Blacktop Tele Pickup Swap

[tkingen]

I recently purchased a Blacktop Tele and love it but the pickups had to go. I already had a set of Phat Cats and a Jazz neck so began experimenting. Right now it has the Jazz in the neck and a Phat Cat in the bridge. This combination gives some wonderful "Tele on steroids" tones, but I'm feeling the bridge is a bit too edgy for this guitar's intended purpose, which is a cross between country and round, articulate blues tones.
After some research the SH-55 Seth Lover bridge seems like it might be a good choice to round this one out. I've never tried one so am looking for some validation from more experienced forum members, or maybe an alternate suggestion.
Thanks.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Blacktop Tele Pickup Swap

the bridge is a bit too edgy for this guitar's intended purpose, which is a cross between country and round, articulate blues tones.

Say what? As a Roy Buchanan enthusiast, I am of the opinion that there is no such thing as a Tele that is too edgy.

The Seth is a good pickup but its unpotted metal cover might cause squeal problems. I suggest the Pearly Gates.

 

[tkingen]

Re: Blacktop Tele Pickup Swap

Say what? As a Roy Buchanan enthusiast, I am of the opinion that there is no such thing as a Tele that is too edgy.

The Seth is a good pickup but its unpotted metal cover might cause squeal problems. I suggest the Pearly Gates.

Yeah, RB tone is great but that ground's already covered in another guitar. I'm really wanting an early Clapton or Mike Bloomfield Les Paul tone, or the clean tone Gary Moore used on his slow blues stuff, but have come to the conclusion that I'm a Tele guy to the bone. Obviously the alder body Blacktop Tele is a different animal than a mahogany/maple Les Paul, but it seems a TelePaul with the right pickups might get me in the ballpark.

Thanks for the suggestion on a PG, although that may be a different direction than the intent for this guitar. The articulation of an unpotted pickup (Seth or Antiquity) is intriguing for the low to moderate volume cleanish grit I like to play with.

 

[tkingen]

Re: Blacktop Tele Pickup Swap

Just an update in case anyone finds themselves in a similar situation. I swapped the pickups out for a set of Duncan Antiquities. Mission accomplished - now this Blacktop Tele has the old school PAF meets twang vibe. A good combination of throaty clarity in all three positions. The Antiquities are marvelous pickups, reading every nuance my hands make, for better or for worse :1: