Single Coil or Humbucker for Tele? I try Bare Knuckle “Stormy Monday”

Equipment used:
Fender “Heavy Relic” Telecaster
Seymour Duncan “Quarter Pound” pickups
Bare Knuckle “Stormy Monday” neck pickup
Boss Katana 100 combo
Supro Tremo-verb 25W all valve
Hudson Broadcast Dual Overdrive pedal in conjunction with the Supro amp.
_____________________________________
If you have a query, or if you simply wish to buy me a coffee via PayPal, then my PayPal address and email are one in the same:
[e-mail] (or 078900 67773)
Thanks folks 😊

[@coreymihailiuk5189]

Both pickups sound great and they sound quite different which really expands the normal range of a tele. The humbucker actually sounded "wider" and deeper for the clean tones with an expanded tonal range in my humble opinion. I think this combo really makes a tele a much more versatile.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thanks Corey 👍

[@tommythegunny]

I'm surprised you haven't appeared on my recommendations before as your playing, tone and content are absolutely fantastic. Keep it up, man!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you Tom! That was a nice compliment to wake up to 🙏

[@parrottsquawk975]

This. Just wow...

[@Ronnierayv]

Tom took me one video and subscribed!

[@edgeofeternity101]

Everything Tom said, and I also subbed, I've been looking at these HBers since they came out, just didn't have a worthy guitar to put them in, I now have a PRS SE that I like except for the pickups, it's an all mahogany Santana model with the diagonal markers. I've had good results with Lollars so I will find a comparison and go from there.

[@danpeabody5687]

So what potz and capacitors are in your guitar? And how is it wired? 3 way switch? Neck/ neck & bridge/bridge?

[@randybobandy7534]

I hope you took the guitar out for dinner before this video.

[@TexanUSMC8089]

LOL Well put.

[@davidlawlor4317]

No, I hope the guitar took him out for dinner. I've rarely heard a tele so happy.

[@travisavery8339]

Before!?! That guitar needs a snack after , he was all over it😂

[@mikestroud9969]

🤣🤣🤣. Seems to be proper Lmao 🤣😂

[@davieonyourtv703]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 people like the relic look nowadays

[@Joe_Yacketori]

I really think higher output pickups in the neck are the definitive sound for teles. Humbuckers or P-90s in the neck and classic tele pickups in the bridge are the dream combo.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Yip, my experience with this Tele is definitely leading me to that conclusion. Cheers for watching 👍

[@rohanjangam511]

@@paulstaffordcook8799 hello! I'm planning to build a tele. Could you please give me more advice on pick ups? I'm more than happy to hear anything you know and want to share! Initially, I was thinking of the BK Yardbird set, or boot camp brut force tele set. Can you tell me more about humbucker vs single coil on the neck? I'm looking for the mid + neck Strat like sound. Really warm and clear. Something like John mayer. Thanks a lot

[@vovagreen7414]

спасибо...было интересно...я учту!

[@martinskanal]

Fantastic playing. Your phrasing and those legato runs.. just stunning. I honestly think both the regular single coil and the 'bucker sounded great, but I agree with you that the low end growl is very attractive. I checked in to find out how that Bareknuckle sounded, but the main output I got from this video is that I need to practice more hahah

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Lovely comment, thank you martinskanal 👍. Delighted you liked my playing.

[@martinskanal]

@@paulstaffordcook8799 Truly mean that, did you ever release anything with a band? Your playing reminds me a little of Norwegian blues player Knut Reiersrud, who sometimes combine bluesy stuff with the tonal footprint of our traditional folk music . Here he is way back in the 90's (pre Strymon Big Sky) playing in a church with organist Iver Kleive kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJbRnWdtrrirZ8k

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thanks for the link man, I had a wee listen and really like his playing 👍. I was in a covers band from ‘91 to ‘06, playing guitar based music (Eagles, Dire Straits, Thin Lizzy etc) and loved it. And then in 2017 I started this wee KZbin channel - so it’s great to see it slowly grow.

[@simononeill941]

From the first notes could tell an immediate improvement. Much better clarity and all round smoothness without losing top end that some humbuckers have.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Cheers Simon, yes I’m really happy with how it turned out. Cheers for watching 👍

[@perantolapower]

Holy shit man, MASTER playing! Awesome bends and tone.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you Pedro! Delighted you liked my playing 👍

[@markartinVA]

I’m pretty sure Albert Collins said he never even used the neck pick up really. It was just there when he got the guitar from someone else.

[@30smsuperstrat]

Great Demo! Looks like you've found your magic sauce. Over the period of about 10 years I tried just about every pickup type and combination, including a Brent Mason build. None of them ever really inspired me. I finally found my magic sauce in a Seymour Duncan Broadcaster bridge, and alnico ii pro tele neck . That bridge dishes out the perfectly thick crunch on a Marshall, the in between has all those R&B, neo soul, funk rhythms I could ever want, and the neck is sweet and warm , for a stand out 3 piece solo, clean or overdriven.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you SMSuperstrat! Delighted you liked my wee vid. I’m liking the description of your pickup choice…. Cheers for sharing

[@TheDunateen77]

That Supro sounds like everything I associate with a good tube amp,I dont have one but own other tube amps and recognise that sound,it's very hard to describe but guitarists will know what I mean,I still love my katana though haha

[@johnoconnor4984]

So many Usable tones. Great playing

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thanks John 👍

[@cesalt2408]

Best tele skills on the internet. 👍🏼✨

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Ah, thank you cesalt 🙏. That makes me smile. Cheers 😊

[@jeffroq]

Hi Paul - great video as always. I have a Gordon Smith tele that has the same pick up configuration. I’ve put the SD qp at the bridge and the stock GS humbucker in the neck. When I put the SD in I swapped out the pots and cap for 500s but did the resistor mod on the switch for the bridge pickup so it ‘sees’ the pots as 250s. It has improved the guitar no end.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Ah, now I’ve heard about that.... the resistor mod. Yes, the guitar tech who installed my pickup suggested that we could do this mod if I end up unhappy with the stock 250k pots. So it’s on my radar. But at the moment I’m delighted with how it sounds as is. But thanks for this info Jeff, it’s extremely relevant for anyone interested in adding a bridge humbucker to a Tele. Cheers for watching 👍

[@jackblack2321]

One of the best tele players on KZbin

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you so much Jack! Much appreciated 😊

[@MrSongwriter2]

I didn’t expect a humbucker tonne more dynamic and clearer than a single coil( well effectively a p90 as that’s what those pickups emulate)

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thanks MrSongwriter2

[@LeeHoMusic]

no ....I cant believe how this guitar sounds ....... heaven

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you TheGeronimo322! Yes, I’m a lucky boy to have it. Cheers for listening 👍😎

[@LeeHoMusic]

@@paulstaffordcook8799 yes you are lucky... I listen to it very often, very woody and organic sound. What model of Fender Tele is that? Custom shop?

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Yes, bought it new in 2017. It’s a “Custom Shop ‘52 heavy relic”. It’s swamp ash, so lovely and light. The neck is a lovely D shape, and is SO comfy to hold. The pickups were fender’s stock vintage pickups...., however, despite the unamplified sound being lovely, the amplified sound underwhelmed me a little when playing blues.... So that’s what brought about the Seymour Quarter Pound in the bridge and then ultimately the Bare Knuckle in the neck. Love it! Delighted you like it too 👍

[@robertomartins2584]

great sound, the two..... thanks.

[@Popskull_666]

Oh damn that humbucker kicks so much ass. Great playing, Gibson guy here you peaked my interest in Tele's

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thanks Popskull, delighted you liked the sound of my Tele 👍

[@BaritoneOneFive]

The Bare Knuckle is a bit louder, grittier, and more presence. You make either pup sound great, so it really doesn't matter! Great playing!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thanks Stuart, appreciated 😊

[@thenumber1bobo]

the Stormy neck is a beast...but its a hollow woody AL2 tone that works best with a mid boosted amp. It lets the mids articulate and "sing." These are not the amp settings to best exhibit this pickup

[@thenumber1bobo]

also, on a neck pickup, you absolutely swap the pots. On the bridge...depends on the pickup.

[@Kreln1221]

*For neck buckers, I definitely prefer Alnico II magnets, as they compress the low end, preventing it from being too bassy and tubby...*

[@boseefusmacmurphy1156]

Same here. But also alnico 2 for single coils in any position. Alnico 5 sounds almost ceramic in a single coil with modern amps and drives then again too many crash cymbals have damaged my hearing..

[@Jxff]

After watching this vid, I went searching for everything on Alnico II and from what I read there is less string pull as well. Definitely Stormy Monday pups for a build I am working on. Excellent tone and playing.

[@brianrollins7275]

@@boseefusmacmurphy1156Alnico 2 is pretty weak for a tele single coil unless you’re talking 10k and above output. I’m running a lipstick neck pickup @ 7.3k with an alnico 5 magnet and my bridge is an alnico 4 @ 7.9k and to me it’s the perfect balance. So I think for lower output pickups you want more than alnico 2. Just my opinion. As we know it’s all personal preference. Take it easy

[@davieonyourtv703]

Both sounds flawless❤❤❤

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Well thank you Davie 👍

[@Gluodin]

I’m not a native English speaker but this guy’s sound made me think for the first time in my life, ‘damn, bro’.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you Josep 🙏. Loved your compliment 😀

[@christopherdunn974]

Awesome playing!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you Christopher 👍. Cheers for watching.

[@markgillard3848]

Really interesting comparison - thanks Paul. The humbucker showing more volume and a little bit more clarity/bite. But there's just something with that single coil almost sounds more rounded with a lower output. Like all these things it's personal preference. Humbucker in the neck position does look badass mind!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thanks Mark. Like you say, it’s all about what appeals on a personal level. Cheers for watching 👍

[@adityapurwanegara8292]

Love that single coil tone, clean and bell like tone

[@SlowRide723]

Me too. Thought the Humbucker was too muddy. Single coil tells the story better.

[@OnTheFritz602]

Sounds great, and very tasty playing!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thanks OnTheFritz602, cheers 👍

[@henrikpetersson3463]

Prefer the single coil overall in sound. Humbucker in looks. :) Beautiful tele. And more importantly, beautiful playing!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you Henrik 🙏

[@Tsudkyk]

I appreciate the back to back comparisons, too many demo videos have really long jam sessions before switching to the other tone example. Then often times they are playing something completely different. Also, impressive playing.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you TSYDNYK👍. Delighted you liked it

[@jlostboy]

Nice playing man!!!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you Johnny! 👍

[@treastonschmuckley5111]

I'm more of single coil neck and a humbucker bridge kind of person. to my ears, neck humbuckers get a little to tubby sounding whereas a single coil strat/tele pick up benefits from the rounder sound in the neck spot.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Fair point Treaston. Cheers for watching 👍

[@malachipratton5145]

Single coil is more refined but the humbucker seems to have more life in it, if you will.

[@AnthonyBurrito1313]

Humbucker every time!! That tele looks awesome!!

[@p.s8950]

Ha... to heck with the pickups, I could watch & listen to your playing all night, man. thanks.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Ah, thanks man! Delighted to read lovely comments like this! 👍

[@tomblaze2]

Sounds Great

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thanks tomblaze2

[@relyiain]

These tones are fantastic . That’s what we seek , you’ve got it in spades..it’s like your going to new places .. superb.

[@REM1956]

I stumbled onto your video tonight and was wowed by your playing and tone. Really like the humbucker. It looks great and sounds fantastic. You can't go wrong with a blackguard Telecaster. Cheers from the USA.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Hi REM1956 😀. Delighted you like my playing. Yes, that Tele feels wonderful to play. Really light swamp ash body, very thin nitro finish and these upgraded pickups just turn it into such a warm sounding instrument. Cheers to you in USA from here in Edinburgh Scotland 👍

[@luizalbertokoehler4904]

the problem is that the amp equalization for the humbucker is different that the amp equalization for the single in the bridge

[@BladeDoomer86]

Both sound perfect in their own way!

[@MP-gq4uj]

I actually liked the humbucker for clean as well. You've got me seriously thinking about putting a humbucker in my nocaster (if I can bring myself to alter it). Love my nocaster, great to see you enjoying yours! Ps. You need a black strat switch tip for it Paul. First thing I replaced on mine.

[@timothypersaud4986]

Don't do it nocasters are too precious get a squire model tele and do it hahaha happy days to ya

[@MP-gq4uj]

@@timothypersaud4986 Just couldn't do it!

[@peterchase7572]

Both sound good. But I prefer the humbucker by a nose.

[@johnwall1]

Both are great !

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you Blues Man 👍

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

Love it

[@Tangent_Frank]

"Bro, he's a Scottish bluesman, how good could he possibly be lol?" *The Scottish Bluesman in question:*

[@bluetweed1]

As always awesome ! remember Tele is the King, what you put in is what you get. Don't cut yourself short and try a 500K pot with the 1/4 lb bridge and Humbucker. I have never heard a Humbucker that did not wake up with a 500K. Also the Seymour bridge would give the old tones plus new with 500K. On my Tele with a Fralin p-92 in neck and a Zangbucker Paul Bunyan in bridge I used a 500K Volume and 250K tone and a .022 tone cap.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Your comment is definitely lingering in my head..... I will definitely keep that idea in mind.... I’m not quite ready yet to try the 500k pots, but it might be something I’ll try at some point. Cheers for watching bluetweed1

[@rohanjangam511]

Can you please tell me what difference does 250k vs 500k pots make?

[@zaldum386]

Good comparison, in your comparison the humbucker sounds louder giving the impression of being better sounding, but if you hear both at equal volumes there is a delicadecy to the single coil that is lost with the humbucker. Both sound great anyway.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thanks Zal 👍. Cheers for watching

[@goodbyepolarbears172]

I was thinking a similar thing. I tried to get around the volume change by holding a bluetooth speaker in front of my face and rapidly holding it at arm's length when it switched to the Bare Knuckle. I was surprised then how remarkably similar they sounded! Still preferred the single coil though I think. And judging by Paul's face he was going somewhere else with that uater Pounder single coil on the crunch playing. Looked as though he was in rapture. I was. 🙃 I can see how the extra poke of the Bare Knuckle could be invaluable at gig volumes though.

[@glennjohnson7828]

Very interesting Paul it sounds great, I have a Duncan 59 in my Tele and I love that too. Great video thanks👍

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Cheers Glenn. Actually, the Duncan 59 does intrigue me..... In fact, it would be quite cool to experiment with a donor guitar and a whole bunch of pickups! Mind you that could get expensive, ha ha 😀

[@tubularbill]

Keith Richards went with a neck humbucker pickup in the early 70’s and never looked back

[@easyguitar4466]

Hello Paul!!! What a wonderful feeling with your guitar playing!!! please do a guitar course on improvising...I would be ready to pay to get that course!!! Just one question on your guitar pickups : Stormy Monday 7.1 k and Quarter Pounds 17.38k...It might have a volume difference!!! I 've heard that the neck and the brige pickups must pretty have the same output to fit well!!! Can you avise me cause I think i'll soon get one!!! Thank you very much from France!!!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Hi Easy Guitar, sorry for late reply. Delighted you like my playing, merci beaucoup 🙏. You’re right, in theory, I should notice a volume difference between the 2 pickups..... And yet, in reality, not really. On closer inspection, the neck pickup is raised quite high, close to the strings, whereas the bridge sits lower down. So that must have been a deliberate thing done by the guitar tech who fitted the pickups. One of my favourite sounds on that guitar is the middle position, i.e. both pickups on together. It’s a lovely sound 😀. Thank you for watching 👍

[@easyguitar4466]

Thank you so much Paul!!! Have you ever tried the DiMarzio Richie Kotzen pickups set (Twang King Neck and Chopper T for the bridge)...I'don't know wich to choose! I play Pop, Blues, Rock, Funk mostly!!!I've always thought I might have a bridge humbucker pickup till i saw your videos!!! See you!!!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

🤣, yes I know what you mean about being redirected by a new video or idea. I haven’t tried the Richie Kotzen set. So let me throw this out to others reading this post... Anyone out there tried them?

[@Ben_Mdws]

Great Bass Face.

[@CastlesMadeOf...]

Really enjoyed that Paul. Great playing and great a/b shots of each pup. I am looking at doing something similar with my modded Baja Tele - subbed 👍

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you Jimi_jam, delighted you enjoyed my wee vid 😀. Hope you have fun doing your Tele mod!

[@maclarke74]

I've experimented with a TV Jones Classic (Filtertron) in the neck and I really liked the results. It's different from the traditional Tele sound but still within the same general ballpark. Also, since the TV Classic is a bright pickup it works well with the traditional Tele caps and pots.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thanks for your comment Inge. I like the idea of that..... 👍

[@RC-gg1ib]

Mr. Paul, I have stormy mondays in my 92 LP classic. I would love to visit you and jam!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Sounds like it would be a fun afternoon. Cheers RC 🍻

[@dannywoody7266]

It’s good when you listen to someone play and they make you laugh. Fabulous looseness

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you Danny, your comment made me smile. 😀👍

[@balibuoy1625]

I dropped the bareknuckle blackface in my tele with 4 way switching so I can get a Humbucker esc tone.

[@mikedenkinger9570]

I'm going to go with the neck pickup on this one. I would also encourage you to check out the Lollar "low-wind" Imperial humbucker for the neck. I played a Nash Telecaster the other day that was approximately a 1952 tele copy with one in the neck. I loved it and I'm considering using one in the neck of a Les Paul as well. There's something about a low wind neck humbucker that brings out the guitars ability to sing in that position.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Hi Mike. Yeah, I’ve heard good things about the Lollar low-wind pickups.... I’ve never tried them but would love to. Cheers for watching my wee vid 👍

[@shaunoleary8740]

Great video buddy!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you Shaun 👍

[@Luthiart]

The single coil in the neck already sounded good. I think the humbucker brings more output, but I can't say it sounds objectively "better" than the single-coil. You should have leveled the volume of your takes, so the jump in output would not be so apparent, making it easier to judge by tone alone. I personally don't think humbuckers and single-coils are a good combination. They don't blend together, they compete with each other, and you're consciously aware of the fact that you're hearing two very different pickups at the same time. I'm a Tele guy, and I play in the middle position about 90% of the time, and an HB/SC setup always kills that for me.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Cheers Mosstone. Yeah, I guess it all depends on what sounds you hear in your head. It’s funny, the reasons you DON’T like it are the exact reasons I DO 🤣. But it’s all subjective. Cheers for watching my wee vid, and I’m sure there’ll be many who agree with you.

[@Luthiart]

@@paulstaffordcook8799 Yeah, that's just my opinion, and should be taken with all the weight it carries... 😄

[@i-tiyahman6519]

Just play the Funky music white Boy

[@danallem]

Love your playing style man! So expressive!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you S.M. 🙏

[@duderama6750]

You cheated! Playing that tasteful will make anything sound sweet.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Ah, you’re too kind Duderama 67 🤣. Cheers man

[@lucastriplets]

I'm about to change my Razor single coil into a Seth lover on the neck. It's so BOLD! Loved the video, thank you so much

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you Lucas, delighted you liked my vid 👍

[@andreasvangreunen]

Great demo and tasty playing, thanks for posting!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you Andreas, cheers 👍

[@BaritoneOneFive]

I don't know if it's just louder, but the bare knuckle just has more presence on the clean tone.

[@nickf9392]

To each his own for sure, so only sharing my experience. I always put a humbucker in my Tele neck, and the SD Pro II with no cover is very musical when clean and does a great job with crunch and lead sounds as well. The Slash is also a very good choice if you are looking for just a bit more lead tones, both are very good however. I do wire out of phase with the bridge PU, and run bridge PU set high, and neck HB set low. 250 pots and a .022 cap. Pretty dreamy to my ear!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thanks Nick, cheers for sharing that info. 👍

[@Mr.Steve-O]

Great Clip Paul, my vote and is the Humbucker in the neck and put in one of the cool Split Coil tone knobs and get the best of both worlds, that's my next Tele project. That Bare Knuckle sounds great and I'm sure it's the Alnico II magic there, any idea what the DCR Resistance is on the Stormy Monday ? Thx Steve

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Hi Steve, glad you enjoyed the vid 👍. The Bare Knuckle website says 7.1 is the resistance.... so it’s in the ballpark of “vintage”.

[@Mr.Steve-O]

@@paulstaffordcook8799 thanks for the tip, it sounds great

[@Bob.W.]

Nice.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Cheers Bob

[@scundoalex]

My 67 maple cap board Tele was routed (not very neatly) for a humbucker in the neck by the previous owner (I got it in 85). I didn't know this until many years later because I never had the pickguard off LOL. I never installed a PAF until JUST the other day. I installed a QP in the lead a couple weeks ago and love it. I have a bunch of old PUPS and it was a toss up between an old Gibson T-Top and a Shaw PAF from 1980. The T-Top came from my first electric which was a home-made axe. So, it was kinda fitting that PUP go in my favorite guitar. I wish I did it sooner. I'm in love with the sound. Gorgeous. Plus the look is fantastic. Great video Paul. Playing awesome as always. Keep on picking!!!!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you Scundo! Sounds like you’re loving your pickup mod. Cheers for watching my wee vid 👍🙏

[@pomegranitejason]

I have the Tim Shaws and some T tops from 1968. My '68 ES335 with the T Tops is my favorite sound. Don't try any others till you put in the T tops, you will never go back.

[@LeeHoMusic]

4:01-4:38 killlllllllllllllller tone!!!!!!! Thank you for posting this video... Did you change a pots to. 500k?

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thanks man, glad you liked that humbucker tone 😀👍. No I kept the pots unaltered, i.e. 250k. In theory the humbug should sound muddy with 250k..... but I’m liking how the whole guitar sounds, so I’ll stick with the stock pots. Cheers for watching.

[@guitarloft1702]

Most useful single coil/bucker Tele comparison video on KZbin. Thanks! Helped me decide to keep my Tele single coil. Tasty playing!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you Guitar Loft! Lovely comment, appreciated 👍

[@mytelecasterworld3336]

good choice....i love the clean and also the slightly driven tone of the tele neck single coil pickup...it always depends on what your playing ask of your guitar, what you want to express on guitar...it's got nothing to do with the so-discussed "it is better or it is worse"...it's got to do with you.....that's why i play telecaster and strato, because the give to me what i ask of a guitar....

[@craigchapman6613]

I found the Stormy Monday sweet spot is between 5-7 volume with a few tricks in the electrics, Bare Knuckle's best kept secret

[@Gruhak]

What value volume pots did you use? Any change to the electronics at all between pickups?

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Hi, good question. No, the electrics, pots, caps, wiring is all standard. Just the pickups were changed. Cheers for watching 👍

[@petemiller352]

Keep both

[@SrDeMaFp]

Man, that Tele is KILLER! As is that Supro and your playing just complements all of it so well. Fantastic tone and phrasing! Much to my surprise, I preferred the single coils! And I'm a humbucker guy all the way.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thanks SrDeMaFp 👍. Delighted you liked my wee vid. Appreciate your compliment.

[@javiceres]

Those Q Pounds were a joy to listen clean, wow... of course your impro there was a thing of beauty

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

(Largely unrelated.). Whenever I see an S-H configuration in a Telecaster, the first two players that enter my mind are Terry Kath and Andy Summers. Both of them played Teles with that config. at different stages of their careers. Your sound and playing totally work. Though I like the sound of the traditional Tele neck pickup, you’ll never read/hear me complain about swapping it out. Is my bad eyesight playing a game with me again, or is your blade switch missing its cover? I thought the game in your part of the world was Cricket. How many people in the British Isles have even held a baseball bat? I know the Outfield was fascinated with baseball, but I thought they were the exception.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Ah, your eyesight seems pretty good! You are right, the dam thing keeps flying off! I’ve a low patience threshold for stuff like that, so I’ve simply left it off and filed the tip of the selector so that it’s less sharp to the touch. It kinda looks in-keeping with such a heavy relic guitar. And yes, we’re certainly more “cricket” than “baseball” here in Scotland, but we’re also very immersed in American culture to the point that I feel half American sometimes 🤣. Cheers for watching as always!

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Thank you as always for your kind responses, Paul.

[@donnakev1]

Humbucker for me paul sound great 👍

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you Tottenhamtillidie. I agree, I’m very happy with that guitar 😀

[@jeffmartin52]

Sweet! I don’t see one as better than the other, just different. For me, I’ll almost always gravitate toward the humbucker tone as long as it’s a low output like a PAF or Filtertron. I love the tone coming from the Bare Knuckles. The playing is masterful as always! Man I love that Supro! I just finished winding a pair of Firebird pickups that are slightly under wound at 6.45 DCR for the bridge and 6:00 DCR for the neck, they will be going in a Telemaster I’m building. It’s a Jazzmaster with Tele appointments but I wanted to blend in Gibson’s version of an offset. We’ll see how it comes out in a few weeks!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Man, when I read about your guitar building it makes me want to view them. Do you build them to sell? Or do you have a website where you display them? Or is it a hobby? Well all I can say is that, they sound intriguing. When I finally become a rich rock star 🤣 I will pay you big bucks to build the “Jeff Martin / Paul Cook” signature model. I’m already salivating at what appointments it might have..... Anyway, thanks as always for tuning in to my wee channel 👍

[@jeffmartin52]

Paul Stafford Cook, I would love to do a a PSC signature guitar someday! (When we’re both famous) I’m trying to find someone to demos for me, I wish there wasn’t an ocean between us! You could sell guitars, I guarantee it! As far as a website, the closest I come is a Facebook page @ JTM Music Works. You’re welcome to visit!

[@tasosbull]

very nice and sensitive playing, both pickups sound fantastic!

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you Tasos, glad you liked my vid 👍

[@simonclarkeblues]

Matter of taste: if the humbucker is pretty good, that single coil sounds awesome : < )

[@michaelmalik5049]

I’m glad you’re happy. I’ve got a Tele with a Seymour Duncan Broadcaster in the bridge & a Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Mini Humbucker in the neck and I love that set up.

[@Tonetwisters]

I first started seeing Telecasters with a humbucking pickup at the neck, back around 1971 ... a customer came into my brother's Tallahassee music store ... I was really enlightened that day. This Telecaster really looks neat! Round Two went to the single coil again ... humbucking gets too muddy, or that amp is not a good overdrive sound ... (great, clean, though!)

[@mikec6617]

Real great playing. Both pickups sound great. I hadn’t considered a SD QP neck pickup until seeing this video. I think that might be my next mod to my Tele. Thanks

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Cheers Mike, I’m pleased this wee vid was a help 👍

[@LeeHoMusic]

You are great player, love your style 👍💪

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Cheers for the compliment! 🙏

[@-Pol-]

I managed to bag an American Vintage '52 Hot Rod Tele with the Seymore Duncan mini humbucker in the Neck position - I think it really gets the best of both worlds when it comes to delivering the bluesy grit when driven hardr but retaining some single coil chime and clarity when easing back on the vol

[@Nick-v7b3l]

I have a squire Tele for a project and have humbuckers from another and was thinking about dropping in a HB. You must convinced me to start this weekend.

[@richsackett3423]

That's my first ever "Holy Shit!" reaction to a pickup swap and I'm older than you. Talk about "transforming the guitar". It helps that it's a lovely sounding guitar to begin with but man alive. .

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you Rich! I’m delighted you like the result 😊

[@ianskelding5493]

Just a suggestion but maybe flip the humbucker, with the poles nearer the bridge to make it more Keith Richards and try open tuning

[@ristotakkala4188]

One of the best sounding set-up's I've ever heard👌

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you 😊

[@rtucker0458]

sounds great... I'd personally like to here a little more "hair" tossed in there. Right now it reminds me of a 90's era playboy.. When in reality we need some late 60's to the mid 80's. I think a move to 500k would be a good idea.. versatility "should" extend range in tone with 500.

[@kennyh5083]

If you want a beautiful clean tone use a Lindy Fralin neck single coil and if you want the Rolling Stones Brown Sugar vibe rhythm vibe use a Gibson paf humbucker in the neck!

[@dananthony6258]

It definitely has a darker tone for sure. I like more of a sparkly humbucker . You can always roll off the tone. I’d put the 5k pot in.

[@pomegranitejason]

There should be a universal law that demands under severe penalty that if the guitar is fake relic'd or real honest wear it must be stated right off the bat.. This should be stamped on the guitar in indelible ink and on the forehead of the player. Just to be sure.

[@dananthony6258]

I can be watching the most serious intense video , look down and see a telecaster , les Paul or a strat and everything I’m doing takes a back seat. I just want to hold it for 5 seconds please 😅

[@billyburke7621]

Hey, curious, how did you wire this? Did you wire it like a standard tele would be? Or did you do something special with the neck as a hb?

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Hi Billy, cheers for watching my vid👍. Actually, I paid for my local guitar tech to do it. I just bought the pickup and handed it to the tech. I remember him telling me that he’d route the cavity to fit the HB.... then he mentioned something about a ground wire.... ans that we’d need a new scratch plate..... and the rest is a mystery 🤣. However, I do know we kept the pots as stock 250k. And the pickup selector just does what you’d expect, no fancy stuff. Hope that helps.

[@geopaq1]

get rid of tone control and wire with two volumes to control the blend between the humbucker and single coil. huge difference.

[@bumblefritz]

I really preferred the single coil in the neck, I am more of a "single coil guy" most of the time as it is. That being said, having a Tele with that Humbucker in the neck setup has always been intriguing.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Cheers for watching Bumblefritz. Yes, each to his own. Or buy two Teles 🤣.

[@What_If_We_Tried]

Your lush tones are incredible, and I appreciate the tonal comparisons between the lipstick and humbucker pickups on the Tele.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Thank you Daniel! Appreciate your compliment 👍

[@AnthonyBurrito1313]

Wire it like Keiths!!

[@mr.joshua657]

I've had a couple of your vids pop up in the stream the last couple months. Always great tones, time for a sub I suppose. Keep it up.