Custom Shop Nocaster 51' p-ups, Lollars or Kinman

[strawdps]

I have an American 1996 telecaster and I want to upgrade my pickups ... are the Custom Shop Nocaster 51' p-ups really going to be that much of a jump in quality to my stock american p-ups??

Are the Lollar's or Kinman's going to be leaps and bounds better than either the Nocaster and the stock American p-ups??

I am looking for a nice warm sound out of my tele. Not too bright or twangy ...

Thanks

[twangcaster1]

Well I don't know for sure about the Kinmans, or Lollars, but I have various models of pickups by Lindy Fralin in some of my guitars and they are DEFINITELY a huge leap in quality and tone ahead of the stock fender stuff.
My favorite combo so far is the Lindy Fralin Blues Special bridge pickup and Lindy Fralin Real 54 neck pickup. Fralins are awesome.

[JamonHamon]

I have Kinman tele and strat in my kitchen drawer at first I loved them
Joe Bardens tele in the drawer
custom shop fenders tele and strat in the drawer
now the only pickups in my Tele's and Strat is Don Mare pickups I've found my tone

[Sugarfoot Rag]

My recommendation, Harmonic Design Vintage Plus. Sold my Fralins, Twang Kings, etc..after I put these in. The Vintage Plus Bridge PU is just once the greatest Bridge PUs I've had in a Tele. It replaced my Fralin BS even. Can go from raw Broadcaster to Sparkly Chet Atkins harmonics. Scott knows his stuff. Plus...they're made in Bakersfield! Go check out his PUs, and I have NO affiliation w/him what so ever, just my ears.

[strawdps]

So the custom Fender shop Nocaster 51's aren't comparable to the others??

So many pickups to choose from

[strawdps]

Originally Posted by Sugarfoot Rag

My recommendation, Harmonic Design Vintage Plus. Sold my Fralins, Twang Kings, etc..after I put these in. The Vintage Plus Bridge PU is just once the greatest Bridge PUs I've had in a Tele. It replaced my Fralin BS even. Can go from raw Broadcaster to Sparkly Chet Atkins harmonics. Scott knows his stuff. Plus...they're made in Bakersfield! Go check out his PUs, and I have NO affiliation w/him what so ever, just my ears.

Those look good ... where can I buy them ... I did a search but couldn't find prices

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by strawdps

So the custom Fender shop Nocaster 51's aren't comparable to the others??

So many pickups to choose from

Every guy here has a slightly different sound in his head. Some of these are extremely fine pickups but each is intended for a specific sound. The Kinmans and most Lollar designs are continents apart in sound - different high end sound quests, IMO.

Based on your suggestion of the sound you seek, I personally think the No-Casters might be an excellent first step for you. Of the pups I like and use the No-Casters are the ones trending toward the sound you describe.

The pickups you have now leave lots of room for improvement, especially the bridge pickup. Some lucky guys just buy and install some No-casters or Bill and Becky Lawrence Keystones and they are all set. Not everyone wants or needs a $ 75 bottle of Zinfandel.

[Mike Simpson]

I have not tried Lollar or Kinman....

I play blues mostly, and a little swing stuff... and I am very happy with my nocasters and lots of players have asked me " hey... what pickups have you got in that Tele?"