'52 RI American Single Coils vs. '51 Fender Custom Shop Nocasters

just wondering what your opinions on these pickups, and what the difference was that you notice between the two..

also... what would you guys recommend for pickups for playing the style that is kind of a mix between classic rock/garage rock/blues? not a huge emphasis on clean, but still some clean, and a decent crunch with still the classic tele tone...

would you recommend either the '52 RI pups, the '51 custom shop nocaster pups, or maybe an outside company like seymour duncan?

(sadly i don't own a telecaster yet, im going for the 50's classic tele, and if those pups work i have nothing to worry about, and i probably wont change them right away anyways, but just looking for suggestions)

The nocaster should get you what you want. Kind of Rolling Stones sound when pushed. Going with a rail style pup will get you closer.

thanks

most people agree? or any other opinions?

Never played the Nocaster, but my 52RI gets plenty crunchy.

In my experience of trying both pickups in several (7 or 8) Telecasters, they are both great pickups and it totally depends on the individual guitar as to which sounds "better". In my #1 Esquire, I prefer the OV '52, for whatever reason that pickup just sounds great in that Tele. In other Telecasters the Nocasters sound better

The Nocaster has a more pronounced midrange. The OV's can be a bit bright in some guitars, perfect in others. You just have to experiment with 'em

if one of those telecasters happens to be a 50's classic... which one sounds better?

if one of those telecasters happens to be a 50's classic... which one sounds better?

Well, see that's the thing, you could take 3 or 4 different 50's Classic and they'll all sound slightly different from each other. Each guitar is an individual

I have 2 Spruce-top Chambered Teles. One has OV's and one has Nocasters. The OV's are very clear and bright. The Nocasters are smoother. The Bridge Nocaster has much less if no ice-pick in comparison to the nocaster. The Nocaster seems a has a complex sound with great bite and twang. The Neck OV is again very clear. The Nocaster is a touch darker, but has great harmonic qualities. The OV's have a better middle position sound to me ears, but not by a lot. With the OV's, be prepared to make a lot of use of the tone ( My guitars came with no-load tone pots) control to get the most out of it. The Nocasters require less tone control for me. The Nocasters also seem a touch hotter. I like both, but I seem to favor the Nocasters
When I first went to buy a Tele, I lined them up 5 at a time in the local shop and just kept playing guitars and swapping out the ones I liked the least. When it was all said and done, I had selected a guitar (not one of the 2 above) that had Nocasters in it.