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previous: Steve A. Fred: &n... -- 8/15/1999 10:29 AM

Re: Tele 7-way wiring

8/15/1999 8:45 PM
Mark Hammer	Re: Tele 7-way wiring Sonically, yes. Physically, no. The polepiece spacing on a Strat pickup is a bit wider than a Tele, such that the strings and polepieces would not line up perfectly. Since the string-to-string spacing increases as one moves towards the bridge, however, by the time you hit the spot where the middle pickup goes, the polepiece spacing becomes acceptable, and a Strat pickup will work out nicely. The polepiece spacing is one reason why the DC resistance of Tele neck pickups is discernibly lower than Strat pickups. The narrower polepiece spacing yields a smaller overall coil circumference, resulting in less magnet wire (lengthwise) for the same number of turns. Not only are the bridge mechanics and body different on a Tele, but the resonance of the pickup is a little different too, as you note. I made myself an overwound Tele-size neck pickup using #41 wire and staggered Strat polepieces to go on my Epi Coronet (VERY narrow neck, same problem when trying to stick a Strat pickup by the neck). The tone is very Strat-like (especially for this guitar), and this was the only way I was going to be able to get that. So, it CAN be done, but sticking a stock Strat pickup up front will get you dead spots during bends.

8/15/1999 8:45 PM

Mark Hammer

Re: Tele 7-way wiring

Sonically, yes. Physically, no. The polepiece spacing on a Strat pickup is a bit wider than a Tele, such that the strings and polepieces would not line up perfectly. Since the string-to-string spacing increases as one moves towards the bridge, however, by the time you hit the spot where the middle pickup goes, the polepiece spacing becomes acceptable, and a Strat pickup will work out nicely.

The polepiece spacing is one reason why the DC resistance of Tele neck pickups is discernibly lower than Strat pickups. The narrower polepiece spacing yields a smaller overall coil circumference, resulting in less magnet wire (lengthwise) for the same number of turns. Not only are the bridge mechanics and body different on a Tele, but the resonance of the pickup is a little different too, as you note.

I made myself an overwound Tele-size neck pickup using #41 wire and staggered Strat polepieces to go on my Epi Coronet (VERY narrow neck, same problem when trying to stick a Strat pickup by the neck). The tone is very Strat-like (especially for this guitar), and this was the only way I was going to be able to get that. So, it CAN be done, but sticking a stock Strat pickup up front will get you dead spots during bends.

Replies:

Steve A. Mark: &n... -- 8/18/1999 3:32 AM