Bootstrap question

[Jackdaw101]

Hi all, I'm playing a Classic 50's Telecaster with a B-Bender installed in it, and I'm thinking of getting a new set of pickups. After some thought, I've decided to go with Bootstrap. The problem is that the descriptions they provide aren't really enough for me to distinguish between them, and the videos on YouTube aren't much better. So can any of you help me decide between them? If it helps any, I'm looking for a very bright, clear and sweet tone, something like Marty Stuart. You can hear the tone I mean at the :33 mark, here:

I suspect the Original Recipe are the ones that I want, but I can't be sure. Anybody who has any advice for me would be much appreciated.

 

[UPtele]

I have the extra crispy set and I love them. I reckon you could dial in that sound with them, at least close

 

[Festofish]

I’ve got the Sun city selects and humbucker sized P90s. They’re both great but I wouldn’t dare tell you what would be good for you. Seriously though….their P90s roar!

 

[puddin]

I have the original recipe in my esquire, and love this pickup. I can dial in that tone with ease. The best pickup ever, at least to my ears. I think you will be pleased. Best of luck.

 

[John_B]

Ryans Extra Crispy is as close as you will get with Bootstrap IMO. Pair it up with a Fender Deluxe Reverb amp like Marty uses. I read he likes the expensive Jensen ceramic speaker that has the big magnet. I have loved my Extra Crispy pup for a long, long time!

 

[monkeybanana]

 

[Lou Tencodpees]

I have the Extra Crispies in one Tele and love what they offer in that guitar, but they are notably warmer than my Teles with Alnico 5's. Could be the sum of all parts with that guitar, but my inclination would be to focus on the A5 offerings.

 

[Audiowonderland]

My suggestion..

Bootstrap Pretzel neck, Palo Duro Bridge

 

[Dan German]

Have you contacted Bootstrap for a suggestion/recommendation? Worked for me.

 

[BigPapa-53]

I can’t speak to a comparison, but I really like my Palo Duro’s.

 

[Jackdaw101]

I watched that about a dozen times over the past two weeks. Interesting trivia: they’re not using any pedals at all. Just guitar straight into the cranked amp

 

[Jackdaw101]

My suggestion..

Bootstrap Pretzel neck, Palo Duro Bridge

This is pretty much what I’ve settled on, unless Bootstrap talks me out of it.

 

[monkeybanana]

I watched that about a dozen times over the past two weeks. Interesting trivia: they’re not using any pedals at all. Just guitar straight into the cranked amp

There is a Kenny interview I think with Otis Gibbs where he talks about the Letterman band laughing at their cowboy outfits until they heard them play then it was jaws on the floor.

That Deluxe Reverb originally belonged to SIR in LA and Stuart convinced them to sell it to him. I always chuckle at how superstitious musicians can be. He sends the amp back to them every year for a check up and servicing before he goes on the road. He's got plenty of good techs local I'm sure.

 

[Jackdaw101]

There is a Kenny interview I think with Otis Gibbs where he talks about the Letterman band laughing at their cowboy outfits until they heard them play then it was jaws on the floor.

That Deluxe Reverb originally belonged to SIR in LA and Stuart convinced them to sell it to him. I always chuckle at how superstitious musicians can be. He sends the amp back to them every year for a check up and servicing before he goes on the road. He's got plenty of good techs local I'm sure.

Yup. We’re talking about the same video.

 

[Audiowonderland]

This is pretty much what I’ve settled on, unless Bootstrap talks me out of it.

I wanted classic clean twang with a neck pickup that balanced better with the bridge pickup and this worked well for me. I hope it works for you.

If you need more highs from the neck pickup you can wire it so the tone does not touch the neck pickup or do a no load tone cap to add more top to the whole thing. I have not had to do either but I had those option in my back pocket if I needed them

 

[Audiowonderland]

There is a Kenny interview I think with Otis Gibbs where he talks about the Letterman band laughing at their cowboy outfits until they heard them play then it was jaws on the floor.

Yeah the thing is, they can both be true...

 

[Bruxist]

i am a cheapskate and frequently get my pickups used, but I never mind paying full price for Cavs, Bootstraps, or Wilde pickups.

 

[misterdontmove]

That performance SMOKES!!

 

[Chicago Matt]

If we're talking neck pickups from Bootstrap, I dig the Original Recipe more than the Pretzel. I have both. The OR has more fullness like a typical Nocaster pickup, but with more treble available thanks to its modern nickel sliver cover. I love it. The Pretzel has a lot of nice, bright treble and twang, but to me it loses its "Teleness". But a lot of people like that Twisted Tele sound. I believe Bootstrap's Extra Crispy set has the same neck pickup as the Original Recipe set. The stats and resistance advertised are exactly the same.

The difference is in the bridge pickup. The Original Recipe sounds like a typical Nocaster bridge pickup to me, A3 magnets, I love it. The Extra Crispy adds some meat to the bone of that recipe, rolls off a little treble, and adds a little output. It's a little hotter but still falls in the vintage output range. It's perfect for me, cleans up great and still has plenty of twang for a traditional sound without ice pick in the ear. In my opinion, it can still do the Hummingbyrd sound the OP references, as can the Original Recipe. Gotta love Bootstrap!

 

[John_B]

I have a new question to an old thread. Has anyone paired up an A2 bridge to a Pretzel neck? I am about to do this. I have a Pretzel neck inbound soon from Ryan and will pair it with a sweet custom A2 Ryan made for me recently. I do not have the Deluxe Reverb but will put it thru a Super Champ XD with a 10" Copperhead. The guitar is a Guitar Mill 2 pc pine body and Fender 51 fat U maple neck.