Higher output Tele pickups?

[swampyankee]

I love my '91 AmStd Tele, and it's been my go to axe for years. But playing in an oldies band, the p ickups just seem too weak to really stand out when needed. Even my MIM Strat has more output, albeit not the best tone. And the Lindy Fralin Blues Special bridge pickup in my Esquire outshines the Tele equivalent.

Im thinking of changing out the stock pickups for something with some more oomph. Not high gain, but something that will allow those cool vintage Tele tones to be heard. What would give that? Fender Fat 50's? The Fralin Blues Special set?

 

[TeleAndSG]

I love my '91 AmStd Tele, and it's been my go to axe for years. But playing in an oldies band, the p ickups just seem too weak to really stand out when needed. Even my MIM Strat has more output, albeit not the best tone. And the Lindy Fralin Blues Special bridge pickup in my Esquire outshines the Tele equivalent.

Im thinking of changing out the stock pickups for something with some more oomph. Not high gain, but something that will allow those cool vintage Tele tones to be heard. What would give that? Fender Fat 50's? The Fralin Blues Special set?

My guitar has a Fender Custom Shop Broadcaster bridge pickup and a Lollar Wide Range HB in the neck position (its a Custom 72). I would say any Broadcaster style pup might be what you're looking for (Broadcasters are famous for their oomph).

 

[FenderGuy53]

Fender Original Vintage set (alnico 3)
Tonerider Hot Classics set (alnico 3)
Fender Texas Special set (alnico 5)
Tonerider Vintage Plus set (alnico 5)

Good kuck!

 

[puddin]

love the Broadcasters... i'm running a don mare 0038@11.5 in the bridge of my 72 custom. also running don's 0038@10k in my kirn barnbuster.. just love the tone.

 

[swany]

swampyankee, Give Lindy a call I'm sure he'll make you what ever you're looking for.

 

[BB]

In addition to the above excellent recommendations, I'll throw in a few of my favorite's.
Zhangbucker Paul Bunyan, Cavalier Fat (any of Rob's higher output) Lion, Pickup Wizard hot Broadcaster.

 

[slauson slim]

New pickups may not be needed. You may have tried this, but have a go at adjusting the pickups - one nickel treble side/two nickel bass side is a good starting point, and a fresh set of strings. Also, have a look at wiring and pots to make sure all in good working order, and give the pots a squirt of contact cleaner. Lastly, try using a boost or EQ pedal to liven up the pickups.

My parts teles have DiM Twang King, Fender OV and SD Vintage Neck and Vintage '54 Bridge pickup sets. All the real deal classic tele and twang-wise, won't break the bank and no waiting for them to be constructed.....

 

[Endless Mike]

After having tried most everything out there, I've settled for Rob's Cavalier pickups. His Nashville packs some punch, and his Fat Lion really kicks 'em in the cajones. None of these are high output pickups, and still sound just like a Tele. Rob states that the Fat Lion doesn't Twang and isn't designed for that, but I still get 100% Tele tone of of the Fat Lion in My US G&L ASAT Classic.

 

[crossroader]

And the Lindy Fralin Blues Special bridge pickup in my Esquire outshines the Tele equivalent.

I think you've answered your own question, right there.
If you like the single Fralin in the Esquire, chances are pretty good that you're going to like the full set in the Tele.

FWIW, I've got a MIM Esquire that I bought used and the original owner put a Fralin pickup in it. He couldn't remember which model it was, but whatever it is, it's one of the best Tele bridge pickups I've ever heard. I added a Barden neck pickup to that guitar and it's been my #1 Tele ever since.

The only other suggestion I'd throw out there (because you need at least one more option to consider) would be a set of Bardens - their "Modern Telecaster" set.
I have those in my homebrew Tele. That's my other #1 Tele.
The "Modern" Bardens have a tamer version of the bridge pickup - a much smoother top end than the original Barden bridge pickup. Same great neck pickup.

 

[SPUDCASTER]

I have a Cavalier Fat/Bakersfield(tapped) and a Nashville.

Really not much difference in output, but the tones are the difference. Just thicker as you move up in the selections. With the F/B tapped, you get the Don Rich, Roy Nichols and Burton sound. Kick in the Fat side and you can blues and classic rock all night.

Rob has several options for the neck(Lion King, Lioness), great Tele tones. I have a Lion King, as good as any Tele you'd want to hear.

Can't beat his service, quality or prices.

No affiliation, just a satisfied repeat customer.

 

[5stringsdown]

Wolfetones will do just that....very well!

 

[TeleOrLes]

You may want to check out Blues Classic or Cream Tele manufactured by Alexander Pribora in Russia. There are several videos on Youtube demoing his Telecster & Strat pickups. They are scatterwound with decent resistance. I have a set of Blues Classics on order to replace the pathetic pickups in a Cozart Tele my girlfriend bought for me for Christmas. I'll have more personal info to post on them once they arrive & are installed.

 

[jvin248]

.

Does your bridge pickup have a baseplate? Is it steel? A thicker steel baseplate, even if you hand cut it from scraps at hand, can increase the output.
Can you add a 4-way switch? That will give you series with both pickups and maybe get where you want to go.

.

 

[Rob DiStefano]

passive pickup "output" should never be the prime goal - that's the job of amplification.

vintage style passive single coil pickups have very simple parameters of design and function. in essence - the lower the coil wire turn count around a bobbin, the higher the treble frequencies and the lower the output ... conversely, the higher the coil wire turn count, the lower the treble frequencies and the higher the output.

for the most part, tone would be better served to think about tone and not volume ... tone is where it's at, not volume/output. but, to each their own.

 

[Teleguy61]

Save your hard earned buckos and give Rob's Cavalier site a good looking-at.
He has what you need.

 

[bchaffin72]

passive pickup "output" should never be the prime goal - that's the job of amplification.

vintage style passive single coil pickups have very simple parameters of design and function. in essence - the lower the coil wire turn count around a bobbin, the higher the treble frequencies and the lower the output ... conversely, the higher the coil wire turn count, the lower the treble frequencies and the higher the output.

for the most part, tone would be better served to think about tone and not volume ... tone is where it's at, not volume/output. but, to each their own.

Well, as you said to me after I completed my first proper, vintage style pickup "it's not rocket science."

 

[red57strat]

The Fralin Blues Special was FAT yet twangy in my Tele. Rock, blues, country, rockabilly... any style. I have what I've been told is a Fred Stuart Blackguard in it now and it's pretty similar, maybe a tad more articulate.

 

[MilwMark]

passive pickup "output" should never be the prime goal - that's the job of amplification.

vintage style passive single coil pickups have very simple parameters of design and function. in essence - the lower the coil wire turn count around a bobbin, the higher the treble frequencies and the lower the output ... conversely, the higher the coil wire turn count, the lower the treble frequencies and the higher the output.

for the most part, tone would be better served to think about tone and not volume ... tone is where it's at, not volume/output. but, to each their own.

Beat me to it. Here I was going to suggest that most amps have a "Volume" knob . . .

OP, if you like the sound of the Tele, turn the amp up when you plug the Tele in!

 

[flyingbanana]

Sounds like your guitar could use a set of Bare Knuckle Flat 52's. Great pups, not too hot, neck pup in that set us real sweet, plus the bridge is not too hot that you wouldn't be able to pull off lighter classic rock, oldies or even country.

Just a wonderful set.

 

[sonofiam]

Fralin Split Blades high output. Amazed at how well they retain the Tele character. Talked to Lindy when trying to decide which model to get. He said tonally the vintage and high output were similar. The blues are a touch darker.