Don Mare pickup selection

[sevycat]

I picked up a Partscaster Last month. I spent some time looking into what parts I want to upgrade on this guitar and I have figured out everything I want to do to it, except the pickups.

After spending some time reading and watching youtube videos, I find myself leaning toward Don Mare pickups. Problem is, which one. I mostly play rock and blues.

I would like to hear from owners of tele's who use Don Mare pickups and see what you recommend.

Thanks, in advance for any information you can share with me, Christopher.

[JamonHamon]

I have 2 sets of Don Mare pups the Tweed Monster set and 4709 set

I go back and forth on which set I like best

for my tweed amps I love the Tweed Monster and for my Prri I love the 4709 set

[Jellyroll]

I have the DonOcaster and Hot Bakelite sets and they are both beyond excellent, but let Don decide. You can call him, or if you email him there is an automatic response email with a brief questionaire as to type of music, guitar, amp, and desired sound....Don won't steer you wrong, and you won't be disappointed.

[Perry D.]

Get a double-tapped Stingray.. you'll have the Tweed Monster or the 4709 at the flick of a switch!

[DavidS]

Tweed Monster set for me as well. Very versatile set I use for rock, blues, funk, and alt country.

[woodman]

i bought a set of Nancys when Don first started out — they were superb. but his line has broadened out so much that it really would be worthwhile to have a chat so he can pick your brain about the tone you're looking for. i'm currently running an S-Telly on the neck and a customized 2324 on the bridge with great results

[Georgeatt]

I recently ordered Don Mare's "Big Box-Arch Top" for TELE® neck in conjunction with the "Hot BakeLite" /50's Modified bridge. I havent received them yet as it takes six to eight weeks for Don to get them here. I must admit that I am in the dark as far as the sound of the "Big Box-Arch Top" pickup; I could not find any samples as it is a new Mare offering. However, the description intrigued me, "It use's a Taller version Alnico 5 magnets,
with wire 43 and 42 wrapped all on one coil -
it sound s like a Big Box Arch Top / Hollow Body says:
"Rick Holmstrom"
- its a big Gibson® Humbucker like sound -
but with all the cut, bell tones,
and high end treble of Famous Fender single coils left in
Also tappable and comes with wire tap.
Can be wired on full time or tapped.
When its tapped you have 5.9/8k
- simply AWESOME -
This is the REAL CURE to Old complaints,
of whimpy skinny Tele® neck tone of the past..."

Cant wait to try them but my dilemma is wether to use 4-way switching and wether I should take advantage of the 5.9/8k tap

[Ricky D.]

Originally Posted by Georgeatt

I recently ordered Don Mare's "Big Box-Arch Top" for TELE® neck in conjunction with the "Hot BakeLite" /50's Modified bridge. I havent received them yet as it takes six to eight weeks for Don to get them here. I must admit that I am in the dark as far as the sound of the "Big Box-Arch Top" pickup; I could not find any samples as it is a new Mare offering. However, the description intrigued me, "It use's a Taller version Alnico 5 magnets,
with wire 43 and 42 wrapped all on one coil -
it sound s like a Big Box Arch Top / Hollow Body says:
"Rick Holmstrom"
- its a big Gibson® Humbucker like sound -
but with all the cut, bell tones,
and high end treble of Famous Fender single coils left in
Also tappable and comes with wire tap.
Can be wired on full time or tapped.
When its tapped you have 5.9/8k
- simply AWESOME -
This is the REAL CURE to Old complaints,
of whimpy skinny Tele® neck tone of the past..."

Cant wait to try them but my dilemma is wether to use 4-way switching and wether I should take advantage of the 5.9/8k tap

There's no way to find out what that stuff sounds like except to hook'em all up. And no downside to wiring up all the features. You will definitely hear the difference between 5.9K and 8.0K. Same with the 4-way, why not?

[Georgeatt]

Originally Posted by Ricky D.

There's no way to find out what that stuff sounds like except to hook'em all up. And no downside to wiring up all the features. You will definitely hear the difference between 5.9K and 8.0K. Same with the 4-way, why not?

Well I have done a 4-way before, but I'll need to study the tapping aspect. Does this mean that I'll need to put a toggle switch or is it a matter of using something like th S-1 with the push/pull knob?

[sevycat]

Just got done speaking with Don Mare about what pickups to get. He gave me some wonderfull insight as to how to proceed.

After talking about what I wanted to accomplish with the guitar I have, he wanted to know what kind of amp I was using. He recommended that I consider the Don O' casters, Hayride, and the Real Nancy's. That is a big help for me, because there are so many different sets of pickups.

Each of the three selections that we talked about were tempered with information on how the different pickups would respond with different amps.

I asked him questions like:

Q: Should I Have the pickups was potted?

A: He stated that all his pickups are lightly potted and if you play metal,
then he will pot them for about ten minutes.

Q: What is the difference between having staggered pole pieces and just
having the flat pole pieces?

A: I think it was done because Gibson had adjustable pickups back in the
day. I can hardly hear any difference, some state that they are brighter
sounding with the stagger pole pieces.

I am still trying to decide which set to get, at least I know know what to focus in on to obtain my tonal sound goal. This leaves me with asking myself, should I go out and buy another tele? Then I would get two of the three sets and have more options open. Hmmm!

[Jellyroll]

Originally Posted by sevycat

This leaves me with asking myself, should I go out and buy another tele? Then I would get two of the three sets and have more options open. Hmmm!

That's what I did!! Started with the DonOcasters, and loved em sooo much I got another tele and put in the Hot Bakelites. I am already thinking about a Classic Vibe Squier so I can get a classic country sounding set from him. Joel Foy or Hayrides.....They really are great pickups.

[Ricky D.]

Originally Posted by Georgeatt

Well I have done a 4-way before, but I'll need to study the tapping aspect. Does this mean that I'll need to put a toggle switch or is it a matter of using something like th S-1 with the push/pull knob?

Toggle or push-pull, your choice. You just need a switch to select the tap. If it was mine I would use the push-pull - staying with the stock look.

[JayScott]

I have Don's Green Onions/4041 set in a '68 maple neck. This is the best sound from this guitar I've EVER heard, and I've been playing it since 1984. For perspective, the previous bridge PU is a mid '50's Fender (I mean an actual old one) that I scored in a parts buy in the early 70's, cheap because it was broken. Fortunately it was just one that needed a turn unwrapped from the the coil and resoldered to the eyelet. Great pckup, but it's sitting on the shelf now! Don Mare rules!!

I like the Onions set so much I got a Night Flyers Strat set, with equally great results. Both sets were Don's recommendations. I think that's the way to go. I doubt he's winding anything that isn't great!

[leewhit]

Gotta get in on this one. You will love his pickups sooooo much, you might have to get an extra source of income to try everything he offers. I have a "Green Onions" with flat poles and a two-tapped (6.0 and 7.0) that both just kill. Also, two middle position Strat pups in my Teles that are 6.8 in one and 6.0 in the other. Both real nice. The "Josie" set in my Strat is very nice too. Just a real great tone from his stuff that has the highs, and lows in the right amount. Hard to find that in other pickups. Bright, but doesn't cut your head off like most others do. They have that "breathing" and "alive" feel to them like you only find in about one in a hundred old Teles. (Just because it's an old Tele doesn't mean it's a great sounding one. I've come across some that were not all that.) When you do find one that's great, it's hard to walk away from it. D.M. pups will do that to your guitar!

[JimmyJam]

I have a Don Mare 0038 bridge paired with a Gibson P-90 neck.
That is some sweet tone right there...

[sapi]

I have a 4709 set and a Tweed Monster bridge - i like both very much esp with the 4 way switching.

[nixpix]

I have his Green Onions set in my AVRI '62 and these are my favorite pickups... Tele or otherwise. I had his Donocaster set, but I prefer the Onions.

[Jellyroll]

Originally Posted by nixpix

I have his Green Onions set in my AVRI '62 and these are my favorite pickups... Tele or otherwise. I had his Donocaster set, but I prefer the Onions.

Would you give a brief compare/contrast between green onions and donocasters?

[nixpix]

Originally Posted by Jellyroll

Would you give a brief compare/contrast between green onions and donocasters?

Well, I'll try. Both sets have great dynamics and tone. I'd describe the Green Onions as "glassy" and smooth. The high end also sounds very "open". They can be very polite or can get super great twang. But with varying amounts of overdrive they also sound fantastic. They really do sound like Steve Croppers Tele tone on the song of the same name. They also get a great Jerry Reed sound. For my playing (anywhere from Scotty Moore to Led Zep to pop), these are very versatile.

The Donocaster sounded more focused in the mids and have a great raw 50's Tele tone. Overdriven sounds were different; with slight overdrive, the Donocaster had an "attitude" that I loved. I didn't spend more than 2 days with them, though, because I knew another set would suit me better, so I wish I could describe them in more detail. I sent them back, talked to Don, and he recommended the Onions. I've never looked back since. I guess I prefer "60's style" pickups.

[Jellyroll]

Thanks nixpix. So would you say the green onions are slightly less middy? I am trying (slowly) to narrow down my next Mare set and want somethin a little more scooped and country soundin.

[nixpix]

Jellyroll... yeah, I'd say less middy and very country sounding (assuming I hear mids the way most people do ). Don described the Onions as less bright than the Hayrides, but more bright than the Super Sports. I think they do country well, but they also do many things well.

[Stylemaster]

Reviving this thread.......for fun!

[In Tune]

Originally Posted by nixpix

I have his Green Onions set in my AVRI '62 and these are my favorite pickups... Tele or otherwise. I had his Donocaster set, but I prefer the Onions.

Do these Onions have the White, Cloth, wire??? I think its going to be the "Onions" for me .......These are a bit hotter???

[pabarge]

I have a pair of Don Mare 2324 Nancys with a Nickel-Silver neck pickup cover (more transparent instead of brass) and my next buy will be the Hayride / Bakersfield. Great pickups.

Can anyone recommend ash or alder Tele body for the Hayride pickups?