Pick ups in baja and 50s classic

bajaman · March 11th, 2008, 09:37 AM

Who can tell me the differences between the PUs in the Baja and the classic 50s tele. I mean soundwise..!
Help appreciated, which ones are more suitable for rock and blues?

fenson · March 11th, 2008, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bajaman

Who can tell me the differences between the PUs in the Baja and the classic 50s tele. I mean soundwise..!
Help appreciated, which ones are more suitable for rock and blues?

The pickups in the Baja are better made ones a little better sounding IMO especilly the bridge pick up in the Baja ,its IMO the best vintage spec. tele pup Fender makes, not that the MIM less expensive, not built quite as well, pick ups are bad, just that the ones in the Baja are better.IMO

If you are after a tele with vintage feel, frets neck radius etc. the classic 50s would be the one to get IMO , and if you like a flatter radius med. frets get a Baja . Try them for your self always best to try out guitars before buying one and buy the one you like best. IMO You can always change the pickups on the classic 50s if needed they do work pretty darn good though.IMO

BroadMaster · March 11th, 2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bajaman

Who can tell me the differences between the PUs in the Baja and the classic 50s tele. I mean soundwise..!
Help appreciated, which ones are more suitable for rock and blues?

both guitars are very suitable for deep blues or screamin' rock!....as mellecaster would admonish, thru the right amp

The baja has more tonal possibilities than the 50's Classic due to the 4 way and S-1 switching and twisted tele pup. The Classic 50s is a killer guitar in it's own rite, and a solid entry into the world of the greatest guitar Leo ever built. The Baja has a bit more *drive the amp front end* due to it's pups. Some here probably can offer up the differences in output levels, measured in the arbitrary ohmage readings of the respective pups. Hope that helps. If you're like the majority of the rest of us, it won't matter how good it sounds...... you'll still have to try the modding.

VWAmTele · March 11th, 2008, 02:30 PM

Great article with Chris Fleming on pg 11 of this PDF, unfortunately it cuts off just as they start discussing the BAJA pickups. Would love to see the complete article.

Mark Davis · March 11th, 2008, 02:32 PM

THe Bajas bridge pickup has a baseplate the 50's Classic doesnt. The Baja does have better pickups the bridge at the least is a little better.

fenson · March 11th, 2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

THe Bajas bridge pickup has a baseplate the 50's Classic doesnt. The Naja does have better pickups the bridge at the least is a little better.

I have heard that; funny guitars those Najas, LOL teasing ya mark

91xlntS-3 · March 11th, 2008, 05:09 PM

Hey, where can I get one of those Najas in Blonde? LOL!

Now, I own a 50's classic and have played a few (2) Bajas at stores. The Baja plays very well and with the S-1 and 4 way, you can get several nice tones. Personally, I don't care for the S-1 switching, regardless of how many tones you can get.

Between the 2, I prefer the 50's classic. I wouldn't say that either models' p-ups are better, just different. Sound/tone wise, I could use either models p-ups and be satisfied, I just don't care for the S-1.

FWIW, I play country (classic & new), oldies and classic rock (nothing heavy) and my classic 50 can do them all very well, with the right amp/settings. I really enjoy my classic 50, and until a few weeks ago, I had never played one. Bought this one on a "whim" and I love it!

Pick the one that suits you best, if you're able to play them before you buy.
You might even try one of those Najas, if you can find one!!

Mark Davis · March 11th, 2008, 05:20 PM

Hahah didnt proof read that one close enough.

boris bubbanov · March 11th, 2008, 06:21 PM

A Naja is a MIM Baja, where someone took the stock pickups out and put (fill in the blank of your least liked pickup here) pickups in instead.

Or would that be the Kaka?

Telarkaster · March 11th, 2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

A Naja is a MIM Baja, where someone took the stock pickups out and put (fill in the blank of your least liked pickup here) pickups in instead.

Or would that be the Kaka?

No, because it would still have a killer neck! What a great feel...

PJ · March 12th, 2008, 03:45 AM

I do like the frets on the Baja better than the smaller vintage frets on my 50s. Maybe Fender should make a Hot Rod 50s with the more modern radius and frets. They do with the US '52. Cause my Nashville with 9.5" radius and bigger frets is just terrific.

bajaman · March 12th, 2008, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VWAmTele

Great article with Chris Fleming on pg 11 of this PDF, unfortunately it cuts off just as they start discussing the BAJA pickups. Would love to see the complete article.

Doesn't anyone have the rest of this article anywhere? I'd love to read the rest!!

VWAmTele · March 12th, 2008, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bajaman

Doesn't anyone have the rest of this article anywhere? I'd love to read the rest!!

For $15 you can download it from Tonequest's web site. Maybe we can find 15 Baja lovers and all chip in a buck

This is something that should be available on Fenders web site.

fenson · March 12th, 2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VWAmTele

For $15 you can download it from Tonequest's web site. Maybe we can find 15 Baja lovers and all chip in a buck

This is something that should be available on Fenders web site.

15 BUCKS............ well Tonequest can KISS MY ASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tele rob · March 12th, 2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenson

15 BUCKS............ well Tonequest can KISS MY ASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and mine as well!! Thank you!

March 11th, 2008, 09:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
bajaman TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nijmegen, Holland Age: 45 Posts: 17	Pick ups in baja and 50s classic Who can tell me the differences between the PUs in the Baja and the classic 50s tele. I mean soundwise..! Help appreciated, which ones are more suitable for rock and blues?

March 11th, 2008, 02:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 12,856	THe Bajas bridge pickup has a baseplate the 50's Classic doesnt. The Baja does have better pickups the bridge at the least is a little better. __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses. Last edited by Mark Davis; March 11th, 2008 at 05:18 PM.

March 11th, 2008, 05:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 12,856	Hahah didnt proof read that one close enough. __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

March 11th, 2008, 06:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 8,539	A Naja is a MIM Baja, where someone took the stock pickups out and put (fill in the blank of your least liked pickup here) pickups in instead. Or would that be the Kaka? __________________ Bubban0v

March 12th, 2008, 03:45 AM	#11 (permalink)
PJ Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,077 4 Photos	I do like the frets on the Baja better than the smaller vintage frets on my 50s. Maybe Fender should make a Hot Rod 50s with the more modern radius and frets. They do with the US '52. Cause my Nashville with 9.5" radius and bigger frets is just terrific. __________________ PJ "I don't know if it's art, but I like it."

March 11th, 2008, 02:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
VWAmTele Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Palm Harbor, FL Age: 53 Posts: 470	Great article with Chris Fleming on pg 11 of this PDF, unfortunately it cuts off just as they start discussing the BAJA pickups. Would love to see the complete article.

March 11th, 2008, 05:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
91xlntS-3 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 729	Hey, where can I get one of those Najas in Blonde? LOL! Now, I own a 50's classic and have played a few (2) Bajas at stores. The Baja plays very well and with the S-1 and 4 way, you can get several nice tones. Personally, I don't care for the S-1 switching, regardless of how many tones you can get. Between the 2, I prefer the 50's classic. I wouldn't say that either models' p-ups are better, just different. Sound/tone wise, I could use either models p-ups and be satisfied, I just don't care for the S-1. FWIW, I play country (classic & new), oldies and classic rock (nothing heavy) and my classic 50 can do them all very well, with the right amp/settings. I really enjoy my classic 50, and until a few weeks ago, I had never played one. Bought this one on a "whim" and I love it! Pick the one that suits you best, if you're able to play them before you buy. You might even try one of those Najas, if you can find one!!