Twisted Tele VS. Bareknuckle True Grit

[lj89]

Hey guys,

I have a MIM Fender Baja that I was advised to upgrade the pickups on with some Bareknuckle True Grits. So I bought a set and changed them out and almost sold the originals. Before I did I looked up what the stock pups were in a Baja and realised these were custom shop twisted tele pickups. I'm also not sure which I actually prefer of the two.

Do you think I've made a mistake swapping these out?

Any advice appreciated!

 

[superjam144]

Eye of the beholder. Personal taste. Listen to neck/bridge and see which tone just makes you wanna play longer.

 

[Lies&Distortion]

What didn't you like about the stock ones?

 

[Fretting out]

So you just swapped them out because someone said they aren’t any good?

I would have just listened to the pickups and see if I like them before changing, did you like them before changing?

As far as I’m aware the pickups in the Baja are made in Mexico to custom shop specs

The neck being a twisted tele and the bridge being a broadcaster

 

[whetherkings]

I’ve just bought some true grits to try but haven’t put them in yet. Be interested in what you think of yours.

 

[Zoso420]

Who cares what other people say. The only thing that matters is what you think sounds better. As Josh of JHS says "If it's good then it's good." Also please post what you find different about the sets

 

[lj89]

What didn't you like about the stock ones?

I always thought they seemed pretty good but I was advised that some Bareknuckles would be an improvement. He was a pretty good sound engineer so I took his advice.

 

[tele_savales]

Bareknuckle Pickups are awesome. I generally try to hold on to the original pickups tho. That way you can keep the upgrades if you sell the guitar, or it’s value added to sell it w both sets.

 

[Midgetje94]

Bare knuckle pups are phenomenal. Would definitely be a upgrade. But based on the Baja teles I’ve played. I don’t know if they are needed. It’s like saying you drive a Honda Civic that you love. And some ass hat saying “oh a BMW would be better” like ok. Fair point. But there’s no real reason to swap. Especially just because someone told you to. Lol that’s how kids get hooked on crack now. “Well someone said it was a good idea” do you wanna be a crack addict?…. Probably not. Play the damn thing. Then determine for yourself. Your use and needs won’t be the same as the guy who told you to swap

 

[adjason]

trust your own ears- I have come to the conclusion that lots of pickups sound differently but rarely is one really better than the other. Some over drive better, some have a better strumming sound, some are clearer etc. At minimum I would not sell the originals. I like twisted teles, 64's, 62's, OV, nocasters, stock vinteras and American standards

 

[John_B]

I would love to hear your Bareknuckle pups!

 

[joebloggs13]

If the Baja is a MIM Tele, they are not CS Twisted Tele pups. There are two TTs. One is made in Mexico, and the other is hand wound from the Fender CS. This has caused confusion in the past.

 

[Guitarteach]

Perhaps. If it is the 50’s baja with the fatter neck and twisted tele/broadcaster pickup combo.

50’s Baja pickups are very very good stock. I was all planned to ‘upgrade’ to BK... saved a fortune. Got several other BK sets to know and played lots of teles to compare.

 

[Southpaw Tele]

The Player series Tele I bought last year has a MIM Twisted Tele neck pickup stock and I love it. I actually use the neck pickup more than I usually do because it sounds so good to me.