Small Dilimma

[bbjonz]

Hi All,

I am contemplating modifying one of my Andys. The first is a Hollow T Classic with contours (02-15-96a) and two pickups (TD0 TD3), which is my all-time favorite guitar. The second is a T Classic with contours (01-01-00p) with 3 pups (TV1 VA1 TV3 ) which I quite like--it's my "Strat" for those occasions when I need some quack. It has been refretted (at TA's shop) with heavy frets (which I do not like), whereas the HTC has the standard medium frets.

Here's the dilemma: I love the way the HTC plays and sounds but it's nice to have the "quack" of the TC when I need it. One option would be to have the HTC fitted with the proper middle pickup, but I am quite concerned that doing so would change its playability for the worse. The other option is to have the TC refretted with medium frets, and have TDs (if TA still makes them) put in the bridge and neck positions.

You know, I think I answered my question--I just don't want to modify the HTC. It's that good and I don't want to mess with it. I think it would be best to tweak the TC.

Thoughts?

[tom]

that would be my choice too. modifying the all time favorite just seems wrong. i have added middle pickups to several t style guitars in my life, they they always lost some of who they were.

[bbjonz]

Thanks, Tom. I'll send an email or PM regarding the procedure for sending it back for a refret.

Joe

[olectric]

i have added middle pickups to several t style guitars in my life, they they always lost some of who they were.

what do you mean by this, and why do you think it happens? the middle pickup cavity is there anyway, and if you install an add bridge push/pull on the tone switch, you can still get the neck+bridge combo with a strat-wired 5-way. i'm not arguing, just wondering what i haven't thought of. or is it just that you're not supposed to get quacky strat tones out of a tele?

[tom]

it's a mental thing. with a 2 pickup guitar, the choices are limited, and you just go for it, a simple guitar for a simple mind. it makes you work on your playing. with 3 pickups and more choices there's that option anxioty. also for me, again more mental than physical, the middle pickup is just there in my way. i've said it before, but i grew up without a middle pickup, so it's just not in my tonal vocabulary.

[bbjonz]

I wonder if a two-pickup guitar is voiced in a certain way, which would include woods (for both body and neck), pickups, and hardware. If so, then adding another pickup to it might not sit well with its intended voicing. My T Classic was built with the 3 pickups so changing things around on it shouldn't affect it all that much. But altering my HTC might potentially alter its "harmony" (for lack of a better term), and, because it's such a great guitar, I'm not willing to take that chance.

BTW, Tom, my HTC doesn't strike me as simple. It has the 5-way switch and gets 5 wonderful, usable tones. It would get even more if I played with the tone knob...

Joe

[tom]

i am but a simple caveman and the extra pickup confuses me so. kinda like that low B string on a 5 string bass.

[bbjonz]

Oh yeah? Then how does a cavemen build such excellent instruments?

BTW, I do have a 5-string bass (an MTD 535)--once you get used to them low notes it's hard to go back! Now a 6-string bass in confusing...


i am but a simple caveman and the extra pickup confuses me so. kinda like that low B string on a 5 string bass.

[tom]

we use very sharp rocks.

[picnic]

TA, very funny

[sylvanshine]

There was an interesting thread several months back over at TGP about why Esquires are so great. Some felt that the lack of neck pickup allowed the string to vibrate more freely. Perhaps there is something to that.

Personally, when it comes to Classic T's, I'm a 2 pickup, 3-way switch guy. A classic case of less is more.

On a semi-related note, isn't it interesting that what two companies created 50 years ago is still the standard when it comes to pickup configurations. Guitars fall into 3 camps- two single coils (T), three single coils (S) or two humbuckers (LP).

[dpeterson]

On a semi-related note, isn't it interesting that what two companies created 50 years ago is still the standard when it comes to pickup configurations. Guitars fall into 3 camps- two single coils (T), three single coils (S) or two humbuckers (LP).

i think it's all related to everyone chasing tones from people / bands they grew up hearing... thus the cycle never ends.. guys still trying to get evh's, srv's, etc's tone... familiar is the key word..

dave

[tom]

vintage style pickups certainly effect string pull, that's the main reason i can't play vintage style strat pickups. 3 of them puts me way over the edge. 2 on a t isn't bad though. all our own style pickups have greatly reduced string pull and i don't ever feel it being a problem.