Baja Tele Pickups! Maybe Change Them?

Isn't the Baja set pretty close (or identical) to the nocaster set?

 

I have both sets.

- CS '51 Nocaster set on a Roadworn 50s
- a 50s Ash Baja LPB FSR based partscaster with a replacement rosewood neck with the original Broadcaster and Twisted Tele combo but a 3 way switch not the S1

Both fine sets and I'm keeping them.

The bridge pickups are fairly similar I think, the neck pickups are really not.

The Broadcaster and Twisted Tele set are both quite bright IMO, the Twisted Tele neck in particular which is very stratty indeed to these ears. I love this set. I do tend to back off the guitar tone about a quarter particularly on the neck pup. it hits the sweet spot ofr me there beig still stratty but a lot warmer.

the Nocaster neck pup is quieter than the bridge pup and has an open warmer transparent sound. The bridge is superb and has quite a high output. I keep the tone pot open on both of these.

Not sure if that helps much. Some dig the stratty neck some don't. I'm sure you've tried rolling the tone back some but if not, then you find find that is sufficient to warm up.

 

I have tele with Baja pickups set and I cant call bridge harsh (I hate ear piercing harsh sounding pickups), it is quite mellow, maybe you can try to lower it a bit?
From what I know, Baja pickups are the same as used in the American standard tele, the wires are different, though. Anyway, if you'll decide to dump them, I might take them from you

 

Replaced a broken Baja bridge pickup with a Cavalier NoCaster with A3 magnets. Best sounding Tele bridge pickup I've ever had. Rob is the best to work with too.

 

I usually start off any mod series with a guitar I'm not bonding not by swapping pickups but with changing the tone cap (0.033uF is my typical), then the volume pot (500k for brighter, 250k for darker). Use a meter to verify what the volume pot is actually at because their factory spec is wide enough that two guitars can sound different just because of the volume pots are at high and low limits of their allowed tolerance.

 

I prefer the klein 52 set (with nickel silver neck cover), but I guess the stock pickups are just fine.

 

The Baja pickup combo is the only set I can think of that I just got lost in playing no matter what position the switch.

 

Absolutely. This is coming from someone who gets anxiety at the thought of leaving a guitar stock. The Baja is just that great all around.

 

Nay, you dont need strat, play your Baja for a month and you wont need any other guitar. I have two strats and tele, strats are played maybe 3-5% of time only

 

V glad to hear you're keeping it stock. That explains what I see so few of these pups on flea bay... and I have looked!

Sorry all die hard Tele freaks, I also highly recommend having a Strat too. Very versatile and great to switch to occasionally as the material suggests it. Nothing like that Strat 5, 4 and 2 position for some things.

But for me, if you're on the bridge pup mostly, the Tele or T-type is indeed king of the Fenders.

 

Another easy and inexpensive way to change things up is to play around with the pickup heights. Can make a big difference in how harsh or sweet the pickup sounds and if you don't like it you can easily put it back. I usually use a screwdriver that has some markings on one side and do half or quarter turn increments. That way I can adjust evenly and I know how much to go back if I don't like something. Enjoy your Baja. I think the fifties model is the best production tele out right now. At least that I can afford.