| Author | Message | ||
| tncaveman
Advanced Member Username: tncaveman Post Number: 209 Registered: 2-2011 |
I got a set of Alembic pickups for a standard Tele recently. They are in great condition and don't even have any scratches. Preamp and pots are also in great shape. But, the selector switch needs to be replaced, and the pickup wires are not connected to the switch. I assume that a standard Tele 3 way switch is what I need, just wondering if anyone has a diagram to get these puppies wired. But first, I need to get a Tele to put them in. Kind of like buying wheels and then getting a car for them. I'm probably going to find a nice MIM Fender or G&L tribute ASAT. Stephen | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 5613 Registered: 7-2004 |
Stephen: I recently did this with a relatively new American Standard Tele. It's a nice guitar with a light ash body, 60's slim neck, and tummy and elbow cuts like on a Strat. I'm out of town until next week, but if you don't have a answer by then, I can crack it open and take a pic for you. Bill, tgo | ||
| tncaveman
Advanced Member Username: tncaveman Post Number: 210 Registered: 2-2011 |
Also - just wondering, what do the Alembic pickups sound like in a typical Telecaster? Stephen | ||
| tncaveman
Advanced Member Username: tncaveman Post Number: 211 Registered: 2-2011 |
Got everything together last night. I ended up talking with Mica and Ron - what nice folks! I sent her a diagram of what I thought the switching would be, and I was right. Ron just said to keep the shielding from the pickup separate from the ground on the output jack. I have attached the diagram if anyone needs to do this setup and you don't have the factory blade switch. Now for the guitar. I found a Tele here in Nashville (locals can LOL - this is one of the most popular guitars around here for some reason). It's a mutt from mixed parents. The body is probably Mexican, but possibly USA - there were no marks in the neck pocket or under the pickups. It's in near mint condition and a classic Tele yellow. The neck is a warmoth vintage, thin w/ jumbo frets, and a rosewood board. The finish was not very well done, so I sanded it down to bare wood and did 6 coats of Tru-oil followed by carnauba wax. Feels awesome! Gotoh tuners, a Joe Barden bridge, and Schaller strap locks rounds out the package. Because it had a P-90 neck pickup, I had to get a new pickguard - black three ply. The activators fit perfectly except the bridge pickup area required a little wood/paint removal in one corner. Thank you mister Dremel and cylindrical mill tool. The wiring is nice and neat. I shielded the control compartment with copper foil that has the conductive adhesive. I tied the bridge ground to this and it does not go into the jack area. It was a cool feeling to plug her in and everything work. The sound was truly amazing. So clear and clean. Even bass to treble. The bridge pickup by itself is a little much for me, very heavy on the treble, but the combined pickups and the neck by itself is awesome. Very hi-fi like it's been said before. I'm probably going to change the wiring to a blend pot in the near future to dial in the sounds differently. If anyone wants to figure this one out, let me know :o) I'll post up a few photos of my new "Fenwarembic" later today. Stephen  | ||
| tncaveman
Advanced Member Username: tncaveman Post Number: 212 Registered: 2-2011 |
Not good lighting outside and a wee bit wet. But here's the bridge and the project stage :o) Stephen   Doesn't this look fun!!!??? | ||
| tncaveman
Advanced Member Username: tncaveman Post Number: 214 Registered: 2-2011 |
Due to some clearance issues, I redid the switching to two mini switches because the preamp was being squished between the battery and control panel. I made a really cool stainless control panel. I wanted to do a brass plate, but I could not find any locally. The final setup and playability with the Alembic pickups is awesome. The only issue I'm having is getting a good distortion sound. I have a Fender Hot Rod Deville and get some great sounds with my Anderson Strat, G&L Tribute, and Fender Lead II, so it's not the amp. But the clean sounds are really cool and totally different from my other guitars. Here's a few pics. Stephen   | ||
| tncaveman
Advanced Member Username: tncaveman Post Number: 215 Registered: 2-2011 |
A few more photos. | ||
| tncaveman
Advanced Member Username: tncaveman Post Number: 216 Registered: 2-2011 |
The outside shots have a more accurate color. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 5622 Registered: 7-2004 |
Stephen: I dealt with the real estate problem by swapping the volume and filter positions on my Alembicized Tele. The two mini toggles look sharp! Bill, tgo |
