebody use half a Fender Precision Bass pickup. I am told they used them on violins back in the seventies, too.

 

[mandoloony]

Gibson used a P-90 with the outermost pole screws removed and replaced with glued-in mother of pearl dots. You could fill with black plastic, instead.

The pearl dots were used on bridges, not pickups. The mandolin/tenor pickups had specially made covers without holes for the outer screws.

 

[archetype]

The pearl dots were used on bridges, not pickups. The mandolin/tenor pickups had specially made covers without holes for the outer screws.

I posted that because I've seen pictures of the P-90s with pearl dots.

 

[10orgtr]

I've seen pics with them both ways. LP J and SG tenors in particular seem to have the pearl dots frequently. Gibson also made humbuckers with only four holes in the covers for tenors as well.
Cheers,
Woody

 

[preactor]

Maybe try a rail pickup.

 

[hamerfan]

like this

Lindy Fralin Split Blade Pickups - Hum Free Single Coil Tone

A Lindy Fralin Original Design. Split Blade Pickups offer true single-coil sound, without the hum, all packed into a single-coil footprint.

www.fralinpickups.com