Help me find the perfect set of pickups

Hey,
I'm looking for a set of pickups that will go in my dream guitar and I want them to suit my tastes perfectly.

I would like the bridge position to be able to twang (I play country) while being fat, warm, middy, and well rounded. So a hotter pickup is what I'm looking for.

For the neck position, I'd like the pickup to be clear, punchy, and have mids to them too. Don't mind if it's dark, just don't want it muddy.

A Ron Ellis set with the broadcaster bridge and mid tall neck seems to be the set that I'm looking for but y'all know why those are out of my reach. I was considering Dallen Fat Cats but he just came out with this Colt '51 set so I'm kinda even more confused. The Fralin Blues Specials sound good too but let me know what you guys think the best set for me would be. Thanks.

Something I almost purchased (but opted for Lawrence Keystones) is the Rio Grande Big Bottom set. Sounds somewhat along the lines of what you want.

Git yer wallet out and start the search! You are the only one who knows when you have found them.

I would like the bridge position to be able to twang (I play country) while being fat, warm, middy, and well rounded. So a hotter pickup is what I'm looking for.

For the neck position, I'd like the pickup to be clear, punchy, and have mids to them too. Don't mind if it's dark, just don't want it muddy.

I've got an overwound bridge pup (haven't checked it with multimeter but supposed to be > 10K and think it is) in a CVC and and also an AV'62RI Tele. That darned hot pup will growl and still spanks pretty good...but the '62 Custom does the same and then some and then some more.

IMO get a good set of pups--they do not have to be hot, just good and something you like--and dial in height, play with your amp(s) and by playing with your Tele tone & volume knob you'll be able to do just what you describe.

I've had five Teles and to me the AV'62 axe with the pups that come with it is a darned 'all-around' machine as you describe. The real key IME is the bridge pup as I've been pretty happy with all neck pups--AV'52, '60s Classic, Nocaster, AV'62, CVC--and can get them to balance in the neck/mid position with a decent bridge set. I did think the Nocaster neck pup was, well, heaven.

Have fun hunting as the sky is the limit as far as choices.

Thanks man, I know what you mean. It is more settings related and I guess you picking technique (hybrid) really accounts for it too. I may just go with Nocasters but I'm definitely keeping my ears open for more suggestions.

Hey,
I'm looking for a set of pickups that will go in my dream guitar and I want them to suit my tastes perfectly.

I would like the bridge position to be able to twang (I play country) while being fat, warm, middy, and well rounded. So a hotter pickup is what I'm looking for.

For the neck position, I'd like the pickup to be clear, punchy, and have mids to them too. Don't mind if it's dark, just don't want it muddy.

A Ron Ellis set with the broadcaster bridge and mid tall neck seems to be the set that I'm looking for but y'all know why those are out of my reach. I was considering Dallen Fat Cats but he just came out with this Colt '51 set so I'm kinda even more confused. The Fralin Blues Specials sound good too but let me know what you guys think the best set for me would be. Thanks.

I recently got this message from Lollar that suites my situation. It might well fit the bill for you as well

" I have played western swing / jump blues for years, and find our Special T set to be perfect:

The neck is warm and clear, and the bridge is fat with a bit of push (but will twang). The middle gets a nice sparkle, with a bit of the Chet Atkins vibe thrown in."

I'd imagine the Fralin's to be quite similar.

Hey,
I'm looking for a set of pickups that will go in my dream guitar and I want them to suit my tastes perfectly.

I would like the bridge position to be able to twang (I play country) while being fat, warm, middy, and well rounded. So a hotter pickup is what I'm looking for.

For the neck position, I'd like the pickup to be clear, punchy, and have mids to them too. Don't mind if it's dark, just don't want it muddy.

A Ron Ellis set with the broadcaster bridge and mid tall neck seems to be the set that I'm looking for but y'all know why those are out of my reach. I was considering Dallen Fat Cats but he just came out with this Colt '51 set so I'm kinda even more confused. The Fralin Blues Specials sound good too but let me know what you guys think the best set for me would be. Thanks.

That's pretty much BKP Flat 50's...

Hey....someone had to say it first. :wink:

it's all cheap talk and wasted time and money as the pup rubber meets the guitar road - i hope yer not in for a long don quixote pup quest. you really really do need to try out pups in yer guitar, with you playing, through your outboard gear. anything less is pure speculation and assumation ... and you know how that works.

all that obligatory disclaimer stated, i'll offer you my hand built cavalier lion and lioness set for you try out with yer gear.

if you don't like either or both pups, the cost to you is return postage, about $5. if you decide to keep one or both pups, the cost is $60 for the lion and $50 for the lioness. such a deal.

www.frettech.com/cavalier

....

The Klein Broadcaster is what you need, IMO. Very punchy, dynamic, super twangy, has that James Burton flavor, sparkly, yet has a lot of body to it. I recommend that one for what you want. That's what I have in my Esquire right now and it nails that sound. I had a Fralin Blues Special in it before, liked it, but it didn't quite have that complex twangy-sparkly yet muscly quality to it. I think the Klein nails it. JMHO YMMV

I have the fender cs nocaster set with 4-way switch, and I love, LOVE them.

A set of Wide Range Humbuckers (modified) would fit the bill perfectly.

Rio Muy Grande set should do it without costing an arm and a leg. Alternatively a set of Harmonic Designs Vintage Plus's if you want a more modern type sound. I've got a Muy bridge in one tele and a pair of the HD V+ in another; they have been in those guitars for years and I have no intention of ever swapping them out.

George

I just had to tell you about the new DAllen pickups I installed in my Tele.
I was looking for a thicker tone without the over the top highs in the bridge position most Tele’s have. I am running a pair of Vox AC15’s, so the sound is extremely crisp which is what I want. When I contacted David from DAllen he took his time listening to what I was trying to get as far as tone. David seems to care a great deal getting just what his customers want. This guy truly loves what he is doing.
I ended up installing the Cheetah neck and the Tiger bridge; sure glad I decided to go with DAllen. These Pickups are killer! They have a thicker sound but still retain the true Tele vibe. The pick attack is so responsive and they are quiet as well. When combined I get an almost P90 tone. The Cheetah neck Pickup is clear and full of tone, roll back on the tone and get a great Jazz tone. I want to thank David and let all of you know if you are looking for a great set of Pups, give DAllen a serious look. Check out his web page
Thanks,David!

Hey,
I'm looking for a set of pickups that will go in my dream guitar and I want them to suit my tastes perfectly.

I would like the bridge position to be able to twang (I play country) while being fat, warm, middy, and well rounded. So a hotter pickup is what I'm looking for.

For the neck position, I'd like the pickup to be clear, punchy, and have mids to them too. Don't mind if it's dark, just don't want it muddy.

A Ron Ellis set with the broadcaster bridge and mid tall neck seems to be the set that I'm looking for but y'all know why those are out of my reach. I was considering Dallen Fat Cats but he just came out with this Colt '51 set so I'm kinda even more confused. The Fralin Blues Specials sound good too but let me know what you guys think the best set for me would be. Thanks.

Hi Daniel
I also wanted to try the Ellis set but while willing to pay the $ the wait time was too much for me. I've got a set of OC Duffs (Plankster/ Bigboy set )in a CV 50s that does what you're describing IMO and my Budz 542 and Tall deliver twang w/o icepick as well. The Colt 51 does sound great in the clips I've heard and will probably be my next bridge purchase.

it's all cheap talk and wasted time and money as the pup rubber meets the guitar road - i hope yer not in for a long don quixote pup quest. you really really do need to try out pups in yer guitar, with you playing, through your outboard gear. anything less is pure speculation and assumation ... and you know how that works.

all that obligatory disclaimer stated, i'll offer you my hand built cavalier lion and lioness set for you try out with yer gear.

if you don't like either or both pups, the cost to you is return postage, about $5. if you decide to keep one or both pups, the cost is $60 for the lion and $50 for the lioness. such a deal.

www.frettech.com/cavalier

....

Now, THAT is an offer you can't refuse! Nobody else will give you that "try before you buy" deal; I strongly suggest you try Rob's set.

Hi Daniel
I also wanted to try the Ellis set but while willing to pay the $ the wait time was too much for me. I've got a set of OC Duffs (Plankster/ Bigboy set )in a CV 50s that does what you're describing IMO and my Budz 542 and Tall deliver twang w/o icepick as well. The Colt 51 does sound great in the clips I've heard and will probably be my next bridge purchase.

Bingo ! We have a winner.
Send Owen an email and describe him exactly what you want.

it's all cheap talk and wasted time and money as the pup rubber meets the guitar road - i hope yer not in for a long don quixote pup quest. you really really do need to try out pups in yer guitar, with you playing, through your outboard gear. anything less is pure speculation and assumation ... and you know how that works.

all that obligatory disclaimer stated, i'll offer you my hand built cavalier lion and lioness set for you try out with yer gear.

if you don't like either or both pups, the cost to you is return postage, about $5. if you decide to keep one or both pups, the cost is $60 for the lion and $50 for the lioness. such a deal.

www.frettech.com/cavalier

....

10+