Don Mare Hayrides vs Fender '62 Custom Pickups

Anyone have experience with both of these pickups in their Tele? Can you compare/contrast?

Thanks!

Not yet. I have a set of each, but I've only installed the '62 customs. They sound so good I have no interest in pulling them. That's why I'm working on another guitar to put the hayrides in. I should have them installed in a week or so, I'll report back when I've spent some time on them.

Thanks, dress_rehearsal! I'll be very interested in your update! =-)

I'm going to bump this thread...

I put a set of the '62s in my first homemade tele and I'm having a hard time imagining anything better. Although I've never played any pups from Mare or any other custom winders, I see a lot of love for them here. Guess I just want to get some objective opinions from better ears than mine. So how do these pups, that I love, stack up against the best boutiques ???

I just built a Tele with the Fender 62 Customs, Glendale Blackguard bridgeplate, Rutters brass compensated saddles and stock 3-way wiring. I'm having a hard time with the top end on the guitar. I think it's just over-the-top bright.

I just built a Tele with the Fender 62 Customs, Glendale Blackguard bridgeplate, Rutters brass compensated saddles and stock 3-way wiring. I'm having a hard time with the top end on the guitar. I think it's just over-the-top bright.

Could be the amp you're playing through. Sometimes, when you jump from one guitar/ pup set to another, adjusting the amp settings is not something which always occurs.

Just a thought.

I used the Fender 62 ri bridge w/ steel threaded saddles. Bright and articulate, but not ice pick territory. I do twist the tone knob to taste. Dnon't know if it's a big factor or not, but the body is heavily chambered afr.mahogany w/ 2pc maple neck.

I can also vouch for the '62 custom bridge PUP- in my opinion it is the best sounding of Fender's stable of P/U's that you can buy... and very reasonably priced. I bought the P/U, bridgeplate / steel saddles combo new on Fleabay for about $50..

I have it in a parts caster. Plenty of woody quack, twang & chime, without the shrill brittle ice-pick. It nails the late 60's tone, which I consider the best.

These dial in at around 6.8K; curiously, the best sounding vintage 60's tele's i've heard were usually wound to around 6K; The Hayrides are wound to around this spec, so they must be a great sounding PUP; If i was to go Bootique- The Hayrides would be it...

I went for the same deal as deluxe5D3. I was very sceptical, but the proof is in the twang. If I didn't have the '62 in my bridge slot, I would probably try the Hayrides, but I am totally happy with the little bugger. I also feel these are Fender's best tele pups.

The Fender 62's are real sweet...probably my favourite in the Fender pups & incredibly good value!!! classic 60's tone!!! the Hayrides are a better pup though...as good as the 62's are; the Hayrides just do it better!!! your paying $230 odd dollars for the privilege...Don's customer service is second to none as well..

Well here's my initial comparison. The 62's are in an alder/rosewood, and the hayrides are in an ash/maple, so it may not be apples to apples. I haven't played with the pup heights on the hayrides, they are set fairly low right now. The 62's overdrive faster, but the mares stay together better when pushed. The mares are livelier, they are microphonic in a good way. I would also characterize the mares as more 'polite' than the 62's, but either set sounds great clean or dirty. You can twang or rock with either set, dependent on amp and guitar settings. Both sets are versatile, I give the hayride neck a slight edge over the '62 neck, it's clearer. The in between position is great on both sets. As far as the bridge goes, the mare is more articulate. If you want an all around great vintage tele tone, either set gets it done, but I give the hayrides a slight edge. If you want a bridge with a bit more hair to push the amp into raunchy rock territory, the 62's get it done.

Hmmm...one here for the hayrides..got em yesterday..played through my 1957 harmony clean light ash tele rosewood board standard three piece fender bridge with steel saddles..very balanced round sounding with just the right amount of edge ... I have a set of lollar special t going in my other tele that will be a shoot out same specs but a 4 way switch.