is a tele still a tele if I change the pickups

[geddyleedog]

Hi,
I just purchased an american tele on ebay. I don't even have the guitar yet and I'm already looking through my Seymour Duncan catalog and thinking about replacing the pickups. Am I killing the integrity or the "classic" sound if I do that, or is it common to go ahead and experiment?

[Lew UK]

Do Redd Volkaert and Bill Kirchen play teles,and Gatton?sure do/did .

[Darrell]

I look at it like I do my car...

Are the original tires to your car good? Yes.
Are there better ones? Most likely.
Are you going to buy the same exact ones the next time you buy some tires? Probably not.
Do you need to change them out immediately? No.
Will they work just fine for you for a while? Yes.

I like SD pickups...alot. There are very few loosers in the bunch, so you can't go wrong.

Take your time, enjoy your originals. Get use to their weeknesses, and find an SD (or other) that will suit you better. No one pickup does everything well, but there are a lot of pickups that might be better for you and the music you like to play.

[Kevin]

I have a broadcaster pickup in my tele -- have used them in several teles I've have through the years -- and I love it. It has more mids and is less icepick-y than a Fender 52 RI to my ears.

I combine that with the Fender 52 RI neck pup, and get a good twang (hum-cancelling, no less) in the middle position.

There are, of course, other offerings from SD, and many people like the Fralins. Some people, too, prefer some of the other Fender offerings, such as the Nocasters, or the Texas Specials...

Any of these will perhaps give a more "vintage" sound than you are getting from your current pickups due to having the baseplate, but it's up to you to decide what type of sound you're looking for...

Don't forget that there are several noiseless varieties (Kinman, Bill Lawrence, etc.), as well.

[Darrell]

I happen to be a fan of the Broadcaster as well. I have it matched up with and Alnico II strat pup. They work very well together. I also have an Alnico II pro bridge in another tele. It is a keeper too. I guess I could say "I'm done". But I'm never done.

[Kingpin]

Originally Posted by Darrell

I guess I could say "I'm done". But I'm never done.

Ain't it the TRUTH! Now there's an honest man!

[Andy B]

I don't own a single Tele with stock pickups. Love the guitars not the pickups. Currently neck pickups are (2)Duncan Vintage Firebird, Epi / LP Deluxe, DeArmond Dynasonic. Bridge pickups are (2) Joe Barden, DiMarzio Fast Track T, Rio Grande Muy Grande. My ASAT has 2 Muy Grande pickups in it.

[muddy water]

I just wanted to throw in a vote for the SD Broadcater pick up also. I've got it in all my Tele's. For what it's worth I think it's the best I've heard.


Peace
Rick