Two Tele's Sound Comparison - Guess which

Groberts · #1 11-12-2019, 08:55 AM

I recorded a couple of Tele's and solo'd the Neck PU's over a bluesy loop I created on my EHX 720 looper. Amp is Fender Princeton Reverb Knotty Pine Reissue w/12" Jupiter 12LC speaker.

Blind comparison - Which Tele do you prefer and which do you think is the Nocaster and which is the Fender CS 63 Tele?

Guitars:
Fender CS Nocaster heavy relic (Ash/Maple) w/handwound Fender CS Texas Special Neck PU.

Fender CS '63 Telecaster Custom (alder/RW) with Florance Voodoo TEF necck PU

raysachs · #2 11-12-2019, 09:08 AM

I really don't have a clue about the Voodoo pup, but the first clip is rawer and funkier and the second is cleaner and more in the pocket. I have Texas Specials in my Roadworn tele and I can hear that neck pup sounding more like #2 than #1 assuming the same amp settings. And I'd expect a pup with Voodoo in the name to be going for something a bit hotter and rawer and funkier. So, it's just a guess, but I'm going with #1 as the 1963 and #2 as the Nocaster...

And I won't even be slightly surprised if I turn out to be wrong...

-Ray

ChrisN · #3 11-12-2019, 10:03 AM

Couldn't tell you which was which, but I liked #1 better at the presented volume levels. #2 seemed louder/icepickier and less pleasant (you have the bridge for that), while being better defined. The price was too high, and I welcomed the return to the warmer #1 for the most of the stuff I'd listen to.

Jaden · #4 11-12-2019, 10:07 AM

No.2 guitar is the Nocaster, my guess based on the one piece maple neck - warmer midrange. No.1 guitar has scooped midrange - rosewood fretboard. I’m not familiar with the pickups.

Nice playing as usual!

DukeX · #5 11-12-2019, 12:04 PM

Don't know which is which, but for this piece I preferred the more raw sound of the first Tele.

Groberts · #6 11-12-2019, 12:06 PM

I will reveal sometime tomorrow to allow others to weigh in.

Thanks for the nice comments.

lizzard · #7 11-12-2019, 05:40 PM

I would guess the nocaster is the first and the other the second. Regardless, I found the first too gritty and bright and the second to swing too far to the subdued. Nice playing on both. I would try another pup 😜

Groberts · #8 11-13-2019, 08:54 AM

I really need to make another video. I remembered I had a Cali76 Deluxe Compressor engaged on the solos for both guitars. That most likely skewed the results as it tends to squash and level out the sound a bit. I do like how it sounds, but the recording was not representing the native sound of each guitar and neck PU.

All things were equal at the time when I recorded but the pedal was engaged in the signal chain, so I realize that's not entirely fair to either guitar.

Groberts · #9 11-13-2019, 08:56 AM

REVEAL:

Tele 1 = Fender CS '63 Tele Custom (Alder/RW) w/Peter Florance Voodoo TEF Neck PU

Tele 2 = Fender CS Nocaster (Ash/Maple) w/Handwound Custom Shop Fender Texas Special Neck PU

FrankHudson · #10 11-13-2019, 10:13 AM

Well it took awhile for me to get around to listening and the cat is out of the bag, but pretty much an example of two different timbres, neither of which is "wrong" or "better" and the few who responded seemed split on which they preferred.

If I was auditioning the two as alternate takes for including in a piece, I'd choose #2 today. There was a harsh, slightly buzzy distortion a few times from #1 on my monitors, almost as if there might be some fret buzz from the guitar, and although the playing overall was higher than my league, you seemed to play slightly better on #2. Perhaps you like that pickup's sound more that day or there's something else about that guitar that suits you.

Yes, I could hear the compression, didn't bother me even though it could change things for a comparison, but then I like a fair amount of compression for a great many things anyway.

Jaden · #11 11-13-2019, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groberts

I really need to make another video. I remembered I had a Cali76 Deluxe Compressor engaged on the solos for both guitars. That most likely skewed the results as it tends to squash and level out the sound a bit. I do like how it sounds, but the recording was not representing the native sound of each guitar and neck PU.

All things were equal at the time when I recorded but the pedal was engaged in the signal chain, so I realize that's not entirely fair to either guitar.

I would encourage you to post more comparisons, and especially with your level of musicianship it’s always an enjoyable listen.

I’m also very much interested in comparisons between electric guitars using the same amp with neutral tone settings and stripped of effects and processing, to reveal the natural tone of the instruments. [I also think the advent of the unbound one piece maple neck on the electric guitar is the greatest invention since sliced bread

Groberts · #12 11-13-2019, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaden

I would encourage you to post more comparisons, and especially with your level of musicianship it’s always an enjoyable listen.

I’m also very much interested in comparisons between electric guitars using the same amp with neutral tone settings and stripped of effects and processing, to reveal the natural tone of the instruments. [I also think the advent of the unbound one piece maple neck on the electric guitar is the greatest invention since sliced bread

Thanks Jaden. You are very kind my friend. It is a privilege to share. I hope it's helpful. I always seem to learn something just listening back.

PS: I love one-piece maple necks too. :-)

Steel and wood · #13 11-13-2019, 01:55 PM

Thanks!

Not often I hear a Telecaster neck pickup used for lead purposes.

Groberts · #14 11-13-2019, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steel and wood

Thanks!

Not often I hear a Telecaster neck pickup used for lead purposes.

I love that for blues. Otherwise, bridge PU ..or depending on the song, I start on the neck, then kick it down to the bridge PU for a more searing sound.

tippy5 · #15 11-14-2019, 04:46 PM

I am guessing the Texas specials neck PU is number 1. brighter ...
The Nocaster , possibly #2? But I have had the regular Texas PU's, not CS.

I can hear the High E string action being low on some of the snappy (nice playing) notes. Are you using 9's?

For bridge PU generalities...For larger outdoor gigs I love brighter tele Pup's, especially a great Esquire. Then ride the volume and tone knobs. Talk about cut through the mix in a band! What can be ice picky in your room, or practicing in a band room, is not outside at gig level volumes.

Let us know which PU makes the grade and keep rocking that beautiful tele.