Aggressive telecaster set with tighter low end

[SimpleT]

Hey there everyone,

Looking for a new set of pickups for my main guitar which is a pretty dark sounding tele. It seems to lack high end (well compared to other teles) and has lots of low end to the point of being woofy and muddy. I am going for an edge for an aggressive biting edge of break up tone that is also tighter and punchier in the low end. I often drop my tuning by a whole step if not a whole step and half.

Currently I have a fender tex-mex in the neck and a bootstrap extra crispy in the bridge, both are too dark. I have a Dimarzio Twang king neck that I liked but took out because it wasn't punchy or aggressive enough.

It seems like a contradiction but I want a lot more high end (which would suggest lower output) but I am also looking for something at roughly the same output if not more without adding mud. Ideas? A5 seems too have too much low end and cuts the mids. Avoiding humbuckers because I want more high end.

 

[jeremy]

the antiquity II tele lead pup is fantastic for a bright cutting tele tone, probably lower output than what you have. maybe bardens?

 

[alex1fly]

If the whole guitar is dark then you need to work on your EQ. Cut 50-300hz and boost 4khz and above, this will improve your tone immensely. Amp EQ, EQ pedal, EQ plug-in, whatever it takes. I'd do this first so I could hear what the guitar actually sounds like. Could also swap in higher value volume/tone pots.

 

[Supernautilus]

Try the Broadcaster STL-1b. It has boosted mids for more edge, but no increase in bass. Sounds like what you’re looking for.

 

[Mincer]

The Vintage 54 is a bright, twangy Tele pickup. I bet it would be great in an overtly dark instrument.