Telecaster Love Thread, No Archtops Allowed

[Slapthatplank]

Just joined the club at Christmas. I've never had a guitar I can't put down. I love it, it's an Eggle Oz-T in Torched Butterscotch.



Sorry for the big pics!

[One_Note]

Just something I've been wondering for a while - do you all think that the Telecaster originally caught on as a jazz guitar because the default wiring up until the late 60s had that "Deep Rhythm" setting on the neck pickup? Seems like an instant jazz tone setting, kind of like the rhythm circuit that was later used on the Jazzmaster.

[shrews824]

Awesome git!!! Congratulations!!!

[Herbie]

Just something I've been wondering for a while - do you all think that the Telecaster originally caught on as a jazz guitar because the default wiring up until the late 60s had that "Deep Rhythm" setting on the neck pickup? Seems like an instant jazz tone setting, kind of like the rhythm circuit that was later used on the Jazzmaster.

I read somewhere that the wiring was developed to mimic bass, not jazzy guitar. I guess that the ”dark jazz guitar sound” didn’t exist in early ’50s. All they had in those days were tweed amps which are not so bright by their nature.

And ”the dark jazz guitar pickup” humbucker didn’t came until 1957, almost a decade after designing the telecaster.

[joebloggs13]

I read somewhere that the wiring was developed to mimic bass, not jazzy guitar. I guess that the ”dark jazz guitar sound” didn’t exist in early ’50s. All they had in those days were tweed amps which are not so bright by their nature.

And ”the dark jazz guitar pickup” humbucker didn’t came until 1957, almost a decade after designing the telecaster.

Yes, but there were P90s before the humbucker. The first Les Paul with P90s was produced in 1952. P90s are considered as being darker in tone than a Tele neck pickup.

[AllanAllen]

Swapped the G&L Humbucker for a “Surf 90” HB sized DynaSonic. Sounds pretty close to a real one, but I don’t think the screws actually adjust the pole pieces.

My soldering skills have gone from awful to bad. Which is an improvement. One day I’ll upgrade my 40 year old Radio Shack iron.

[One_Note]

Swapped the G&L Humbucker for a “Surf 90” HB sized DynaSonic. Sounds pretty close to a real one, but I don’t think the screws actually adjust the pole pieces.

My soldering skills have gone from awful to bad. Which is an improvement. One day I’ll upgrade my 40 year old Radio Shack iron.

Yeah, the screws are just for show. Nice pickups though, I used to have a set

[AllanAllen]

GFS says the screws are the adjustable part. So they don't function like the Dynas. I'm not sure if I hear a difference adjusting the screw up. If it does change the tone, it's not as dramatic a change as a real DynaSonic, and I can't hear it.

Anyway, it's a cool $50 pickup and sounds dang near that 52 DynaSonic I used to have.

[Kmatuhin]

Hello! I'd like some advice from anyone who understands wiring diagrams. My Telecaster currently has a single-coil pickup in the bridge and a humbucker in the neck set up using a 470k resistor. I'm planning to experiment with installing a P90 (humbucker-size) in the neck. Since I know the P90 uses 250k potentiometers, am I correct in assuming I need to solder a second 470k resistor to the neck pickup's terminal to ensure both pickups "see" the 250k potentiometers? Or do I need to solder a new tone controle plate (which I'm not particularly keen on)? I've attached a picture of how I see it.

[GuyBoden]

I've ordered a Tele Type guitar from Thomann for £60.
Harley Benton TE-20 SB Standard Series – Thomann UK

It's "B Stock", so it probably has minor defects, or a customer reject.

When it arrives, I'll dress the frets, put a P90 pickup in the neck and setup it up how I like it.

Tele Type guitars are very easy to dismantle and reassemble.




I've had a few Tele type guitars before, but I needed something inexpensive to leave around places without worrying.

[Cunamara]

Hello! I'd like some advice from anyone who understands wiring diagrams. My Telecaster currently has a single-coil pickup in the bridge and a humbucker in the neck set up using a 470k resistor. I'm planning to experiment with installing a P90 (humbucker-size) in the neck. Since I know the P90 uses 250k potentiometers, am I correct in assuming I need to solder a second 470k resistor to the neck pickup's terminal to ensure both pickups "see" the 250k potentiometers? Or do I need to solder a new tone controle plate (which I'm not particularly keen on)? I've attached a picture of how I see it.

That should work, although just putting in 250k pots would remove the need for wiring in resistors in parallel and result in a cleaner circuit. That's what I would do.

[Kmatuhin]

That should work, although just putting in 250k pots would remove the need for wiring in resistors in parallel and result in a cleaner circuit. That's what I would do.

Thanks! I just want to try a Telecaster with a single-coil neck (I've always played the humbucker version, but I've never tried a Telecaster with a single-coil neck, as weird as that might be) - and not have to buy a new pickguard or new potentiometers. And then, if I like it, I can solder a proper circuit together... or buy another Tele...

[jim777]

I recently got another Baja Tele because I missed the one I had, and found out someone had routed the body to fit a humbucker in the neck slot. Instead of sending it back I used a TDPRI approved pickup maker named Bootstrap to make a P90 and that is going in the neck slot. Should be a nice edition to the group, and Bootstrap gets lots of love over there for Tele and Strat pickup sets as well. Pics when she's back from the shop.

[Hep To The Jive]

I just finished another tele project, my signature tele. It got everything I need, and nothing that I don't. Fender never makes those, but I do )

[Rob MacKillop]

Okay, I don't really have the time or inclination to read all 96 pages of this incredible thread, so could someone tell which tele has the most bell-like sounding neck pickup? Warmth & clarity included?

Contemplating buying a tele, price range £900 to £1500. Neck not too fat or thin. It must have a warm chime. Great clean and warm bass.

[Hep To The Jive]

Okay, I don't really have the time or inclination to read all 96 pages of this incredible thread, so could someone tell which tele has the most bell-like sounding neck pickup? Warmth & clarity included?

Contemplating buying a tele, price range £900 to £1500. Neck not too fat or thin. It must have a warm chime. Great clean and warm bass.

I've only been using one pickup, DiMarzio Area T, to my ears it sounds exactly what you described. I never had a temptation to try anything else as far as tele pickups tbh.

[Cunamara]

I used the Area T pickup set in a Tele (Squier Affinity, a $180 guitar which was really quite good) for a few years and thought it was a great sound for jazz. I think it's one of the top 2-3 pickup choices. And truly noiseless- we played right in front of a bar's neon sign in the window and not a buzz or crackle to be heard. The quietest guitar I've ever owned was a Tele!

[FredH]

I have been thinking about adding a tele to the herd and wondered if anyone has any opinions about mid 1980s MIJ mahogany telecasters? There are several on Reverb and for sale in other places - none of which making trying before buying possible?

Any experience with them? Thanks

[213Cobra]

I have been thinking about adding a tele to the herd and wondered if anyone has any opinions about mid 1980s MIJ mahogany telecasters? There are several on Reverb and for sale in other places - none of which making trying before buying possible?

Any experience with them? Thanks

This is indirect but possibly helpful. I can only triangulate some references to give you an answer. I have encountered 1980s MIJ Telecasters many years ago and all of them were exceptional for build quality. Buyers often replace / upgrade the pickups on MIJ Fenders. Both observations continue with current MIJ Telecasters, of which I have three. The more relevant matter is how a mahogany Telecaster sounds. Mahogany isn't a common Telecaster wood; nowhere near the incidence of alder, ash, maple, basswood. Last year I took a flyer on a Fender USA mahogany Cabronita with DiMarzio mini humbuckers. Mahogany body and neck. I had never played an all-mahogany Telecaster before. Today I have a Telecasters mix of MIJ, Fender USA, and a custom T-type along with the Cabronita. The Cab is fast becoming my favorite Tele, and that includes Fender Custom Shop instruments I had in the past. It is not dark like a rosewood Tele, but it has a warmth and tonal depth I haven't heard from the usual Tele tonewoods. It's lively, bursty, responsive, sparky and chimes but it's also buttery. I attribute the warmth as much to the neck as to the body wood.

So, I'd have confidence that an '80s MIJ mahogany Tele should have a distinctivel voice and the mahogany foundation should impart its voice even if you change the pickups, especially if you're getting a mahogany body and neck.

Phil

[Hep To The Jive]

I have been thinking about adding a tele to the herd and wondered if anyone has any opinions about mid 1980s MIJ mahogany telecasters? There are several on Reverb and for sale in other places - none of which making trying before buying possible?

Any experience with them? Thanks

I had one mahogany MIJ thinline, dated early 90's I think, I liked it a lot except these tiny vintage frets, I'm not big fan of them. Otherwise it was an excellent guitar.

[GuyBoden]

I've ordered a few Tele pickguards, each with a different pickup option.

My plan is to swap pickguards/pickups, when I want a different sound or get bored.

In the near future, hopefully, I am installing the following pickups:

1.) Twin blade humbucker.

2.) Charlie Christian type.

3.) P90.

[Kingbeee1]

Here is my workhorse original sunburst 1966 Custom Telecaster bound with maple cap neck. My workhorse for over 30 years! Great for all styles of music, from jazz to punk. My favorite.

[bluejaybill]

Love those Custom Telecasters!

I had a RW board '66 in the '80's, and then found a'60.

Here's a pic of both.

[Kingbeee1]

Here’s my collection from a couple of years back. Notice 1960 Les Paul burst on couch!

[213Cobra]

I had a brace of '90s Custom Shop Telecasters for 25-30 years, which I sold as a prudent precaution when my wife fell ill. Since then I dove into Fender MIJ Telecasters and have a few other T-Types. I love Telecasters / T-Types almost as much as I love archtops.

First, a Fender Telecaster Ultra (2024):



Fender MIJ Quilt Top (2024). This one is getting a Vintage Vibe CC neck pickup:



Fender MIJ Quilt Top (2024). This one is getting a set of Harmonic Designs pickups, Vintage Plus bridge, Superchrome neck:



Fender MIJ '60s Tele in Shell Pink. This one has a Tele set of SD Zephyr silver-wound pickups:



John Page AJ with his underwound P90 & bridge; beautiful guitar in feel, craft, and sound:



Seymour Duncan SD35 with SD Zephyr silver-wound 'buckers. This was the very limited-release repro of the Tele that Seymour built for Jeff Beck. I've had it since 2011:



[EDIT] Almost forgot -- Fender USA La Cabronita. Stock pickups are DiMarzio Mini-humbuckers. Distinctive sound w/ mahogany body and neck:



Phil