Tele bridge pickup most like firebird for Neil Young tones?

[garthnose90]

Hi,

I want a tele bridge sized pickup to replace the stock one. I'm a big Neil Young fan but not so much a LP fan so I want to upgrade my tele.

I know I'll never get his tone but I want to give myself the best chance.

I was considering the SD lil 59 as it is a PAF like the firebird mini humbucker was originally based on. However it might like the treble of the firebird.

I want something that has great picking response aswell so I can get all those great squealies and harmonics going.

Any suggestions or experience with this?

Thanks

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Do you have a tweed Deluxe ala NY??? His tone is just as much, if not more from his amp choice.

Cranked!

 

[garthnose90]

Do you have a tweed Deluxe ala NY??? His tone is just as much, if not more from his amp choice.

Cranked!

I've got the catalinbread 55. Works a treat!

 

[Wyatt]

it is a PAF like the firebird mini humbucker was originally based on

No, it's not, the Firebird PU has a very different construction than a PAF. The Firebird as an attempt to make a cheaper-to-produce Epiphone mini-HB. Instead of the traditional Gibson steel pole pieces and bar magnet underneath, the Firebird just used used alnico pole pieces (big bar slugs), which is a more Fender-esque approach. That's where the top end comes form.

Maybe a hot dual blade like the Wilde L-48TL? But the Firebird is one of the truly unique PU designs and tones.

I do agree though that all my guitars through my Tweed Deluxe can sound like NY when cranked and playeing the right riffs.

 

[Happy Enchilada]

This thread from our own precious forum may help:

Neil Young's "Old Black" Wiring

Hi guys, I got inspired to make an homage to "Old Black" I bought an SX Callisto, off-shore B70, aluminium pick guard and truss rod cover, a Phat Cat for the neck and full sized Firebird humbucker for the bridge. I'm not 100% what his wiring scheme was. Is it pretty much just a phase...

www.tdpri.com

It's about the wiring, not so much the pickup.