Elliot Kim
The Nashville Telecaster is a hybrid of two popular guitar styles: the Telecaster and the Stratocaster. While it offers a broader range of voices and tones, it does not produce the true or authentic Tele sound. This is due to the configuration of its pickups, which differ from the standard Telecaster. The Nashville Tele features three pickups, with the addition of a middle pickup between the Neck and Bridge pickups, allowing for more tonal variety. However, this modification can be challenging due to issues with pickup polarity, resulting in a hum or buzz. Ultimately, the decision to choose a Nashville Telecaster depends on the player's preference for versatility and the desire for a customized feel without the traditional Telecaster sound.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nashville Telecaster | Hybrid of two popular guitar styles: Telecaster body and Stratocaster pickup layout |
| Sound | Does not have the "true" Tele sound or the Strat 2 and 4 sound |
| Has more tones and sonic flexibility than a Telecaster | |
| Has a fair amount of the Strat "quack" in the split positions, with a bit of Tele edge | |
| Middle Pickup | Can get in the way, depending on the player's style |
| Covers the mids in a way Teles usually can't | |
| Polarity | Has a pickup polarity problem, also known as the "'Nashville Tele Problem'" |
| Customization | Can be customized with a 4-way switch to get both pickups in series, creating a humbucker |
| Neck | Skinny, flat, and faster to play with |
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What You'll Learn
The Nashville Tele Problem
However, the addition of this middle pickup creates a problem with pickup polarity. Single Coil pickups have two critical aspects to their pickup polarity: Coil Direction and Magnetic Orientation. The pickups in a Telecaster feature a standard wound Bridge and a Reverse-Wound, Reverse-Polarity (RW/RP) Neck. These two pickups are in phase and are hum-cancelling.
The issue arises when adding a middle Strat pickup, which changes the hum-cancelling configuration. A standard-wound Strat pickup will be hum-cancelling when combined with the Tele Neck, but not with the Bridge. This issue can be resolved by using an RWRP Strat pickup for the middle position.
Some players may also encounter issues with the middle pickup getting in the way, depending on their playing and picking style. Additionally, the Nashville Tele does not produce the "true" Tele tone, and some players may prefer the simplicity of a traditional Telecaster.
To address the Nashville Tele Problem, one effective solution involves reversing the phase of one of the Telecaster's original pickups. By making the Neck the same polarity as the Bridge, a RW/RP pickup can be placed in between, restoring the hum-cancelling configuration.
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The difference in sound
The Nashville Telecaster is a hybrid of two popular guitar styles: the Telecaster and the Stratocaster. The Nashville Tele, as it is often called, has the body and feel of a Telecaster but incorporates a Stratocaster pickup layout, including a middle pickup between the neck and bridge pickups. This additional pickup gives the Nashville Tele a broader range of voices and more tonal versatility than a traditional Telecaster.
However, the inclusion of the middle pickup also introduces the "Nashville Tele Problem," a challenge with pickup polarity. The pickups in a standard Telecaster are typically in phase and hum-cancelling, but adding a middle Strat pickup disrupts this balance. This issue can be addressed by reversing the phase of one of the Telecaster's original pickups or using specific pickup combinations.
The Nashville Tele offers a range of sounds, including the traditional Telecaster tone from the bridge pickup and the Stratocaster "quack" from the middle and neck pickups. While it provides sonic flexibility and more tonal options, some argue that it does not deliver the "true" or "authentic" Telecaster sound. The middle pickup can also get in the way, depending on the player's picking style, and the overall sound may not satisfy those specifically seeking the Stratocaster 2 and 4 positions.
In summary, the Nashville Telecaster offers a unique sound that combines elements of both the Telecaster and Stratocaster. It provides a versatile platform for guitarists who want a broader range of voices and are willing to explore different pickup configurations. However, it may not be the ideal choice for those seeking the pure, traditional Telecaster sound or those who prioritize simplicity and authenticity.
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The middle pickup
The Nashville Telecaster is a hybrid of two popular guitar styles: the Telecaster and the Stratocaster. The addition of a third, middle pickup to the standard two-pickup configuration of the Telecaster is what sets the Nashville Telecaster apart. This middle pickup, placed between the neck and bridge pickups, gives the guitar a broader range of voices and a more traditional Stratocaster 'quack'.
The placement of the middle pickup can also affect its sound. Moving it closer to the neck will result in a warmer sound. Some players may choose to adjust the pickup height to their preference, as lowering the pickup can change the sound. Additionally, the middle pickup on a Nashville Telecaster may be used in different combinations with the neck and bridge pickups, utilising a 3-way or 5-way switch, to achieve different tones.
While some players embrace the unique sound of the middle pickup, others may find it gets in the way of their picking style or that it doesn't suit their playing style. Ultimately, the middle pickup on a Nashville Telecaster offers players a versatile range of sounds to experiment with and customise to their preferences.
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The 5-way switch
- Bridge
- Bridge and Neck
- Middle
- Middle and Neck
- Neck
This setup allows players to access the classic Telecaster "staple" sound of having the neck and bridge pickup together, while also providing the versatility of the Stratocaster sound in position 4. However, it sacrifices the Strat position 2.
Some players opt for a 3-way switch for the neck and bridge, with a push-pull pot to activate the middle pickup, or they may use a 5-way switch and swap the neck and middle pickups to get the following options:
- Bridge
- Neck and Bridge
- Neck
- Neck and Middle
- Middle
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The Nashville Tele's versatility
The Nashville Telecaster is a hybrid of two of the most popular guitar styles: the Telecaster and the Stratocaster. It offers the body and feel of a Telecaster, with the pickup layout of a Stratocaster. This additional middle pickup provides a wider range of sounds than a standard Telecaster, allowing for more tonal versatility and customization.
The Nashville Tele's three-pickup configuration gives players access to both Telecaster and Stratocaster sounds from a single guitar, with the option to switch between the two using a 4-way switch or a 5-way switch. This versatility is particularly useful for musicians who want to avoid bringing multiple guitars to gigs or recordings.
While the Nashville Tele does not produce the "true" or "authentic" Tele sound, it offers a unique tone that some guitarists may prefer. It provides a "quack" similar to a Stratocaster, filling in the mids in a way that a standard Telecaster cannot.
However, some guitarists may find the middle pickup of the Nashville Telecaster intrusive, as it can get in the way of their playing style. Additionally, the process of converting a Telecaster into a Nashville Telecaster involves addressing the "Nashville Tele Problem," which relates to pickup polarity and hum-canceling issues.
Overall, the Nashville Telecaster is a versatile option for guitarists who want a wider range of sounds and are open to a tone that differs from the traditional Telecaster. It provides a unique blend of Telecaster and Stratocaster characteristics, allowing for greater tonal experimentation and customization.
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Frequently asked questions
The Nashville Tele is a hybrid of two popular guitar styles: the Telecaster and the Stratocaster. It offers a broader range of voices than a traditional Telecaster. While it does not provide the “true” Tele sound, it is a versatile instrument that gives you more tonal variety.
The Nashville Tele has a middle pickup in addition to the Neck and Bridge pickups of a standard Telecaster. This gives it a more traditional Strat 'Quack' sound.
The Nashville Tele is a versatile instrument that offers a broader range of voices than a standard Telecaster. It is perfect for players who need the tone of a Tele with the flexibility of a Strat.
Some users have reported that the middle pickup gets in the way and that the Nashville Tele does not provide the same sound as a standard Telecaster in positions 2 and 4.
