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Algonquin
February 23rd, 2008, 01:53 PM
Are there any major differences between Tele and Strat neck pickups other the difference in width/length? I tried searching this out on the Net and couldn't some up with a clear answer.

I did see a couple of posts that listed the number of windings and magnet sizes were different in old vintage pu's, but is that the case today?

There just seem to be more choices out there for strat neck p/u's over Tele's.

Thanks in advance...

David

mrmudcat
February 23rd, 2008, 02:02 PM
Hey brother here is some handwound links for teles both great pups ! The first link has pics so you can see the difference in the lipstick and regular single coil. Click link then click single coil on left.;)

http://www.smitsparts.com/index.htm


This link is to some of my favorite people!! Lifetime/lifelong friends.Thier fralins rock!:rockon:

http://www.rsguitarworks.net/rsstore/product_info.php?cPath=30_57&products_id=139


Of course fender texas special set is good also for mass produced machine stock. Not sure if ive helped:thwap:

marnold
February 23rd, 2008, 03:33 PM
AFAIK, the only major difference besides the size is the cover. I've always thought that the cover on the neck pup of a Tele looks dorky while having a regular pickup in the bridge. Of course, Leo and most every Tele player disagrees with me on that.

The thing that makes a Tele a Tele, IMO, is the bridge pickup.

Algonquin
February 23rd, 2008, 05:42 PM
Thanks Gents... I can't really find a substantial difference listed anywhere.

It's not a fair comparison for me to compare my Tele neck p/u with my Strat neck p/u (Duncan Vintage Staggered), because each manufatured pickup is different.

The new Tele Pickguard I have is set up for a Strat middle and neck p/u. If I decide to install a bucker in the neck position... no worries.

Not an issue if I decide to put a bucker in the middle either, it just means a strat p/u would go in the neck.

Then, if I was able to find a wiring diagram to install a toggle to split the bucker, there's be eight differnt pickup settings. Add the fact it has the Fishman Piezo's, it becomes even more versatile. After all, versatility was the idea behind the creation on the Nashville Tele.

Thanks again!
:beer:

Kazz
February 24th, 2008, 06:50 AM
I am in the camp that believes a Tele could be a single pickup guitar just the bridge. That is the only pup I use on mine.

Algonquin
February 24th, 2008, 06:59 AM
Do you think it's the baseplate, and placement within the bridge that contribute to the unique sound of this p/u?

t_ross33
February 24th, 2008, 09:30 AM
I am in the camp that believes a Tele could be a single pickup guitar just the bridge. That is the only pup I use on mine.

Then it would be an Esquire :dude:

I'm a bridge p'up guy too. I've found that you need to play with your volume and tone knobs quite a bit to coax the sound you want out of either (or both) p'ups.

Trev

t_ross33
February 24th, 2008, 09:31 AM
Do you think it's the baseplate, and placement within the bridge that contribute to the unique sound of this p/u?

Y'up. Very much so.

marnold
February 24th, 2008, 04:16 PM
Do you think it's the baseplate, and placement within the bridge that contribute to the unique sound of this p/u?
Baseplate mainly, but I'm sure the big old bridge has something to do with it too. Some people swear by the three saddle bridges. I think I'd just swear at them.

Tone2TheBone
February 24th, 2008, 08:20 PM
I wish I could put Tele neck pickups on all my Strats I love them.

Bloozcat
February 25th, 2008, 07:08 AM
There are several differences...

The original, "vintage" Tele neck pickup that most people think of, has a shiny, nickel/silver cover, Alnico III magnets, and is wound with 43 ga Formvar wire to a resistance of about 7k (I've seen 6.8k-7.6k).

Most Strat neck pickups as we know, have exposed (and usually staggered) magnet rods, Alnico V magnets, and are wound with 42 ga. wire to a resistance of 5.6k-6.2k on average (some are higher).

And of course as mentioned, the Tele neck pickups of the type I described are smaller in dimension. All of these things along with the size and weight of a typical Tele body, all combine to give a Tele a distictive sound, that differs from a typical Strat sound.