> "Aside from that, I love that clear Tele neck sound - more organic somehow than a Strat. I want to retain that attribute when combined with the middle pup."

But Bill's managed to wind a Strat neck pup in the smaller Tele one, and so they're essentially the same, as I see Becky also told you. Of course, as you've pointed out, there are differences between the Strat and Tele designs, but if you put one of Bill's Strat neck/middle pups in a Tele, or one of Bill's Tele neck pups in a Strat, I doubt you'd notice that the pups sounded any different to their Tele or Strat counterparts.

> '"Muddy" is too strong a word for what I mentioned; but there was a very noticeable treble loss between the single-pickup & combined tones. As for height adjustments - there is no variation I haven't tried - Becky's suggestions, Bill's suggestions, every possible combination. Probably can't be helped with higher-impedance pickups like these.'

I understand the frustration, but I know it can be done...unless the guitar is where the problem lies. I've read posts where folks have claimed the 280S's had no bass or treble, and swore blind at me that I might question their set-up prowess, but anyone who suggests that Bill's pups lack bass or treble definitely hasn't got them properly installed, as bass and treble are the least areas of concern in Bill's designs. In fact, I'd find it easier to accept an argument to the contrary. It seems that sometimes only the slightest of adjustments can make a huge difference, and with the 280's it can take a lot of experimentation and patience, which is why I think the 200S's have found so much favour.

> "they sound quite a bit different; that's what I attribute to the basic differences between Strats & Teles and the woods used."

Woods certainly play a part, but Strats and Teles are found in the same wood combinations. I think it's more down to the body shape and bridge differences, though of course there is going to be a discernible difference between an alder/rosewood and an ash/maple guitar that's otherwise the same. I'm guessing that you prefer the zingier ash/maple combo, no matter what. Alder isn't cited as vanilla without reason, and the oils in rosewood dampen certain frequencies.

HTH.

Aide toi et le ciel taidera (Aid thyself and heaven will aid thee)