[CharlesM]

Hi everyone,

First post here, although I've been visiting this site for years for Tele/Fender information. Great forum!

I just picked up a used Nashville (MIM, 2002, alder/maple board). The previous owner swapped original pups for Fender Vintage Noiseless Teles and Noiseless Strat middle. Don't have access to the original pups. I like the Noiseless but don't love them. What I hear missing is a level of touch-sensitivity and dynamics in the highs and a kind of "chime" that I've hear in many other Teles with trad. single coil pups.

As a basis for comparison, I bought a new Gibson reissue Melody Maker earlier this year--the 2-pup version with Strat-type pickups. (I believe they're actually stacked humbuckers.) The pickups in this thing are amazing! Not only are they hot, but they are extremely dynamic and very bright if you dial the tone all the way up. Very hi-fi sounding to my ears. Great chime and great for rhythm playing, which is mainly what I do. Just great headroom in general.

However, I'm a die-hard Tele-type guitar fan. I want to achieve this kind of sound in the Nashville. Another reference would be the sound you hear in Fender Jaguars--very chimey, very hi-fi. Same goes, of course, for good Tele and Strat pups, I'd say.

I've read that the DiMarzio Twang Kings are in this ballpark. Can I expect this kind of sound with those pickups? Really want a lot of "chime" in my rhythm/neck tone. Any other recommendations?

Also, would changing the bridge to a 3-brass-saddle vintage design be a significant improvement over the Nashville's stock 6-steel saddle vintage style as far as getting this sound?

Thanks a lot and I really appreciate any help.

Charles