Vintage vs. Modern Country sound pups

I know this topic has been beaten to death, but I guess this is the purpose of this forum. Any ways i'll throw it out there. I'm debating between upgrading my pups to a vintage (50's Luther Perkins/Johnny Cash sounding) or modern country (Wade Hayes/Brad Paisley) sounding pickups. Where would the nocaster pups fall in? Can you get both out of the same pickup w/o compromising sound? Thanks to all who respond.

I've been spending a lot of time contemplating the same thing lately. I'll start off with the disclaimer that some of what I'm going to say is very generalized and that I am probably severely oversimplifying - however, these comments are also based on my personal experience with different sets.

I think the short answer is that, yes - you can find some middle ground that will probably fit the bill. What you will generally by looking for is probably an Alnico V set of pickups in the 6.5k resistance range at the bridge. I think you will find that most modern tele pickups - and even Fender Custom Shop Nocaster and Original Vintage pickups will start around 7k - providing more output and mids - but also less of the classic tele top end/sparkle/twang.

Extreme vintage specs (early 50's - 60's) run anywhere from 5.5k-6.3k at the bridge. Think Roy Buchanan tone, lots of high-end, easier to get artificial pick harmonics.

So - makers who are currently winding to either custom or set specs in this range would include Fralin, OC Duff, Don Mare, Bareknuckle - and many others you can find out about here on the forum.

I have a set coming from OC Duff that will be Alnico V, 6k at the bridge. I am currently using Lollar Vintage T's and Fender Japanese TL-Vintage pickups. The Lollars are a good middle ground pickup that leads slightly toward a contemporary sound; hotter, more mids, bluesier - but still has good top end characteristics. The Japanese TL Vintage are so far the best tele pickups I have found. I will certainly be posting about the Duffs when they arrive.

Good luck.

I think cacibi said it best in his second paragraph. I have two pups in that same 6.5 range, and they are awesome to say the least. Once is a 69ri MIM pup with an added baseplate. The other the the Fender usa 62ri. Both of these are spot on to give me the best of both worlds.

I think the only difference between vintage and modern country is how much drive you have on the amp. Other than that, the tone and licks are pretty much the same, except faster.

Nocaster set would fit the bill. If you end up going for a more modern vibe, then I would assume a compressor would be in your pedal arsenal. The Nocaster pickups will cover vintage & modern music equally well.