AMAZING Telecaster Neck Tones!

[@JackFossett]

Have you experienced this magic Tele neck tone? Let us know! And if you want to support the channel, check out some music on Spotify, share and add to playlists! open.spotify.com/artist/6RLQFre2Qp5T454mFR5Ol4

[@markkoher3468]

Hi Jack,... what you are describing is what you get when you use an alnico III vintage wound tele neck pup.... like in a Custom Shop Nocaster 51 set... the magic is the A3 and wound to that spec !! :-)

[@JackFossett]

Mark Koher actually I’ve found it in a number of magnets. In fact the 60s style pickup in this video has an Alnico 5 and really nails the tone.

[@hkguitar1984]

I totally agree with Mark Koher, I've just installed a set of '52 Vintage AlNiCo 3 pickups in my Pine Tele and love, love, love the tone. Smooth and fairly pronounced mids. Almost like the presence is turned up on the mids, yet they are louder volume but the speaker is farther away. As if the mids are part of the wet signal over-mixed into the dry signal! Anyway, try the AlNiCo III pickups, smooth and strong/firm. I'm also amazed that the AlNiCo III magnets are the weakest of the AlNiCo, however their higher iron content gives them a different tonal profile (more iron = lower peak resonant frequency).

[@JackFossett]

HK Guitar the 53 set in this video has Alnico 3s. The 60s set has Alnico 5s. Alnico 3s are very special, but not exclusive to the tone I’m discussing in the video.

[@hkguitar1984]

@@JackFossett Yes indeed.

[@evanss57]

I'm a Tele and a coffee addict and I'm sure there's a link between the two. The Tele bridge pickup can be like a strong espresso - a short, sharp bite that delivers immediately. You know what it is straight away and it isn't difficult to find it and be satisfied. The Tele neck pickup is a smooth blend of beans with just the right amount of milk/cream (we all have our preferences) but a distinct, clear flavour must cut through the mellow experience. I actually like the Fender twisted Tele neck pickups (I know many don't). And the Fender modern vintage pickups in my America Ash Series "8502" would be hard to beat. On a budget (or even not), the Ironstone (UK) Tele pickups are worth checking out for a good neck tone and overall balance. It's hard to find what you like. Especially when all you can do is buy them and try them. Adjusting the pickup height is the first (and cheapest) tip to try to improve your tone. It can make a massive difference though is a pain if the neck pickup is screwed direct to the body rather than the pickguard - but can be well worth the effort. Now for a good cup of coffee.

[@BigBobbyBoLo]

damn! great synopsis.. I cosign ALL OF IT! strangley, I make a silimar comparison between a es 335 and bourbon, on a rainy night, in jazz club... yes the entire image hit me all at once :)

[@drifterman319]

The tele is the black coffee of guitars.

[@christopherkahn6522]

American Standard, '63 reissue, and twisted tels pickups all sound great to me. I tried a Squier classic vibe that played terrific, but in comparison, it sounded like it had a blanket over it compared with the aforementioned pickups, which are all great.

[@istvandejesus]

This is just great. I am a Tele guy. Never try to buy pickups to try and make the Tele beck pickup sound like a Strat neck pickup. You wil end up spending huge amounts of money and won’t be able to find it. Just let it be what it is. IT’S OWN THING!!! God bless all.

[@CrockettsCabin]

If folks want a Strat tone, they need to buy a Stratocaster.

[@pattonpickard2288]

You can be like me and have both! Best of both worlds

[@pharmerdavid1432]

I prefer neck telecaster pickups to sound twangy - distinctly "telecaster" sounding, not like a strat. Some people like a strat tone in tele neck - not me.

[@jimapperson6537]

Before you run out and buy new pickups, try one thing. Every time I try telecasters in stores, this seems true. Neck pickups set really up close and high. Crank it down always...opens right up. There are lots of setups at my house, 43 after a buddy sold me his affinity tele. 45 bucks. 2 weeks later, he came by to record some stuff, said wtf pickup you put in...said no change. Back it up some and see, also sustains better

[@JackFossett]

I’ve always been a firm believer in lowering pickups too. I do it in nearly all of my guitars.

[@JackFossett]

@@berlymahn term for Dollars ($$ US currency), he's talking about how much it cost in that particular sentence.

[@richjohn2497]

@@berlymahn american slang for the dollar. Currency,money or cash if you will. :)

[@hagzgamboa]

The tele neck pups are much better in terms of moving it closer to the strings compared to strats. I have my 51 nocaster neck very close to the strings and still sounds amazing. Strats behave a different way so do not be afraid to break that rule and move that neck pup closer till you get that sweet spot. Take into consideration that there actually is that pup cover in between which means that the top of the poles might be farther than you think. I have a vintage-style 52 Tele with 51 nocaster pups and a 60's Strat with hand wound Josefina fat 60's pups but the strat can never come close to the tone I can achieve with my Tele even though the nocasters are not even handwound. I really don't get it why others replace the neck with humbuckers when the Tele neck single coils are the best neck pickups out there.

[@sirpazuzu]

I'm pretty much a newbie to the Tele world.... I'll try this on my '50s Baja series... I love that thing....

[@andrewstaward6878]

Hi I literally bought a fender mim telecaster yesterday, and I am over the moon with it... The tone of it in all three positions of pick up is powerful and has that distinctive sound that only a tele can make... Its factory standard and I have been playing it in all three positions, like you said jack the bridge is a teles bread and butter sound, but the neck sounds really beautiful too. I'm playing it through my fender blue's junior tweed both clean and with a tubescreaner and man it sounds amazing... Thanks for another fantastic informative video.. Really enjoyed it and great playing too 😎🎸👍

[@RichSad45]

Nice tone indeed Jack. I just discovered you and this channel. KZbin is kind enough to show me all things Telecaster. I am something of a 58-year old FanBoy (fan old man?). I just got a new Squier Affinity Tele in Race Red to use as a partscaster. I have other Fender Teles, but none with the traditional Tele thang. One custom shop I own has a nice neck pickup but it happens to be a Seymour Duncan humbuckers and bears little resemblance to traditional Tele on either PUP. I researched things and was hearing that the Affinity Teles were pretty decent so I bought one sight unseen on Sweetwater. I bought Fender Vintage '64 Tele re-issue PUPs and upgraded electronics, pick guard, etc. Well the Squier arrived with a nice setup by Sweetwater and right out of the box it blew my mind! Primary that was the bridge pickup. I had read that people thought the Affinity Teles of late were missing the proper sound in the neck. I have not put the vintage PUPs on just yet as I am having a lot of fun with it with all Chinese parts. But the upgrade electronics are ready to go next string change. I do not have that tone on any of my teles. It reminds me a little of Clapton's "Woman Tone" (many others beyond EC have used the term and the tone). I saw the idea of lowering the PUP. I might try that with the Chinese PUP even before putting in the Vintage '64 genuine Fender PUPs. It would whipped cream on top of the icing on the cake if I could get that type of tone out of this Squier! One other thing is for sure: Now that I realize how much I do love the good ole single coil Tele, I am going to buy a new or used American-made Tele. The Tele single coil bridge PUP explodes out of my Celestion. I can just imagine what a hand selected model made in Fullerton will sound like. I had a ES-335 next up but the Tele has stolen the show for the time being. Besides, I can't really afford a nice 335, but maybe I'll find joy in some of the Epis or other clones given my positive experience with Squier. I have never had a Tele, strat, or Gibson give me the exact tone you are getting. Now I am going to chase it. On Strats I often play on neck or is position 4. Thanks for this video. I will check out others. I've already brought the like count to 888 even. I hope 888 isn't simply 666 + 222!

[@Prajnana]

The neck pickup has always been my go to tone on every guitar I've ever owned. The single coil Tele neck is so pure and tonally balanced, with crisp attack, and plenty of sustain, and free of the ice pick piercing treble that the bridge pu produces.

[@JackFossett]

I agree - the use the neck pickup more than I used to, it’s so pleasant

[@NostalgiaforInfinity]

Yeah, I always wondered why single pickup guitars put their pickup in the bridge position, rather than the neck. The bridge position is way too tinny. Too much treble and not enough mids and bass. The neck position on the other hand gives you the perfect "guitar tone".

[@mickreno9780]

The tone knob helps reduce some of the ice pick.

[@TeleCaster66]

​@@NostalgiaforInfinity Because the bridge is the business-end of the electric guitar.

[@GuyNarnarian]

When driven and compressed it sounds amazing. Roll off some treble. Clean sounds great for chicken pickin and what not but not for a ton of other genres. But the bridge pup on a Tele rules. So does the neck and middle.

[@hashemamer8515]

I would describe it as having glassy tone. Love it ❤

[@williamfarley8559]

Hey Jack, just ran across this video and became a new subscriber. Your playing is awesome, and the blonde Tele sounds great. I’m going to have to be critical on one point however; this particular video was like watching and “doodle infomercial” you had me completely hooked with anticipation for a resolution that never came. Possibility have one Tele with Mojo, and one without in order to showcase your point. I do believe I know exactly what you referring too, but a side by side comparison with the same amp, both clean and dirty back to back. I will continue to subscribe, because like I mentioned, your playing and equipment is top notch.

[@darwinsaye]

I’m primarily a neck pickup guy with both guitars and basses. Also a big fan of the Tele neck pup for all the ways you described it. In my experience, there are some different factors that contribute to that sound. The fact that they are unpotted and have metal covers. This means there is some degree of microphonics, varying pickup to pickup, but definitely there, and that lends to that airy tone you described.. Also, not being a hot overwound pickup adds clarity and airy tone. Third, the not having it too close to the strings, that you mentioned.

[@JackFossett]

I agree with overwound - I generally (although there are exceptions) don’t care for hot pickups. They usually lack character

[@kennybluet5527]

Woody. That's a good description. Somewhere between a Strat and Les Paul. Not as muddy as an LP and not as liquid or glassy as a Strat. I've got an Affinity that I string with acoustic 10 gauge strings. Stock pickups. The tone sounds way above its pay grade.

[@michaelinglis8516]

You use acoustic strings on your electric guitar with passive pickups?? Are you a beginner or was that a typo? Maybe you just dont understand how passive pickups or pickups in general work. Or even how acoustic and electric string alloys differ and why its important? I'm just smh over here frustrated at the notion that your comment wasnt a typo.

[@kennybluet5527]

@@michaelinglis8516 they work. I'm going for jazz tone. Clean. They sound similar to flat wounds ( which I find uncomfortable ) to my ears. I've had other guitarists at a few of my gigs tell me they liked my tone. I'm sure you know as well as I do that to be complimented on your tone by another guitarist is pretty special. They stay in tune very well, but it's not for everybody. I'm 65 , been playing since I'm 8. Actually opened for Leslie West in 1976. If you care to , Google my name and add Squier Affinity Starcaster and see what I mean. Thanks. Keep on jammin'!

[@michaelinglis8516]

@@kennybluet5527 You'll have to excuse my initial speculation. The answer you gave is actually what I was honestly hoping to hear. I've been playing 21 years give or take 6 months and I build guitars and pedals(although at this point the guitar building is still a hobby if you could call it anything). Anyways point being that in the time I've been playing I havent heard of putting acoustic strings of any kind on an electric guitar (other than in an extreame pinch of course lol). With that said if it's going to work for any general "style" I imagine jazz would be it(and the flat wound comparison makes a lot of sense. I would imagine they attenuate the same frequencies but possibly without the inherent downsides of flat wounds) so maybe you are indeed on to something. I'm thoroughly pleased to know that your choice to use acoustic 10s is out of experience rather than ignorance. Is it my business what other players choose to do even when out of ignorance?...Probably not, but again I'm thrilled that it's working for you an if it gets you closer to the sound your after than that's all that matters. Thanks for taking the time to clear that up for me brother!

[@aldrianrisjad]

I’m also a telly player and I got to say I experienced the same magic that you explained: exact same way. I always feel like the neck tone gives some ‘hollowness’ or airyness you mentioned. And it’s really sweet on clean tones or low gain overdrives. Like it’s ‘breathing’ when you hit the notes. And especially if I’m picking it dynamically, the response is so fucking amazing dude. Btw mine is Fender Telecaster Japan, I think its a reissue, bought it from a friend

[@luckyhodcastellana3366]

Texas Special tele pick ups are by far some of the best sounding ones ive ever heard

[@johnstrandberg1652]

Jack, I’ve heard it on my 2013 Telecaster neck pickup. I’m listening and hearing you as I write this. It’s magical. My Tele has a 4 way switch, the position one away from the neck has the bridge and neck pickups wired in series. It is the most magical ‘neck’ sound I’ve ever heard. Thanks for your video.

[@patrickhuhn9193]

Yes! I have an American Original 60s Tele with stock pickups. The neck pickup is straight up amazing. Clean or overdriven it’s tight, clear, hollow, and woody with nice sustain. I probably use the neck or both 75% of the time. It’s a beautiful thing

[@frantisca]

Hey Jack, I just finished assembling a modded Esquire. I added a Fender CS Nocaster pickup in the neck position and it's awesome: smooth, airy, full presence. You can play bluesy, even Jazz if you want, which is usually totally ignored on a Tele. The bridge PU is a Peter Florance TE-50: superb tones ! I wired the pickups out of phase, so that I have an additional "hollow" tone in the intermediate position, just like "Greeny". Cheers from France 🇫🇷🎸

[@1040ecapja]

Agree 100%. Tele neck pickup is easy on the ears and sounds great all-around: clean, edge of breakup, and overdriven. A great contrast to the gnarly, raw bridge pickup. Best neck pickup sound of all, by far.

[@jsanch4892]

Nice tones for sure. That blue Telecaster with the binding is beautiful.

[@GuitarTabsDaily]

I’m pretty sure i play my neck pickup 90% of the time on my American professional tele. My favorite guitar behind my LP. Great playing man, sounds amazing

[@JackFossett]

Awesome! The American Pro series are great. I love the new bridges they're using too.

[@DonVal86]

That’s some beautiful playing right there. I’ve put my tele to the side for the time being and have mostly been using my strat. But this video is inspiring me to pull it back out.

[@klapaucjusz1]

Bill Frisell's tone is what comes to mind when I think of lovely neck pickup tone on a Telecaster. For me, that is THE tele tone.

[@JackFossett]

Absolutely - he’s probably the best example. His tone is surreal.

[@fernandoreynaaguilar1438]

Exactly! I was thinking the same!

[@byron3710]

There is a real magic to a good tele neck pickup. The best tele neck pickup tone I have ever heard is from jazz guitarist, Tim Lerch. He seems to have the science of it figured out, too. He has some great videos discussing this.

[@Funkybassuk]

Tim Lerch also seems to have many Telecasters with a vast spectrum of different pickup combinations in them. Wonderful player. Jack’s playing is also pretty great. 👍🏽

[@kensmechanicalaffair]

Ted Greene as well.

[@Gottaloveguitars427]

You are so bang on, I’ve always loved the tele neck pickup...I hardly ever use the bridge pickup to be honest. It’s too bright for my liking, but the neck is so nice and smooth and warm.

[@G_Demolished]

I don’t usually use it either, but the bridge pickup comes in really handy when you’re playing with a band and the other positions aren’t cutting through the mix.

[@rjohnson1690]

My Tele neck pick up is my “jazz pickup”.

[@jayfender4486]

But what is it really?

[@deadcatforcutie9349]

@@jayfender4486 talking about sounds is somewhat strange, because u try to describe one medium with another - just doesn't work out. very similar to when ppl say something about wine, it always sounds terrible. In fact there is nothing worth saying about it: listen, drink, smell and look for yourself

[@musicplaylists59]

@@deadcatforcutie9349 some famous person once said that talking about music is like dancing about architecture

[@kennybluet5527]

@@musicplaylists59 that's a good one. A lot of us guitar geeks like to talk gear and tone endlessly. Or maybe I'll just speak for myself. Obsessed. That's the word.

[@markbratcher9095]

I would characterize the classic Tele neck pickup sound, among other things, as a little "glassy" or "crystalline". I really like it.

[@JackFossett]

Good words, I dig it

[@timdavis1591]

Thanks for your high quality and informative video! As crazy as it sounds, I have a Duo-sonic neck pickup in a 3/4 size tele project I was messing around with. The neck tone is very full and clear and as enjoyable to play as the same position in my CV 60's strat. Each to his own eh?

[@guyjerry]

You described the tone perfectly. It’s hollow and woody bordering on boomy at certain pitches (in a good way). Great playing btw 🤘

[@jorditoTX94]

Very cool video and I completely get where you are coming from. I think your description of the highs sitting on top of an airy mid-range hit the nail on the head. I have never been a Tele guy, but 2 weeks ago I went into GC with cash in hand and ended up walking out with my first Tele. A G&L ASAT Classic in solid Ash with Alnico V pickups. I played literally every Fender Tele/Strat on the wall. Oddly...none of them had that "magic" in the pickups, and especially the neck. Throughout the full pickup range they just all sounded really "thin" to my ears. They didn't seem to have that warmth sitting below the treble. I kept picking up that G&L (cheaper than the Fenders I was prepared to buy) and it just had something different in the pickups that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Needless to say, I took that guitar home and have been loving every minute of playing it. The neck is saucy and every pickup position has usable tones. It's the first guitar that I have not avoided a position on. Now that I have seen this video, that's exactly the way I would describe the neck. Good low end with glassy treble sitting on top of airy mids.

[@miketarr1287]

Airy hollowness is exactly how I describe it too. I love the neck pickup and find it more usable than the bridge, though the bridge is more iconic. Mine is an unmodded American custom.

[@foxbat2549]

I sometimes think that we as musicians, - guitarists and bassists alike, - are dwelling too much into pickups, mods, types of wood on the instrument, strings, etc. (I'm guilty myself, believe me). Back in the 1960's thru the mid-1970's there was virtually no musical instrument parts & components industry. Yet, the musicians who played a Tele, Strat, Les Paul or a Precision or Rick bass left their mark w/o a hotter pickup, a hi-mass bridge or active electronics. I believe that it will always be the musician who "gets" the sound or tone that defines his style and reputation on a recording or live performance. Jack, you're a perfect example of what I'm saying; - you're a superb player with taste, style and chops. I bet that if I handed U a Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster, U would sound just as good as the Butterscotch and blue Tele Custom featured in this video. With all the advancements in music tech today, - countless players world wide are still trying to get those sounds that happened 40 and 50 plus years ago. The so called "magic" is within the player. Case in point: I saw several videos of Carlos Santana on a Tele; - did he sound like Albert Lee or James Burton? No, - he sounded like Santana . . . BTW, - thank you for the time and effort U put into your presentation, - well done.

[@davidrees1840]

I have a Tele copy, but I'm more a Les Paul guy, and what you're saying about Tele neck pickups is exactly how I feel about LP neck pickups -all the bridge ones are fine with me, but I'd tried a few sets (T-top, SD '59, Tim Shaw, SD WLH) and not found a neck pickup I like. The sound I wanted is the "Tele on Steroids" sound, which you'd think is easy to find since pretty much everyone says that's what makes the '59 Burst magic. I finally got some from Australia, and am really pleased with them. Great video and playing!

[@Steadman711]

I personally fell in love with the double bound telecaster custom too, which is why I got one too! I have texas special pickups (for hum cancelling in in between positions), four way switch and an S-1 switch in mine, so I can get series and out of phase sounds, and I love it

[@JackFossett]

The double bound telecaster does look wicked shahp. WICKED shahp. Dappah.

[@duanemarshall7612]

Did you have have the Tele modified yourself how much is s1 switching cost

[@Steadman711]

@@duanemarshall7612 I got a wiring harness I bought off reverb. I think it’s labeled as a baja tele wiring harness but I can’t remember, just try looking that up

[@duanemarshall7612]

@@Steadman711 yes I'm familiar with that they on Mexican teles I have a Japanese 62 custom Reissue and not pleased with the weak pickups too thin any suggestions?

[@Steadman711]

@@duanemarshall7612 I’ve currently got a set of Texas special tele pick ups and they’re definitely not thin, they’ve got some bite to them. The stock pick ups I had were good too, I just wanted the option for hum canceling when running in series, and they happen to do that

[@elevatorisland]

I had to hear Roy Buchanan (live from austin tx) before I knew how to use my telecaster. I always thought the bridge was harsh, but when you use it in the right context it cuts through with an angst like no other. I agree the neck pickup has a hefty bass with a certain sparkle on top. I originally felt it was muddy, and from I heard of strats I thought it lacked attack. But now the neck pickup for me is the most soulful sound ever. It has a weary earthiness. With the right amount of gain on a slow/soft song you can play the most beautiful solos.

[@BladeDoomer86]

My 2020 Affinity Tele sounds amazing fot the money, i love it just as much as my Les Paul, which is a 1000$ more lol.. After a good setup, it really shines, and I've always loved a good neck pu.

[@fretlesstuba]

Luv the Tele neck p/u. I would describe the tone as a tight, warm, smooth, and well rounded (but not fat).. Kinda like running well lubricated set of ball bearings in your skateboard.. Just feels perfect! ..if that makes any sense. Also luv the middle position.. A little quacky, but versatile, nice & balanced. And lastly the bridge p/u is always there if you need that Tele bite.

[@JackFossett]

Well rounded is a good description

[@kencohagen4967]

I’ve only just begun to explore the Tele. I bought the first one I’ve ever had this year. But I haven’t played much of anything this year as I’ve had some health issues that have kept me from doing much of anything. But I can kind of hear what you’re talking about. There is some real estate where the Tele lives and nothing else like it is even in the neighborhood. I wouldn’t mine a good Tele pickup for the neck, but I don’t see the need to do so until I get good playing it. Then either the guy you just mentioned, Vaughn Skows pickups or something made by somebody who under stands the Telecaster. I don’t want to replace it with a humbucker, Filtertron or anything like that. I can do that on any other guitar. I want a Tele for having a Tele. Strats are ok, but everybody had one. It’s kind of like the Big Mac of guitars, or the Small block Chevy of the Hot Rodder’s world. It’s not any better or worse than any other guitar, it’s just what there was in the wall. I prefer a Humbucker guitar like a Les Paul or SG to a Strat. To get into Fender a clean territory I would prefer that tone you just played. Thanks!

[@blacktoothfox677]

May I offer something from my own doings? My own tele is somewhat unusual and modern in some respects, with EMG pick-ups. Not really my cup of tea but it was a great playing Tele at a great price. Yes, I want to change my pickups. But, I won't, at least, not yet. I want to play these ones inside out, know every micro-detail of their tonality. They dont look like old tele, but to be honest, it still SOUNDS like old tele, even if I have to look at things like 9v battery life... So I shall stick with it until I can for certain be bothered by some weakness. As it stands, it is MY tele, and preference be damned, it does its job. Good luck in both your playing and your health. We can but live in the surest hope of better times. Bless you and yours, UK

[@christophernoia5197]

I have a 1993 American standard tele w/ a rosewood board and hand wound set of tele pickups made by a friend of a friend of mine. The bridge pickup is amazing and versatile and was made with alnico 5 magnets. The neck pickup is pretty unique sounding and was wound with alnico 2 pickups and doesn’t have a pickup cover on it. Although I love the neck pickup, it has just a tiny bit less presence in the high end than other tele neck pickups I’ve played.The guitar also has a custom cut aluminum pickguard made by the same guy, which I’m sure affects the tone in some way, if not just the sustain. The pickups were wound a bit hotter than other single coils I have, so there’s a bit more volume, but it still stays very clean. All in all it’s one of the best guitars I own, alongside my 84 es 335 studio, and 65 reissue jazzmaster. I could pretty much cover all the ground I need with those guitars. Would I sell all my others? ... never.

[@lueyteledeluxe7457]

I bought a butterscotch last year, with the intention of putting a humbucker in the neck - simply cuz it looks so cool! But I was not counting on the stock neck pickup to turn out to be *_my favourite position!!🙆‍♂️_* True! It is just ...wonderful! And don't get me wrong - the bridge rocks. Fully! But it's too much, most of the time. The neck is just so sweet with fingers, yet still retaining that tele 'pop'. It still has that steely edge... but has this hollow centre... It doesn't have the overly bright thing that the bridge has. It is more subdued...but still with all the unmistakable tele character to the tone.. you're right. It's hard to describe!

[@chicagomatt3300]

I enjoyed this video. I'm a long time Strat player. The main reason I didn't consider a Tele was the fact that, on a Strat, I'm on the neck pickup 80% of the time. But when I finally got a Tele 10 years ago, I was amazed how much I liked the neck sound. I had always read that the Tele neck pickup was close to useless. Not so! I bought a Tele primarily due to watching videos of Guthrie Trapp, who gets a beautiful sound from his Tele neck pickups. Now I find I'm on the neck pickup 80% of the time on the Tele like on my Strats, although I use and love all three switch positions. I've used many Tele neck pickups, but tend to gravitate towards those with a little extra mids and output, but not what you'd call hot. I reach for a Tele first these days.

[@minkorrh]

That intro tone up to around 2:00 was pretty sublime. I'm coming from Ibanez shredville and I'm just learning about the nuances of Teletone with an actually very nice, dirt cheap Chinese copy that I massaged the frets on. Apparently it's an accurate copy dimension-wise, and I just love the neck! A little baseball-batty but doesn't interfere with speed at all, and the sound is really nice but I haven't got it dialled in yet on my HD500X. I live in an apartment so unfortunately I can't do an amp.

[@1mihayes]

To me the Telecaster neck pickup is like this Woody sound. It’s like the mids are coming though a large speaker that is gently covered by like this wood board, but not completely covered. And the wood is vibrating very gently to the sound of the speaker giving off its own interesting sound that’s unique and not quite muffled, but compressed. To me that what the pickups sound like, compressed sound. Like the Telecaster knows the exact tonal sounds it wants to give off, and it leaves all the rest in the background. It’s not giving you every harmonic sound, but what it’s giving you is gold. That’s the only way I can describe it. I know, sounds crazy right? Lol

[@georgenaha1001]

I have a '66 Tele with the original pickups, and I love the its neck pickup; it's warm and a bit dark, but it can bite, too.

[@standingbadger]

Hi Jack. Excellent video. I was very sceptical on what you were about to say regarding the tele neck pick up tone until you talked about the ‘airy hollowness’ - at which point I said ‘yes!’ quite loudly and was asked by people around me if I had just won the lottery. The tone you describe is exactly why I love the neck pickup on mine - a frankentele I put together with high quality electrics and pots but a cheap set of Tone Rider vintage plus pickups - and why it gets as much use as the bridge and middle settings. I also wired the pickups for the fourth neck and bridge in series setting It’s like a fattened neck sound with that softer, clear top from the middle postion.

[@marcospintor1333]

My telecaster does that! I knew what you were talking about even before you described it. I changes my pickups to 51’ no caster pickups tho, so it’s not stock. It does sound woody and hallow. Especially with new strings, it’s awesome

[@kloner]

I have this type of pickup. It is the stock pickup in my Fender 96 Art Esparza Masterbuilt Relic. I found this video because I'm looking for another pickup that sounds similar. I would describe it as half way between a normal Tele and a Lipstick. Bright and hollow, yes. The clean sound is beautiful and playing it through a driven plexi is incredible. I don't have a good camera but I'll see if I can post a video.

[@tyrantstomper]

I visualize this tone as being a concave shape, like a spoon or a bowl. It feels like a bowl. Like someone is cupping your ears from a few inches away. Or, at least, that's how I describe what I think you're talking about.

[@JackFossett]

I like it. I smell what you’re stepping in.

[@justinpaquette224]

Tele neck pickup is my second favorite tele tone (I love tele neck tone, but the guitar has to be wide open and the pickup has to have enough clear treble in it) . My favorite and most under rated tone is neck and bridge together. That's what I use 80-90% of the time. Imho It's the best tone for funk and soul

[@JackFossett]

I very much agree. The Tele middle setting is a whole different kind of special.

[@VIDS2013]

And of course bridge alone for rock.

[@justinpaquette224]

@@VIDS2013 Yeah, the bridge pickup is great for overdriven sounds, and clean palm muted reggae stuck lines an stuff like that

[@JohnnyRebKy]

I’ve always loved the tele neck pickup. I know exactly what your talking about. I spent a few years playing Gibsons with humbuckers and P90s but always come back to the tele. I play clean through a fender amp and the tele just has something the Gibsons can’t do. But there’s nothing the Gibsons can do that the tele cannot. The tele neck can be creamy smooth like a Gibson but the Gibson can’t spank and quack like the tele lol

[@gryzew]

Tom Morello out of all the people recorded all drop D stuff in RATM on a stock Tele neck pickup. Heavy rock riffs with distortion and it's not muddy at all but also instantly recognizable that it's a Tele neck pickup.

[@Corvette.Ronnie]

I have 2 Les Pauls which are so versatile. However when I play my Telecaster, it is so easily distinguishable from ANY other guitar that’s playing. Love it.

[@JackFossett]

Yeah they just have their own totally unique thing going

[@brocluno01]

That's the problem with buying electric guitars, it has to look and feel right, has to be inspiring in hand - you have to want to run around the neck. AND it has to sound sweet and right. That is a box full of options to balance. That's why you can audition 10 guitars and walk out of the store with nothing ... Or plug in at a pawn shop and start grinning. It's hard to get the right one. I have been building up parts casters over the years because I can't buy what I want ... Nice playing by the way. You do dynamic range nicely : D

[@billyclub56]

I have a '52 CS reissue Lowered the barrels at the bridge & neck pickup. Playing it at home, thru a THR10. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@mythology6377]

I would say the Tele neck pickup is fat, but hollow sounding. Lots of luscious mid range. Whereas a neck humbucker is fat and full of “stuff”. I also love using the middle pickup setting. The pickups are so far apart, it produces another unique sound. One of my favorite guitars to record with. It never *doesn’t* sound great! 🤘

[@GuyNarnarian]

I don’t know what I did, but the neck pickup in my Tele never sounded right. I never played with the heights until I watched this video. The screw on the bass side was loose. I screwed it in and leveled out the pickup to sound better with the bridge pickup. It sounds so much better on its own now as well. Thank you.

[@simonepellegrini2389]

I have a G&L ASAT Classic thinline and I definitely love the neck pickup sound it has. Stock MFD neck pickups designed by Leo himself are more on the hotter side (a sort of p-90 touch) but still true to tele character. And, even more important, well balanced in output with the bridge counterpart. Love them also when gain goes up and they clean very musically when you roll off the volume pot. Maybe not true to vintage specs (ceramics, oh my...) but I love them.

[@christophergallagher531]

I have a Fullerton and a Tribute with classic MFDs . I am stuck on treb passes. I put a .002 in the Tribute. The Fullerton Thinline came (yesterday!) with one installed. Treb passes are game changers, especially with the neck pickup. I have 11 Telecasters. One has Duncan Phat Cats, which are his attempt to squeeze P 90s into a standard humbucker configuration. The classic MFDs do not approach the power of the Phat Cats. I no longer have P90s to do an A:B with. My #1 and my attempt to build a road copy both have Texas Specials. With out a treb pass the neck pu would leave me flat. Enter the Tribute with MFDs and it is closer to #1 than my build. G&L only makes one build of their pick ups. Of note, I sold my earlier pair of USA ASAT specials over the pickups. I liked P90s but not those MFD Specials, they hurt. I did not have the heart to hack the guitars. Currently, I am hooked on thinlines! Good Luck with yours!

[@zincChameleon]

For me, the all-time greatest Tele neck tone is used by Jesse Edwin Davis on the cut 'Bacon Fat' from Taj Mahal's album 'Take a Giant Step'. He plays using a Lesley tone cabinet, and the 'blowing over the top of a milk bottle tone' is just pure magic.

[@LennieDean]

Jesse Ed is the most under-rated guitarist ever!

[@MacLuz]

Thanks for mentioning . I just grabbed out my Taj Mahal album. Good to listen to it again! You say, it’s a Leslie. Guess so, too. A chorus pedal was not invented yet, but it sounds like a good one. Doesn’t it?

[@zincChameleon]

@@MacLuz The chord changes should be required reading for blues players so they can add texture. It is also his incredible attack, so delicate.

[@jimmy5634]

I had a specially wound neck pickup made for me that emulates the tone of a Strat neck pickup. This gave me that bluesy Strat tone that I love and what you describe. It also works well for the R &B stuff I love to play. It has longer pole magnets and no cover and is wound in the early seventies type of windings the American Strats had. Depending on your pick attack you can really get that Strat tone. I love it. Sounds very similar to that blue Tele you played...very.

[@piedpeter1]

It's called "Twisted Tele" pu's. Neck is 90% strat with Tele flavor. My new favorites and goes well with hi gain amps if need be.

[@jayrobb9]

Jeff Buckley was known for staying on the neck pickup most of the time and got an amazing sound. On my current Tele, the neck pickup is night and bright, glassy but no harsh. I'm using it 50% of the time (and middle position about 30% of the time) until I can get a new bridge pickup.

[@johnlebeau5471]

I realize this video is almost 3 years old, but I felt the need to comment. I have a partscaster with Ron Ellis pickups in it. The neck pickup does what you are attempting to describe in spades. I describe it as a chimey sound, with the notes of the chord seemingly dancing around each other as the chord decays. Ron Ellis pickups are stupidly expensive, with my 50/60TN neck pickup at $375 now, and my 50/60B costing the same. I paid about $100 less for the pair. I also have a Fender 70th anniversary Broadcaster reissue with some kind of special Fender pickups that don't do that at all, though they do sound nice, and a resonator with a National hot plate that has a Lollar Special T mounted in it that actually comes close. I agree the sound is magical, I'll sit and strum chords just to listen to it.

[@valueofnothing2487]

Glad youtube gave me this video suggestion again. KZbin just doesn't get enough of this type of playing to show how gear can sound. Usually it's the old rock or metal which sounds all the same to me.

[@rosieotis]

Set of Twisted Tele pups from The Custom Shop. Love em. Does that blues thing in the front, and that angry rock in the back. Fantastic set. 🤘🏼

[@LunatiqueRob]

That magic tone you described is the same tone I love and chase. It's similar to a mini humbucker but a bit leaner. The "magic " is the resonance peak at roughly 2Khz--that's what gives it the snap but also woody and pleasantly warm without being muddy like on some humbuckers, while also not as thin and shrill as it might get on some Strats.

[@MauiBoyTrav]

What I really like is how responsive it is to small changes in volume and tone. It stays warm, but clear, and depending on what you are looking for in a warm tone, you can find it. Dual Humbuckers get too muddy comparatively.

[@christophergallagher531]

I tried humbucker territory. They generally do not work for me. Bill Laurance got close. I admit to having a tele set up with Duncan Pearly Gates. These are low gause relatively low out put units. With a treb pass I can hang out a while. Phat Cats, I love. Same thing after a while back to Texas Specials and now G&L MFDs . One tele has a Fender twisted tele neck, paired with a Duncan JD, this is a sleeper!

[@devonsmith9863]

I had dual humbuckers in my Strat as a teenager and I didn’t even realize it was ostensibly a nailgun until I picked up a Tele. The sense of touch response you get - I can go clean or dirty by changing nothing but my pick attack.

[@Brian-cc3kh]

Tele is so versatile. One thing I like to do on the tele neck pickup is to roll back the tone to get a faux jazz guitar tone.

[@alexisroland9467]

I never played a telecaster until I found one at a thrift store, paid 39.54 for it and it quickly became my favourite player guitar

[@grateshirtironer2972]

Sorry 39 dollars? Two sec ima hit up my local saint johns

[@OriginalPuro]

I am saving for my first guitar and a Telecaster, here, AM built ofc, costs 2-3k USD(14-20 000 NOK). A used one you can get for 1.5k USD, or around 10 000 NOK.. 40 bucks for a guitar, not sure I would trust that.

[@PeterDad60]

@@OriginalPuro You don't understand. He went in person to the thrift store , saw the Tele and purchased it for only $39. Thrift stores sell donated items so he's telling the truth. I paid @ $25 for an entire Golf set w/bag. 7 or 8 clubs were included.

[@minorcek]

@@PeterDad60 I used to work at a Goodwill thrift store, as an electrical processor (aka processed electrical items, ect) The truth is.....I dont know how anyone could come up on a $39 dollar guitar because 1. I, or someone like myself, definitely already stole it 2. Quota. Everyday a certain amount, i believe 200, items needed to be processed. 75 - $2 dollar items, 25 - $10 dollar items, 10 - $50 dollar items or something along those lines A processor must find the right balance between making quota, with insufficient items, flushing the quota stickers down the toilet and trying their best to help out the community Basically, either i steal it, or more likely drop it in a random customers cart for a dollar and say "shhh". Otherwise the item becomes known and nobodys getting away with putting it on a shelf for 39 dollars. If the manager were to see an item that could be sold for more than labeled, theres a chance of them actually trying to sell it for real money, which is not very Robinhood I did come up on a 400 dollar Ibanez working that job but there was no better feeling than wheeling a nice ass flat screen out to an absolutely thrilled costumer because I slapped a "broken" sticker on it and sold it for a dollar like Santa Claus lmao

[@michaelinglis8516]

@@OriginalPuro Lol smh. There is absolutely no reason you should ever spend that kind of money on your first guitar unless you're buying it to show it off rather than play it. The fastest way to loose respect from other guitar players is to have a $1,000+ guitar that you can only use to play smoke on the water and out of tune chords. Also if it takes such an expensive guitar to get you excited at first you'll NEVER EVER be a guitar player. Save your money and let someone who's earned it buy that guitar so it doesnt spend its life never getting played sitting up against a wall like a $20 thrift store guitar in a teenagers room. Of course youd pull it out once a year to show off your mad skills to your girlfriend who would tell you how great you are. Lol. What are you thinking?!

[@TheElectricfishmusic]

Great tone, great playing. The Telecaster neck pickup is my favorite sound.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Best Tele neck I used was a "Texas special" on a 52 re-issue through a Marshall 50watt Valve combo, epic sound at low and max vol. Now I found a 1 pickup Esquire and can't put it down, forgot all about the neck pickup cos just by flicking the selector towards the neck it engages a cap and resistor that lowers the vol a touch and warms up the tone but not too much az to get boomy. I believe it's a 5000pf cap on all the time? Petfect!

[@HyperBlueZYZ]

Let’s hear it for the amount of TIME this ace has spent mastering not only the production of his tone, but also nailing the licks and clearly articulating each and every technical aspect. Some will say “Cork Sniffing”, I’m saying “Thanks!” This is why we have internets. #toneformiles

[@JackFossett]

Ya know some people think I just ramble about nonsense, but I like your take better 😉

[@anthonybizzell3857]

I've heard the term, "the coke bottle sound", used for that sweet spot on Strat, Tele and P90 pickups in the neck position. It is definitely more prominent in the Tele pickups. Not "hard to find". I bought an $89 Indio (Chinese) guitar off Amazon with modding in mind. But the neck pickup sounds fine. It comes in at 6.50 ohms. I also own a PRS 20th Anniversary McCarty, a Seagull Original S6 Cedar and an Epiphone Les Paul Junior, modded into a Special with P90s, Gibson Classic(?) tuners and body comfort contours and a shaved neck. Just so you know I wasn't hurting for a guitar when I bought the Indio. : )

[@BeesWaxMinder]

C O O L! I wonder where that term “Coke bottle sound“ comes from…?🤔

[@BeesWaxMinder]

@Satan Does that mean, like, if a Coke bottle COULD make an electric guitar sound it would sound like that, do you mean? Like it has a “glassy“ sound in the same way as the two and four positions on the Strat could be considered sounding “hollow“?

[@jbrobertson2758]

JUst subscribed and am hoping for a video on the middle switch position on the Telecaster!

[@JackFossett]

That’s an excellent idea - another killer Tele tone.

[@AtomicGarden68]

The best guitar ever made...the swiss army knife of guitars. It can do anything. From the sweetest sounds to the nastiest. I'll never ever part from it.

[@83roadstar]

If a Telecaster could do everything, everyone would be playing one ,an Ibanez with an Edge tremolo , or a Kramer with a Floyd Rose is closer to being able to do "anything" than any Telecaster , even though I do have all three, my Ibanez is my go to guitar for tremolo dive bombs and aggressive heavy tones!

[@JT-gm4fk]

@@83roadstar agree, while Teles are great...they cannot do everything. There's a reason certain guitars and certain pickups are produced and used for particular genres.

[@MrMd5555]

One players "everything" is different than the next guys "everything". There are old timers that consider the stones super heavy, then there are guys that only play detuned 7 string with the gain & 3 distortion pedals dimed or what ever they're using to get that insane tone. One things for sure if not for the telecaster, electric guitar wouldn't have turned out to be what it is today & all players should respect that!

[@G_Demolished]

@@83roadstar Bad logic. If it “can do everything” that does not imply that no other guitars would exist.

[@Frank-in-NY]

I have a Squier Paranormal Offset Tele. The stock pickups were OK, especially the bridge, bright and it delivered. However the neck pickup was blah, very muddy, no personality. I made two changes. I replaced the Tuning Machines with Gotoh Locking Tuners and slapped a set of Tex-Mex pickups in. For the Neck Pickup I set the clearance 6/64" on the Low E Side, and 4/64" on the High E Side. I'm loving it now. I might add, I have Daddario Flatwound 10's on it.

[@slickdusud]

i really love the neck pickup of my tele baja ! round, woody, open and brilliant at the same time .. so sweet !

[@JackFossett]

I’d like to get my hands on a Baja Tele - Fenders MIM classic series are some of the best bang for the buck guitars I’ve ever played

[@shapeshifter8986]

the neck pickup sound was the reason I bought my telecaster professional. I mostly use it for sweep picking. Awesome sound. Tip: When playing a solo switching from bridge to neck pickup in the middle of the solo gives you very interesting possibilities in sound and expression.

[@cpamiseso]

With the right amp, that kind of neck pickup can sound right as well. I found myself always stuck to the wooly dark sound, which something I'm okay with, I enjoy the contrast tonality between neck and bridge pickup. Really useful versatility in different situations, especially if you are the type of player that utilize the tone knob. I modded my pots and wiring just to give me that versatility, very ice picky with fully open tone, quite right tone with the knob halfway down. Very useful tricks when you're hitting the amp with powerful drive pedals.

[@tritonmosquito9348]

Not in same range but I love both my squier tele pickups and don't use one more than the other. Really pleased with them, never thought of changing them and all.

[@JackFossett]

Squier makes some great guitars

[@PaulMatthewMusic1]

I have a 2013 Fender Corona Us Tele. It has a pickup in it called a twisted tele neck and I love it.

[@jeffreyd235]

I know exactly what you mean. It’s a woody, hollow, open in the middle, almost acoustic guitar-like tone.

[@JackFossett]

Exactly 🍻

[@InGratitudeIam]

A "woody" component is definitely a good way to describe it. In some of my Teles, the neck pup reminds me of a "polite" P90. You've got that air/wood/mid/magic, but it doesn't get rude when pushed.

[@JackFossett]

Very well put. Couldn’t agree more.

[@mauricerandell8119]

@@JackFossett For me it's Woody with a touch of Smoke faintly hanging in the air.

[@chinaski_sounds]

totally agree regarding neck pick up. I am using all the time and it's awsome. I am mesmerised by that tone since I got my tele player .

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

I love Tele neck tone. I’ve an Am Special with Texas Specials and the neck tone is absolutely beautiful. I don’t think it can be bettered. You describe the neck tone perfectly well. I know my Am Special has it. I’ve two Highway One models and the necks are not as good, they’re nice but not as stunning as the Texas Special. The bass is deep (woody) the mid is a slight bark (hollow) and the treble silky (chimey) It’s fantastic for jazz. The Fender Vintera 50s Teles are pretty good too. The Wide Range sounds amazing too.

[@ArthurCLee]

I've got the Lollar Vintage T pickups on my tele and the neck pickup on it is so sweet. It is THE tone I've been looking for. Add a little dirt to it and I could play it all day. In fact, imma go play it right now.

[@JackFossett]

If these videos inspire someone to pick up their guitar, then my work here is finished.

[@tombstoneisevil]

hey Jack i think i know what you mean, to me is like whistling in a bottle, the neck pickup description, and also to me has to be with the height, if is bad is bad, period, but if it maybe ...height, try diferent positions and expect it to work in places you don't believe it to work, for reference 1mm down the neck of the guitar, is a little old video but I follow you every week, you do a good work man, apreciated

[@Afurthyclays]

After owning a bunch of "shred guitars", I never thought my Baja reissue Telecaster would be my favorite guitar, but here we are! After a bit of proper set up & adjusting, it's so comfortable to play! Not sure if anyone could shed some light, but it's the one that was discontinued a couple of years ago, the phase/parallel options are to die for, & upon reading the specs, it says there's a "Twisted Tele" in the neck position. Not sure if that would fit in this elite category of pickups, but it sure sounds beautiful to me! ❤️

[@utahprepper8925]

In addition to the way you describe the neck pup tone I would add "round" to the adjectives. I've always loved that tone. All three of my T-style guitars exhibit it.

[@JackFossett]

I agree - round is actually a great way to describe a lot of fender tones.

[@johnvliet523]

“Airy, hollow, something…” I get what you mean and it’s my whole attraction to the tele. I equate it to the way sound travels in the desert in the spring. You can have a conversation with someone 50’ away from you without having to raise your voice. That neck pickup captures the loneliness of the open dry spaces of the desert and I don’t know of anything else that sounds like it. I find it uniquely comforting. I really appreciate it most played almost in slow motion or jazz voicing.

[@Spiderman-tg9ke]

I just bought a Larry Carlson Sire T7 from Sweetwater and both pickups are awesome 🤩 It’s the best sounding and easiest Telly type I own😊😊

[@curtevans838]

Great video! I've gotten into Tele's in the past ten years. I have a mexican standard that has always been so-so but rock solid. I recently acquired a Vintera 50's Tele and wow! The neck really changes the tone throughout the mids. I run a Lace Sensor T100 pickups in the neck and they always have the sound. I can only describe it as fluffy.

[@theknowerandtheknown]

I never use the Bridge pickup on my Tele. The neck pickup has that huge tube tone that I just love

[@Stevieboy130664]

I understand your point completely about lack of consistency in the Tele neck pickup. It even applies to the centre toggle switch position when both pickups are on giving that wonderful, full, glassy, slightly honky sound - some teles have it and some don't probably due to this inconsistency with the neck pickup. The classic Tele bridge pickup always seems to get that classic Tele twang. Some of the guys below mention the closeness of the pickup to the strings - that probably has a lot to do with it.

[@dorksouls978]

I had a standard tele that had the most incredible neck pick up. Absolutely everyone who heard or played it wanted to know what I'd put in there and many refused to accept that it was stock.

[@JackFossett]

Nice! The first time I ever really noticed this tone was on a 2004 MIM standard Tele.

[@tomaszklimkiewicz9273]

I love the way Tim Lerch makes his Telecasters sound... It's something unique, since the genre he's into and presents in his channel is jazz. Surely, the pickup he uses most often is the neck one, but that's enough to contradict, in a fully substantiated manner, the frequently expressed opinion that in order to play jazz you need an archtop or, at least, a semi-hollowbody...

[@JackFossett]

I agree. Bill Frisell too - excellent Tele jazz tones

[@dahag2996]

...and Julian Lage, Ted Greene, Ed Bickert, Jim Campognolo, etc All jazz Tele guys.

[@Tanglangfa]

@@dahag2996 Joe Pass is who turned me on to Teles jazz wise. Roy Buchanan was the. Ultimate sell though. That dude was ridiculous with the sounds he got. Blues, I know, but that was my first omg moment.

[@SpicyMcHaggis]

Oh yes! Im a fan of him and his tone too. Loving the Charly Christians in his Tele. He has to be mentioned here

[@jonnybeck6723]

...Oz never did give nothin' to the Tinman, An'na Tele 'uz all he needed. Nice Tele neck/front plunkin' there Jack 🤠

[@JumboJimbo015]

I've always enjoyed the neck pickups on teles, especially compared to other guitar neck pickups. I have a Baja Tele, that had the Twisted Tele neck pickup in it. I hated that pickup, because it sounded so Stratty. Changed it out for a Seymour Duncan '54 style, can't remember the model name. It made the guitar so much more tonally pleasing to me. My favorite sound I get nowadays is a Paisley MIJ Tele, on the neck. The Bridge is Great too, but that neck is just so sweet sounding.

[@gabesandholm]

Great tone! I love the tele neck pick-up. If I had to choose one pick-up tone for all of my remaining days, its the tele neck tone. I have the American Original 60's tele with the stock pick-ups, and they deliver! I had a squire before that and a xaviere. I thought both of those tele neck pick-ups sounded great too.

[@JORDIMB1970]

I hear it, I understand it. And I like it! Good video, excellent explanation.

[@davidmurphy4844]

I think that you have to dial in a fair bit of treble to voice the neck pickup to cut through then when you switch over to the bridge pickup use the guitar's tone control to take the treble down. I know that a popular mod is to disconnect the tone on the neck pickup so you can balance the treble between both pickups.

[@JackFossett]

That mod is a good idea I think regardless of what the neck pickup is. The bridge pickup can get VERY biting, especially at stage volume.

[@finlaybalfour1064]

What year is that natural American standard Tele? It looks a lot like my 2003. Anyway, I'm so glad someone did a video on this. I've long been in love with my Tele's neck pickup, and I've always said there's something magical about the sound. Thankful you were able to articulate it so well.

[@JackFossett]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it - that tele is right from around that time so I imagine it’s from the same run. It was a short lived butterscotch blonde finish on an American standard

[@billstraub7860]

I have an inexpensive strat-style guitar with maple board and alder body that I threw a $300 set of pickups based on the best sounding '63-'64 strats in and I can hear/feel my fingers on the fingerboard in all five positions. It is thee bell-like tone. Some notes are more amazing than others, but they are all amazing.

[@eriknorlander5814]

My telecaster has a really cool overtone-thing going on with the neck pickup. I hear it in some telecasters but not all.