Carter Starter Mod - Telecaster Pickup Swap

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Clinton Erb
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Location: Ligonier, PA

Carter Starter Mod - Telecaster Pickup Swap

Post by Clinton Erb »

Hi Guys,

I wanted to get a brighter tone out of my Carter Starter so I took out the stock pickup, drilled new holes, and put in a GFS Telecaster Bridge Pickup 7k in it's place. I also removed strings one and two because the pup wasn't picking them up.

http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... 1270785569

I really dig the way the guitar sounds now. It's much clearer and brighter than before. I think it sounds a bit more like an old Fender, which is what I wanted.

Here's a sound clip to demonstrate.

http://www.box.net/shared/vf5p7donuc

So have I committed total blasphemy?
Tor Arve Baroy
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Location: Norway

Post by Tor Arve Baroy »

Does it pick up all the strings OK ?
Tor Arve Baroy
Posts: 254
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 12:01 am
Location: Norway

Post by Tor Arve Baroy »

Sorry, see know that you removed some of the strings!
Gonna check out the sound clip later....bad sound on my work computer.. :wink:
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Ben Jones
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Post by Ben Jones »

That sounded really cool. You should consider having Jason Lollar make you a pickup like that for ten strings!
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Bill Dobkins
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Post by Bill Dobkins »

I would try a 705 or 710 if you want the Tele bite.
Custom Rittenberry SD10
Boss Katana 100 Amp
Positive Grid Spark amp
BJS Bars
Z~Legend Pro,Custom Tele
Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy.
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Clete Ritta
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Location: San Antonio, Texas

Post by Clete Ritta »

Clinton,
That does sound dramatically different than the Starter pickup!
Really matches the Tele tone closely. Too bad you're not getting all strings. I'd look for a 10 pole replacement as previously suggested, unless you're happy with it as is.

Clete
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Ryan Barwin
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Post by Ryan Barwin »

That sounds great...lots of bite. It's a lot like an old Fender. And I like how you're getting that snappy phrasing like a cable guitar.
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John Burton
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Post by John Burton »

I like it! And cool playing, Clinton. Definitely a Bakersfield style sound. I would say it's ALMOST too "telecaster" sounding though.
What does a Carter Starter have stock, a Humbucker? If so then, maybe replacing it with any single coil Pedal Steel pup might get closer to what you want.
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Terje Brattsveen
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Post by Terje Brattsveen »

That's how I want to sound!
Tor Arve Baroy
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Location: Norway

Post by Tor Arve Baroy »

:eek:
I really liked that sound....it cut really well... :)
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