Twisted Tele Neck Pickup -- Custom Shop or not?

[TeleKato]

So one of the TDPRIers wrote me based upon some posts I'd made, wherein I referenced having both a Classic Player Baja -- featuring a Twisted Tele neck pickup, and a Custom Shop Tele -- featuring a CS Twisted Tele neck pickup. He said -- and I also am aware -- that there's been some questioning and discussion in the forums about this issue -- are they the same pickups?

Particularly the question is whether the MIM Classic Player Baja has a "for-real" Custom Shop Twisted Tele in the neck. Or whether it is simply "Custom Shop Designed" ... made from the same specs, made to sound like it, et.

So, not that this is definitive, but here's some photographic evidence.

The Green Tele is my Custom Shop "Limited Edition Deluxe" Tele, purchased earlier this year (2011) from Musician's Friend. It is a 2010 model and apparently made to order by the Custom Shop for MF. It is a $2000 guitar.

The Beige Tele (Desert Sand) is my Classic Player Baja, purchased used recently. According to the serial number, it is a 2006-07 production. I bought it for $575 from a 'Distant Guitar Center' and new ones are $799.

Both have 4-way switching. The Baja has the S-1 switch option on top of that.

Okay ...

Custom Shop: Three wires -- Yellow, Black, White. Magnet pieces are pretty much flush with the bottom plate; stick out just a little.

Baja: Three wires -- Yellow, Black, and Green. Magnet pieces stick out from the bottom plate a good bit more than the CS version.

So I'll let you draw your own conclusions and make your own inferences.

What I think this says is that these are not the same pickups. They may have similar specs for windings and such; they may have similar output characteristics and sounds. But I do not believe that the Twisted Tele in the neck of the Baja is from the Custom Shop; meaning I don't think they make them up in the States and then ship them to the Mexico plant to be built into the Bajas. That, of course, is speculative on my part.

Hope this has some value.

[figaro]

Thanks for doing this Brian. Definitely not the same pickups. I know they are in different teles but do they sound very different?

[TeleKato]

Originally Posted by figaro

Thanks for doing this Brian. Definitely not the same pickups. I know they are in different teles but do they sound very different?

That is --- as you imply -- a tough question. I'm gonna have to say 'yes' ... but to do the proper experiment, I'd have to swap 'em and see. And if you know me, you know that me and soldering are not on speaking terms.

I think the key is you asking are they 'VERY' different. I would say no ... that they are not VERY different. I've tried really hard to set both up (height-wise). And I think these sound better on the closer-setting (i.e., the one-nickel/two-nickel level, if you're familiar with that height-setting technique). With these, I get 'em to that start point and turn the screws a half-turn closer on the treble side.

If you're wondering about acquiring one of these for a build -- I'd say do it. You can't buy the CS ones anyway -- unless you chop a CS guitar.

I have to tell you that I LOVE Teles -- and love messing with different guitars and pickups and stuff, because the sounds are so diverse. I have six Teles right now, and each has it's own unique sound. It encourages me to practice each day a LOT because I want to play each and hear those differences (in the same songs especially).

Thanks for asking ... this was an interesting little investigation.

[Michaell]

Something tells me the CS pickups are different. Did you call Fender?

There's a video on You Tube where Mike Eldred of the CS explains how the Twisted Tele pickups for the CS Custom Deluxe tele were developed.

I recenty received a CS tele that I ordered. The body and lectronis were the same as the CS Custom Deleuxe, but the neck was totally different....( 12" fretboard radius, modern C shape, largest frets Dunlop makes, no fretboard, AA maple neck, recessed heal )... ....anyway I absolutely love the sound of the Twisted Tele and the Hot Nocaster Bridge. This guitars just sounds incredible.

[devnulljp]

How can you tell if a pickup is the CS version? I see loads on fleabay implying or outright saying "Custom Shop Twisted Tele" but with the green wire. Often with the magnets flush at the bottom though.
Very confusing.

Like this one:
FENDER CUSTOM SHOP TWISTED TELE Telecaster Neck Pickup




Green wire but flush magnets

[Colt W. Knight]

According to the Fender Spec sheet for the Baja

Neck Pickup:

Custom Shop "Twisted" Tele® Single-Coil Neck Pickup



I would be willing to bet it is the same pickup. The wire color is most likely a function of whatever color wire the builder decided to load into the spool. They may have made 10,000 one color, ran out of that color, and spooled in another color. And the mag poles could be individual variation among pickups. Supervisor X may like them flush, while Supervisor Y likes em to stick out a bit. Or its just normal variation.

[pondcaster]

Originally Posted by Colt W. Knight

According to the Fender Spec sheet for the Baja Neck Pickup: Custom Shop "Twisted" Tele® Single-Coil Neck Pickup


I would be willing to bet it is the same pickup. The wire color is most likely a function of whatever color wire the builder decided to load into the spool. They may have made 10,000 one color, ran out of that color, and spooled in another color. And the mag poles could be individual variation among pickups. Supervisor X may like them flush, while Supervisor Y likes em to stick out a bit. Or its just normal variation.

I'm inclined to think this...

[jackal]

I've installed two-----one of each type of wiring-----they sound the same to me.

[SMark]

I also believe that they are otherwise the same pickup.

But if you want to thicken the plot just a bit more, check out my Custom Shop Twisted Tele below...

[AJBaker]

Did you measure the DCR? And for what it's worth, on my Baja the magnets don't really stick out.

[Eric Clapton]

My understanding, from a conversation with a Fender USA rep is, the Custom Shop guitars have black/ white/ yellow wires, the non-Custom Shop black/ green/ yellow.

Other than that, THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE! Both USA made. I actually bought some non-CS TTs when last in the States and still have one in it's sealed pack stating 'Made in USA'.

[sjtalon]

Originally Posted by Eric Clapton

My understanding, from a conversation with a Fender USA rep is, the Custom Shop guitars have black/ white/ yellow wires, the non-Custom Shop black/ green/ yellow.

Correct

[Stylemaster]

Wish Fender could be more forthcoming about the difference or similarity between the two. I'm sick of controversies and mysteries. I just want to get on with playing my Tele.