Neck Humbuckers for Teles

Greco · #1 05-30-2011, 05:38 PM

Question 1) If you were putting a humbucker (for jazz) in the neck position of a Tele, would you choose a full-size humbucker or a mini humbucker.

Question 2) Which humbucker (related to your choice of size in Question 1) would you choose?

Thanks

Cheers

Dave

jzucker · #2 05-30-2011, 06:02 PM

they both sound great. I'd used a '70s LP Deluxe pickup in a tele before. The dimarzio version is a little brighter than that gibson and doesn't work as well in a tele IMO.

Try a dimarzio 36th anniversary paf, a classic 57 or if you want to go boutique a manilius pickup.

Greco · #3 05-30-2011, 06:49 PM

Thanks jzucker.

I have a friend who is a lutheir and he would route my Hiway 1 Tele body for $20.00 (I remove the neck and hardware first...to save him time) .
This is tempting me. He has suggested a mini-humbucker route, but I have never had a guitar with a mini-humbucker. Hence my questions.

Cheers

Dave

jzucker · #4 05-30-2011, 07:00 PM

it's tough to find a decent mini IMO. The dimarzio ones are very hot and very bright. They are used by Ibanez in the GB10 and I've had them in my soloway guitars. In both cases they are very bright IMO. The lollar one is decent but doesn't really sound warm like the '70s LP version. I have not tried a Gibson LP mini reissue but that may be a good alternative.

Steve Z · #5 05-30-2011, 07:28 PM

I routed my ASAT Classic for a humbucker. After hours thinking about which pickup to install I finally opted for a Seymour Duncan Jazz as it was the most affordable of the ones I was looking at and it sounds great. All in all, you'll likely be happy with just about any quality pickup.

woyvel · #6 05-30-2011, 08:35 PM

I've seen it recommended in other threads here that a full-size hum is the way to go, and I agree, though I have a mini in my Squire Vintage Modified. You have so many more choices with a full size. Popular neck pickups for jazz include a Seth Lover, Gibson '57, or even a single coil CC. There are fewer choices with the mini, and most people will say a mini is a bit brighter and may distort more than a good full size humbucker.

Greco · #7 05-30-2011, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woyvel

I've seen it recommended in other threads here that a full-size hum is the way to go, and I agree, though I have a mini in my Squire Vintage Modified. You have so many more choices with a full size. Popular neck pickups for jazz include a Seth Lover, Gibson '57, or even a single coil CC. There are fewer choices with the mini, and most people will say a mini is a bit brighter and may distort more than a good full size humbucker.

Thanks...I was leaning towards the full-size route and I do have Seth Lover in my parts box. I certainly like the fact that there are many choices to consider/try.

Cheers

Dave

jzucker · #8 05-30-2011, 08:48 PM

a mini does not distort more than a full size humbucker. The mini has less output and is typically brighter. The mini sounds in between a single and a full size humbucker and some folks feel that it sounds more like a P90 which is very desirable IMO

Jabberwocky · #9 05-30-2011, 09:29 PM

How about routing it for a Jason Lollar Charlie Christian for Tele: Charlie Christian Neck Pickup for Telecasters ?

I have been thinking about getting a Tele for that.

jzucker · #10 05-30-2011, 09:37 PM

those CC pickups sound great but hum like crazy

bborzell · #11 05-30-2011, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzucker

a mini does not distort more than a full size humbucker. The mini has less output and is typically brighter. The mini sounds in between a single and a full size humbucker and some folks feel that it sounds more like a P90 which is very desirable IMO

Ummm...

Then why not simply pass on by the HB and stick in a P90? I prefer the sound of a P90 anyway.

burchyk · #12 05-31-2011, 03:13 AM

My Tele has a Seth Lover in the neck position and she gives me a nice jazzy tone. The pickup is voiced to bring focus to mids, smooth out and warm up highs while keeping a balanced sound

Flyin' Brian · #13 05-31-2011, 03:28 AM

I'd consider the best of both worlds...a Fralin P-92. It's quiet like a humbucker, has the drive of a humbucker should you want it, but it has the detail, especially in the lower strings, of a single coil. I like it so much I put it in my Heritage Sweet 16 instead of a 'bucker.

One of the details you don't mention is the body and fretboard wood on your Tele.

I'd call Lindy Fralin, who is very accessible, and ask for a suggestion, since he sells all types.

jzucker · #14 05-31-2011, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bborzell

Ummm...

Then why not simply pass on by the HB and stick in a P90? I prefer the sound of a P90 anyway.

Ummm...

A little something called hum...

Flyin' Brian · #15 05-31-2011, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzucker

Ummm...

A little something called hum...

That's why I suggested the P-92 Jack...plus Fralin now makes a hum canceling P-90.

Welcome to Lindy Fralin Pickups: Fralin P-90 Style Pickups - the Finest Guitar Pickups Available Today!

Steve Z · #16 05-31-2011, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greco

Thanks...I was leaning towards the full-size route and I do have Seth Lover in my parts box. I certainly like the fact that there are many choices to consider/try.

Cheers

Dave

Dave,

If you already have a Seth Lover then use that pickup. It's great and no additional expense needed. Your quest should be done for now.

Cheers,
Steve

bborzell · #17 05-31-2011, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzucker

Ummm...

A little something called hum...

Where is it written that every P90 hums? The Fralins are an example of a P90 design that does not hum.

jzucker · #18 05-31-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bborzell

Where is it written that every P90 hums?

All single coil pickups hum

bborzell · #19 05-31-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzucker

All single coil pickups hum

Well, I guess we now know where it is written.

jzucker · #20 05-31-2011, 10:54 AM

not sure if you're just trying to be difficult or not but single coil pickups hum. That's why humbuckers were invented in the first place.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #21 05-31-2011, 11:17 AM

Then why does anyone still use a single coil pickup?

mongrel · #22 05-31-2011, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzucker

those CC pickups sound great but hum like crazy

Easy to fix that with volume and tone controls for the CC and the bridge pickup. Set the selector switch in the middle and turn the bridge pickup volume almost all the way down and you've got a CC bucking hum. I do it all the time with P-90's and Vintage Vibe HCC's. Works like a charm.

bborzell · #23 05-31-2011, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzucker

not sure if you're just trying to be difficult or not but single coil pickups hum. That's why humbuckers were invented in the first place.

I don't know if your definition of difficult is simply "doesn't agree with me", but my point is that some P90 designs are set up to eliminate hum. You might believe that this fact renders them as un P90s but, if so, that's your opinion; it's not the holy grail.

If you are really concerned with underlying motivation behind postings, you might consider that your reply to my post came across as flip and dismissive.

jzucker · #24 05-31-2011, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongrel

Easy to fix that with volume and tone controls for the CC and the bridge pickup. Set the selector switch in the middle and turn the bridge pickup volume almost all the way down and you've got a CC bucking hum. I do it all the time with P-90's and Vintage Vibe HCC's. Works like a charm.

Yes but it changes the tone even with the bridge almost all the way down.

jzucker · #25 05-31-2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bborzell

If you are really concerned with underlying motivation behind postings, you might consider that your reply to my post came across as flip and dismissive.

I'm sorry that's how you took it. A hum canceling P90 is not really a P90. Frankly, I have not heard a hum canceling pickup of any type nail a true single coil tone. The best I have heard is the dimarzio area pickups and next to a true single coil, there's a big diff. The demos I've heard of the fralins don't sound like "real" P90s to me. You'd be better off with a mini IMO.

rob hayward · #26 05-31-2011, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

Then why does anyone still use a single coil pickup?

I love the singles in my tele because, compared to my sg, it have a much funkier 'spank' to the tone.

SamBooka · #27 05-31-2011, 12:34 PM

get the full hb route and decide later

i like the 72 gibson in mine but i also like the lollar special T tele pickup in there too (both for jazz although the HB is good for other things as well, more so than the tele neck)

As for which one YOU prefer you maybe you can go to a local music store and try something with a full sized HB and see what you think. If you want something a little brighter and not as hot try a mini.

Greco · #28 05-31-2011, 12:58 PM

Thanks again for all of the thoughts and suggestions.

I also have a Seymour Duncan Phat Cat that I could try.

Cheers

Dave

jzucker · #29 05-31-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

Then why does anyone still use a single coil pickup?

People put up with the singles because of the tone. However, if you're playing out and recording you will quickly find out that the hum is undesirable.

Bowing out now.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #30 05-31-2011, 01:01 PM

I've always wanted a single coil and a humbucker next to each other, both "in" the neck position, but I've never seen anyone else do this.