8.2k Vintage Broadcaster Issue

[JumpMarine]

Got my older Broadcaster pup(8.2k) put into my MIM Tele and have been tweaking everything to get the sweetspot. This thing is not quite shrill, but it is up there. What can I do to tame the high end it a bit? I know that it is never going to sound quite right with the stock neck(7.3k) in the middle pos, but it really sounds tinny and weak compared to the rhythm and lead positions. Is this right? Or did I do something wrong?

 

[jeremy]

Re: 8.2k Vintage Broadcaster Issue

it should have some bite, but the broadcaster pups ive heard werent shrill. i like em jammed up close to the strings

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: 8.2k Vintage Broadcaster Issue

it should have some bite, but the broadcaster pups ive heard werent shrill. i like em jammed up close to the strings

Oh, it's got bite and then some but in a good way. I have the pup raised to 1/8" and I'll have to play with it more to find what I like. My main concern is the middle pos that has less volume than either #1 or #3 pos and sounds kind of tinny. Where with the stock bridge, I had a good volume balance in all 3 positions.

 

[Curly]

Re: 8.2k Vintage Broadcaster Issue

Ryan,
I felt that my Duncans were also less output than the stock pickups in my AS tele. Better tone, but less output. I just turned the amp up.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: 8.2k Vintage Broadcaster Issue

it should have some bite, but the broadcaster pups ive heard werent shrill. i like em jammed up close to the strings

Total agreement. I never thought mine was shrill and it's an old 8.2K Broadcaster too. Maybe it's your guitar or the way your amp is set-up or just your touch and playing style. Try moving it really close to strings...that'll make it brighter but it'll also fatten up the tone alot. More bass and mids.

If that fails, I'd say try a Duncan Jerry Donahue Tele bridge pickup. Same output as the old Duncan Broadcaster but it's an alnico 2 pickup and has alot more mids and almost a P-90ish tone. The Broadcaster is alnico 5. Alnico 5 = more bass and more treble and less mids compared to alnico 2, IMO.

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: 8.2k Vintage Broadcaster Issue

Thanks Lew, the more I tweak the height of the pup and adjust my playing the better this thing sounds. It's very sensitive and REALLY shows my mistakes. It'll make me a better player out of me that's for sure. Clean it sounds beautiful, full and warm with the tone rolled back a bit. But I'm still trying to get a good gain sound out of it. The DS-1 seems to be a bit much for it but I'll have my SD-1 from John in a couple of days. Can't wait to try it out! After talking with Curly quite a bit, I think that I will get a Hot Vintage for the neck. Your thoughts?