Fender custom shop texas pickups

[hazza]

What do people think of these? do they work well in series at all? thinking of upgrading just my neck pickup to get a clearer higher output sound, is this a good idea or should I replace both pickups?
Cheers!

[Kingpin]

I tried the Custom Shop Texas Tele PU in the neck position and couldn't wait to get it out. No matter how high or low I set it, I couldn't get the sound I was looking for. It is a high output PU, so in that sense it might work for you, but I wouldn't characterize the sound as "clear". It sounded muddy to my ears. If you want a PU with strong output and a clearer sound than the Tex. Spec, I would suggest a Fralin Blues Special or a Barden in the neck. Also, the Fender Original Vintage has a fairly strong output and is an inexpensive alternative. It's hard to make a suggestion without more information from you. What type of music do you play? What pickups do you have in already?

[JohnK24]

Originally Posted by Kingpin

I tried the Custom Shop Texas Tele PU in the neck position and couldn't wait to get it out. No matter how high or low I set it, I couldn't get the sound I was looking for. It is a high output PU, so in that sense it might work for you, but I wouldn't characterize the sound as "clear". It sounded muddy to my ears. If you want a PU with strong output and a clearer sound than the Tex. Spec, I would suggest a Fralin Blues Special or a Barden in the neck. Also, the Fender Original Vintage has a fairly strong output and is an inexpensive alternative. It's hard to make a suggestion without more information from you. What type of music do you play? What pickups do you have in already?

I agree with his assessment of the Tx. neck pup...I pulled mine out 2 weeks ago...it was muddy, strong, but muddy. I put in a Rio Grande Muy Grande neck pup...excellent results (alder body, vintage bridge). Clear, strat like in tone and the power of a 'bucker.
I've also had the Fralin Blues Special neck pup in an ash tele, a great choice too...same idea, clear, strong, definition of notes (and more Fender mud).

JK

[hazza]

I mostly play quite heavy grungy music along with some blues, my tele is a 90's US standard with stock PUs, although I am pleased with the bridge, I was looking for a similar sounding neck pickup to a Seymour '59, but in single coil form and would wok well with a 4 way.
Thanx

[hazza]

I mostly play quite heavy grungy music along with some blues, my tele is a 90's US standard with stock PUs, although I am pleased with the bridge, I was looking for a similar sounding neck pickup to a Seymour '59, but in single coil form and would wok well with a 4 way.
Thanx

[John E]

Originally Posted by hazza

I mostly play quite heavy grungy music along with some blues, my tele is a 90's US standard with stock PUs, although I am pleased with the bridge, I was looking for a similar sounding neck pickup to a Seymour '59, but in single coil form and would work well with a 4 way.
Thanx

The TX specials were OK, but not great... as far as a Duncan 59, I have not heard a single coil close to that one... I am a 95% of the time tele neck pickup player, I would say my style borders on Rock, blues, fusion, pop, etc., etc. If you have Real Player you can can stream one of the tunes I recorded with the Lawrence 280's(listed below) for the Rhythm parts... can't remember if I used it for the leads or not: http://www.hieroglyphmusic.com/audio/newcd/track06.ram

Here are my current fave neck pickups:

1) Fralin Blues Special - I have this wired just to the volume, no tone. Clear, strong, great pickup... I have this wired with a 4-way switch.

2) Bill Lawrence L-280 - This is a fat pickup, it's a humbucker that fits w/o mods into the tele slot (looks like a standard tele neck pup w/o the nickel cover) I currently use this with a q-filter.... this pickup will get you close to what you're looking for at a good price

3) Barden - I actually haven't used one in a while but I remember liking the neck pup and thinking it was similar but a little bit stronger than the Lawrence 280.

4) Van Zandt vintage flat pole - These are my next set, true single coil similar to the Fralin Blues specials, but I think the bridge sounds better... actually this is the best bridge pup I've ever heard

[hazza]

thanks for that, i think my next step is to do some research into some of the pickups mentioned, but just one more thing - does the Bill Lawrence work with a 4-way switch?
cheers again

hazza

[hazza]

thanks for that, i think my next step is to do some research into some of the pickups mentioned, but just one more thing - does the Bill Lawrence work with a 4-way switch?
cheers again

hazza

[John E]

Originally Posted by hazza

thanks for that, i think my next step is to do some research into some of the pickups mentioned, but just one more thing - does the Bill Lawrence work with a 4-way switch?
cheers again

hazza

The Lawrences can be wired into a 4way as far as I know... I know I've played Bardens with a 4 way also. I don't have my Lawrences wired that way as I have a Q-filter wired in as the tone control with a 3-way switch.

[Tim Swartz]

The router is always an option.

[TeleTwanger37]

I agree with everybody else.i tried the tx specials and i hate them with a passion,they may be ok for some people but for me i had to get them out the guitar in less than a week after they were in .i went with the duncan 5/2's both neck and bridge they both have worked and sound great to my ears anyways