Upgrading Pickups - Who uses what & why? - Page 2

bradpdx · May 18th, 2008, 12:23 PM

Actually, when I play recent US Fender Teles (52RI) I find the pickups to be "just fine" - I could work with those.

I use VanZandts in my 52RI simply because the original PUPs were not done correctly in 1982 - the bridge was only about 6K and weak. The VanZandts just sound like early '50s PUPs - no magic, IMHO, just the right amount of windings (about 7.4K on the bridge) on decent Alnico magnets.

Can I make it sound awful? Sure. I could leave the tone control wide open, crank the treble on the amp and pick hard near the bridge and hurt people. But with any PUPs you just use common sense and the controls you have.

JJ · May 18th, 2008, 01:26 PM

I use whatever is "on sale". I have been building several partscasters here in the last few months & have been using whatever I can pickup pretty cheap. That being said, my mid-eighties 52 RI has the stock 52RI bridge pickup in it. I like the stock 52RI bridge, SD 5/2, SD Broadcaster, Fralin BLues Special, etc. I even have a couple in other partscaster that I have no idea what they are (copper base plate, cloth wiring, & no lablel) & they sound great. I think once you get a quality bridge pickup, it doesn't really matter what make it is. Guitars vary so much that one particular pickup will sound totally different in two different guitars. For neck pickups, I have recently discovered te Dimarzio Twang Kings & love them. Very usable neck pickup for a fair price.

moondogz · May 18th, 2008, 04:57 PM

I purchased a used MIM Telecaster and it had Rio Grande pups (I think tall boys) in both the bridge and neck...I'm impressed with the sound...lots of comments about pickups on Harmony Central's web site.
moondog.

Hockey Rocker · May 18th, 2008, 05:23 PM

I like the Fender MIMs. I have Standards, Classic 60's and Tex Mexs in different combinations. I buy 'em cheap on Ebay and use 'em in my partscaster, SX and Fenders. Good enough for Fender, good enough for me.

ASAT-Sean · May 18th, 2008, 07:01 PM

I put Texas Specials in my California Tele, They sound great, lots of beef. I left my CS 63 NOS stock, but am considering Bardens.

May 18th, 2008, 12:23 PM	#41 (permalink)
bradpdx Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Portland, OR Age: 49 Posts: 549	Actually, when I play recent US Fender Teles (52RI) I find the pickups to be "just fine" - I could work with those. I use VanZandts in my 52RI simply because the original PUPs were not done correctly in 1982 - the bridge was only about 6K and weak. The VanZandts just sound like early '50s PUPs - no magic, IMHO, just the right amount of windings (about 7.4K on the bridge) on decent Alnico magnets. Can I make it sound awful? Sure. I could leave the tone control wide open, crank the treble on the amp and pick hard near the bridge and hurt people. But with any PUPs you just use common sense and the controls you have. __________________ ---------- Tech Geek and Sensitive Artiste String bender ordinare!

May 18th, 2008, 07:01 PM	#45 (permalink)
ASAT-Sean Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ozark,MO Posts: 129	I put Texas Specials in my California Tele, They sound great, lots of beef. I left my CS 63 NOS stock, but am considering Bardens. __________________ "I am Jack's total lack of surprise."http://www.thehighriders.com

May 18th, 2008, 01:26 PM	#42 (permalink)
JJ Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 343	I use whatever is "on sale". I have been building several partscasters here in the last few months & have been using whatever I can pickup pretty cheap. That being said, my mid-eighties 52 RI has the stock 52RI bridge pickup in it. I like the stock 52RI bridge, SD 5/2, SD Broadcaster, Fralin BLues Special, etc. I even have a couple in other partscaster that I have no idea what they are (copper base plate, cloth wiring, & no lablel) & they sound great. I think once you get a quality bridge pickup, it doesn't really matter what make it is. Guitars vary so much that one particular pickup will sound totally different in two different guitars. For neck pickups, I have recently discovered te Dimarzio Twang Kings & love them. Very usable neck pickup for a fair price.

May 18th, 2008, 04:57 PM	#43 (permalink)
moondogz NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: edmonton alberta canada Posts: 6	I purchased a used MIM Telecaster and it had Rio Grande pups (I think tall boys) in both the bridge and neck...I'm impressed with the sound...lots of comments about pickups on Harmony Central's web site. moondog.

May 18th, 2008, 05:23 PM	#44 (permalink)
Hockey Rocker Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Jersey Age: 46 Posts: 702	I like the Fender MIMs. I have Standards, Classic 60's and Tex Mexs in different combinations. I buy 'em cheap on Ebay and use 'em in my partscaster, SX and Fenders. Good enough for Fender, good enough for me.