Which bridge pickup for modern player tele?

[NikolajD]

I can't decide which bridge pickup i should choose for my new tele.
I am looking for a ZZ top or maybe AC/DC kind of a sound.

The guitar i am talking about is a Fender Modern Player Telecaster Plus.
- Maple fretboard
- Pine body (I've heard it should be sounding like ash?)
- Bridge pickup that is closer to the bridge than other telecasters (see picture)

I've been looking at these pickups from Seymour Duncan:
- SH-4 JB
- SHPG-1 Pearly Gates

But I'm afraid of the sound would be too thin and annoying cause of the close pickup and guitar specs?

What do you guys think?
Any pickups you would recommend?

[Teleterr]

I think 7/8 inch is the distance mine all are .875. I have a Duncan SH-14 Custom 5 as a bridge. If you need to tame highs thats a good one. Sounds like a '59 Neck, but an octave lower. Having the pole coil next to the bridge removes treble as well.And actually sounds better w the N HB in that orientation IMO. After trying some out and you still can't find one that works, PM me, I have a Bartolini thats super dark, but warm with no mud.I might pass it on at a fair price.Bartolini stays away from trad tones so he's little known , but his p/ups are unsurpassed.I think Stars bought him out.They come up on ebay sometimes cheap.

[NikolajD]

Originally Posted by Teleterr

I think 7/8 inch is the distance mine all are .875. I have a Duncan SH-14 Custom 5 as a bridge. If you need to tame highs thats a good one. Sounds like a '59 Neck, but an octave lower. Having the pole coil next to the bridge removes treble as well.And actually sounds better w the N HB in that orientation IMO. After trying some out and you still can't find one that works, PM me, I have a Bartolini thats super dark, but warm with no mud.I might pass it on at a fair price.Bartolini stays away from trad tones so he's little known , but his p/ups are unsurpassed.I think Stars bought him out.They come up on ebay sometimes cheap.

Thanks for your reply!

I will not start out to experiment that much with pickups without having tried a simple replacement. Your measure from the pickup to the bridge is also slightly different than mine.

Edit: Thanks for your offer, but I'm from Denmark, so the taxes and delivery is not worth it, compared to a new one.

I just realized that Jeff Becks Tele-Gib got a maple fretboard and a humbucker close to the bridge too. So i think i would start out with a SH-4 JB.
I have sent an e-mail to Seymour Duncan. They would recommed that i choose a SH-4, because it's very versatile pickup!

But according to Seymour Duncan's website, they recommend SH-4 JB for rosewood fretboards. That confuses me!

Seymour Duncan couldn't answer me about the gab from bridge pickup to bridge, so i would like to hear any experience from all of you

[Teleterr]

Duncan JBs are kind of quacky if you like that.Not like ZZ Top or AC/DC at all.I can't stand them. Listen to Becks HB stuff. They have that stuck wah-wah sound which I like hearing from Jeff , but don't want on my guitar.