Martin
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Post by Martin on Mar 2, 2016 13:18:49 GMT
A while ago I managed to get a hold of a nice Fender Telecaster ('62 Reissue, made in Japan). I really love the guitar, very nicely made and plays beautifully, but I've never been in love with the pickups. They are standard 'vintage' style pickups, and to me they are very low output with not a huge amount of character. I've been thinking about replacing them for some time, but the huge number of options has me at a bit of a loss. I've looked at Fender (Texas Special, noiseless), Seymour Duncan (Little 59, quarter pound, hot rails), Di Marzio (Zone-T), Bare Knuckle (Blackguard, Piledriver), Creamery, Lindy Fralin and many more. I'm looking for a bit of versatility with the sound, but essentially I want to play a classic rock or blues style mainly. Anyone done anything similar, or have any opinions about this? Also, I'll be doing it myself  so advice on technique, tools and anything else is welcome (changing switch/pots for example?). |
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Post by earwighoney on Mar 2, 2016 14:30:08 GMT
I've been looking around for choices myself for new pickups.
I've heard nothing but good things for pickups made by Creamery, Oil City, and Mojo who are all UK based and have great prices for pickups which will be wound to your specifications and they'd give you recommendations to what magnets for the pickups you go for. Bareknuckle are on the expensive side of things, and their quality is supposed to have slipped now and again. I've owned pickups by Seymour Duncan, Dimarzio and Fender and I think they are poor value for money in comparison to their UK counterparts.
Do you know what the routing under the pickguard is for the neck pickup? If it has a larger route then that would really increase your options for what kind of pickups you can have in the neck position, and IMO the standard covered neck position Tele pickup I find to be underwhelming.
If it is the standard Tele neck pickup route, then I myself would go for an uncovered pickup. Oil City and Creamery make some and on 'The Fretboard' forum there are a lot of fans of the Californian set made by Oil City (Ash who makes them is a great guy as well) which are really well priced.
If it's a larger route, I'd be inclined to get a Firebird pickup but that would require a new pickguard.
Changing pickups requires a bit of soldering which can be a bit daunting but isn't too much bother. If you are thinking of changing your electronics, I'd recommend getting a new harness (maybe with a 4 way switch) from Mojo Pickups.
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Mar 2, 2016 15:00:46 GMT
Thanks for the info  Adding to the overall range of choice, though....naughty   I don't believe the routing would allow a different size neck pickup - I was only under there once, but I think it was pretty standard. That doesn't bother me too much, as I'd like to keep the look of the guitar as it is - vintage style, but with powerful pickups. Interesting about a new harness...I've read a bit about changing the pots and switch if you're upgrading from stock pickups, and I think that makes sense. It's something I'll definitely consider. Regarding a 4-way switch (and apologies for my 'newb-ness') but would that be an option to accomodate a coil-tapped pickup? I know very little about this sort of thing sadly. I haven't soldered much in the past, but I'm game to have a go at it. |
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Post by earwighoney on Mar 2, 2016 15:28:19 GMT
It's one of those things which many seem to recommend, changing pots to CTS and so on which I always have done but I'm never sure if it makes any difference or not! Some seem to swear by it.
The 4 way switch is a nice addition. The extra position on the selector switch is having both pickups on in series, so it's a really meaty full humbucker sound.
Some more choices indeed, but part of that was down to having very indifferent experiences to Seymour Duncan. I had a Little 59 Tele Bridge pickup once which was awful.
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Post by grayn on Mar 2, 2016 15:30:07 GMT
Good luck with your modding, Martin.
A friend, who mods almost all of his guitars, is a very big fan of Bareknuckle.
They always sound great, on his guitars.
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Post by tonywoods on Mar 2, 2016 15:45:33 GMT
Martin, I see you're turning further to the dark side. I'm more of a gibson man although P90s are my first choice. From experience I would leave the pots and switches alone unless they're faulty / crackly. Here's a site with lots of wiring options though. linkyGood Luck. |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Mar 2, 2016 16:09:38 GMT
Excellent, thanks very much for the input, chaps  Bareknuckle along with the Fender TS was my top choice before I started looking at all those lovely custom UK options! As my current electronics are crackle-free, I might take Charles' advice and just leave that job until I'm more experienced  |
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Post by vikingblues on Mar 3, 2016 8:36:09 GMT
Way back in my days on the dark side I found Tonerider pickups to be a good quality of pickup without breaking the bank. A replacement of stock P90s in a PRS SE turned it from a guitar I was wondering about moving on, to a long serving favourite that remains in my collection. I do recall Tonerider prices started edging up, so I don't know how good they might still be on value. "Hot Classics" possibly for your needs? Tonerider Hot ClassicsOddly enough my reason for the PRS pickup change was the opposite to yours. The stock ones were too hot - and as a result lacked natural sustain and were horribly coloured and nasal sounding. Bear in mind I always was tight fisted on gear - the more expensive options will probably bring more to the table for you!  Mark |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Mar 3, 2016 14:13:52 GMT
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maninashed
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Post by maninashed on Mar 3, 2016 20:53:53 GMT
I'd try to have a listen to Toneriders as well, sounds like a set of Hot Classics is in the area you're looking for. I've got Vintage Plus in a partscaster and they easily hold their own with the Custom Shop pups in my Baja Tele.
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Post by grayn on Mar 4, 2016 7:12:41 GMT
Oooh No! They look foul. Seymour Duncans are always worth checking out. Oh Yeah, how's the Jag coming on? |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Mar 4, 2016 9:13:01 GMT
Thanks for the input on the Toneriders and the set I posted above  I think I'd probably prefer a UK made pickup set now I've had a look at what's around, although I've no problem at all with Seymour Duncan stuff. I actually contacted Ash at Oil City to get his take on what I might be looking for... I'm now a bit intrigued about the Alligator (P90 ceramic style) paired with the Hardman neck (which lets me use a cover).   |
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Post by grayn on Mar 4, 2016 9:32:41 GMT
That's the trouble with having so much choice. It all seems so appealing. But which one  I guess you have to take a risk and go for it. Good luck  |
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Post by earwighoney on Mar 4, 2016 14:48:17 GMT
Herr Martin,
I've always been intrigued by Tele sized P90's. I've generally chopped and changed pickups a huge amount but I generally seem to gravitate having a P90 in the bridge position; I think it's as they have enough treble bite without getting too bright, the characteristic midrange and a clearish bass response.
The Oil City set should be a good one. I think it's incredibly well priced for a set of handwound pickups to your own specifications.
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Mar 7, 2016 11:33:31 GMT
Herr Martin, I've always been intrigued by Tele sized P90's. I've generally chopped and changed pickups a huge amount but I generally seem to gravitate having a P90 in the bridge position; I think it's as they have enough treble bite without getting too bright, the characteristic midrange and a clearish bass response. The Oil City set should be a good one. I think it's incredibly well priced for a set of handwound pickups to your own specifications. Well, I've taken your advice Shubs and ordered the set from Ash. He was pretty helpful in narrowing down the choice, and he offered to supply the Alligator with Alnico 5 magnets instead of ceramic, which he explained would make it a bit warmer and smoother. The Hardman in the neck sounded amazing on his website (sample) and the spec seems spot on for what I want. Now just to see if I can solder them into the guitar without buring the house down |
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Jo whoever he is.
