can't find tele pu's that I like. Help?

[jubjub]

Hi there.
I need some advice on tele pu's. Here's what I've tried with the results.

Bardens - too brittle. Not 'TELE' enough. changed the tone too much
Kinman - Lacked character. Quiet is nice but need the twngin tone.
Fralins - Closest yet but a bit hot for me. Needs vintage specs and I want the neck cover to be on.
Lollar/gvgc alnico 3's - I know alot of player like these but I lost alot of top end twang and snap which to me is what a tele is all about.

I play a Custom Shop Relic 62 and I'm back to the stock pu's that came with it, and they're not bad, but I've had to take the neck cover off to get any clarity from it which is something I hate doing. with the cover off they sound realy good but could be a bit warmer. If you go to www.thegigrig.com and click on the online demo you'll hear a clip of the stock pu's and the range of styles I need the pu's to cover. It doesn't sound bad but I know I can do better
I play everything from country-rock-jazz-fusion-prog rock which is why I play a tele in the first place.
Do you think I'm asking too much from the pu's?

I really appreciatte anyones input as this problem is driving me mental.

[maestrovert]

EMG Ts

don't dismiss 'em out of hand !
unless/until you've tried 'em in your Tele, any preconceived opinion you might have would not be valid....

like you, i've tried Bardens, Fralins, Lollars etc etc

my honest humble opinion is: the EMG Ts are the best Tele Pups on the planet !

[jubjub]

I've tried active before and never got on with em, but at this stage I'll try anything. What is it about them you like?

[Big Daddy]

Hello,
I would like to suggest that you contact O. C. Duff and tell him what you need he will work with you to get you where you want to be . He also has an exchange or refund policy . I have a set of his pickups and like them very much. I also have a set of Van Zandts and a set of Don Mare's pickups. Each of these in there own way are great pickups. I hope this will help you somewhat . Good luck on your search. I hope you will finally find what you're looking for .

[The Amazing Phil]

As you're in the UK, you should also seriously consider BareKnuckle Pickups since you can deal with Tim Mills directly, and he'll be able to wind you exactly what you want, and it won't take that long at all.

There's a rash of reviews over Harmony Central of his pickups and he does a great variety of telecaster pickups, if you tell him exactly what you're after he'll sort you out no problems.

[JohnnyCrash]

Have you tried the Seymour Duncan offerings?

Particularly the Broadcaster, etc.

Any of their older "vintage" style will work for you except probably the AlNiCo II or AlNiCo III varieties, as you said they sapped your Treble.

I really love the Nocaster pickups, but as you mentioned, most A3 magnet pickups don't have a really bright top end.

[Montana_Dawg]

I have a set of Fender Original Vintage pups that are made to them same specs and with the same materials as the original early 50s Teles.

I am having a '52 replica body built, and the pups will go in that. I tried them out one of my other Teles, and they sound fantastic.

Just my $.02

[petebradt]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Hello,
I would like to suggest that you contact O. C. Duff and tell him what you need he will work with you to get you where you want to be . He also has an exchange or refund policy . I have a set of his pickups and like them very much. I also have a set of Van Zandts and a set of Don Mare's pickups. Each of these in there own way are great pickups. I hope this will help you somewhat . Good luck on your search. I hope you will finally find what you're looking for .

I agree. Of the guys making "vintage spec" right now, Duff is the man. He'll get you the pups whne he says he will, and he'll work with you on determining your needs.

[BB]

Originally Posted by jubjub

Hi there.
I need some advice on tele pu's. I play everything from country-rock-jazz-fusion-prog rock which is why I play a tele in the first place.
Do you think I'm asking too much from the pu's?

I really appreciatte anyones input as this problem is driving me mental.

Well, there is always going to be a bit of a trade off with the wide variety of music you play. Also, you will find wildley differing views and opinions on "whats best" as we all have our fav's that fit our various tyles of play and gear.

I would suggest doing a detailed search here in the pickup section. There is an absolute wealth of information, suggestions and opinions...both good and bad.

While it can be a bit daunting with all the choices out there, when you do find the set that works for you, it's all worth it.

Good luck on your search and be sure to let us know where it leads you.

[maestrovert]

Originally Posted by jubjub

I've tried active before and never got on with em, but at this stage I'll try anything. What is it about them you like?

Everything ! ('cept having to change the battery every year or so...

[jubjub]

Thanks everybody for your input. This has given me some great ideas and a good point to continue my search.
Can anyone give me O.C Duff's contact details?
Thanks again

[petebradt]

Contact Owen at oc@ocduffpickups.com

[Telenator]

You have tried some really great p'ups in your guitar without success. When this has happened to me in the past, it was simply time for a new guitar. Some guitars just will not give up a great tone regardless of what p'ups you put in there while other guitars sound great regardless of what p'ups it has.

You might try playing a bunch of guitars and then examine closely the ones you like the sound of the most. You might find that a light ash body with a maple neck is consistently your favorite, or heavy alder with a rosewood board, or whatever.

It just seems that once someone has been through that many high quality p'ups without satisfaction it might be time to look at the guitar itself. Just another approach.

[crawdad]

Just a hunch--what you seek may be a late 60's Tele pickup, whether original or repro. Telenator might be barking up the right tree too. Best of luck in your search for Twang!

[jubjub]

That's a very true statement Talenator and I have experienced this in the past, but it's not that the tele doesn't sound good at the mo. Go to TheGigRig.com home GigRig Gig Rig Guitar Analog Analogue Vintage Effects Pedal Switching System and click on the online demo to have a listen. Tune is only a minute long. So it sounds good, but I know it can sound better. The guitar is very resonant and has a great vibe to it. I'm just and idiot for tone and want it to be the perfect guitar for me.
Just a note to all. I can't thank you enough. This sort of input is INVALUBLE to anyone on a serious quest for tone.
You guys rock!

[Fourth Feline]

Another recomendation from the U.K. to contact Tim at Bare Knuckle pickups. Good website too. I have just ordered a calibrated set of 'Stormy Monday' pickups for my Les Paul. When I told him the sound qualities I needed he recomended the build/magnets/windings/covers with no hesitation. Whilst I have not fitted/heard them yet, other users (on harmony central reviews) and U.K. guitar magazines give him the 5 star reviews etc. Certainly his knowledge and willingness to build something to your exact requirements for the same price is a rarity these days.

Check out the discounted prices on his stuff at "Stringbusters.com" unless you need some extra special materials or process. I saved £16, which helped pay for the pot 500K upgrades and other wiring mods.

I have no affiliation with either company.

[jdfoosh357]

O.C. Duff.........he'll make you exactly what you want, just email him.

[jubjub]

I've met Tim before. I will call him today and see what he sais. The thing that confuses me is this. As Telenator said, I've tried some of the best pickups out there, but I keep coming back to the original pu's that came with the guitar. All I really want is something a bit better than the stock issue pu's. I do know that for the Relic guitars Fender did go to alot of trouble to get it right. They even pulled the old winding machines out of storage to try and get them as close to the originals as possible, and the results are very good, but I know I can get a bit more chime from the neck, and a bit more twang without losing body from the bridge. Maybe My strings are too thick. I write for a guitar mag in the UK and met Roger Mayer on Tues. He was Hendrix's guitar teck. Did you know he used really light strings? 38 on the low E. Amazing. I'm using 52 so maybe that needs to be looked at as well.
I will reply with my findings after I have made some progress, but once again I'm indebted to all of you who have contributed to this post.

[Telenator]

Good point about string gauge. I am not a member of the "heavier is better" club. Personally, I dig the sound of Strats and Teles with .009 to .046 strings on them. It's just the sound I like.

[JamonHamon]

Get a different amp!!!...