Replacing Alnico Pro II Neck and Bridge PU's

[jeremy]

funny how different people hear things. someone recently tried a jd and said it was too thick and too high output

[GuitarDoc]

Since I have this thread going already I'll also ask about wiring. What do you think of this?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H935FBE...v_ov_lig_dp_it

Save yourself $10-20 and buy the separate components...Oak-Grigsby sw, CTS or Alpha pots, Switchcraft jack, any good cap (=$15-25 with free shipping, depending on where you buy them).

JD pup is really good. Might also consider a tapped Quarter Pound for lots of versatility (my personal fav for a Tele bridge).

[Mincer]

Wow, very cool! Now we just need to see a pic of this project!

[ctbaggett]

Let us know how this project turns out!

I put on the finishing touches today but I did a lot more than just replacing the pickups: new tuning machines, bridge/saddles, 4-way switch, CTS pots, 50's wiring, upgraded input jack cover, and of course, a good cleaning. In the end, I'm really happy with how things turned.The Vintage Tele pickup was exactly what I was hoping for: warm, articulate, and doesn't get lost in the mix. The Jerry Donahue is an undeniably bright pickup, but it has some beef in the mids/low-mids so that it isn't all treble. I was very surprised to find that the two in parallel do a better quack than my old Alnico Pro's, and when in series they have a thick sound almost like a humbucker in the neck. Before this project I had 2 pickups, 3 positions, and 1 good sound: position 1 with volume and tone maxed. Now I have 2 pickups, 4 positions, and I can get tons of great sounds out of the volume and tone controls.

I appreciate the help finding my pickups!

[ctbaggett]

Since I have this thread going already I'll also ask about wiring. What do you think of this?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H935FBE...v_ov_lig_dp_it

[alex1fly]

I have a Broadcaster and Antiquity 55 in my ash tele. Plays almost every kind of music I've needed in cover bands; country, rock, blues, pop, funk, etc.

My other tele has a Fender Twisted Tele set, which is like mix between a Strat and a bright vintage Les Paul sound. Good for more modern music. Less twangy but some twang is still there.

Interesting description of the Twisted Tele. Before I bought my Tele, I borrowed a friend's MIA for about a month. It had a Twisted Tele set in it. The bridge pickup was much different than what I was expecting based on Telecaster lore - hotter, darker, warmer, more humbucker-like. Not by much but enough to change the character a bit. I can see how it'd make a useful set for a player trying to get tones from both sides of the aisle.

[Mincer]

Let us know how this project turns out!

[ctbaggett]

Thanks, Everyone! I think I'll give the Vintage Tele and Jerry Donahue a try.

[Mincer]

Perhaps the Vintage Tele...?

That would be my suggestion, too.

[skelt101]

If I stuck with a tele pickup but wanted a little more treble than what the antiquity 55 has then what would you suggest?

Perhaps the Vintage Tele...?

[beaubrummels]

The broadcaster sounds a bit too twangy.

That's where your tone control comes in. But good luck. You've already ruled out a few.

[ctbaggett]

I have a Broadcaster and Antiquity 55 in my ash tele. Plays almost every kind of music I've needed in cover bands; country, rock, blues, pop, funk, etc.

My other tele has a Fender Twisted Tele set, which is like mix between a Strat and a bright vintage Les Paul sound. Good for more modern music. Less twangy but some twang is still there.

The broadcaster sounds a bit too twangy. As far as the Twisted Tele set, I've heard mixed reviews about them -- and I already have a strat and LP.

[ctbaggett]

Welcome to the forum!

I'd suggest a Jerry Donahue in the bridge, and an Antiquity 55 in the neck. The Jerry has mids, and more power, but still sounds like a Telecaster pickup. The Antiquity 55 is a cleaner/less-dark rhythm pickup. You can also swap the neck pickup (and pickguard) for something like a good Strat pickup (like a Five Two, or Vintage Staggered) for a cleaner/clearer sound.

If I stuck with a tele pickup but wanted a little more treble than what the antiquity 55 has then what would you suggest?

[beaubrummels]

I have a Broadcaster and Antiquity 55 in my ash tele. Plays almost every kind of music I've needed in cover bands; country, rock, blues, pop, funk, etc.

My other tele has a Fender Twisted Tele set, which is like mix between a Strat and a bright vintage Les Paul sound. Good for more modern music. Less twangy but some twang is still there.

[Mincer]

Welcome to the forum!

I'd suggest a Jerry Donahue in the bridge, and an Antiquity 55 in the neck. The Jerry has mids, and more power, but still sounds like a Telecaster pickup. The Antiquity 55 is a cleaner/less-dark rhythm pickup. You can also swap the neck pickup (and pickguard) for something like a good Strat pickup (like a Five Two, or Vintage Staggered) for a cleaner/clearer sound.