Help me date my bridge pickup?

Hi -

I have searched high and low for info on dating Tele bridge pickups, but haven't found anything. If there's a thread or site you can point me to, I'd be a happy man. If not, take a look at this, your help would be appreciated.

I have a '60 Tele that has been refinished, headstock broken, and bridge pickup replaced, and it's a great guitar.

When I bought it, the seller said the bridge pickup was an early 50's Fender. I didn't have any reason not to believe him, but didn't know enough to ask for specifics, or did ask, but can't remember (it was a while back).

Anyway, curious if the assembled wise folk here can tell me what exactly this is - or more accurately, when this is from. It has flat poles and white string around the pickup itself. I thought I had taken a photo of the bottom when I had the guitar apart, but apparently didn't - but it was light grey. And, hey, you'd think I'd have a resistance reading, but, uh...

For those who are wondering, I actually make it through most days without forgetting my name...

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n308/mylescdavis/Telecaster/bridge-1.jpg

Many thanks.

Bible says light grey bottom bobbin '65-68, dark grey after '68.

It looks old - I'm not a guru of dating p/ups but my thoughts are that the white string indicates its hand-scatter wound and old. I read somewhere that in the 50's people manually wound wire onto p/ups and wrapping them was a way of protection. I'm not sure if they potted p/ups but at best guess I'd say no.
Also supporting this theory is the hole - only one hole - a lot of modern p/ups seem to have multiple. Maybe this was the brace for attaching the bobbins to the the old winding machines. The bobbin itself looks a fibrous material - way before the time of the plastic.

If you were further going to research this I'd think the fact that the poles on the D and G string are slightly raised - maybe you'll find its a 1940's Broadcaster p/up - maybe - I'm not the guru of p/ups - but this may have been a stock practice during a certain time phase. They don't appear completely flat and it does seem curious to see these two pole raised. Have you thought about contacting Fender?

Bible says light grey bottom bobbin '65-68, dark grey after '68.

Can you give me more details of 'The Bible'. Excuse my ignorance but whats Title, Publisher, Year and Editor/Author:?:

Can you give me more details of 'The Bible'. Excuse my ignorance but whats Title, Publisher, Year and Editor/Author:?:

Click here (http://www.amazon.com/Fender-Telecaster-R-Duchossoir/dp/0793508606/sr=8-5/qid=1168094661/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5/104-0499902-2415140?ie=UTF8&s=books) for Bible info...

The only thing I would add is that EARLY 50's tele's (broadcaster/nocaster) had zinc bottoms... which looks grey..

Click here (http://www.amazon.com/Fender-Telecaster-R-Duchossoir/dp/0793508606/sr=8-5/qid=1168094661/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5/104-0499902-2415140?ie=UTF8&s=books) for Bible info...

The only thing I would add is that EARLY 50's tele's (broadcaster/nocaster) had zinc bottoms... which looks grey..

Bible ordered, been meaning to do that.

It was described as an early 50's pickup.

Thanks for the info.

Well I'd start off by inviting it out to dinner, maybe a movie...

Hi -

I have searched high and low for info on dating Tele bridge pickups, but haven't found anything. If there's a thread or site you can point me to, I'd be a happy man. If not, take a look at this, your help would be appreciated.

(snip)

Anyway, curious if the assembled wise folk here can tell me what exactly this is - or more accurately, when this is from. It has flat poles and white string around the pickup itself. I thought I had taken a photo of the bottom when I had the guitar apart, but apparently didn't - but it was light grey.

Bible says light grey bottom bobbin '65-68, dark grey after '68.

I realize that I my first post was confusing. When I said "the bottom", I meant the metal plate under the pickup. I think GuitarJonz thought I meant the bottom bobbin or plate of the actual pickup itself.

At any rate, the bottom bobbin is black.

I got a copy of the Duchossoir book, and he says the plate was tin until early 1951 and copper thereafter.

I'm going to verify the color of the metal plate and report back.

Sorry for the confusion.