PUP indecision...

mccreadyisgod

Well, I've finally squared away my plan for the Nashville Tele... going with a Harmonic Design Super 90 in the bridge and Fralin Strat pups in the middle and neck.

HOWEVER...

I don't know which Fralin model will be able to match or come close to the output of the S90. Harmonic Design claims pretty much full P-90 output, so I'd need some beefy pups to compete. I'm going to call Fralin and ask, but anyone here have any input?

Also, while I don't have the funds right now, I've decided the goldtop Tele is getting a zebra-coil Seymour Duncan '59 in the bridge and a nickel-covered Gibson Classic '57 in the neck. Can't wait for either project to get done!

mccreadyisgod

Fat lotta help any of you guys are...


Ordered the S-90 and two Fralin Hot for Strat pups and a pickguard from Warmoth. Will let you know when they're installed...

who's_pearljam?

Hi Mig!

Ok, here's what I'd do if I was you:

If you're going with the S90 in the bridge, I'd call Lindy Fralin and get advice from the expert. What he'd probably recommend would be a couple of hot Strat pickups to match up. :cool:

mccreadyisgod

who's_pearljam? wrote:

Ok, here's what I'd do if I was you:

If you're going with the S90 in the bridge, I'd call Lindy Fralin and get advice from the expert. What he'd probably recommend would be a couple of hot Strat pickups to match up.

Actually, he kinda gave me the runaround... didn't want to make any recommendations. But he pointed out his exchange policy a bunch of times, told me to try one set and if I didn't like it, I could swap. So, I'll only have to wait another 6 weeks if I don't like the first set.

enharmonic

Yo bro...methinks you're gonna have to go custom wound in order to match output...or get close. Lindy won't steer you wrong, so definitely give him a call.

Loving the idea for the Tele. I would love to own a tele again some day. I used to play Tele Jr's...which BTW are amazing instruments if you can find one that was made in the mid-90's.

Pacomc79

I'm going with the Fralin Blues to go along with my HD S-90.

but mine are going in a strat.

Why not vintage plus's from HD

or the vintage hot's from Lindy?

mccreadyisgod

Pacomc79 wrote:

I'm going with the Fralin Blues to go along with my HD S-90.

but mine are going in a strat.

Why not vintage plus's from HD

or the vintage hot's from Lindy?

Lindy seemed to think the Hots would be a better match for the S90, although he made no promises. I was waffling a bit between the Blues and the Hot, and I went for the Hots. If I don't like them, or they're TOO hot, I can just exchange them and pay shipping both ways. So, not too big a risk. I was pretty sure I wanted Lindy's pickups in it, but I did consider the HD's and some of Seymour Duncan's models, even some stacks, but with a hot single-coil in the bridge, I figured I wouldn't save much getting stacks in the middle and neck. I have some reservations about the Hots, but I guess I won't know until I try them out. I did go with the 10%-over Hots, not the 15%, at least.

Too bad I couldn't get Fender's cobalts. I loved the tone of those pups for some reason.

Pacomc79

mccreadyisgod wrote:

Lindy seemed to think the Hots would be a better match for the S90, although he made no promises. I was waffling a bit between the Blues and the Hot, and I went for the Hots. If I don't like them, or they're TOO hot, I can just exchange them and pay shipping both ways. So, not too big a risk. I was pretty sure I wanted Lindy's pickups in it, but I did consider the HD's and some of Seymour Duncan's models, even some stacks, but with a hot single-coil in the bridge, I figured I wouldn't save much getting stacks in the middle and neck. I have some reservations about the Hots, but I guess I won't know until I try them out. I did go with the 10%-over Hots, not the 15%, at least.

Too bad I couldn't get Fender's cobalts. I loved the tone of those pups for some reason.

same deal here, love the cobalts. but they aren't for sale. The fact that they are noiseless is a bonus.

If you want to take out a lean on your home you could go with Kinmans.

I personally went with the blues for the same reason. I was afraid of the hots being too hot. I still wanted to retain the treble but get a nice round tone, not to bright, hot but not way to hot so I went with the blues. If there's an issue I'll send them to lindy for an overwind.

who's_pearljam?

You'll be fine! Who else can figure out a better match? That should be a nice arrangement, MIG.

I just got some stock tele pickups from him that are better than any tele pup I've heard, I have to paint this funky body I got off E-bay, with a b-bender first before I put it together permanently.

I also got his new floating jazz pickup that is the coolest. It even sounds good on a junker acoustic!
I'm going to try and stick it on my 335 and see how it sounds. If that sounds good I may try and make myself a 335 style guitar. I've got a great piece of maple for it.