Budz Purebred Tele PU's for my 2002 Am Std

[Groberts]

I've been going down the road of trying some highly regarded PU's in my 2002 American Standard Tele. Very close to true love with a Lindy Fralin 2% overwound neck PU and Fralin Blues Special Bridge PU. But I've read so many positive comments about Budz PU's, including nice comments from Hahn and Redd Volkaert.

I went to the Budz website and listened to the sound clips. The Purebred PU sound clips pretty much nail Tele tones I love. So I made the phone call and had a nice chat with Dave, the owner, PU builder. He directed me to a sale for TDPRI members that I was not aware of! So .....a set of Purebred PU's was placed!

Can't wait to try them out! The Fralin Blues Specials are good, but I felt the Fralin bridge PU could use just a little more natural 'drive'. I have a very good feeling about the Budz! Will keep you posted once I get them installed!

[Stylemaster]

Did he suggest you get the "Stylemaster" neck pickup? One guess what guy helped with the design that it's named after. It's a really special pickup, if I do say so myself.

[Groberts]

Originally Posted by Stylemaster

Did he suggest you get the "Stylemaster" neck pickup? One guess what guy helped with the design that it's named after. It's a really special pickup, if I do say so myself.

If the stylemaster is the standard ou in the Purebred set in the soundclips, then yes. I don't remember him saying stylemaster or not. But it's not the 42 neck.

The soundclips of the Purebred set are superb and pushed me over the edge. Now I wait and will find out for myself sooon!

In any event, the Purebred PU st shipped! I should have them Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest!

[Groberts]

PS: Yes, as it turns out, the Stylemaster is the neck PU that's coming! It's gonna have to be something special to replace a Fralin 2% overwound neck PU currently in my Tele. I am really very happy with the Fralin. But I went with Dave's recommendations to match the neck PU with the bridge PU I am getting from him.

I LOVE the sound clips of that Stylemaster neck PU! Percussive, buttery and sweet and clear! All at the same time!

[Stylemaster]

Originally Posted by Groberts

PS: Yes, as it turns out, the Stylemaster is the neck PU that's coming! It's gonna have to be something special to replace a Fralin 2% overwound neck PU currently in my Tele. I am really very happy with the Fralin. But I went with Dave's recommendations to match the neck PU with the bridge PU I am getting from him.

I LOVE the sound clips of that Stylemaster neck PU! Percussive, buttery and sweet and clear! All at the same time!

That's great. I hope you like them and that the Stylemaster neck pickup is what you're looking for. Please let me know what you think. I think it's a great pickup. Tallest Tele neck pickup I ever saw! I didn't know Dave's got sound clips for the SM pup on his site. And yes, he is a great guy and wonderful to talk to and work with.

[Whoa Tele]

I have 2 sets of 542 and talls in a CV BSB and CVC. Dave makes great stuff.

[Groberts]

Originally Posted by Whoa Tele

I have 2 sets of 542 and talls in a CV BSB and CVC. Dave makes great stuff.

What are 542's? I only see Purebred, Mongrels and 42's on the website.

[Groberts]

Guess what came in the mail today!?!$!

Gonna break out the soldering iron on Tuesday!

[BWNadeau]

Lookin forward to your response - I'm a big fan of David and his work. I may have to order up one of these Stylmasters and try it out;)

[Whoa Tele]

Originally Posted by Groberts

What are 542's? I only see Purebred, Mongrels and 42's on the website.

The 542's have al 5 mags on the low E and A which provide a little more twang when you're trying to do the Duane Eddy thang. Otherwise they are the same as the 42's to the best of my knowledge. Email Daave He'll let you know for sure.

[Whoa Tele]

Originally Posted by Groberts

What are 542's? I only see Purebred, Mongrels and 42's on the website.

The 542's have al 5 mags on the low E and A which provide a little more twang when you're trying to do the Duane Eddy thang. Otherwise they are the same as the 42's to the best of my knowledge. Email Dave He'll let you know for sure.

[Groberts]

I got the Budz PU's installed in my Rosewood/Alder Am Standard Tele today. and I put on a set of Ernie Ball Slinky .11's.

The short review: Wow! Freaking wonderful!

The longer review: (I played them for about an hour, so this is clearly 'honeymoon phase'. ...more to come as more will be discovered as I get more intimately familiar with what these Budz Purebreds are all about!)

The Budz neck PU is labelled "Purebred" on the back. So maybe it's not the Stylemaster? ...Unless the Stylemaster is the neck PU mate to the Purebred bridge PU? I'm not sure.

That said, the Purebred neck PU is easily the equal of the Fralin 2% overwound neck PU that I have loved since I got it. I think the Budz neck PU however is way better. It is clear as a bell, warm, buttery and thick, yet retains plenty of clarity and it sustains and seems very touch sensitive. It inspires my left hand fingering and has a feeling of being 'alive' and vibrant. I can get some killer bluesy and jazzy tones from this PU. Hit it with overdrive and it's pure Butter!! Melts right into a harmonically rich combination of brown sugar and molasses! Mmm ...yum!

The middle PU position is fairly classic Tele. Lots of nice spanky funky tones. The middle PU position hovers a bit closer to rock and funk sounds than twang, yet t it has plenty of classic Tele Middle PU position spank.

The Bridge PU has wonderful midrange meat to it. It nails "rock tones" ala Rolling Stones when overdriven and it can nail a searing Texas roadhouse blues tone as well. On clean sounds, the Bridge PU is very "Broadcaster" (A supreme compliment) ....in that is has a thick rich midrange while being very balanced top to bottom. There is zero icepick (none!) in the highs at all. Never shrill.

These Budz Purebred PU's are to ally Kick-Ass PU's! Best set I've had yet! So far I've tried: Fralin's stock, Fralin Blues Specials, Nocaster Custom Shop, Seymour Duncan Five-Two's, Fender Am Std stock PU's etc.

The Budz Purebred Bridge PU seems hotter to me than the Fralin Blues Special Bridge PU. That is what I wanted! I liked the Blues Special a lot, but it didn't quite 'scream' like I wanted it to when I hit it with overdrive or more Power tube amp overdrive.

I'd have to go back to the Fralin Blues Special again to really hear what it does in contrast. I played the Blues Specials for quite a while however, so I have a pretty good handle on what they do. The Budz Purebred PU set sounds soooo good I am not inclined to make any changes for quite some time. I like them so much initially, I expect that feeling to remain.

Thank you Dave (if you're out there!)

[Ringo]

I recently put a Budz bridge pickup in my Tele and I like it a lot!
I have tried a lot of different Tele pickups over the years, including a Fralin Blues and I like the Budz better than anything else I've had in the guitar.
I have a Barden Tele neck pickup, it's not going anywhere, it's hands down the best Tele neck pickup I've ever tried and it mixes well with the Budz bridge pickup.

[Groberts]

Originally Posted by Ringo

I recently put a Budz bridge pickup in my Tele and I like it a lot!
I have tried a lot of different Tele pickups over the years, including a Fralin Blues and I like the Budz better than anything else I've had in the guitar.
I have a Barden Tele neck pickup, it's not going anywhere, it's hands down the best Tele neck pickup I've ever tried and it mixes well with the Budz bridge pickup.

That's awesome. If you liked the Budz Bridge. Dude, you will FLIP over the neck PU. It is seriously amazing!

[Ringo]

I probably would like the Budz neck pickup a lot, but I'm happy with what I have.
I've been at this stage before and then decided to change things and it seems that I never get back to where I was, so this time I'm going to leave well enough alone!

I bet the set of Budz pickups really made a difference in your Am Std, sounds like you're a happy camper!

[Groberts]

I got back home tuesday night from a holiday trip and spent more time checking out my Tele with the Budz Purebred PU's.

First off, I confirmed the neck PU is indeed a Purebred, Not Stylemaster. David said the Stylemaster is a touch warmer and hotter than the Purebred.

The Purebred neck PU is blowing my mind with it's sweet richness, harmonic clarity and touch sensitivity. I've had Fender Twisted Tele Neck Pu's, Fender CS Nocaster, Fralin 2% overwound, Fralin Blues Special and Seymour Duncan Five-Two Neck PU's. Of all these, the Budz Purebred is my favorite. Ever! I can't imagine wanting more from a Tele Neck PU. It's that good. The Stylemaster is no doubt equally amazing and might mate with a hotter bridge PU. I don't need that however.

The Purebred Bridge PU again has a killer Broadcaster-ish Midrange and it is incredibly touch sensitive and very harmonically rich. There is no ice pick or edginess in the high range. The Purebred Bridge PU is wound to around 8K I believe. It is the perfect balance of clean, clear Tele twang tone that is fat and full and when I hit it with overdrive, I get amazing searing classic Rock and blues Tele sounds.

This is exactly what I wanted. I don't do much bakersfield twang or country licks. I wanted a Tele that is a bit more 60's Rock and these PU's nail that.

This a grew, highly versatile PU set that plays any style of music. Yes they twang, but i think the strong suit of these PU's is the balance of great cleans and overdriven tones that lends them to any style of music from blues, jazz, funky pop, alternative modern sounds to rock and classic rock.

Bottom line, after playing on these for a few hours at home trying every and any style of music, I am totally blown away. Very VERY Happy!@!#@$!

[Stylemaster]

Glad to hear it. Dave's the best! Still, I'm hoping to hear someone else's review of the Stylemaster neck pickup. It's everything you said the Purebread is, only more. And it pushes the amp more which is great for blues and rock.

[Groberts]

Took my Tele to a friends house tonigh. Compared it to a Masterbuilt 62 custom shop Fender. damn! It was a shockingly favorable comparison. My guitar is a 2002 Fender Amrerican standard. I think it's a very good one. But Hesse Budz Purebred PU's took it to custom shop level. My friend was so impressed I think he's going to order a set too! He has a Hahn, 51 Nocaster, 62 Masterbuilt fender, Surh classic T etc. in other words, he knows good Tele's! These PU's are exceptional. That simple.

I think I might order a stylemaster neck PU after all. I want to hear it!

[Stylemaster]

Originally Posted by Groberts

Took my Tele to a friends house tonigh. Compared it to a Masterbuilt 62 custom shop Fender. damn! It was a shockingly favorable comparison. My guitar is a 2002 Fender Amrerican standard. I think it's a very good one. But Hesse Budz Purebred PU's took it to custom shop level. My friend was so impressed I think he's going to order a set too! He has a Hahn, 51 Nocaster, 62 Masterbuilt fender, Surh classic T etc. in other words, he knows good Tele's! These PU's are exceptional. That simple.

I think I might order a stylemaster neck PU after all. I want to hear it!

Did you ever order the Stylemaster neck pickup? And whether you did or didn't, now that you've gone through the honeymoon phase with Budz's pickups how do feel about them now?

[Groberts]

Originally Posted by Stylemaster

Did you ever order the Stylemaster neck pickup? And whether you did or didn't, now that you've gone through the honeymoon phase with Budz's pickups how do feel about them now?

I never ordered the Stylemaster neck because I really LOVE the Purebred Neck PU. Yes, I still think the Budz PU's are amazing!