Don Mare + Keystones on the way

[superbadj]

Been looking for a set of great pickups to slide into my TL-52, which is just an awesome guitar.



Obviously heard a ton of great things about Mare pickups and Bill Lawrence's stuff. Given Bill's insanely low prices, I decided to order both!

Mare Hot Bakelite set, along with a standard Keystone set.

I think the Hot Bakelites will go into the '52. I also have an '85 MIJ 62 reissue that may become the new home for the Keystones. Haven't decided for sure yet. Sometimes I think those MIJ pickups need to be replaced. Sometimes I really like them!

So maybe this is an excuse to begin another build, eh?

I can't wait!

[Yammerman]

I too am waiting for Hot Bakerlites to turn up. It was the devils own job to decide which Don Mares to go for so I hope we both made the right choice.
I'm putting mine in a 98 Thinline.

[IMG] DSC_2740 by Yammerman, on Flickr[/IMG]

[soulman969]

A set of Keystones and 4-way switch are going in my CVC tomorrow. Kind of excited to hear what the sound like.

[BrenReg]

I'm getting ready to order a set of Bakelites for a partscaster. Keep us updated, and let us know what you think once you install them

[Derek Kiernan]

Originally Posted by soulman969

A set of Keystones and 4-way switch are going in my CVC tomorrow. Kind of excited to hear what the sound like.

Use Bill's "nickel method" for setting up the heights:

As a general rule for the bridge pickup - put a nickel on top of the pickup under the high E string and play the highest note on that string. Adjust the height on that side of the pickup till the string touches the nickel. Repeat the same with the low E string, but use two nickels on top of each other. If this gives you too much output, you can reduce the height slightly. Don't forget that twice the distance will reduce the output by about 60%, and the sound will lose some lows. NOW, you can adjust the neck pickup to match the output of the bridge pickup. For the sound test, use stage volume.

When setting the amp, don't be afraid to turn up mids or turn down treble and bass. They don't have a highend attenuated from shorts in the coil (or from the neck pickup cover), which are pretty common across pickups in the market.

[rolling56]

Originally Posted by superbadj

Been looking for a set of great pickups to slide into my TL-52, which is just an awesome guitar.

How old is that guitar? Really nice looking from here. Is that all natural wear?

[AJBaker]

Be sure to let us know how the keystones and mares compare!

[superbadj]

Rolling 56: it's a 1996 MIJ (has the anniversary sticker on it, so that's how I know). As for the wear, I assume so. I bought it a few months ago from a guy in Fort Wayne, indiana, on Craigslist. Someone posted about it on here, and I got it a hell of a deal on it.

Really love the guitar. The neck has a strong Vee shape, and it's thick: .98 at the first fret, and just over an inch at the 12th. The Vee shape makes it play so comfortably, though. It deserves great pickups and electronics! I have Callaham hardware (knobs, control plate) and a new control setup (CTS, electrosocket, etc., standard good electronics) ready to be installed when I put in the new pickups.

Can't wait!

And yeah, AJ, I'll post when I install anything. I think the Mares are going in this TL52. The Keystones will either end up in my old MIJ 62 reissue, or...in a new guitar! lol.

[Phatius]

soooo jealous. i had the same tele. 96 mij blonde with the 50th sticker on the back. traded her for a martin acoustic. love the martin but i deeply miss that tele.