So I've had a Van Zandt Tru-vintage set for 3 weeks now...

[John E]

...in my Mahogany Thinline. I wanted to wait to post about them until I used them for a while.

The Verdict: I am really digging these pickups. Every time I pick up my guitar I just can't seem to put it down again... it's made me late for my day job quite a few times over the past couple of weeks.

I replaced a Fralin Blues Special Neck and Nocaster Bridge. I really like the Fralin neck, it's a killer pickup... the VZ is actually similar but is more "woody" which is exactly what I wanted. I don't know why alot of people don't like the covered tele neck pickup, it really has it's own sound... and this VZ version kills. I actually like most of the Fender covered neck pickups also... but this one seems to have a little more clarity.

The Bridge pickup out and out smokes the Nocaster IMO... it's beefier, and not as harsh to my ears. Twangy but not ice picky at all. I like this the best out of any other tele bridge I have tried.

Maybe it's just the "newness"... Well the real test will be a gig, we shall see. I'm off this week, but I'll be gigging it next week... can't wait.

[Brad]

Hey John, I glad to hear how happy you are with the VZ's. I know the bridge is a killer in a mahogany thinline. I ahve not tried the neck pup, but it's good to know it's up there with the bridge in tone.

I hear ya on the covered neck pups. I love the tone they produce. I always hear they don't have the output, tone, balls...whatever! I guess I've been blessed with the ones I've had. I have astock 71 tele and the neck pickup just kills! Blues city. Very smokey, woody and tonefull.

Thanks for the review. I bet that tele just smokes through your Winnie. I'd love to hear it.

[John E]

Hey Brad, thanks... Seeing as I got them used I just couldn't pass them up... man these are just killer pickups, and without spending a fortune makes them that much sweeter! That 71' sounds like a good one, I have only tried a couple of 70's and a 67, and the pickups varied wildly. The 67 I know had the original pups and that one sounded pretty damn good. Hey Post about the SK's after you get them, that's what I was going to buy until Pierce posted the VZ's in the Garage sale...

[Kingpin]

Glad to hear they're working out for you. I've never heard a Thinline with a set of these but I would imagine it sounds killer. I have a VZ bridge in my swamp ash Tele and it can't be beat. I have no desires to try anything different in that guitar. I'm curious about the VZ vintage neck PU though. It has the metal cover? I was under the misimpression that it was an uncovered pickup. How's the output on it relative to the bridge PU? Does it sound similar to the Fender Original Vintage? I'm eager to hear any further comparisons or comments you may have on the VZ neck. Thanks.

[John E]

Originally Posted by Kingpin

I'm curious about the VZ vintage neck PU though. It has the metal cover? I was under the misimpression that it was an uncovered pickup. How's the output on it relative to the bridge PU? Does it sound similar to the Fender Original Vintage? I'm eager to hear any further comparisons or comments you may have on the VZ neck. Thanks.

Hey Kingpin, the neck is great. I was also under the impression that the neck pup would have NO cover, but I bought them used, I don't know how old they are maybe they don't come with them now? Anyway I was a bit surprised/worried when I saw the cover, as I like the uncovered Fralin so much... but it is very similar but a bit warmer. I would liken it to the 52ri neck (which I also like) but with more clarity and a bit more power. I am really digging it, as I said, I love the Fralin Blues Special, but this has that woodiness that I was missing. Great pickup, it's killing thru my Winnie November... I can't wait to gig it and really give it the true test...

[Kingpin]

Originally Posted by John E

Anyway I was a bit surprised/worried when I saw the cover, as I like the uncovered Fralin so much... but it is very similar but a bit warmer. I would liken it to the 52ri neck (which I also like) but with more clarity and a bit more power.

Interesting. To date, the Fender Original Vintage neck has been the best trad. metal cover pickup I've heard to mate up with the VZ bridge. But if the VZ neck is just a bit stronger and clearer than the OV then it sounds like it would be the ideal mate. I'm going to have to investigate this further. There might be a VZ neck in my future. Thanks.

[Pierce]

go figure...

[KBR]

The Neck pup comes with No cover.

I heard they sound good, but I use different pups in the neck of my 2 Teles, (currently using Van Zandt Strat Vintage Plus in the neck pos of both.

[singlecoil]

I've got a tru-vintage in the bridge and a strat blues in the neck of my JD tele and it's an excellent combo. Very strong tele sound but has a warm tone to it also with no brittleness or overwound mids either. The perfect tele bridge pickup IMHO! I use Van Zandt blues in my 50's classic strat also and have never been happier. Great pickups.