Suhr Tele pickups - Any users here?

[telepathic]

Tell me what you guys think, I've got a chance at a set at what I think is a very good price. These will be going in a MIM 69 RI Thinline with brass saddles. What can I expect? The MIM pups are definitely on the way out, I'm just looking for a little input on the Suhrs.

Thanks,

 

[Mike Aufrichtig]

I've had a Suhr neck pu in my '98 CE Tele for about three years now - love it! It's fairly traditional in sound, with just a bit more power than the stock vintage ri pu. It's got just a hint of Strat to it, but mostly Tele. Clear, warm and great for rhythm and bluesy or country style leads. I've played Suhr Tele's, and really liked the bridge pu's I've heard in them, somewhat traditional sounding with a little more power and just the right amount of twang. If you've got a line at some at a good price, I'd say check em out!

 

[TwinReverb]

I have Suhrs in my strat; they are excellent; full in the bass, round in the high's (not spikey). Standard overwound bridge pu.
A friend of mine has Suhrs in his '52 RI (the FAT version I believe). Really great; the neck pu's is perfect for Blues and Jazz. The bridge pu's gives fantastic twang without sounding harsh; simply full sounding pu's. IMHO they beat every Fender pu available (don't know about the Ibarra's). Try some.

 

[Buckshot]

I think JS only makes 1 set of Tele pickups - keeps it less confusing. I have his pickups in my #1 & 2 Strats and have had one of his bridge pickups in my #1 Tele. I've been swapping pickups in & out of Fenders for over 20 years now & every Suhr I've tried has been OUTSTANDING! Think the nicest vintage Fender tone and make it a touch sweeter & greasier - that's a Suhr. I've got an A&F Blackguard in the bridge of #1 right now, so I'm putting the Suhr Tele into a featherweight '57 Esquire replica I'm building right now.

 

[telepathic]

Thanks guys...

I got the Suhrs installed over the weekend and I have to say I'm impressed. A definite improvement over the standard Fender MIM pups. I have a set of Bardens in my 52 RI and I think I prefer the sound of the Suhrs. I know comparing pups in a solid body vs. thinline is a shot in the dark. Thanks for all the input!

 

[Roel from Holland]

Congratulations !

I've got Suhr pu's in my 52RI....best Tele pu's I've ever heard.

 

[sanhozay]

i own a suhr classic t. traditional 50's style telecaster; swamp ash. maple neck,brass saddles, chrome neck & flush pole bridge pup, no contours. nice guitar.

the suhr plays GREAT & the pups are super clear and warm, almost smokey sounding and always sweet, never harsh. the bridge pup is just so useful that i find i live on that pup and just vary the tone control.

for comparison, my '95 nocaster is a little harder sounding and not quite as sweet with the highs rolled off.
i like my nocaster bridge but it is not as versatile as the suhr.

 

[Paul G.]

I've got a set in my homemade "Broadcaster"

I think they are simply the best traditional Tele pickups out there.

The neck is full, but with tons of definition, not "covered" or "wooly" at all.

The bridge pickup sounds just exactly like a Tele should.

I had a few different pickups in this guitar before I settled on the Suhrs.

Now this guitar is the best sounding tele I've ever heard (including "vintage").

It's the only Tele I need.

P.

 

[davidp158]

Suhr V60LP

I have a set of these in my Grosh guitar and really dig 'em. I had been using Fralin Blues Specials, but wanted something a bit darker, fuller. Scott Henderson gets amazing tones, so I figured I'd give these a try when I found a used set for sale. While I think the Blues Specials are great pickups, they tend to have a bit of a "click" sound at the attack of each note, that I didn't care for, especially with chords. The string balance is very good on the Suhr pickups, and so far they seem to work well with country and blues styles. They don't have a metal plate on the bridge pickup (my Blues Specials did), and I may give that a try.

Dave Patterson

 

[Roel from Holland]

Re: Suhr V60LP

They don't have a metal plate on the bridge pickup (my Blues Specials did), and I may give that a try.

Dave Patterson

Are those Strat or Tele-pickups ? My Suhr Tele bridge pu has the metal plate.

 

[davidp158]

Re: Suhr V60LP

Roel,


Ooops, I should have stated that these are for Strat. My bad. Sorry for not being clear. FWIW, for my Tele, I'm really pleased with Blues Specials (with the base plate on the bridge pickup).

Dave

They don't have a metal plate on the bridge pickup (my Blues Specials did), and I may give that a try.

Dave Patterson

Are those Strat or Tele-pickups ? My Suhr Tele bridge pu has the metal plate.

 

[Roel from Holland]

Never mind

I've been thinking about Fralin Blues pu's for a project-Tele that I'm gonna build. Would be nice to have a guitar w. slightly different sounding pickups I think.

 

[davidp158]

The Fralin Blues Specials work well for Teles. Plenty of traditional twang for country, with a bit of extra output for blues and rock. Mine seem a bit microphonic and tend to squeal, but the tone is wonderful. I have always found stock Fender Tele neck pickups a bit weak in output and lacking in character, but the Fralins are great. I also use a 4 way switch on my Tele and the Fralins work great in all positions. That's not always the case with some pickups.

Dave

Never mind

I've been thinking about Fralin Blues pu's for a project-Tele that I'm gonna build. Would be nice to have a guitar w. slightly different sounding pickups I think.