Standard Tele pickup

Jezzo · February 22nd, 2008, 01:04 PM

I am rebuilding a tele I ruined in the 80s and would be grateful for any suggestions as to pickups.

All a want is a good standard telecaster pickup. Not hot/stacked/bright/trick/low noise, just one that gives a solid natural tele tone.

I realise that Fender might not be the best choice.

Ohh .... and I would rather not spend a fortune!

TIA

Jez

Spunky99 · February 22nd, 2008, 02:29 PM

2 different pickup sets come to mind.

Fender CS Nocaster

Bill Lawrence Keystone

The Keystones are very reasonably priced at around $74.00 delivered and the Nocaster set can be had for $120.00 if you look around.

edwardjeffrey · February 22nd, 2008, 02:50 PM

What's a fortune(for you)?Fender original vintage pickps are usually about 90 a set.Guitarfetish's GFS pickups are inexpensive and I've had good luck with them.
An old fool from the old school

6942 · February 22nd, 2008, 03:14 PM

+1 on the inexpensive-but-good GFS pickups.

Steve

Jellecaster · February 22nd, 2008, 03:22 PM

My all-time favorite pups are CS Nocasters and you can get them at Guitar Heaven right now at their going out of business sale for $120. I just ordered two sets.

Tom S · February 22nd, 2008, 04:09 PM

I may be part of the great unwashed, but I don't think you need to spend much for a good tele-sound pickup. The pups that come with a '50s Classic sound plenty good to me, and they can be found for about $40 a set on ebay. I have a set in a Fernandes, and it sounds just fine.

I have a GFS Classic TC Alnico neck pickup that I haven't used yet, but I like the GFS Vintage Split humbucker I'm using in one tele. GFS seems to be good value.

yegbert · February 22nd, 2008, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom S

I may be part of the great unwashed, but I don't think you need to spend much for a good tele-sound pickup.

I agree with Tom S on this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jezzo

Ohh .... and I would rather not spend a fortune!

So how much are you willing to spend on a set of pickups?

mellecaster · February 22nd, 2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yegbert

I agree with Tom S on this.

Me three...I agree w/ both of you....AMP AMP AMP :)

boris bubbanov · February 22nd, 2008, 05:04 PM

The Keystone Strats (3) are about $ 72, the Teles are actually $ 57. I paid $ 15 shipping on 5 sets of Keystones, I presume fewer sets is cheaper.

US made, aluminum base plate, excellent hardware including separate ground lead to the bridge pup.

I am still not real confident I could tell if I bought a used pickup that it was exactly what I thought it was. The Keystone, as great as it is, eliminates that concern, and further, goes into a 4 way switch with far less fuss.

February 22nd, 2008, 01:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jezzo NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 7	Standard Tele pickup I am rebuilding a tele I ruined in the 80s and would be grateful for any suggestions as to pickups. All a want is a good standard telecaster pickup. Not hot/stacked/bright/trick/low noise, just one that gives a solid natural tele tone. I realise that Fender might not be the best choice. Ohh .... and I would rather not spend a fortune! TIA Jez

February 22nd, 2008, 03:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jellecaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Hampshire, USA Age: 40 Posts: 2,149	My all-time favorite pups are CS Nocasters and you can get them at Guitar Heaven right now at their going out of business sale for $120. I just ordered two sets. __________________ It was born at the junction of form and function...

February 22nd, 2008, 05:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 8,574	The Keystone Strats (3) are about $ 72, the Teles are actually $ 57. I paid $ 15 shipping on 5 sets of Keystones, I presume fewer sets is cheaper. US made, aluminum base plate, excellent hardware including separate ground lead to the bridge pup. I am still not real confident I could tell if I bought a used pickup that it was exactly what I thought it was. The Keystone, as great as it is, eliminates that concern, and further, goes into a 4 way switch with far less fuss. __________________ Bubban0v

February 22nd, 2008, 02:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
Spunky99 Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Redondo beach Age: 54 Posts: 349	2 different pickup sets come to mind. Fender CS Nocaster Bill Lawrence Keystone The Keystones are very reasonably priced at around $74.00 delivered and the Nocaster set can be had for $120.00 if you look around.

February 22nd, 2008, 02:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
edwardjeffrey Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: san francisco Age: 55 Posts: 238	What's a fortune(for you)?Fender original vintage pickps are usually about 90 a set.Guitarfetish's GFS pickups are inexpensive and I've had good luck with them. An old fool from the old school

February 22nd, 2008, 03:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
6942 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 1,598	+1 on the inexpensive-but-good GFS pickups. Steve

February 22nd, 2008, 04:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tom S Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,211 49 Photos	I may be part of the great unwashed, but I don't think you need to spend much for a good tele-sound pickup. The pups that come with a '50s Classic sound plenty good to me, and they can be found for about $40 a set on ebay. I have a set in a Fernandes, and it sounds just fine. I have a GFS Classic TC Alnico neck pickup that I haven't used yet, but I like the GFS Vintage Split humbucker I'm using in one tele. GFS seems to be good value.