Size does matter.

There are two types of Telecaster lover. The first insists on vintage twangy purity all the way, and won’t put anything in their Tele other than the pickups Leo intended. The second type demands more from their beloved Tele: more output, more harmonics, more mids and lows, and more of that raunchy attitude that only a hot-rodded Tele can deliver. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the Tele purists, but I am definitely in the second camp. That’s why I recently put a Seymour Duncan STL-3 Quarter Pound for Tele Lead (tapped) in my Tele.

Just looking at this pickup, you can tell it’s not your grandpa’s Tele single coil. The traditional pole pieces have been replaced with fat quarter-inch Alnico V magnets. These plus-sized magnets, combined with an exceptionally hot wind, make the Quarter Pound a very, very powerful single coil pickup. It easily hangs with humbuckers in terms of output and frequency response, but retains the focus and cut that Tele bridge pickups are well known for.

Best of all, with the tap option you can get a very close approximation of a true vintage Tele tone. Using the tapped coil drops the output, reduces the mids and lows, and adds that beautiful high end sparkle that Fenders are known for. I love being able to get a “true” Tele tone when I need it while still taking advantage of the raw power the Quarter Pound delivers.

Let’s have a listen to this brute of a pickup, shall we? I made this video to show off the capabilities of the Quarter Pound for Tele Lead, including the very handy tap option. Hope you enjoy it!