Bridge pickup for American Tele HS

[Kelsey]

I just picked up a new American Series HS Tele -- one of the discontinued models from last year -- at a blowout price. I really like the Atomic II humbucker at the neck -- 7.8K resistance with alnico 2 magnets for a very sweet and clear PAF tone. However, the standard bridge pickup sounds as anemic as usual. I'm not sure what I should get to replace it. I think it would need something at least as hot as the Jerry Donahue Tele lead, which I have in another Tele with a Phat Cat neck pup.

Here are the options I'm considering so far, but feel free to suggest alternatives:

STL-2 Hot Tele lead (alnico 5, although I tend to prefer alnico 2)
Jerry Donahue Tele lead
Custom Shop Hot Tele with alnico 2 magnets
Hot Stack Tele lead
Lil 59 for Tele
Custom Shop BG1400, or one of the other Custom Shop Tele lead stacks.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Bridge pickup for American Tele HS

Don't forget the Quarter pound if you want something hot . It is a very articulate pup with great bass without being boomy. I love the low end grunt and push for rythym work especially. The 1/4" polepieces just look great to me. The tapped version is even more useful I'm told because you can get a more vintagey sound from the QP tapped. It could use more low mids for my tastes though. That said I'd like to have one with A2 mags just to see what it would sound like, my guess is...more low mids.

Since there is no QP I'm choosing the CS hot A2.

Luke

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Bridge pickup for American Tele HS

Just another shameless bump.

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Bridge pickup for American Tele HS

JD bridge with my 7.55K ant neck works great. In fact, the bridge is quite present in the middle position. That's why I raised the ant neck more than I usually do, because with the usual height the bridge was overpowering the neck. But I gotta admit that I keep my jd quite high up.

Good luck.

B

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Bridge pickup for American Tele HS

BTW my JD bridge measures 7.80K. I think it is wound with #42 wire, but BtR was saying that it was #43. I am not too sure tho!

B

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Bridge pickup for American Tele HS

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have a JD paired with a Phat Cat in another Tele, and since the Atomic II humbucker uses alnico 2 magnets, I'm tempted to use the JD again in this Tele. But, I want to know what other options might work. I know my local shop currently has both a JD and an STL-2 Hot Tele lead in stock for a quick installation, so those two are in the lead (lame pun intended, unfortunately). :smack:

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Bridge pickup for American Tele HS

so those two are in the lead (lame pun intended, unfortunately). :smack:

DOHT!!

 

[Citizen Insane]

Re: Bridge pickup for American Tele HS

I'm a fan of the STL-2. It's fuller, I think, than the QP and has a slightly smoother distorted sound, which I prefer.

However, I also like the idea of a custom STL-2 with Alnico II mags; it seems like cool match with an Alnico II neck humbucker-- and I'd actually like to try it myself.

If you're seeking extra versatility, you might also want to consider a tapped STL-2.

:burnout:

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Bridge pickup for American Tele HS

I went with an STL-2 based on the specs, recommendations in the past from Evan Skopp, Billy Gill, and other forum members (thanks, Citizen Insane), and the price and off-the-shelf availability. I had it installed yesterday (reverse wired to mate with the Fender Atomic II HB at the neck) and played it briefly through a Bogner and for an hour through my POD XT last night. It sounds great so far, with an interesting fat clean tone, nice OD tone, smooth highs, tight and punchy lows, and punchy and toothy mids. Nice pinch harmonics, too. It matches pretty well with the output of the neck HB, and the combined tone is surprisingly nice. I'll give it a more thorough workout through my Orange AD15 and Fender amps this weekend.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Bridge pickup for American Tele HS

I'd go with the Jerry Donahue....or the Custom Shop Tapped Tele Hot and install a 5 way switch. Lew

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Bridge pickup for American Tele HS

I thought about the JD, but I already have one paired with a Phat Cat and I'm not sure it would quite keep up with this HB. Since I have 2 Teles with alnico 2 lead pups and 2 with alnico 3, I thought it would be worth trying an overwound alnico 5 pickup for some variety. If the STL-2 doesn't hold up over the next few days, then it will probably mean a call to the custom shop, but so far I'm happy with the off-the-rack version. Right now this is the deepest and biggest sounding Tele I've ever heard. Not much twang, but it packs a full punch.