What’s the major difference between those 2 versions of Fender Noiseless pickups? I have the N3s in my American deluxe telecaster but was wondering if I should upgrade.
Fender N3 or N4 Noiseless pickups
- Thread starter Rockinvet
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Jay Jernigan
Tele-Afflicted
There is no "should."
If you like those N3s, leave them in.
Get another guitar, needs a set of noiseless, try N4s.
Should curiosity get the better of you, you may feel compelled to try the N4s, but I'm still not sure if you should.
If you like those N3s, leave them in.
Get another guitar, needs a set of noiseless, try N4s.
Should curiosity get the better of you, you may feel compelled to try the N4s, but I'm still not sure if you should.
Thank you. It would be nice to AB them
SRHmusic
Friend of Leo's
Not sure about the Telecaster N3's in particular, but I replaced the N3's in my Deluxe Strat with DiMarzio Areas (Pro 54, Area 61). Huge improvement. To me the N3's did not sound like a Strat should, even with 10 options from S-1 switching. From what I've seen on YT, the N4's sound better. For example David Brewster has one of the newer Fender loaded pickguards, and it sounds great on YT to me. Nothing can tell you for sure without trying them in person, though.
loopfinding
Poster Extraordinaire
i had VNs and the dimarzio areas were a marked improvement in both sound and noise (and i actually saved money when i got rid of the VNs). i can't imagine that the different gens of fenders vary in construction that much. i'd like to mess around with kinmans some day (have with jazzmasters), but i can't find a used pair cheap enough. maybe will try mojotone quiet coils soon when i have some extra cash.
Well that’s a thought. Maybe Fenders not the way to go.
JL_LI
Poster Extraordinaire
I love the N4 noiseless pickups in my avatar Telecaster. I bought them as a loaded pickguard from Stratosphere so I have the factory pots, switch, cap and resistor. I get all the modern and classic Telecaster tones I’m looking for.
Downsides were having to hog out the control cavity in my MIM for the S1 switch and also having to accommodate the added depth of stacked single coils. Having to desolder and resolver the S1 switch was a pain. I’d use a 4 way switch if I had to do it again.
Anyway, with the job done, I’m happy. I’ve never played N3 pickups. I wouldn’t think they’re bad, just different.
Downsides were having to hog out the control cavity in my MIM for the S1 switch and also having to accommodate the added depth of stacked single coils. Having to desolder and resolver the S1 switch was a pain. I’d use a 4 way switch if I had to do it again.
Anyway, with the job done, I’m happy. I’ve never played N3 pickups. I wouldn’t think they’re bad, just different.
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DougM
Poster Extraordinaire
Fender has now come out with their version 5, which are used on the Ultra Series, and are called Ultra Noiseless. NO noiseless pickups is going to sound like a true single coil, whether side by side like the Bardens, some newer Lawrences, and some Dimarzios, or a stack, like the Fenders, SD Stacks, original Lawrences, and Dimarzio Virtual Vintage/Area series. Of the ones I've tried, I like the Areas and Cruisers from Dimarzio, the original Lawrence L250, and the Fender Vintage Noiseless. I found the N3s to be lacking in highs. But, none of them sound or feel quite like a true single coil, and even if they can get close in tone, they seem to be a bit lacking in the attack and dynamics compared to a real SC.
Ouch, that’s the guitar I’ve got. But I like it so far.
Golem
Tele-Afflicted
I had the N3s. I didn't think they were terrible, but replacing them with Wilde Keystones was a huge improvement. Anyhow, I've also had N4s in an Elite HSS. Again, I didn't think they were terribly but I liked what I replaced them with far better.
They are generally beautiful guitars. Every now and then the combinations of neck thickness/wood and body woods don't work in my experience.
It does annoy me that Fender continue to put their noiseless offerings in their best models, or should I say in their most expensive models. I've never owned one, from bass through Telecasters and strats where I have been satisfied with the pickups.
