Pickup Recommendations for a Nocaster

Some of you guys will think I'm nuts, but I have a Nocaster (with the blend function, if that makes a difference) and am thinking about changing pickups. The Nocaster pickups are good of course, but basically, I’m looking for a warmer sound with more overtones.

I’ve been in touch with Don Mare, and he recommends his Hot Bakelites.

I haven’t decided yet, so I thought I'd ask all of you for recommendations and advice. Any ideas on brands, windings, Alnico 3 or 5, neck pickup cover material, etc. would be appreciated.

By the way, here's the sound I'm looking for - Ron Kirn pickups in a Ron Kirn Signature T Style into a Blues Junior! I can't afford a Kirn guitar though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3IFk90BXwU

Thanks in advance!

You may want to try simple 4 way switching first…. the combination of the neck and bridge in series produce a sound I love, warm, yet bawlzy….

In that position the two pups are combined electrically exactly like a humbucker is constructed…. try it…. lots cheeper than a new set of pups,,, and it can be undone…

Ron Kirn

Thanks, Ron. Your advice is right on of course, and I have another Tele with the switching that you describe, and it has the ballsy, humbucker-type sound that you mention.

Maybe I should have explained in more detail, but I'd like to keep my Nocaster as a Nocaster, so my preference is to keep the both the blend function and the 3 way switching. That's why I'm considering different pickups, so that I can keep my Nocaster all stock. It's as close to a real vintage Tele as I'm ever gonna get!

I'd just like a warmer sound with more overtones. Tone into words is always tough.

Can you give any hints as to the "innards" of your pickups? They sound great!