...so what kind of pickups do I need?

ajgus · January 8th, 2008, 10:07 PM

I have a Deluxe Nashville & I'm looking to Switch out the stock neck & bridge pickups. I want something w/ as little hum as possible. I'm shooting for great classic rock & blues tones. What pickups suit this style best? I was thinking Vintage Noiseless or Samarium Cobalts. Does anyone have experience w/ these?..

Wop Geronimo · January 8th, 2008, 10:32 PM

I say run from about any noisless if you want a nice blues raunch. If it were me, I'd throw in a set of Texas Specials.

poipounder57 · January 9th, 2008, 12:09 AM

Suhr V60 LP's in my Strats...great pups!!! Very quiet...no buzzing hums etc. Fralins are also great pup's...I have a set in my Tele. Check them out...great for classic rock and blues!!!

superchicken_VI · January 9th, 2008, 07:47 AM

I had Vintage Noiseless in a Strat, and they were pretty clean pickups. If you want a lot of drive, they're probably not the right animal for you.

blackbelt308 · January 9th, 2008, 08:29 AM

Check out Bill Lawrence "Wildes". A 280 neck and a 290 bridge.

Ciao,
Rick

ajgus · January 9th, 2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wop Geronimo

I say run from about any noisless if you want a nice blues raunch. If it were me, I'd throw in a set of Texas Specials.

I've heard alot of good things about Texas Specials. How are they on the Hum front?

guitarzan13 · January 9th, 2008, 09:17 AM

Seymour Duncan Little 59 in the bridge position!!

Tele-evangelist · January 9th, 2008, 09:54 AM

Log on to the Kinman site and have a listen to the Broadcaster samples, as they sound like they may fit your description. The 60's Customs are more like the traditional Tele... both are super quiet, IMHO.

http://www.kinman.com/html/myProducts.htm

Tim

BroadMaster · January 9th, 2008, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajgus

I've heard alot of good things about Texas Specials. How are they on the Hum front?

Wired/ grounded correctly, they're great. That's true of lotsa pups tho'.
Classic rock and blues has a huge amount of single coil guitars used in the recording of our fave stuff. Usually the noise is club beer light or in home rf noise. Get a noise gate or just keep some part of you, flesh wise, in contact with the guitar's metal parts(or turn down the volume between songs) or check your grounding. The amp may have a ground switch. Try flipping it the other direction. Perhaps you have a malfunctioning power cord on your amp. When is the last time you bought a new guitar cable? Was it quality or price point purchase? There are even more factors to consider if none of thes fixes the problem.
Good luck, I know it can be frustrating with the search of noise.

TheDev01dOne · January 9th, 2008, 10:04 AM

Bare Knuckle Pickups Yardbird set? That's what I have in my Tele and they get a great blues rock sound. Nicely middy and not too hot so they still have some twang. I don't have any hum problems with them at all.

Jellecaster · January 9th, 2008, 10:05 AM

I personally really like the Samarium Cobalts. They are a little hotter than other Tele pups, but I have them in four or five of my Teles and am very happy. The bridge twangs nicely and they are both totally quiet.

As for the Duncan Little '59 - I put it in one of my builds and was disappointed by the sound. If I had it to do over again I would go in a different direction.

JimiBryant · January 9th, 2008, 10:14 AM

I like Texas Special Tele pups, I also have some sort of Rio Grande in
the bridge of my #1 Son Partscaster and that ain't EVER coming out!!

I love love LOVE the stock pickups in my Fender CS Nocaster.

just picked up a set of BKP Yardbirds for my new project.. can't wait!

I would try Fralins or Lollars or get a Don Mare custom wind if I were
looking to match with "other" brand pups..

I've got a Strat project on down the line that'll have a Seymour Duncan Nashville bridge, a Fender CS neck, and a Fralin Blues middle pickup -
that should be an interesting combination.. the Duncan has Alnico 3 and
Alnico 5 polepieces and it is s'posed to be some sort of a studio picker's secret special winding..

ajgus · January 9th, 2008, 10:16 AM

Thanks Tele-evangelist. Those broadcasters sound fantastic. So, from what I understand they're "noiseless"? Also, those Kinmans are pretty pricey, no?

ajgus · January 9th, 2008, 10:23 AM

Appreciate all the input. Looks like I have some research to do. Fun stuff, though!

Brennantele · January 9th, 2008, 11:09 AM

+1 for Texas Specials... and they can be had pretty cheap too.

Tom S · January 9th, 2008, 11:28 AM

I like the vintage noiseless pickups just fine. This is probably more of an amp and effects discussion though.

Jellecaster · January 9th, 2008, 02:27 PM

My favorite pups on earth are the CS Nocasters, but they are NOT noiseless by any stretch!

I have the Texas Specials on my CIJ '62 and they are okay. They are pretty hot, but I don't dislike them as much as I thought I would. How's that for a ringing endorsement?

Jellecaster · January 9th, 2008, 02:29 PM

Deleted.

Wop Geronimo · January 9th, 2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitarzan13

Seymour Duncan Little 59 in the bridge position!!

A good pup indeed, but I still tend to believe based on his post, a TexSpe would give him that raunchy classic rock edge. Slap some tube OD on them suckers and it's blood guts and tears.

Jellecaster · January 9th, 2008, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wop Geronimo

A good pup indeed, but I still tend to believe based on his post, a TexSpe would give him that raunchy classic rock edge. Slap some tube OD on them suckers and it's blood guts and tears.

But the Texas Specials are as noisy as you can get and he said that he wanted as little noise as possible...

ajgus · January 9th, 2008, 03:50 PM

The stock pickups are not bad tone-wise. I just really like my set-up to be as noise-free as possible. I'm going to try some shielding tonight. Perhaps that & a new high-quality cable may help a bit. We shall see...

ajgus · January 9th, 2008, 03:54 PM

BTW, are there similarities between Tex Specs & Tex Mex pups? My Nash comes stock w/ Tex Mex. I just figured they we less expensive Mexican versions of the Tex Specs. Tex, Mex, Specs...I can't keep track anymore.

Wop Geronimo · January 9th, 2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jellecaster

But the Texas Specials are as noisy as you can get and he said that he wanted as little noise as possible...

True they are noise bound in many cases; however, is it really possible to get that gritty tone he describes in a noiseless?

roadrider502 · January 9th, 2008, 05:43 PM

Shielding won't do much for hum. The pickup's are just doing their job. I have the same issue and I'm thinking about noiseless also. Kinman's sound real nice to me from what i hear on the website. TS's are pretty noisy but sound great. EMG are an alternative if you can live with the look. I personally like the shine cover on the neck pickup :)

January 8th, 2008, 10:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
ajgus Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chicago Posts: 1,650	...so what kind of pickups do I need? I have a Deluxe Nashville & I'm looking to Switch out the stock neck & bridge pickups. I want something w/ as little hum as possible. I'm shooting for great classic rock & blues tones. What pickups suit this style best? I was thinking Vintage Noiseless or Samarium Cobalts. Does anyone have experience w/ these?..

January 9th, 2008, 09:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
guitarzan13 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: LaGrange, GA Age: 43 Posts: 1,203 8 Photos	Seymour Duncan Little 59 in the bridge position!! __________________ Practice make permanent!!!!....Perfect practice makes perfect!!! Chris B. Current Band www.productoffaith.net Last band as a bass player www.neonjones.com

January 9th, 2008, 09:54 AM	#8 (permalink)
Tele-evangelist TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver Canada Age: 54 Posts: 61 7 Photos	Log on to the Kinman site and have a listen to the Broadcaster samples, as they sound like they may fit your description. The 60's Customs are more like the traditional Tele... both are super quiet, IMHO. http://www.kinman.com/html/myProducts.htm Tim __________________ After 42 years of plucking I bought a Tele... I saved the best for last!

January 9th, 2008, 10:04 AM	#10 (permalink)
TheDev01dOne Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Staffordshire, England. Age: 20 Posts: 466	Bare Knuckle Pickups Yardbird set? That's what I have in my Tele and they get a great blues rock sound. Nicely middy and not too hot so they still have some twang. I don't have any hum problems with them at all. __________________ '86 MIJ Esquire Squier Standard - Heavily Modded Bastardised '80(?)s Vester Esquire

January 9th, 2008, 10:05 AM	#11 (permalink)
Jellecaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Hampshire, USA Age: 39 Posts: 2,062	I personally really like the Samarium Cobalts. They are a little hotter than other Tele pups, but I have them in four or five of my Teles and am very happy. The bridge twangs nicely and they are both totally quiet. As for the Duncan Little '59 - I put it in one of my builds and was disappointed by the sound. If I had it to do over again I would go in a different direction. __________________ It was born at the junction of form and function...

January 8th, 2008, 10:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Wop Geronimo Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Confusion, USA Age: 31 Posts: 550	I say run from about any noisless if you want a nice blues raunch. If it were me, I'd throw in a set of Texas Specials.

January 9th, 2008, 12:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
poipounder57 TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 13	Suhr V60 LP's in my Strats...great pups!!! Very quiet...no buzzing hums etc. Fralins are also great pup's...I have a set in my Tele. Check them out...great for classic rock and blues!!!

January 9th, 2008, 07:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
superchicken_VI Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Monroe, NC Age: 35 Posts: 1,219	I had Vintage Noiseless in a Strat, and they were pretty clean pickups. If you want a lot of drive, they're probably not the right animal for you.

January 9th, 2008, 08:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
blackbelt308 Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Age: 49 Posts: 128	Check out Bill Lawrence "Wildes". A 280 neck and a 290 bridge. Ciao, Rick

January 9th, 2008, 10:14 AM	#12 (permalink)
JimiBryant Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chicago Chicago that toddlin' town Age: 46 Posts: 1,575	I like Texas Special Tele pups, I also have some sort of Rio Grande in the bridge of my #1 Son Partscaster and that ain't EVER coming out!! I love love LOVE the stock pickups in my Fender CS Nocaster. just picked up a set of BKP Yardbirds for my new project.. can't wait! I would try Fralins or Lollars or get a Don Mare custom wind if I were looking to match with "other" brand pups.. I've got a Strat project on down the line that'll have a Seymour Duncan Nashville bridge, a Fender CS neck, and a Fralin Blues middle pickup - that should be an interesting combination.. the Duncan has Alnico 3 and Alnico 5 polepieces and it is s'posed to be some sort of a studio picker's secret special winding.. __________________ I'm sick and tired of following my dreams, so I'm just gonna ask 'em where they're going and hook up with them later!

January 9th, 2008, 10:16 AM	#13 (permalink)
ajgus Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chicago Posts: 1,650	Thanks Tele-evangelist. Those broadcasters sound fantastic. So, from what I understand they're "noiseless"? Also, those Kinmans are pretty pricey, no?

January 9th, 2008, 10:23 AM	#14 (permalink)
ajgus Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chicago Posts: 1,650	Appreciate all the input. Looks like I have some research to do. Fun stuff, though!

January 9th, 2008, 11:09 AM	#15 (permalink)
Brennantele Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Age: 24 Posts: 330	+1 for Texas Specials... and they can be had pretty cheap too. __________________ www.myspace.com/brennanbatey

January 9th, 2008, 11:28 AM	#16 (permalink)
Tom S Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,208 49 Photos	I like the vintage noiseless pickups just fine. This is probably more of an amp and effects discussion though.

January 9th, 2008, 02:27 PM	#17 (permalink)
Jellecaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Hampshire, USA Age: 39 Posts: 2,062	My favorite pups on earth are the CS Nocasters, but they are NOT noiseless by any stretch! I have the Texas Specials on my CIJ '62 and they are okay. They are pretty hot, but I don't dislike them as much as I thought I would. How's that for a ringing endorsement? __________________ It was born at the junction of form and function...

January 9th, 2008, 02:29 PM	#18 (permalink)
Jellecaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Hampshire, USA Age: 39 Posts: 2,062	Deleted. __________________ It was born at the junction of form and function...

January 9th, 2008, 03:50 PM	#21 (permalink)
ajgus Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chicago Posts: 1,650	The stock pickups are not bad tone-wise. I just really like my set-up to be as noise-free as possible. I'm going to try some shielding tonight. Perhaps that & a new high-quality cable may help a bit. We shall see...

January 9th, 2008, 03:54 PM	#22 (permalink)
ajgus Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chicago Posts: 1,650	BTW, are there similarities between Tex Specs & Tex Mex pups? My Nash comes stock w/ Tex Mex. I just figured they we less expensive Mexican versions of the Tex Specs. Tex, Mex, Specs...I can't keep track anymore.

January 9th, 2008, 05:43 PM	#24 (permalink)
roadrider502 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: scranton, pa Age: 41 Posts: 182	Shielding won't do much for hum. The pickup's are just doing their job. I have the same issue and I'm thinking about noiseless also. Kinman's sound real nice to me from what i hear on the website. TS's are pretty noisy but sound great. EMG are an alternative if you can live with the look. I personally like the shine cover on the neck pickup :)