Upgrading Pickups - Who uses what & why?

[Tim73]

I own a few MIM classic teles that are great guitars. I've lived with them now for a while and like the weights, the necks etc. I'd consider them all to be keepers. I'm going to upgrade the pickups on a couple, I particuarly find the neck pickups weak on the MIM models. First up will be a Seymour Duncan Broadcaster STL-1b going into my Esquire. What pickups upgrades are other people using & why? I like the classic country twang so figured the Broadcaster one would go well on that guitar.

Did people buy in sets or mix & match (obviously not the Esquire here)? I'm thinking that the designated pairs probably work best together and would go with the experience of the pickup companies. What other brands are out there that are decent? I'm thinking of upgrading my 69 thinline as well & seeing how I get on beyond that.

[Jake D]

I use Don Mare 2324's because of the vintage tone and vibe.
I use Rio Grande Muy Grandes because they are hot and fat.
I am getting ready to try some Bare Knuckle "The Boss" pickups I bought because they are somewhere between vintage and hot and fat.

YMMV! But I can for sure recommend those pickups! For me, I wouldn't mix and match them. But I'm sure tons of people do.

[xjazzy]

I have a Classic '50 tele and the bridge PU is a little too trebly. Was hurting my ears.
I decided to try Keystones. I bought the pair to try them out.
Great PU's. The neck PU was less muddy than the stock so I replace it with the stock again. I like it better.
Bridge PU is great but needs a little tweak to find the right height to it.

[aunchaki]

Good question! Here's my answer:

I have two Teles. I'm NOT a lead player, I'm a rhythm guy. I'm trying to learn some fills and stuff, but I'm about driving the melody through tasteful chording and some arpeggios. For my playing, I don't use the bridge pickup alone very often. Usually I'm using the neck or neck+bridge.

So, with that in mind, I found a bridge pickup I liked (GFS Vintage Alnico 50) and put it in both of my Teles. When I buy/build another Tele, I'll likely put another one of the same in it. Since I don't use the bridge too much, I'm happy to have the same pickup in both, so I don't have to remember which bridge pickup is in which guitar.

I use the neck pickup a lot (alone or in combo), so this is where I put my energy. I have a P-90 in one and a Fender Classic in the other. Since the bridge pickup is identical, I pick the Tele based on the neck sound I need (rough or smooth). I'm tempted to swap the Fender Classic with one of Harmonic Designs' mini-Strat neck pickups, just for experimentation.

So, to review, my philosophy is to keep one pickup (the one I use the least) the same across all my Teles and get different pickups for the position I use the most. Maybe it's the scientist in me: reducing the variables to one.

[bradpdx]

I am a lead player and use VanZandts in both my Tele and Strat.

That said, I have often found that the same pickup behaves very differently in different guitars; while I love my setup, I have played Teles in which VanZandts just didn't work well and EMGs were the ticket, etc. Strange but true.

There is no reason not to mix pickups in order to achieve what you like. It may be difficult to arrive at a good rational basis for this, as one often cannot predict pickup behavior in a given guitar, but it doesn't hurt a thing to try.

[e-merlin]

I used to be a compulsive pickup replacer. I usually had a set of pickups picked out when I bought the guitar. Then, I learned about how to adjust 'em. Now, I only replace pickups when I find the stockers lacking, and usually only buy pickups for a new build.

I'm with you on the MIM neck pickup issue. I can highly recommend the DiMarzio Twang King. It's the best Tele neck pickup out there other than the boutique or custom winds.

I do have a Chandler Hot 50s Tele bridge pickup in my pickup drawer for when I get tired of the stocker in my Esquire, which may not be for a long time.

[iorr]

Haeussel broadcaster bridge pu in my baja because of 10k output.

Karsten

[mellecaster]

I consider Pickups the very Last thing on my list....after all else has been addressed....Set-up....quality controls and switches...String gauge...pickup height...etc....and of course that Big old Box, most don't care to discuss...that the Guitar plugs into....... ...I've had some Squiers in my Shop w/ Stock Asian Pups.....that w/ a Good Cord into a Twin, will Rip your Haid Off !

[ajgus]

Originally Posted by mellecaster

I consider Pickups the very Last thing on my list....after all else has been addressed....Set-up....quality controls and switches...String gauge...pickup height...etc....and of course that Big old Box, most don't care to discuss...that the Guitar plugs into....... ...I've had some Squiers in my Shop w/ Stock Asian Pups.....that w/ a Good Cord into a Twin, will Rip your Haid Off !

+1000!

[Tim73]

Originally Posted by mellecaster

I consider Pickups the very Last thing on my list....after all else has been addressed....Set-up....quality controls and switches...String gauge...pickup height...etc....and of course that Big old Box, most don't care to discuss...that the Guitar plugs into....... ...I've had some Squiers in my Shop w/ Stock Asian Pups.....that w/ a Good Cord into a Twin, will Rip your Haid Off !

Yep, good point. Done all that & I have some great guitars. I upgraded the amp speaker a while ago with great results. I've not changed pickups in a guitar before so am curious as to what difference they'll make. I heard the Seymour Duncans in a late 60s tele the other day and they sounded awesome.

Keep them coming!

[dilbone]

Originally Posted by mellecaster

I consider Pickups the very Last thing on my list....after all else has been addressed....Set-up....quality controls and switches...String gauge...pickup height...etc....and of course that Big old Box, most don't care to discuss...that the Guitar plugs into....... ...I've had some Squiers in my Shop w/ Stock Asian Pups.....that w/ a Good Cord into a Twin, will Rip your Haid Off !

I hear you there...that's why I went with GFS, cheap, but a big improvement over cheap stock pups. After getting clarity over mud there is no problem getting the tone I want with the right adjustments

[boris bubbanov]

I like to experiment with lots of different combinations, but I do not like the idea of a drawer with $ 1,000 worth of pickups in it.

I buy plenty of aftermarket pickups, mostly Keystones, because I am constantly assembling and rearranging on dozens of new partscasters.

Otherwise I agree with Mellecaster; I'd rather spend money on
1) Big fat aftermarket necks;
2) Precision made bridge assemblies;
3) Nuts and tuners;
4) Upgraded control plate assemblies with 4 way switches;
5) Tubes fer the amp;
6) Speakers fer the amp;
7) Different and better amps.

Pickup exchanging is IMO too popular, like focusing all ones attention on just one aspect of a young ladies anatomy.

[Jake D]

I've found that it is easy to make big improvements to a guitar's tone by changing the pickups. That said, I don't pay any less attention to bridges, strings, set-up, cords and amps than I do pickups, but since he asked about pickups. . .what is the harm in given an honest answer?

[MikeSRV69]

I have used Joe Bardens in my Fender guitars for about 15 years now, and really can't see using anything else. They are loud, clean, and quiet, and cut through any mix. I have played everything from blues to funk to country to rock with them and have not found anything I like better. And no, I don't have a Barden endorsement. Just a very satisfied customer.

[surfoverb]

Originally Posted by Jake D

I've found that it is easy to make big improvements to a guitar's tone by changing the pickups. That said, I don't pay any less attention to bridges, strings, set-up, cords and amps than I do pickups, but since he asked about pickups. . .what is the harm in given an honest answer?

+1...When I wasn't getting the brightness I wanted from my OV Fender pickups the thought of swapping my Twin Reverb for another amp didn't even cross my mind.

I think all the pickups made today are all good and just offer subtle differences and whether or not they improve the guitar is subjective.

[RotelliCaster]

I.M.O.

1. Keystones: Best all around sound
2. Tonerider Vintage Plus: Great Classic Tele sound and looks
3. Tonerider Hot Classics: Texas special like, classic looks

I own and play all of these. They are inexspensive by comparison to SD's, Fender's and all the other high end pups, but sound and look just as good

[fusionhole]

Newbie here. I'm thinking of getting Duncan Jerry Donahue bridge pickup to replace the stock one. Any thoughts? When it comes to tele, I'm a country-jazz-rock fusion hybrid picking style kinda guy.

[marantz1300]

I use rio grandes muy grandes. Hotter then usa standard pups, crystal clear. I love em. I had seymour duncan vintage pups in my mim. Really nice vintage tone and less muddy then standard pups.

[Colt W. Knight]

I can set the height on my OC Duff special stock neck pickup to sound almost like an acoustic guitar which is great for rhtym and bluegrass sounding stuff. The bridge pickup twangs so much I had to build a fence to keep it from running away. Can't say enough good stuff about OC Duff pickups. Plus, he will wind them for whatever sound you want.

[morroben]

I'm a big fan of the Duncan 5/2s. I put one in the bridge position of my 72 Custom RI and liked it enough that I decided to put a set in a 69 Thinline RI whenever I could afford one. I lucked out and found a Thinline that already had them installed.
They might not have the twang of some other pups, but I think they're still plenty twangy and a very versatile pup. They can do every thing from country to rock to jazz. Great clarity and balance from string to string. No icepick, no mud.

[Jake D]

Originally Posted by marantz1300

I use rio grandes muy grandes. Hotter then usa standard pups, crystal clear. I love em. I had seymour duncan vintage pups in my mim. Really nice vintage tone and less muddy then standard pups.

You sure can spot a Muy Grande neck pup from a mile away. No cover and those huge pole pieces.
They are so clear and bright it is almost like having another bridge pickup.

I've heard great things about the Bare Knuckle pickups. Maybe some of guys from the UK can vouch for them. I asked Tim Mills (the guy that winds the Bare Knuckles) about the BK Country Boys, the Pile Drivers, and The Boss set. Here is what he wrote:

"well CBs (Country Boys) are bright and punchy but not darker or hotter-that's definately the job of The Boss tele coils-they sit mid way bewteen the CBs and the seriously hot and punchy Piledriver set.The PDs are great if you're after an all out powerhouse tone that doesn't sacrifice that Tele character while the Boss tips it's hat in that direction whilst still cleaning up nicely too.

kindest regards

Tim"

Nice guy to deal with, if you're interested.

[Bémolle]

I have BLs in all my guitars. I don't gig anymore other than the occasional jam and when I play at home, the noiseless option is critical.

I m currently waiting on a 290-280 set for my AM Std tele and I can't wait to kill the buzz.

[Spunky99]

I started with a stock Highway One Tele.
The stock pickups were noisy and the pickguard made skritchy scratchy noises from the static. I corrected the pickguard but the pickups were still noisy. Think 60 cycle hum. I upgraded to the Fender vintage noiseless and found them to be quiet but nonreactive and without soul. Instead of changing course, I went to the Fender CS Samarium Cobalt Noiseless. They were the same but had more life in them but still no real Tele soul.
I changed to the Fender 51' Nocaster set and am happy as a clam.
Lively, vibrant, reactive and lots of Tele twang and soul.
I have some Keystones that will go into a new build and I bought them on recommendation from others here at TDPRI.COM.

Good luck to you.

[Wayne Alexander]

I have to have noiseless pickups in my single coil guitars for live playing, because the places we play tend to have a lot of noise in the electrical system, dimmers on the stage lights, etc, that really provoke single coil buzz and the guys in my band can't cope with it. The Kinman Broadcaster pickup set sounds as good in my Nocaster as any 50's style tele singlecoil pickups I've tried, including Custom Shop Nocasters, the 52 reissue OV pickups, Fralin Blues Specials, and a few others, and is noiseless. What's not to like? I've got another tele (52 reissue with an aftermarket Allparts TMN-FAT neck) with Barden pickups in it, the Bardens are noiseless too but Bardens don't sound like single-coil tele pickups, they have a different voice. A good voice, but not the stock tele voice. For my playing I like the Kinmans a lot better.