telecaster tone tweaking

[quarternote]

Single coil tele, appears all original, strung with .040 rounds. I don't like the tone much and wonder about what it should be and what could be recommended to change.
I prefer P bass tone with split coil, treble at zero, or something like that. To improve the tele I have eq'ed to emphasize the bass and mids, but it still is lacking. I have not yet tried .045 rounds, and maybe flats. Would changing the cap to a higher value be worth trying? I really haven't tried an original single coil P bass, or a current Sting model to see what they sound like.
As you can see I have almost knowledge of electronics, any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Jefenator]

Flats, without a doubt!! (After trying a bunch of stuff, I'm stoked with Labella Deep Talkin'.)

Also, some foam muting at the bridge.

If your pickup is stock, that's desirable from a collector's standpoint but it may or may not be delivering the performance you want. I'm extremely happy with the Lollar pickup in my Tele. (I'm getting some super low end authority that makes the other axes seem anemic.)

I wired mine up with a .047 cap, which I find to be plenty of treble bleed. But if you really want it dull, .1 will dump even more highs.

HTH!

[nonrappingJZ]

this might be completely unrelated, but i've been seriously diggin' my '51 reissue recently with 110-55 Slinky rounds, which are sort of a pain to play, but sound really great...that's what it was set up with when I purchased it (with extra sets), so I kept 'em.

mine has a fralin split single coil, and sounds absolutely thunderous in the mix. i have zero problems with too twangy.

BTW....i thought that the LaBellas didn't work with string-through bridges....i'm sure that i could search on the topic, but i'm too lazy right now. i'm curious, but not trying to derail the thread, really.

JZ

[bassyRyan]

First thing I would recommend is a cap change. Don't quote me on SPECIFIC values, but my tech changed the .01 cap that came stock on my '51 RI (these caps are also stock on the 50's MIM splits...cheap caps) to a NOS .05 cap. The sound changed for the better immediately. If you are looking for a truly superior version to Fenders cheapo single coil pup, check out Lindy Fralin's version.

[Jefenator]

Originally Posted by nonrappingJZ

BTW....i thought that the LaBellas didn't work with string-through bridges....i'm sure that i could search on the topic, but i'm too lazy right now. i'm curious, but not trying to derail the thread, really.

I (ahem) sort of abandoned old-school and used a new "deluxe" bridge that lets me string either way.

LaBella advises not to use their DTFs with thru-body, but it's been done in spite of that.

Here's a thread on flats for this type of bass, which is of course its own little rabbit hole.

Advice for '51 P-Bass Flats

[walterw]

Originally Posted by Jefenator

I (ahem) sort of abandoned old-school and used a new "deluxe" bridge that lets me string either way.

so did the bridge fit directly?

as far as the pickup, the duncan QP single-coil P sounds really good, adding the lows without losing the highs.

[Jefenator]

Originally Posted by walterw

so did the bridge fit directly

3 screws - lines right up! Here's the official blurb from Bass Parts Resource:

Genuine Fender USA Deluxe Series bass bridge in chrome finish. This bridge is a direct replacement for USA Deluxe Basses, and is also a bolt-on replacement for string-through two saddle bridges used on Tele bass and 50's P Bass.

I was seriously considering this as an upgrade for my '51 RI - very tempting for the top-loading capability and easy intonation adjustment.

Building up from scratch, this is only $1 more than the 2-saddle bridge - that made it a total no-brainer for me. Especially since it's getting hidden by a chrome cover!