I typically start with the "standard" pickup for the style I am building, then modify after I realize what it is I really want. Modding right off the starting line isn't really a mod as much as it is an experiment, IMO.
Best tele pickup for a parts caster.
- Thread starter Grandfunkfan
- Start date
Raising Arizona
TDPRI Member
I also forgot to mention… Joe Barden pickups…wow!! Especially the Gatton’s
Frisco 57
Tele-Afflicted
IMHO, The search function will show this is a really common discussion here with lots and lots of input. Check it out.
Wooly Fox
Tele-Holic
1) Budget?
2) What are you wanting your Tele to do? Is it for country music? Indie? Rock?
2) What are you wanting your Tele to do? Is it for country music? Indie? Rock?
Grandfunkfan
Tele-Meister
No budget, I plays some blues and lots of super raw old school hard rock, Grand Funk, Aerosmith, Montrose, and a bunch of other bands most of you guys haven't heard of.
Wooly Fox
Tele-Holic
Similar to what I play on my CS '51. The 51 Nocaster pickups in that really rock.
Also recommend the Lollar J Street in the bridge position if you're going with a twisted tele neck.
As you're building a Tele, you could have a look at a neck HB to get fatter tones for the type of rock you're playing.
My Kauer Korona (a USA made T-type) has a Lollar El Rayo HB in the neck and a Lollar J Street in the bridge. It's a really nice pairing if you get the pot combinations correct.
Grandfunkfan
Tele-Meister
Thanks for the feedback. I keep hearing good things about the nocaster. Definitely gonna check it out. Trying to move away from the HB thing. I like the bottom end tele bridge pickups put out. More definition than the HBs.
Coolehandluke
TDPRI Member
Nocaster 51's for what you suggested.
richiek65
Poster Extraordinaire
My partscaster has a set of Texas Specials, they are nice and thick sounding, i think they would be very appropriate for blues and classic rock. My modded Squier has a Texas Special in the bridge and a Firebird in the neck a la Hotrod 52. It is righteous.
Matthias
Friend of Leo's
Cool guitar! What pot combo did you go with?
Wooly Fox
Tele-Holic
I think it's Emerson 250K harness they use for it.
AndrewG
Friend of Leo's
Not to mention that what they are suggesting is what works for them in their guitars. Asking for recommendations is a potential minefield!
T-bone Ted
Tele-Meister
I gotta ask...exactly what bands that we haven't heard of? LOL
nopicknick
Tele-Meister
I have a pinecaster esquire with a Seymour Duncan Antiquity. For this guitar I can't imagine what could be better. My other partscaster, alder body, has a set of DiMarzio True Velvet that work well in that guitar. What works for some won't work for others.
JRapp
Tele-Afflicted
After a couple of dozen bridge pickups, I settled on the Jerry Donahue for my 80s '52 RI. I also have a custom wind Bootstrap A5 for the neck pickup. Best combination I've used thus far.
Geo
Poster Extraordinaire
One of the best for medium output are the Caviler Nashville Lion bridge and Lion King neck. These balance
really well and very versatile for different music styles. https://www.frettech.com/
really well and very versatile for different music styles. https://www.frettech.com/
Sax-son
Friend of Leo's
Yup!
LowCaster
Tele-Afflicted
The first pickups I bought for my first partscaster were the Wilde Pickups (Bill Lawrence) Keystone tele set. Thanks to this forum. Ten years after they are still the best pickups I ever heard. Clear and open sound, well balanced and not harsh, highly musical in every possible setting, you’ll enjoy using the volume and tone controls.
Happy Enchilada
Friend of Leo's
Bootstraps.
$50 a set.
Several "flavors" to choose from.
And you can mix n match, and get 'em RWRP.
Handmade in a garage in Ohio.
Sound better than most of the "name brand" pickups.
I've used them several times and so have many on this forum.
Much love for Bootstraps. Much.
$50 a set.
Several "flavors" to choose from.
And you can mix n match, and get 'em RWRP.
Handmade in a garage in Ohio.
Sound better than most of the "name brand" pickups.
I've used them several times and so have many on this forum.
Much love for Bootstraps. Much.
robt57
Telefied
But let's not rule out a P90ish bridge PU for rowdy use I've learned.Don't be shy about a quarter turn on the tone pickup for your bridge pickup alone. An Awful lot of players over the years relied on that.
I agree that hot/overwound isn't the best for tele pickups. A little extra is ok though
I got a Pre-B1 Dimarzio years ago, and never took it out. And a non base plated tele bridge PU was never anything I thought I'd possibly like. I expected a failed experiment.
Generally I've always stuck 8.5 9k max in a vintage bridge Tele. That Pre-B1 changed things in my perception.
I do suggest opening up the tone circuit with them hot PUs, or bypass option via push pull, yada.
Side note: with by passed tone circuit the Pre-B1 at 1/2 throttle [guitar pot] still in a well working range, not muted etc.
