Best Telecaster single-coil sized bridge humbucker to sound like Custom series?

[nikosteph]

So I recently got a Telecaster, and while I love the neck pickup for that smooth sweet bluesy tone, I'm so-so on the bridge (too twangy, not surprisingly) and am thinking of switching it out for a single-coil sized humbucker. I've always been a big fan of the Custom series (the Custom, C8, and 59/Custom hybrid in particular), so if possible I want something that gets me in that ballpark. Good output, growl, and powerful highs for soloing. I'll be using this almost exclusively with high gain, so good cleans are not important.

What would you recommend for this? A Hot Rails? The Dimarzio Tone Zone T? A Little '59? JB Jr.? I have no experience whatsoever with these kinds of pickups, so I'm not really sure what to expect, and there's not too many videos on Youtube to help (and it's hard to really judge from those anyways...).

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Best Telecaster single-coil sized bridge humbucker to sound like Custom series?

Maybe a hot rails?

 

[chadd]

Re: Best Telecaster single-coil sized bridge humbucker to sound like Custom series?

BG1400?

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Best Telecaster single-coil sized bridge humbucker to sound like Custom series?

JB jr. Gets my vote I guess but I never really would compare it with the custom family. Does have nice growl, high end and gain. Maybe a lil screamin demon?

 

[Sensates]

Re: Best Telecaster single-coil sized bridge humbucker to sound like Custom series?

I have not tried many tele sized humbucker, only the Hot Rails and Chopper T, both to me sounded not as good as a real humbucker (yes i used 500k pots).

I would recommend trying a tele bridge with more grunt, perhaps a Dimarzio Area T or Hot T. I'm using Dimarzio Area T 615 and it's killer.

 

[jimijames]

Re: Best Telecaster single-coil sized bridge humbucker to sound like Custom series?

Best distorted sounds I've ever gotten were from a tele single coil bridge pickup. Not metal but you can get everything up to sabbath with a tele bridge pickup and if you play it right it sounds right. I remember I tried forever to get that sound from "rock n' roll" by led zeppelin and one night I played it while I was a little tipsy and feeling mean, and man it was just there.

For metal, I'd seriously consider something like the quarter pounder or the stack plus. A tele bridge pickup will get closer to a humbucker with a good eq pedal than the other way around. Just IMO of course.

 

[elelpe]

Re: Best Telecaster single-coil sized bridge humbucker to sound like Custom series?

+1 for QP

It might overpower your neck pickup though.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Best Telecaster single-coil sized bridge humbucker to sound like Custom series?

The QP is really a great, full, fat, powerful sounding Tele pup. My favorite Tele bridge pup. And extremely versatile.

 

[nikosteph]

Re: Best Telecaster single-coil sized bridge humbucker to sound like Custom series?

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Lots to think about!

 

[NotCardio]

Re: Best Telecaster single-coil sized bridge humbucker to sound like Custom series?

I've got a Lil 59 for Tele bridge, and I'm underwhelmed. Look elsewhere.

 

[Frogman]

Re: Best Telecaster single-coil sized bridge humbucker to sound like Custom series?

Best distorted sounds I've ever gotten were from a tele single coil bridge pickup.

I agree -- something different about the spank and raunchiness of a distorted tele bridge pup.
And personally, I'm a traditionalist when it comes to looks -- never been a fan of the look of rail pups.

Traditional tele character & look with more muscle/oomph/balls/etc. (& on a budget):
-Wilde L-290TL-E
-DMZ Pre B-1
-GFS Fatbody