Affinity vs. original Fender pickups

[kirbster56]

I have an Affinity Tele - love it. I noticed the neck pickup seems a little weak on the treble side, and it seems a bit less powerful. Would an upgrade to original Tele pickups be in order? What's the difference? Thanx.

[StormJH1]

Interesting question - I'm a Strat guy, but having finally started to play some Teles at Guitar Center, there might be an Affinity (or other used Tele) in my future.

It wouldn't bother me not to have the "best" Tele pickups out there, just as long as the Affinity pickups gave me the "flavor" of a Tele's sound, much like the Squier pickups do an admirable job of that on Squier Strats.

[Hiker]

Welcome to TDPRI!

There's plenty of us that have been satisfied with Fender MIM pickups. The cost is very reasonable for a 'used' set of pups from a Fender Standard Tele. Anyone charging a hefty price for those is trying to gig take advantage of an unsuspecting buyer. Mine is equipped with the AlNico version that was discontinued on that model about 2005. On the other hand, more recent MIM Teles are equipped with ceramic-type pups.

Go for MIM AlNico or ceramics! Plenty of guys have them on the shelf as spare parts for a tad bit more than Squier Tele pickups.

[waparker4]

Raise the neck pickup and then raise the treble side another turn

[CostaRicaJones]

May be a bit off-topic but: I put GFS pickups in my Affinity Tele and I kid you not: It sounds better than my stock MIM. Way more character.

YMMV.

[jean]

I tested the Fender '51 Nocaster on my Affinity Telecaster sound is slightly better, but only slightly ! same result with the pickups Bare Knuckle "Brown Sugar"
For me, it is not worth the investment !

I have often found on entry-level guitars a change is effective only with a pickup with a strong personality or more powerful : "500T" Gibson, Seymour Duncan "Hot Rail" for example.
The Seymour Duncan "Phat Cat", Gibson "498" and others do not produce radical change.

Re installed the original pickups on my Cort Z42, Harley Benton HBT1500, Hagstrom Deluxe ...

[musicmatty]

Originally Posted by kirbster56

I have an Affinity Tele - love it. I noticed the neck pickup seems a little weak on the treble side, and it seems a bit less powerful. Would an upgrade to original Tele pickups be in order? What's the difference? Thanx.

The go ahead for me here is, you 'Love' your guitar ! That being the case, it's worth it to find pickups that you will like.

Pickups are the voice of the guitar so of course, it's important to love what you play with regards to sound.

Decide what it is you're looking for and go from there... Are you looking for a neck pickup that's not only stronger but is clear Burbly and glassy ?

Both of my Telecasters, have a mix match set a pick ups. Sound bites from YouTube, can be your best friend in your quest for pickups.

GFS Pro Series Hot 63 bridge pickup in action






Fender classic 60s series bridge pickup in action





Fender Custom Shop Texas special neck pickup in action

[jean]

I just tested the Tonerider Vintage Plus bridge TRT1 with my Affinity !
very very good pickup in alnico III and cheap too ! recommend