OK, Esquire or Tele with a bucker in the neck?

[pickslide]

I can only buy one guitar, so should I get an esquire or would I be able to get most of the same sounds, but with more tone options if I got a Tele with a humbucker in the neck?

Thoughts?

[Polynitro]

I'm not sure I understand the question...If I only had one guitar it would be a Tele, definitely more versatile than an Esquire.

[pickslide]

Basically what I am asking is...would a tele with a humbucker in the neck be able to get most of the sounds/tones from an esquire?

[Mike9]

The Esquire is wired different than a Tele so to get the best of both worlds you'd need a wiring scheme bases on a 5-way switch. Three for the bridge pup, one for both and one for the neck pup. Hit Deaf Eddie up - maybe he has an idea for a setup like this. If he does post it please.

[big mike]

Depends on what you want, and how you use the esquire. I generally use the regular setting on my esquire and ride the tone control, or the use the custom 'mud' setting that RS Wired in it under heavier gain.

A tele is just different to me, also good. I do like a neck bucker if you need the versatility, but I like how an esquire (and also a Jr) force you to play. It's more touch and attack than flipping a switch.

[pickslide]

Does an Esquire in the regular (not muddy) position sound pretty much like a Tele in the bridge position or do they sound quite different?

[MSS]

Does an Esquire in the regular (not muddy) position sound pretty much like a Tele in the bridge position or do they sound quite different?

I find that the Esquire has a little more 'growl' in the regular bridge position. I find I actually like it more with blues/rock stuff than a regular tele. Check this one out that I am currently assembling.......that's a Lollar Imperial in the neck and a CS Nocaster in the bridge. Now this thing SHOULD have enough growl..........

http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/DRebelPix/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/PoeTele.jpg

[Tweedledee]

The Esquire is wired different than a Tele so to get the best of both worlds you'd need a wiring scheme bases on a 5-way switch. Three for the bridge pup, one for both and one for the neck pup. Hit Deaf Eddie up - maybe he has an idea for a setup like this. If he does post it please.


I hadn't thought of that before, but that would be a very interesting wiring setup for a Tele. Now you've got me thinking...

If someone has a wiring diagram for that type of setup, like Mike9 said it would be great to see it.

[Polynitro]

Does an Esquire in the regular (not muddy) position sound pretty much like a Tele in the bridge position or do they sound quite different?

Depends on how its wired...My Esquire has a direct position that is just the pickup without tone or volume and my Tele can't get that raw sound but most Esquires 'direct' run through the volume pot so it sounds very much like a Tele with the tone opened up all the way. The only thing a normal Tele can't do is that raw pickup only sound unless you get a 4 way switch but also the lack of a neck pickup does affect the tone somewhat but not drastically. I'm not a fan of discreet Esquires that have hidden neck pickups, if you pick where the neck pickup would be on a Esquire you get a different sound.

Esquires can't do the neck only or neck/bridge positions at all. So I think a Tele is more versatile.