Duncan Alnico II tele bridge vs. Duncan Broadcaster?

[appar111]

I currently have a Duncan Alnico II tele bridge pickup in my alder-bodie esquire, and while it sounds good on clean stuff, it just doesn't have a whole lot of attitude to it, particularly when driven.

I've used a Fender CS Nocaster bridge in this guitar before and remember it sounding much more to my liking than this Alnico II. I've had an Antiquity I in the same guitar, and liked it better than the Alnico II as well, but not as much as the Nocaster bridge.

I haven't tried a Duncan Broadcaster yet, but have been wanting to for a long time. I looked at the Duncan EQ chart and I didn't realize that the Alnico II tele bridge was so scooped in the mids. I'm expecting a pretty big sonic kick in the pants by swapping the Alnico II for the SD Broadcaster. Is that a fair assumption?

Also, I'm debating just picking up another Dimarzio Pre B-1, which I had in an ash bodied tele and loved (unfortunately had to sell the guitar) and was probably my favorite tele bridge pickup so far. Given what I've ready about the Broadcaster, I'm assuming that it will be alot brighter than the Pre-B-1, and the Pre B-1 would also be bassier. Would that be about right?

Should I try the Broadcaster, or revisit the Pre B-1?

[Chrismo]

I've heard two things - the Broadcaster is either too dark, or too shrill and thin.

I'm wondering if it strictly depends on the bridge and body wood.

Personally the Pre B-1 appeals to me more, as it sounds like it retain a classic twang but thickens the tone.

I use an Alnico II bridge in my thinline tele, only because that particular guitar is naturally bright and needed warmer magnets. I enjoy the sounds I get from that, but I also know what you're saying - it's not a hard hitting bridge.

Between the two, I'd say Pre-B1, just because it's described as being a bit overwound (than typical vintage stock) and will probably deliver that punch you're looking for.

[GuitarJonz]

Originally Posted by Chrismo

I've heard two things - the Broadcaster is either too dark, or too shrill and thin.

I'd have to disagree there, IMO, the Duncan Broadxaster is one one of the safest bets for great all around tele tone. Plenty of highs, lows, mids, use your tone knob to dial out what you don't like. And a major deal at about $40-45 used. Pair with Fender OV neck, Rio Tallboy or Dimarzio Twang King for a killer set (I've always found the Duncan 54 neck a tad muddy, YMMV). The Alnico II bridge pup? Smooth, yes, but I've always found it a bit too polite, as I like a hard twanging, more in-your-face tele tone.

[appar111]

sounds like I can't really go wrong either way. Pre B-1's are $50 new from MF (and only $6 shipping) so they're both in the $56-58 new.

Let's take a vote on it-- SD Broadcaster or Dimarzio Pre B-1 for a "rock" tele that still sounds like a tele...

[Chrismo]

Originally Posted by GuitarJonz

I'd have to disagree there, IMO, the Duncan Broadxaster is one one of the safest bets for great all around tele tone. Plenty of highs, lows, mids, use your tone knob to dial out what you don't like. And a major deal at about $40-45 used. Pair with Fender OV neck, Rio Tallboy or Dimarzio Twang King for a killer set (I've always found the Duncan 54 neck a tad muddy, YMMV). The Alnico II bridge pup? Smooth, yes, but I've always found it a bit too polite, as I like a hard twanging, more in-your-face tele tone.

I've never tried one, but that's what I've heard/read. The Fender Broadcaster pickup in the Baja tele I absolutely loved though.

If it was my choice I'd still go for the Pre-B-1, sounds like it's geared more for a beefier rock tone.

[Beatbx]

On a related note, I have a Lite Ash tele in which I disliked the anemic sounding Alnico II Pro bridge p/up. I replaced it with a slightly overwound rewound p/up and all's good with that guitar. On a lark I put the Alnico II Pro in an esquire, thinking I'd just replace it later. In my case I really like it in the esquire, it ain't going anywhere. I've got it wired in a 'traditional' esquire setup: bridge-straight to jack, middle-vol + tone, neck-cocked wah w/ a .015 cap that gives juuust enough without muddying up. Just my two cents, thanks for the time!

[appar111]

I ended up getting a Duncan Broadcaster as-new in box for $50 and it's exactly what I've been wanting for twangy rock that can still do clean tele stuff. It's like blending the Fender CS '51 Nocaster and the Pre B-1. It can definitely do old Bon Scott-era AC/DC, yet can still twang like a mofo. It's nice to have a pickup that can do bright without harsh, twang really hard AND still work for hard rock-- all without sounding thin (and this is with a maple board and 9-42 strings).

The only reason I didn't grab the Pre B-1 again was because I had tried it before, and hadn't tried the Broadcaster. Otherwise, for rock I knew the Pre B01 would work great, albeit with more muscle, less twang.

The Pre B-1 sounded great in ash, but I wasn't sure how different it would sound in alder-- I was thinking it might have a little too much oomph & not enough twang. So I took a chance on the Broadcaster and I'm glad I did.