Humbuckers for Tele?

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Rex Rocker

Rex Rocker

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I wanted to turn my Squier Esquire into a cool beater metal guitar for a while. I have tried the Duncan Hot Rails, Quarter Pound, and Super Distortion T in it so far.

I liked the Super Distortion T. Didn't seem super high output, but it wasn't muddy or all mids either. But mine ended up being microphonic, so back it went. I then got a Hot Rails. I hated it. It was super loud, but at the expense of any tone, really. Super dark and muddy. Mega blunt. No agression. So I ended up with the Quarter Pound, and I really like it... except, I feel it's a bit single coil-y still. But so far, it's the best. Kinda sounds like a JB meets a P90 meets a Tele pickup.

Was wondering what you guys thought of more PAF-type Tele-sized hums. I have Fishman Classics in my Les Pauls, and those are very PAF-voiced, just louder. I wouldn't mind something along the lines for my Esquire.

I was having a look at the Little '59 Tele... but with those specs, I kina have a hard time believing it sounds '59-y at all. But maybe I'm being prejudiced?

So what are your thoughts?
 
It's not what you asked for, but I have a Bare Knuckle Piledriver in my tele for higher gain stuff and love it.

Sounds like a tele, but higher output and thicker in the low mids. Can definitely get some serious chugs with it.
 
ners said:
It's not what you asked for, but I have a Bare Knuckle Piledriver in my tele for higher gain stuff and love it.

Sounds like a tele, but higher output and thicker in the low mids. Can definitely get some serious chugs with it.
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I kinda don't want it to sound like a Tele, LOL.

Greazygeo said:
Fralin Split Blade….
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Those sound like Single Coils, no? :/

Kidkramer71 said:
The lil pearly gates sounds pretty killer imho
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Does it sound PAF-y? The specs seem to suggest it wouldn't.
 
I use the Dimarzio Area Hot T in one Tele and the Tone Zone T in another. The Area is rock tones and the TZ is more hair metal tones.
 
Rex Rocker said:
I kinda don't want it to sound like a Tele, LOL.


Those sound like Single Coils, no? :/


Does it sound PAF-y? The specs seem to suggest it wouldn't.
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No it doesn’t sound like a tele or single coil. I wanted something like Ritchie Blackmore Perfect Strangers tone. After trying some stacked single coils and not wanting a typical humbucker sound, Fralin recommended this Split Blade. It is really good. Kinda in between a humbucker and P90.
 
I would not say it sounds like a paf.
I can't quite describe.
I just know it sounds really good to my ears.
 
You're asking for humbucker.. Are we talking stacked single coil, or is it routed for a humbucker?
 
napalmdeath said:
You're asking for humbucker.. Are we talking stacked single coil, or is it routed for a humbucker?
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It's routed for a single coil.

But I don't think I want a stacked single coil. I don't want a humbucker that sounds like a single coil. I want a humbucker that sounds like a healthy overwound PAF. Sorta. But not dull and blunt like the Hot Rails I used to have.
 
Rex Rocker said:
I kinda don't want it to sound like a Tele, LOL.


Those sound like Single Coils, no? :/


Does it sound PAF-y? The specs seem to suggest it wouldn't.
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So, does this have a pickguard? If so, they're typically routed for either single or true humbucker. If that's the case, I'd change the pickguard and go full-on humbucker, and throw a Duncan Custom in it and call it a day. That's a PAF "on steroids". The 36th Anniversary Dimarzio is another good choice.
 
napalmdeath said:
So, does this have a pickguard? If so, they're typically routed for either single or true humbucker. If that's the case, I'd change the pickguard and go full-on humbucker, and throw a Duncan Custom in it and call it a day. That's a PAF "on steroids". The 36th Anniversary Dimarzio is another good choice.
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It has the typical Tele plate bridge, but underneath the bridge, there is only room for a single coil. Don't really want to route it out. More trouble than it's worth for a beater guitar, IMO.
 
Rex Rocker said:
That's for Strat, though.

They do have a Pearly Gates for Tele, but I'm very dubious about it. It's got a an 18 something K DCR, and the EQ profile seems to suggest it's VERY mid-focused, which is not what I'd expect from a PAF-type.
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You do know what the Pearly Gates refers too right? It recreates his 59 LP paf pickup…so it would be a paf type pickup.
 
Greazygeo said:
You do know what the Pearly Gates refers too right? It recreates his 59 LP paf pickup…so it would be a paf type pickup.
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Yeah, the Pearly Gates full-size humbucker set.

The Pearly Gates for Tele is spec'd VERY different. At least on paper.
 
Rex Rocker said:
It has the typical Tele plate bridge, but underneath the bridge, there is only room for a single coil. Don't really want to route it out. More trouble than it's worth for a beater guitar, IMO.
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Personally, Id route a flat topped beater tele before a more valuable one.
Id be more worried about trying to route a Les Paul with the curved top.
Routing your beater I doubt would be all that difficult.
Understandable if you've never done it though...

Could practice on a scrap piece of wood.
 
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