Tele pickups?

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the_bright_undead
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Tele pickups?

Post by the_bright_undead »

What do folks like when it comes to tele pickups? I'm looking to replace 'em.

Any strong opinions on ceramic vs. alnico? I'd like to put a stacked humbucker in the bridge but I've always gone with alnico pickups and the rail options that i've seen are all ceramic.

I'm looking for something hotter with a solid midrange in the bridge, and something in the neck that just sounds.....good. y'know, clear but mellow. I've never really been into the neck tele sound, but I do really like the middle position so it's nice to have the second pickup there to take the edge off.
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Re: Tele pickups?

Post by backwardsvoyager »

the_bright_undead wrote:I'm looking for something hotter with a solid midrange in the bridge, and something in the neck that just sounds.....good. y'know, clear but mellow. I've never really been into the neck tele sound, but I do really like the middle position so it's nice to have the second pickup there to take the edge off.
Same here.
My guitar came with a Suhr Alnico V set, which would be perfect if I wanted it to sound like a tele, but I can't help but feel the neck is too dull and the bridge isn't gnarly enough. Seem to use the middle position 90% of the time.
I was thinking of ordering a set from Fletcher pickups eventually. They do a bridge rail humbucker and let you choose from Alnico 2/3/4/5, as well as neck pickups with open cover and large magnet options.

As far as Alnico rail pickups go, the Bill Lawrence one seems alright too https://www.wildepickups.com/products/l-48tl

Tele pickup demos on youtube are usually pretty painful, so hopefully someone here with experience can chime in.
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Re: Tele pickups?

Post by qersty »

the most importantest is a proper STEEL baserplate
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Re: Tele pickups?

Post by Zork »

I'm very happy with a DiMarzio DP112 in my Tele: https://www.dimarzio.com/pickups/standard-tele/pre-b-1

I also have a DiMarzio Area T humcanceling pickup in my Esquire. Doesn't hum, sounds like a Tele bridge pickup is supposed to do, but isn't quite as punchy as the DP112.
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Re: Tele pickups?

Post by Blackened Soul »

I have seymour duncan broadcaster in mine :idk: I like it.. I have firebird pickups in the neck and middle :idk:
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Re: Tele pickups?

Post by backwardsvoyager »

Firebird in the neck sounds like fun.

If I was in a position to route my Strandberg for different pickups I'd probably put a Charlie Christian in the neck.
There aren't that many interesting retrofit options for neck pickups in a tele since the darn things are so small.
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Re: Tele pickups?

Post by Blackened Soul »

True.. yeah I lucked out I guess? My tele is a hohner and it has a swimming pool rout... so I’ve tried all kinds of stuff... buckers, p90s, strat pickups, another tele bridge pickup, no neck pickup..
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Re: Tele pickups?

Post by qersty »

Blackened Soul wrote:I have seymour duncan broadcaster in mine :idk: I like it.. I have firebird pickups in the neck and middle :idk:
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Re: Tele pickups?

Post by Blackened Soul »

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Re: Tele pickups?

Post by qersty »

Nice!
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Re: Tele pickups?

Post by imJonWain »

Zhangbucker pickups makes good stuff at pretty reasonable prices considering he makes them himself in the US. The specials section has great deals but if you order "new" you can pick all sorts of options for your pickup. I bought a single Tar Paper bridge pickup off the specials page for like $60 and am super happy with it.

I'm also a big Dimarzio fan. I had the Dp381 Fast Track in the guitar before and really liked it but wanted a "true" single coil pickup guitar after I sold most of my extra gear.

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