Upgrading a Highway One Texas Tele?

[schroder3000]

Just picked up this baby...who could go wrong with a USA Tele for less than 1K?
Anywhoo...the stock neck pickup isn't as great as I'd like and I'm wondering what the best step to take is.
I'd like to throw in a vintage Seymour Duncan mini-humbucker for crunch but I want to get those warm, clean tones similar to a Standard USA Tele at which case would I be better off with an upgraded Fender/SD Tele set.

[JDaveG]

I'm a one-trick pony when it comes to pickup swaps -- I have DiMarzio Twang Kings in mine and I honestly have no desire to go looking for anything else (mine is an Am. Std.).

I've thought about getting a Hwy. 1, and if I do, it will get Twang Kings in it.

[boris bubbanov]

Hmmmm.

I kinda like the Vintage Hot pickups in the Highway One Texas Tele.

Way better than the pickups in the regular Highway One Tele "Upgrade"

Nothing less than some No-Casters would really make the guitar better, amongst easily found Fender pickups; maybe Texas Specials or Original Vintages.

I'd consider also a set of Bill and Becky Lawrence "Keystones". Man are those nice.

[schroder3000]

I think I'm going to look into the 51' Nocaster pickup set to get a worthwhile upgrade..black pickguard and chrome bridge plate should compliment nicely.

[younkint]

Originally Posted by schroder3000

Just picked up this baby...who could go wrong with a USA Tele for less than 1K?
Anywhoo...the stock neck pickup isn't as great as I'd like and I'm wondering what the best step to take is.
I'd like to throw in a vintage Seymour Duncan mini-humbucker for crunch but I want to get those warm, clean tones similar to a Standard USA Tele at which case would I be better off with an upgraded Fender/SD Tele set.

Perhaps you might try adjusting the height of the pickup before you decide to fire up that soldering iron. I have a Texas and I love the stock neck pickup - can't imagine changing it ...it's too unique. Mine took a tad of height adjustment and a change to 10's before I was satisfied.

My dead stock Texas sounds unbelievably good through my old BF Princeton or BFSR. In fact, with the Princeton cranked, the Texas is absolute Tone Heaven on the neck pickup.

[schroder3000]

I'm going to be swapping out the white pg for a black one soon so I'll try adjusting the height while I'm in there.
Thanks for the tip!

[vanguard]

the texas tele i bought had a neck pickup so weak i thought it was busted. i replaced it with a don mare stelly which was okay, too boomy for me, too much power. nice overall tone though. i just put a lollar alnico III in there which is really nice sounding - it's very clear and sweet. it has low output which gives it a surprising sparkle and ability to handle subtle dynamics.

having said all that, i'd pick a nocaster neck over them all. that nocaster set is just pure magic and doesn't have a rival i've heard from any of the boutique guys.