Just got my MQ neck- holy carp.

[badgermark]

So my AIV MQ neck arrived, and jeebus it's awesome. Fat and clear, just what I wanted. And curiously, I seem to have got the height perfect by accident, screwed it in the pickguard to install it and plugged in it was perfect. Fluke-tastic.

But this poses a dilemma, the other pickup in my tele is a Holydiver, and I;m not sure if it's a keeper now.

The HD has a great tone, meaty and middy- cuts through a band wonderfully, but I don't think it sits well with the MQ. The mid-hump is very noticeable, and sounds a bit wonky when flicking between positions. Going by me not being able to put down my tele since wiring up the MQ, think the HD has to go. The higher output seems a little harsh compared to the smooth MQ neck.

Now my favourite tone comes from my Country Boy loaded tele, it's pretty flat tonally, low output and sweet. The bridge isn't harsh and I love all positions, it's a dream to listen to. Think the AIII magnets play a part there, oh well.

The basic query is this, will replacing the HD in my tele with a MQ (giving a MQ set) give a balanced, even tone across all the switch positions? My main concern is the MQ bridge to be a bit too hot for what I'm needing, needs to be smooth yet fat, and I've decided P90s make me damp.

That's a long post. No apologies for length though, that's what I said to your mum last night. (Oh God did I just make a "shagging your mum" joke?

[Sifu Ben]

Pop the guitar down for a minute, take a deep breath, and stop and think. What is the guitar used for? If you wanted "smooth yet fat" why the hell did you get a hot rock pickup to begin with? This guitar was your "Rockin' Esquire" not too long ago.
 It's very easy to fall in love with a new sound, I'd give it a few days, ask what you really want out of THAT GUITAR, not to go with that pickup.
 Also, think about splitting the HD, it's output is high enough that it should do a reasonable impression of a hot strat bridge, which may be just the ticket with the MQ, then you've still got all the hot rockness when you want it.

[ilÿti]

Just a simple little tip in case you haven't thought of it: the huge mid hump you're getting when both pickups are on can be smoothed out by lowering the bridge volume a few notches.

[badgermark]

Ben I think my biggest problem is that my needs/wants change every few hours. My 'rocking esquire' didn't last long as I loved the concept and initial tone, but got bored of the lack of versatility. I'm a tool, I know. I'll leave it for now, maybe a case of grass is always greener and stuff. Just need to plan another guitar purchase i think... Thanks for being the voice of reason.

And I knocked down the HD, had it sounding fine by itself, now it's a little more balanced.

[ericsabbath]

sell me the holy diver for 50 quids and try another BKP :D

[badgermark]

sell me the holy diver for 50 quids and try another BKP :D

Make it £80 and it's yours