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I want to put together an Esquire(ish) Tele. I like the looks of the single bridge pup and solid pickguard, but I think I would really miss having a neck pup. Is it possible or has anyone ever tried to put the neck pup under the pickguard or is this just a stupid idea that will end up sounding like crud?

-Greg

It seems to me, the pickguard would serverely interfere with the magnetic field of the pickup. I have never tried it though.


Originally Posted by big_blackIt seems to me, the pickguard would serverely interfere with the magnetic field of the pickup. I have never tried it though.

That is what I was thinking too. You never know till ya ask though. Someone out there has probably tried this and succeeded.

it will work and you will hear it but the volume will be lower and the sound a bit thinner since the pickup is far away from the strings and under plastic. if you use a hot pickup it may work better. like stick a hot rails or a hot humbucker under the guard. also a thinner guard may be a better choice and get the pickup right up touching the guard.

-Mike

Gibson had a 4 pickup, under the pickguard guitar in the mid/late 70's based on the Marauder.

Yeah, it was a big hit.

tele rhythm pickup covers do come in black. it will blend nicely if you are using a black pickguard.

I'll put it like this, It'll sound like sh!t

Is anybody else besides me aware that the current Fender Esquire's 3 way toggle gives you three differant tone options?

Let me tell you, if you haven't played it yet, the three way toggle's tones more than make up for the lack of a neck pickup.

Keep this in mind B Bent, because I think the simplicity and lack of a neck pickup are what make the Esquire standout from other one trick pony single pickup guitars.

Greg...all the guys saying it will sound like **** are dead wrong...sorry guys!

There are several guys (GVCG, Bill Nash, MJ Telecaster, etc) that have built 2 pickup Telecasters that look like Esquires with the neck pickups under the guard plate...you remove the neck pickup cover then put it way down in the body under the guard...it works just fine, I hav tried it before and it's fine...you can't leave the cover on AND put it under the guard but you can revome the cover and put it under the guard...I don't think it sounds juat as good but it's pretty damn close...just keep in mind you need to use a single layer (and as thin as possible) guard plate...

I'd probably do it with a cheap stock pickup, so if it gets messed up, it's no big deal. I'd use sandpaper to thin out the guard from underneath, then superglue the flat poled bobbin right to the guard, and make sure it's placed perfectly.

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea. Just make sure the phase/polarity issues are correct before you start.


Originally Posted by GearjoneserI'd probably do it with a cheap stock pickup, so if it gets messed up, it's no big deal. I'd use sandpaper to thin out the guard from underneath, then superglue the flat poled bobbin right to the guard, and make sure it's placed perfectly.

You could use a magnet on the other side to help hold it in place while the glue is drying if you needed to.

Good info guys. I always like it when Christian and Joe chime in on the positive note. Since I HAVE to sell the EB/MM I will be looking to build a relitively in expensive Esquire. I already have the pups and a few other parts. I think Esquires look so darn killer!!!!

Greg...hit me up bro...I will be glad to help get you going on a killer Tele or Esquire or what ever...and trust me, you can easily hid the neck pickup and there is no nee to go crazy with it...just remove the cover (carefully) and put it under a single layer (thin) guard...

Harmonic design has some pickguard material covered tele neck pickups.

I think this is a cool idea. This might also be an interesting application for an quot;activequot; single . . . or 'bucker.
A little more complex, but could be fun.

It ain't going to hurt to try it, is it?

I think people worry too much about the height of their p/ups anyway.

I'd use a flat top strat p/up with ceramic magnet under the guard, it may give the flux a bit more quot;reachquot; than a standard tele p/up.

I remeber some guy who makes a pup especially for this. It's a blade pup that has a really high blade. The thing is you mount the pup, open a slit in the guard and pass the blade. True it will show, but it would be more discreet than a black pup on a black guard.