Texas special pickups

[timjohnsmith87]

I got standard pickups in my Tele. Was thinking of going Texas specials. What are they like?

[kinkstah]

Assuming you're asking about the CS Texas Specials (very different from the Texas Specials that come on some MIM FSR models and on American Special Teles) they are overwound, high output PUs (ranging from 10K to 10.5K). I can't comment on the neck pickup, but I have one CS Tx Sp in the bridge position.
To my ears, apart from being louder, they basically sound more mide-rangey than your typical vintage Tele PU, yet providing good twang with a proper setup. Actually I like it very very much, but had to adjust the height several times to achieve the sound I like. When set too high, they can be very harsh/ice-picky. Once they're lowered, they shine IMHO.

[Rod Parsons]

I have a CS Texas Special in the neck position of my American Standard. Extreamly good sounding to my ears. I have a CS 52 vintage reissue from '94 in my bridge. So I don't know much about the Tex Sp. for the bridge. I do know that it's HOT.

[Chet Johnson]

I played my 1996 fender b bender tele with a set of CS Texas specials that i added for 13 years as my primary gigging guitar before i started building my own guitars. They are a good over all pickup. Hotter and darker than typical vintage pickups, and can rock or twang. Not a bad set of pickups.

[Hiker]

What's the output, or difference in the MIM Tex Specials?

[TeleKato]

Originally Posted by Hiker

What's the output, or difference in the MIM Tex Specials?

For the bridge pickup .... A Custom Shop Texas Special will be 10.0-10.5 Kohms. The MIM version Fender puts in the American Special is much higher ... the one I had measured 15.82 Kohms.

[timjohnsmith87]

Thanks for all your replies, I'm learning lots since I joined this forum last week.

[GregWV]

I had CS Texas Specials in my Tele. The bridge pickup was too bright for me-even after adjusting the bridge height. I really liked the neck pickup and currently am using it in my Am STD.

[Ronkirn]

thinking of going Texas specials. What are they like?

If ya play like SRV, you're gonna sound like Stevie…. if ya play like Bonnie Raitt, you're gonna sound like Bonnie Raitt.. If you play like yourself, you're gonna sound like yourself, with a more bell like tone….

If you can't play well, does it really matter…

Ron Kirn

[sjtalon]

I have one Tele with the CS TS and love them. Good twang from the bridge and kick but too for a single coil. I love the bridge. The neck has great tone too.

ALL SUBJECTIVE of coarse. There are piles of great pups out there and you have to make the choice with your ears, but for Fender brand pups they are quite well liked................as long as you are not to LAZY to play with the heights and controls to get them dialed in, then trash talk them, like some Strat people do as well.

The 4 way switch ( to get series) is really great with these, sounds like a neck humbucker for the most part.

[sjtalon]

Originally Posted by Hiker

What's the output, or difference in the MIM Tex Specials?

Not MIM pups.......... there are FRS MIM GUITARS that have them is what kinkstah posted.

[sjtalon]

Originally Posted by TeleKato

The MIM version Fender puts in the American Special

I wouldn't agree MIM Texas Specials. Mfc. country is unknown as far as I have read.


Notes I have show some bridge at:

15.9 and 15.67 KΩ

[Rod Parsons]

The real custom shop Texas Specials are, from all I have read on this forum, way better sounding pickups than the ones that come stock in the American Special Teles... There have been complaints about the American Special Tele's being too dark and lacking sparkle. 15 K ohms in a single coil is too hot for a lot of sparkle, in my opinion.

[bb wolf]

How about the Texas Specials in the SRV Strat. Same as CS or ?

[sjtalon]

Those would be custom shop, the newer, so called TS's are in the Specials.

Funny thing is the SRV should have 57/62's actually.

[Blues Twanger]

CS Texas Special tele pups are my favorite, as close as you'll get to a hot vintage instrument IMHO.

[73Fender]

I just installed a set in my 2011 Am Std with a 4 way. Like them. Also pleased to find they are noise canceling when used together.

[Toto'sDad]

What would you say is the difference between the stock pickups and the TS? Do you think it's a subjective thing or could anyone hear a notable difference, discounting that obviously the series position would offer a lot different option, than the stock pickups could produce wired stock.

[musicmatty]

Originally Posted by Toto'sDad

What would you say is the difference between the stock pickups and the TS? Do you think it's a subjective thing or could anyone hear a notable difference, discounting that obviously the series position would offer a lot different option, than the stock pickups could produce wired stock.

Custon TS, are much more articulate..bell like tones with greater clarity..thats how I would seperate the 2 different pups in question. The CS neck pup alone, is as good as it gets in my taste

I recently changed out my CS Texas bridge pup, for a lower (vintage) output pup, from a Classic 60s series Tele. I prefer the more vintage output pups over anything that is hot..just not my playing style for anything that hot. However, I did keep the neck pup in

[Toto'sDad]

Thanks musicmatty, your description was a lot of help, thanks again.