Custom Shop Tele Owners: I've got a question for you...

[skhan007]

I've seen some new CS Fender Teles that have a single pickup in the bridge position and they also have a 3-way switch. What's the story here? Is the switch for looks? Is there a hidden neck pickup under the pickguard? Does it do some sort of fancy tone changes to the single bridge pickup? Please explain!!

[Johnnytone]

"Usually" the switch gives you 3 tonal choices.
1. Pickup direct with no tone control ( a sharper tone)
2. Pickup with tone control
3. Pickup with a capacitor to get a bassy tone (no tone control)

[Polynitro]

Yup that's an Esquire. You can do a lot with just 1 pickup and a 3way switch. I've got mine wired: Direct(no tone or volume)/ Just volume / Volume and tone w/ a .047 cap...the tradional wiring is: vol only/vol+tone/vol only+ fixed tone cap

[todd richman]

Most likely the most toneful guitar of all time-ESQUIRE! Could also be the John English limited Stealth Esquire which has 2 Tele neck pickups under the guard.

[teleblaster]

Originally Posted by Polynitro

Yup that's an Esquire. You can do a lot with just 1 pickup and a 3way switch. I've got mine wired: Direct(no tone or volume)/ Just volume / Volume and tone w/ a .047 cap...the tradional wiring is: vol only/vol+tone/vol only+ fixed tone cap

+ 1 Mines wired like polys. great wiring . The bridge direct is just amazing.

[greenguard]

Originally Posted by Polynitro

Yup that's an Esquire. You can do a lot with just 1 pickup and a 3way switch. I've got mine wired: Direct(no tone or volume)/ Just volume / Volume and tone w/ a .047 cap...the tradional wiring is: vol only/vol+tone/vol only+ fixed tone cap

Sounds like a useful scheme. Is the "direct" sound any louder than the others w/ volume wide open?

[skhan007]

Thanks guys. These Esquires look very cool. I'm not a tele expert at all, but have a strat & Les Paul player my whole life- Just now discovering the wonderful world of teles and trying to get educated. Here's what I've played thus far:

Masterbuilt '62 C.W. Flemming (beefy neck, sounded good)
Customshop Thinline (Sounded much brighter, but less 'rock')
'52 Hot Rod butterscotch (had a duncan mini-hum in the neck; best sounding tele I've played yet).

Looking at the Esquires right now, but have not played one. Not sure if it'll do the ZZ Top/Stones thing or not, but certainly the best looking teles I've seen. Love the reliced ones with the binding around the body (also the most expensive ones I've seen).

Can you tele experts make me some recommendations? Tone is the number one issue, price comes second (I'm not buying vintage, however).

Thanks!!

[Gasp100]

I'm interested in hearing (literally, some clippage brothers?) more about the Esquire's. I went crazy and I'm selling off gear and having a fellow TGP'er finish one of his Pine Esquire builds for me, even though I've never actually played an official Esquire
I know that with every Tele I've ever played I mostly used the bridge 95% of the time, mainly rolling off the volume or tone control when warranted. So, I figured an Esquire built by someone who knows what the heck they are doing would be very cool. Jason mentioned the "neck position" (on the switch I guess - forward) ends up with this kind of "cocked wah" sound --which with some grit or OD must just sound awesome.
Anyway, to all of the "one pickup is enough" guys I'd like to hear more

[skhan007]

+1

The looks of the Esquire are incredible. I've found a bound custom shop limited run of these with relic finishes as well. They look amazing.

Does that one pickup give a pseduo-neck pickup sound?

[relix63]

I have a CS Esquire and it is very useable in all 3 positions. The front position has a different cap value so it is not bassy. Actually seems more like a boost in the mids. Middle position has the tone control that goes from bright to almost woman tone. Reminds me of the neck position. Not quite, but close. The rear position goes straight to the jack and is very powerful. I'm trying to sell or trade this one to pick up a LP but it's still cool. Won't be too disappointed if a deal doesn't get done. Just means I'll have to wait longer to pick up an R8. Can't go wrong with an Esquire.

[skhan007]

Man, that's a gorgeous Esquire!! It would go so nicely next to my gold masterbuilt strat!!