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OK, I'm really hoping to get some help. I've got a 50s reissue ash Esquire with a maple fretboard that currently has the stock bridge pup only. I'm going to rout out for a HB at the neck and replace the bridge at the same time. I'm mostly a rhythm player, riffs here and there, but no extended solos (at least not with this guitar). This guitar is for everything from classic rock (Stones, Neil Young, a little Zeppelin) to blues (Texas SRV type stuff, maybe some BB King-ish) to country (not really 50s 60s twang, more modern stuff, Gary Allan, Brad Paisley, ...). So I need some versatility, but not a ton (I'm not asking for Nirvana here).

I originally thought about a Dimarzio Virtual Hot Lead at the bridge with some type of PAF at the neck, but I couldn't find a Dimarzio PAF that I liked. Then a friend suggested Fender Custom Texas Specials. Cool for the SRV stuff, but not versatile at all. So now, after way too much thinking about this, I'm leaning towards a SD Vintage Stack Lead and a SD Pearly Gates at the neck. Does this make sense? Should I look at something else? Because it's ash with maple, it's pretty bright already, but I don't think that's a bad thing.

Sorry for being so long winded.

I would look at the APH-1 neck HB or Seth Lover neck instead of the PG, as they are a bit smoother and are supposed to be slightly lower output than the PG. I'm not convinced that you'll get a good balance with any of those HBs and a vintage output Tele lead pickup, including the stacks (maybe the Hot Stack, but I don't know for sure), at least not at the sweet spot for each pickup. I think you'll need something at least as hot as the Jerry Donahue lead, or the STL-2 Hot lead (which I know will work). If you want a lower output Tele lead pickup than the latter two, then I would recommend that you get an SM-3n mini-HB for the neck slot -- it will give you some of that HB flavor and will balance beautifully with vintage-output Tele lead pickups like the stacks or the Antiquity's.


Originally Posted by KelseyI'm not convinced that you'll get a good balance with any of those HBs and a vintage output Tele lead pickup, including the stacks ...

I was afraid of that. The problem is that the tone chart on SD's website is basically useless. DC Resistence is useless when trying to figure out how hot a pickup is. One thing I like about Dimarzio's website is it give output levels for each pickup, which is a little more helpful.

I think you'll need something at least as hot as the Jerry Donahue lead, or the STL-2 Hot lead (which I know will work).

Is the JD pretty hot? I'm not too familiar with it.

Thanks for all the help.

I just installed a Broadcaster in a Gamp;L Tribute ASAT. This is Tele twang tone, baby! But, it sounds great into a distorted amp too - rocks pretty hard.

Quarter Pounder bridge and Alnico II Pro neck, perfect match!


Originally Posted by saladinQuarter Pounder bridge and Alnico II Pro neck, perfect match!

I was looking at the QP, I imagine the output level matches most moderate HBs nicely, but I've heard it doesn't clean up very well.

You could always get a tapped QP or STL-2 to ensure that it will clean up to your satisfaction. The STL-2 cleans up well and keeps up with a PAF-style HB. I have the JD paired with a Phat Cat neck, and they match fine with the JD adjusted close to the strings (works especially well since it's alnico 2). From that experience, I would guess that a low powered HB like an Antiquity or APH would work with the JD, especially if the HB is mounted directly in a pickguard rather than a pickup mounting ring.
I still think the SM-1 or SM-3 would work well, especially if you want something like a Vintage or Hot Stack lead or any vintage Tele lead pickup. The SM-3 in particular sounds like a nearly optimal blend of PAF and SC tone at the neck. It's great for blues and rock, and similar mini-HBs seem to work fine for country pickers like Brent Mason.

if you want brad paisley tone you cant go too hot. i love the qp but i dont think it would cut it. the jd might be perfect for you, its my favorite traditional type tele pup. a little thicker in the mids but still plenty twangy and it has just enough output to keep up with a neck bucker


Originally Posted by t.jOK, I'm really hoping to get some help. I've got a 50s reissue ash Esquire with a maple fretboard that currently has the stock bridge pup only. I'm going to rout out for a HB at the neck and replace the bridge at the same time. I'm mostly a rhythm player, riffs here and there, but no extended solos (at least not with this guitar). This guitar is for everything from classic rock (Stones, Neil Young, a little Zeppelin) to blues (Texas SRV type stuff, maybe some BB King-ish) to country (not really 50s 60s twang, more modern stuff, Gary Allan, Brad Paisley, ...). So I need some versatility, but not a ton (I'm not asking for Nirvana here).

I originally thought about a Dimarzio Virtual Hot Lead at the bridge with some type of PAF at the neck, but I couldn't find a Dimarzio PAF that I liked. Then a friend suggested Fender Custom Texas Specials. Cool for the SRV stuff, but not versatile at all. So now, after way too much thinking about this, I'm leaning towards a SD Vintage Stack Lead and a SD Pearly Gates at the neck. Does this make sense? Should I look at something else? Because it's ash with maple, it's pretty bright already, but I don't think that's a bad thing.

Sorry for being so long winded.

This is just my humble opinio and what works for me, so take it with that in mind. I'm mostly a blues player, but do play a very wide variety of music from jazz to rock to country to blues to standards to worship......both clean and with various overdrive/fuzz/delays.

Currently, I use a Dimarzio VV Hot T in the bridge and a Dimarzio PAF Classic in the neck. I have a VV PAF coming and will try that in place of the Classic. These two pickups sound wonderful individually and mixed. After using may pickups in this guitar over the past three years, I've found the keepers....well, I will decide between the Classic and VV Paf, but the VV Hot T is staying. This combo gives me the versitility I need, from twang and spank to girthy blues.

Before these went in, I had a Duncan Broadcaster in the bridge and a Seth Lover in the neck. The Seth is an outstanding pickup. One I would use again in a hearbeat. The Broadcaster, while a great pup, did not ( I know others love it ) do it for me.

There are a ton of great pups out there to get you where you need to go. Good luck!

Thanks for all the help. I think I'm going with either a Hot Stack Lead/A II Pro HB or Vintage Stack Lead/Seymourized Mini. The only question now is what's more important to me, true HB sound at the neck or the bright vintage sound at the bridge. I'm leaning towards the true HB. I think I'll still be pretty bright with the Hot Stack

Thanks again.