Bill&Becky noiseless or humbucker pickups?

[teleup]

Hi All,

I need you`re thoughts on Bill&Becky`s pickups, what pickup in their lineup would sound similar to Barden`s (Danny Gatton model)
I`m looking for something loud/bright and clear sounding
yeah, I know...if you "if you want Bardens..then buy them"
it`s just I`m not in the position to shell out that $ amount at this time..
I value your honest thoughts my friends

[surfco]

I haven't tried the Bardens, but I have tried their L-48TL double blade bridge pickup.
Lots of clarity and high end without being harsh or brittle.
I recommend it.

[Derek Kiernan]

Originally Posted by surfco

I haven't tried the Bardens, but I have tried their L-48TL double blade bridge pickup.
Lots of clarity and high end without being harsh or brittle.
I recommend it.

You might like that with the L280TN. The new microcoils are also phenomenal, and while they're true single coils, they have dramatically reduced noise.

[teleup]

Originally Posted by Derek Kiernan

You might like that with the L280TN. The new microcoils are also phenomenal, and while they're true single coils, they have dramatically reduced noise.

is the L280N basically a Fender neck noiseless? I`m looking for a brighter/clear tone for the neck and bridge that has good output (bolder tone)

[Tele-phone man]

Originally Posted by teleup

is the L280N basically a Fender neck noiseless? I`m looking for a brighter/clear tone for the neck and bridge that has good output (bolder tone)

The L280 is comparable to a traditional single coil in output, but it isn't a Fender neck noiseless. The L280 is better pickup. It is clearer and louder than a traditional Tele neck, but it isn't as loud as the Barden neck. I've had both, and I currently use the L280. However, I still think the Barden neck pup was the finest I ever used, and I don't think that Wilde pickup have any model that can deliver both the muscular output AND clarity of the Barden pickups.

If the Bardens are prohibitively expensive, I recommend the L280TN/L290TL combo. For the money, NOTHING out there can give you that kind of performance. One caveat: the L290TL doesn't do well in stamped steel bridges. You need to use a stainless or brass bridgeplate to realize the full potential of the L290TL.

[teleup]

Originally Posted by Tele-phone man

The L280 is comparable to a traditional single coil in output, but it isn't a Fender neck noiseless. The L280 is better pickup. It is clearer and louder than a traditional Tele neck, but it isn't as loud as the Barden neck. I've had both, and I currently use the L280. However, I still think the Barden neck pup was the finest I ever used, and I don't think that Wilde pickup have any model that can deliver both the muscular output AND clarity of the Barden pickups.

If the Bardens are prohibitively expensive, I recommend the L280TN/L290TL combo. For the money, NOTHING out there can give you that kind of performance. One caveat: the L290TL doesn't do well in stamped steel bridges. You need to use a stainless or brass bridgeplate to realize the full potential of the L290TL.

excellent info Tele-phone man, so the L280N/L280TL are not like the samarian noiseless pickups, I`m looking for something on the bright side with decent power, one reason I`m asking is I`m replacing N2s on my American deluxe and would be bummed if they were the same type of tone/pickup

[teleup]

Originally Posted by Derek Kiernan

You might like that with the L280TN. The new microcoils are also phenomenal, and while they're true single coils, they have dramatically reduced noise.

I had microcoils, great pickup only the bridge polepieces were too high for my style, when I would play hard/aggressive passages I would contact the polepiece, that was the dealbreaker

heres an example of what I mean(aggressive picking)
http://youtu.be/73BjJbVbKQI

[Derek Kiernan]

I think I saw you mention that before. While I think it should just be a matter of pickup height adjustment, it's possible that if you contacted them they'd be able to do a flush-pole set for you. Some of the micros in the testing stage used flat poles rather than screws, and Bill offers screws as an option for the L280s but doesn't mention it on the website, so they might be able to go the other way without much difficulty.

Another option, of course, is to use the Strat-sized L45 in the Tele's neck position. Bill worked on a dual blade Tele neck but doesn't like the results of the smaller spacing required to get them in a Tele neck package. He never put it on the market because the L280TN was superior. Some people have used the L45 in their Tele's neck - all the reports I have seen have been very positive :D