Fender Classic 50's Tele pups

Hi there,

I've been deliberating changing the pickups in my 50's Tele for a while now, because for some reason, when A/B'd with my '72 Custom RI, the 50's simply comes across as nasal & VERY thin. I love my '72 RI but just wish the sound of my 50's was equally as appealing...

I play country/rock & really, LOVE the tight country spank of a bridge pickup. I know very little about pickups & my only instinct is that I may benefit from a higher output pup? I've been looking at the Bare Knuckle sets as I've heard great things.

For the record, I play through a '65 Deluxe Reverb RI, use .11 gauge strings & have experimented with endless pickup height variations.

I'm not so much looking for a plethora of recommendations but rather some insight into why I'm underwhelmed by it's stock pups & if replacing them will make a substantial difference.

Many thanks,

Jamie

The 50's Classic pickups are a mixed bag: the neck pup is actually very good, and generally well regarded here for normal tele neck tone, not muddy like some vintage styles. I also find the stock bridge pup to be thin, great if you want a twangy 60's Bakersfield tone, but you seem to want a bigger, fatter tone. I'd recommend a Duncan Broadcaster, way better than the 50's stocker, easy to find, should be able to grab a used one here or on eBay for $45. Of course, single coils are not going to sound like the HBs in your '72 RI, but a Broadcaster bridge will pair nicely with the stock 50s neck, and I'll bet you'll be happy with the much bigger bridge tone, yet it can still be vintage and twangy, if desired via guitar's volume & tone knobs.

The 50's Classic pickups are a mixed bag: the neck pup is actually very good, and generally well regarded here for normal tele neck tone, not muddy like some vintage styles. I also find the stock bridge pup to be thin, great if you want a twangy 60's Bakersfield tone, but you seem to want a bigger, fatter tone. I'd recommend a Duncan Broadcaster, way better than the 50's stocker, easy to find, should be able to grab a used one here or on eBay for $45. Of course, single coils are not going to sound like the HBs in your '72 RI, but a Broadcaster bridge will pair nicely with the stock 50s neck, and I'll bet you'll be happy with the much bigger bridge tone, yet it can still be vintage and twangy, if desired via guitar's volume & tone knobs.

Cheers mate! Will consult my tech today and check out the SD Broadcaster.

With reference to my '72 RI, i wasn't alluding to the WRHB - i really dig it but i particularly like the sound of the bridge pickup. If i'm to use the '72, it's purely for the neck and should i sought a bridge humbucker, i'll grab my Gibson SG...

You could ask "why not just use the '72 for both bridge AND neck tones?" Valid question, however the '50 RI was a gift and i'd like to use it, however my displeasure with the sound of the bridge pup has deterred me from doing so!

Many thanks again.

Others feel free to chime in!

Jamie