dimarzio true velvet t's

[vinman]

If you thought the Twang Kings were the bomb, then you're gonna love these pickups.
I installed these in a used MIM Fender tele I just picked up recently at Sam Ash. (30% coupon off $300 = $240).
Anyway, I put these in and am amazed at the clarity of each note. More so than even the TK's. I compared my DIY tele with the TK's to the TV's and even my wife could tell the difference. Now, don't misunderstand, the TK's IMO are the best tele pickups out there.....until these. The tone is about the same (I kept the amp setting on my Twin reverb clone the same for both guitars) but chords have more of a ring and each note is clearer.
I guess because they are a newer offering from Dimarzio, they are hard to find. I think the strat True Velvets have been around and the tele ones are new.
I got the unplated nickel finish on the neck pickup because Dimarzio's site says they make them for a truer tone. It looks like a brushed aluminum type finish. The other finishes are available from what I understand.
I wouldn't say either of these pickups have a deep bass, but it is a good bottom and evenly matched across the strings. I'm using D'addario 10's with a wound G, but if I want to play some heavy bottom I usually reach for one of my humbucker guitars anyway.
Anyway, that's my amateur review of the True Velvet T pickups. They are well worth it and they'll be the new tele buzz.

 

[Amby]

Thanks for the review. More so because you were able to compare them with the Twang Kings.

 

[bigshug]

ditto, more than pleased with the ones I put on my recent build

 

[Brian blaut]

did you test both guitars with new strings? I'm not doubting your findings in the least, its just that the tonal difference you describe, to me is very similar to new strings versus old ones, so I was just wondering if the strings could possibly be a big influence here.

I'm incredibly interested in the Velvets. Would you say the neck is as bright or slightly less bright than the TK? I see that Dimarzio rates the treble as a little lower than the TK.

 

[vinman]

No, they are not new strings on the TK guitar. I changed them about a month ago and I don't play out and it was in a case and I have only played it about twice in since I changed strings, so they're still pretty new.
After you asked I did a back and forth on the brightness of the neck pickup and as far as that goes, I would say the TK's are a little brighter. Whatever word you want to plug in....a tad, a smidge....a tiny bit. IMO hardly noticeable unless you're looking for it.
Then again, the only honest remark I have to include is that I'm 55 and many years of rock and roll, power tools, out in traffic, and no hearing protection have taken it's toll. So I would say that maybe to your ears, there would be a bigger difference. I very rarely wear my hearing aids and it's a good excuse to tell the wife I didn't hear her.

 

[Brian blaut]

cool! thanks for the review vinman. I have a new project going and now I have to decide to try the Velvets or Keystones. I'm a big fan of my TK neck.

 

[vinman]

One thing I forgot to mention is that there is a ground wire for the cover of the neck pickup and a ground wire from the base plate of the bridge pickup along with the standard pickup ground wires.

 

[Brian blaut]

so, that means you just forgo the grounding the bridge via a little wire under the bridge plate, because the extra bridge plate ground wire takes care of grounding the bridge/strings?

 

[Amby]

Yes! Dimarzio also provided the extra "grey" wire on their recent Twang Kings, so it means that the neck pickup cover and bridge pickup plate can be grounded on their own which is useful if you have to reverse wire a pickup for "out of phase" or if you want to do the 4-way switch mod which requires the separate grounds.

 

[martin82]

I just installed a True Velvet neck pup in my Palo Escrito tele and am really happy with it. I also installed a DiMarzio Pre-B1 in the bridge. Also, a great pup. I already have TKs in another tele and wanted to try something different. I love the TK and the TV and Pre B-1 are a great. I would say that they add a little bit more muscle than the TKs. Can't wait to try them out with my band.

 

[strumminsix]

One thing I forgot to mention is that there is a ground wire for the cover of the neck pickup and a ground wire from the base plate of the bridge pickup along with the standard pickup ground wires.

I know this is an old post but as I'm installing a pair of True Velvet T's on my Warmoth Tele build I'm wondering if you simply run the greys to your volume pot with your black wires to ground?

 

[vinman]

yes, that's how you would connect it.
Enjoy.

 

[strumminsix]

Thanks! That's how I wired it up but just wanted to double check.

So far I have the bridge installed and still waiting on the neck but I am really enjoying it! Very full sounding with some twang taboot!

Can't wait for the combination!

 

[strumminsix]

I've got a set of these in my Warmoth build and love them! A nice cross between a modern and classic Tele tones. Covers alot of territory

 

[Hoodster]

I had a very interesting conversation with a tech at Dimarzio the other day that renewed my interest in the True Velvets (sidenote -- it still amazes me that you can call Dimarzio and not only get a real human being but one who actually knows what they're talking about and is willing to have a lengthy conversation, probably at least 20 minutes, with a customer).

Anyway, just checking to see if anyone else is using this pickup. I'm specifically interested in the bridge, since this would be going in an Esquire build.

 

[JG806]

I had a very interesting conversation with a tech at Dimarzio the other day that renewed my interest in the True Velvets (sidenote -- it still amazes me that you can call Dimarzio and not only get a real human being but one who actually knows what they're talking about and is willing to have a lengthy conversation, probably at least 20 minutes, with a customer).

Anyway, just checking to see if anyone else is using this pickup. I'm specifically interested in the bridge, since this would be going in an Esquire build.

I've had the bridge pup in since July. I'm really happy with it. I play classic country & classic rock. The TV covers these styles well. I can even pull some Angus out of these with a little boost of the bass on my OD. Over 6 months with this & changing it has not crossed my mind.