New PU or new guitar? (Baja vs TL-52)

[reflected]

I've recently seen many bands live who played on Bajas, and I was astonished by the sound. That bridge pickup really has that growly yet chimey 50's sound.
I currently have a MIJ TL-52, originally with Texas Specials, but I didn't like them so I bought a handmade boutique bridge pickup, with alnico V around 7.5k .
It's still not my dream tele tone, a bit too thin for my liking. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDoxitxxo6U )

This is the bridge tone what I'm looking for (ok ,I know it's a Broadcaster)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3e-4XuEf44

The CS broadcaster in the Baja-s I've heard sounds pretty close to this, would you agree?

Now, I really don't like the 4 way switch in the Baja, but I also don't like the foto flame on my MIJ 52's neck.

Should I

a) buy a Baja
b) replace the pickups in my MIJ 52 for a broadcaster and a twisted tele, or
c) replace the PU-s by something else?

I mostly play rythm on an AC30, cranked halfway up to get a dirty, jangly sound.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Telepi]

Baja's have a 9 1/2" radius, with medium/jumbo frets. The neck is very full too. It's a good neck, but I just swapped mine out with a 50's Road Worn with the 7 1/4" radius and 6105 frets. I like this better.

If you're looking for a complete change; a Baja is a nice choice. But, it might be easier to swap pick ups if that's all you really want.

 

[reflected]

Yeah, the question is more about getting closer to that Broadcaster sound. The neck doesn't matter that much to me.

 

[Minivan Megafun]

Well given that the Baja comes with a "Broadcaster" pickup it stands to reason that it's going to have more "Broadcaster" sound. Try a new pickup.

 

[iowacarver]

I absolutely love the sound you are getting with your ,52, I think it sounds much better than the other video. And I wish I could of gotten that kind of sound out of my Blues Jr. Never sounded that good or I would have kept it.

Corey
IowaCarver

 

[fezz parka]

FWIW, the Texas Special is basically the same pickup as the CS Broadcaster(linky is a quote by Alan Hamel), the only exception being the staggered polepieces. Put the Texas special back in, and keep it low, much lower than you normally would.

 

[Magic Bus]

FWIW, the Texas Special is basically the same pickup as the CS Broadcaster(linky is a quote by Alan Hamel), the only exception being the staggered polepieces. Put the Texas special back in, and keep it low, much lower than you normally would.

Same advice for the Broadcaster in the Baja, fezz?

 

[Toto'sDad]

Like seriously low for the Texas Specials, then lower them a little more, don't quit yet lower. Maybe a tad lower than that. You may have to jack hammer the cavity.

 

[Toto'sDad]

Sorry, I was having a flashback to when a buddy had Texas Specials jacked up in his Telecaster. The pain inflicted by those with a complete lack of bass and a pair of vice grips advancing the treble to 15, and the tone and volume wide open on the Tele has to be experienced, to never be forgotten. Huh, what,? He says he likes to hear the little bells, I hear them too, all the time now.

 

[fezz parka]

Same advice for the Broadcaster in the Baja, fezz?

Well, not really, since the Broadcaster is a flat pole pickup.

 

[Magic Bus]

Well, not really, since the Broadcaster is a flat pole pickup.

Cheers, thanks

 

[reflected]

Thank you for your replies. So I guess a broadcaster won't be much of a change from the TX specials. I might have to just experiment with my current pickups some more.

Perhaps it's the pickup height? Is a 7.5k Alnico V too high/too low at 6/64" // 5/64" ? I used to have it lower, but it didn't give me enough chime. Would lowering the PU give me a bassier sound or it would just become thinner?

Another thing I tried yesterday was to tune the guitar a whole step down, then use capo if needed. So far I like the way it sounds.

@Iowacarver: That's not me on the video, I only wish I was that good

 

[Twang Tone]

Get yourself a used Broadcaster/Twisted Tele pickup set, install and enjoy. Those Texas Specials are overwound with 43 gauge wire to be 10K ohms. The Broadcaster in my Blonde Baja sounds more Twangy, but still retains that early 50s midrange. With the Texas Specials, I always liked the idea of them more than actually using them.

Thanks,

 

[electric]

What amps were they playing through?

 

[fezz parka]

Get yourself a used Broadcaster/Twisted Tele pickup set, install and enjoy. Those Texas Specials are overwound with 43 gauge wire to be 10K ohms. The Broadcaster in my Blonde Baja sounds more Twangy, but still retains that early 50s midrange. With the Texas Specials, I always liked the idea of them more than actually using them.

Thanks,

They're the same pickup. The only difference is the staggered poles on the TS.

 

[Twang Tone]

They're the same pickup. The only difference is the staggered poles on the TS.

Not on my meter they ain't! TS come out at 10.5K, while the Broadcaster is 8K ohms.

Thanks,

 

[fezz parka]

Then they've changed them. I have both of them right here (I've had 'em for 9 years) and they both measure just over 9k.

 

[jefrs]

DC resistance is only an indicator, do not read too much into this number.

Baja06
Twisted 5.72k - don't bother
Broadcaster 8.16k - excellent

AmSer07
"American Tele" Neck 7.12k - excellent (especially paired with Broadcaster)
"American Tele" Bridge 6.87k - don't bother

 

[Twang Tone]

DC resistance is only an indicator, do not read too much into this number.

Agreed. Some of the loudest pickups I've had were in the 7K ohms range.

Thanks,