Texas Tele "Hot Vintage" Pickups - opinions?

[darkhorse28]

Anyone have any feedback/ opinions on the Highway 1 Texas Tele "Hot Vintage" pickups, for example in relation to the vintage pickups in the regular Highway 1 or 50's Classic? I live in an area where it is difficult to try out new gear, so all responses would be helpful. Thanks.

[GeorgiaTele]

I'm not sure if these have Texas Special Tele pups or some other type. I put US Custom Shop Texas Specials on my '50's Tele (MIM) and LOVE them. I also have a CS Nocaster with the Nocaster pups. While the Nocaster and TX Spec. pups are a little different, I love the grind I get from the TX Specials. Lots of mids and still plenty of high end.

[Mr. Jinx]

I really can't speak to the question because I am waiting for a set of Texas Specials to arrive ... however I live in Marietta as well and was struck by how small the World Wide Web really is.

[GeorgiaTele]

Originally Posted by Mr. Jinx

I really can't speak to the question because I am waiting for a set of Texas Specials to arrive ... however I live in Marietta as well and was struck by how small the World Wide Web really is.

Actually, I moved to Douglasville recently. Whe you get the TX Specials, don't try to follow the wiring diagram on the box. Unless they've changed it, it's incorrect. Wire them just like your original pups, but run the 3rd wire on the neck pup to ground, along with the normal ground wire. That is, unless you are installing a 4-way switch. Then, you're on your own.......I used a .033 cap on the tone control with these and it makes for a very interesting tone with the control turned down. Not as bassy as a .047, but very "punchy".

[BrianF]

I have the bridge pickup and don't like it at all. It is very dark sounding, loud and all the highs are rolled off. It robs all of the true Tele tone...all of the transparency and acooustic nature of the Tele are gone....

[GeorgiaTele]

Originally Posted by BrianF

I have the bridge pickup and don't like it at all. It is very dark sounding, loud and all the highs are rolled off. It robs all of the true Tele tone...all of the transparency and acooustic nature of the Tele are gone....

Hmmm...I don't hear that on mine. I still have plenty of highs. Not quite as much as my Nocaster, but enough. Do you have a treble bleed cap on your volume control? I guess it's a matter of individual taste and playing style.

[Kelsey]

I don't think that the pickups in the current HWY1 Texas Tele are CS Texas Special Tele pickups. Fender would tout that as a feature if they had 'em in there. If they call 'em hot vintage, then it's a different pickup, perhaps an overwound version of the MiM Classic pickups.

[Mr. Jinx]

Thanks for the wiring advice. There's a guy around here who doesn't charge much, so I leave all that work to more capable hands.