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blingdogg · April 12th, 2009, 12:18 PM

I've been looking around for new pickups for my Tele. I want a vintage sound to play classic rock from the 60s and 70s (like Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, Cream), and also blues-rock (Black Keys) and blues.

What range should I be looking for, for the output? Something in the 7K range?

My budget is low for this guitar, and I keep hearing good things about Tonerider Hot Classics....they're supposedly good for blues and rock, but with the bridge at about 9K I'm wondering if that's too hot for a vintage, classic rock sound? And the Tonerider vintage pickups has a 6.3K bridge that I would assume is kinda low for rock.

I also looked into Bill Lawrence pickups but it doesn't seem like they're available for sale these days (at least on Ebay).

Any suggestions? I'm only looking to spend about $100 for the set.

AJ Love · April 12th, 2009, 01:44 PM

Fender Nocasters! If you are looking for $100 a set or less, find 'em used

maestrovert · April 12th, 2009, 01:58 PM

Fender OVs

bigrigguitarman · April 12th, 2009, 02:27 PM

"I've been looking around for new pickups for my Tele. I want a vintage sound to play classic rock from the 60s and 70s (like Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, Cream), and also blues-rock (Black Keys) and blues."

I like OV and Nocasters but for your stated desires I like the Dimarzio Pre B-1 or Seymour Duncan Hot for Tele for single coils.

Dimarzio Virtual Vintage hot T for noiseless. When the VV hot T is split (into a single coi) it is actually a little louder and with more treble. No longer noiseless however.

Plenty of good choices out there though. :)

surfoverb · April 12th, 2009, 02:29 PM

Fender OV or Nocasters, for 'BooTeeky Fragrance' go Don Mare Super Sport, Fralin, Novak, Lollar, Stuart BG.

DMace · April 12th, 2009, 04:10 PM

Your amp choice is going to be a lot more important than your pickup choice. And the vintage/classic rock sound you're after was mainly created with humbuckers through Marshalls (or Strat through Marshall with Hendrix), so I'd be looking for a higher output pickup. But, really, nearly any quality Tele pickup through a dimed amp or good overdrive pedal is going to get you in the ballpark.

Chrismo · April 12th, 2009, 05:52 PM

Alnico II Pros for Tele. Nice bluesy, creamy overdrive in the neck pickup with a vintage bite in the bridge.

Most singlecoils won't be excessively hot, so you should be fine with any vintage type set.

For the economical version - try a GFS Fatbody in the neck with a Vintage 62 in the bridge.

Big Mike Simpson · April 12th, 2009, 06:27 PM

Nocasters

April 12th, 2009, 12:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
blingdogg Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Age: 25 Posts: 277	vintage-sounding Tele pickups to play classic rock and blues-rock? I've been looking around for new pickups for my Tele. I want a vintage sound to play classic rock from the 60s and 70s (like Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, Cream), and also blues-rock (Black Keys) and blues. What range should I be looking for, for the output? Something in the 7K range? My budget is low for this guitar, and I keep hearing good things about Tonerider Hot Classics....they're supposedly good for blues and rock, but with the bridge at about 9K I'm wondering if that's too hot for a vintage, classic rock sound? And the Tonerider vintage pickups has a 6.3K bridge that I would assume is kinda low for rock. I also looked into Bill Lawrence pickups but it doesn't seem like they're available for sale these days (at least on Ebay). Any suggestions? I'm only looking to spend about $100 for the set.

April 12th, 2009, 02:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
surfoverb Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,087	Fender OV or Nocasters, for 'BooTeeky Fragrance' go Don Mare Super Sport, Fralin, Novak, Lollar, Stuart BG. __________________ "You released the ****** fury!"*

April 12th, 2009, 05:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
Chrismo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia Age: 21 Posts: 1,391 7 Photos	Alnico II Pros for Tele. Nice bluesy, creamy overdrive in the neck pickup with a vintage bite in the bridge. Most singlecoils won't be excessively hot, so you should be fine with any vintage type set. For the economical version - try a GFS Fatbody in the neck with a Vintage 62 in the bridge. __________________ Well let me just quote the late-great Colonel Sanders, who said..."I'm too drunk to taste this chicken." http://thetonechasers.wordpress.com/

April 12th, 2009, 06:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
Big Mike Simpson Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gilbert, AZ (PHX) Age: 53 Posts: 1,978 69 Photos	Nocasters __________________ http://www.myspace.com/bigmikesimpson

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April 12th, 2009, 01:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
AJ Love Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Madison WI Age: 43 Posts: 1,026	Fender Nocasters! If you are looking for $100 a set or less, find 'em used

April 12th, 2009, 01:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
maestrovert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow Posts: 8,024	Fender OVs

April 12th, 2009, 02:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
bigrigguitarman Banned TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Age: 50 Posts: 59 4 Photos	"I've been looking around for new pickups for my Tele. I want a vintage sound to play classic rock from the 60s and 70s (like Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, Cream), and also blues-rock (Black Keys) and blues." I like OV and Nocasters but for your stated desires I like the Dimarzio Pre B-1 or Seymour Duncan Hot for Tele for single coils. Dimarzio Virtual Vintage hot T for noiseless. When the VV hot T is split (into a single coi) it is actually a little louder and with more treble. No longer noiseless however. Plenty of good choices out there though. :)

April 12th, 2009, 04:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
DMace Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 2,996	Your amp choice is going to be a lot more important than your pickup choice. And the vintage/classic rock sound you're after was mainly created with humbuckers through Marshalls (or Strat through Marshall with Hendrix), so I'd be looking for a higher output pickup. But, really, nearly any quality Tele pickup through a dimed amp or good overdrive pedal is going to get you in the ballpark.

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