Classic Stack vs JD in my Tele Bridge?

[loudriver23]

I want to Tele my Tele! The Lil 59 is a great pickup, but it doesn't really sound like a tele anymore.
So how bout it?
JD, or the Classic Stack? I like the idea of going noiseless but if I am sacrificing the twang/tone too much I'll deal with the hummmmmm.
I currently have a JazzN in the Rhythm position which I really like so, what do you think?
I'm thinking the JD from all I've read will get me there tone wise, but if the Classic Stack will get me 95% of the way there without the hum, then I'm in!
Thanks again

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Classic Stack vs JD in my Tele Bridge?

I have owned both pickups. Both are great pickups too. The STK-T3b Vintage Stack, IMO, sounds as much like a Tele bridge pickup as any good Tele bridge pickup does. Mine twanged all day and night long. It's the bridge pickup that Brent Mason uses in his main '68 Tele.

I have used the JD in many Teles. I have one in my current Tele. It's a little louder, warmer, and smoother than the Vintage Stack. The tonal difference, IMO, isn't really that much.

 

[loudriver23]

Re: Classic Stack vs JD in my Tele Bridge?

Thanks for that input Butch!
If the vintage stack really captures the soul of a Tele Lead pup without the hum I think I may have a winner.
Anyone else with experience with both or either of these guys?

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Classic Stack vs JD in my Tele Bridge?

I want to Tele my Tele! The Lil 59 is a great pickup, but it doesn't really sound like a tele anymore.
So how bout it?
JD, or the Classic Stack? I like the idea of going noiseless but if I am sacrificing the twang/tone too much I'll deal with the hummmmmm.
I currently have a JazzN in the Rhythm position which I really like so, what do you think?
I'm thinking the JD from all I've read will get me there tone wise, but if the Classic Stack will get me 95% of the way there without the hum, then I'm in!
Thanks again

I had a classic stack before. It still had a single coil sound, just not totally perfect. However, you can always split it off and get a true single coil out of it, for what it's worth.

I'd try it.

 

[loudriver23]

Re: Classic Stack vs JD in my Tele Bridge?

I had a classic stack before. It still had a single coil sound, just not totally perfect. However, you can always split it off and get a true single coil out of it, for what it's worth.

I'd try it.

I don't know TR, you're making me have second thoughts on the stack. I'm not really doing much recording these days, so having hum canceling is probably not as important as "The Tone" . Drat, I'm flip flopping way too much here.
I should just learn from the experience of others. Buy the JD and have no regrets as many here seem to have done.
I guess I was hoping someone would chime in saying the Classic Stack was the best invention since the wheel.
I'm not hearing that. I'm hearing it's Ok, and it's decent. I guess I want more than decent.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Classic Stack vs JD in my Tele Bridge?

I had a Lil '59 in my Tele Custom, it was good in it's own way, but, like you, i wanted to get back to REAL Tele sounds.
I have used stack models in strats and my tele.

both those guitars are known for their sounds and unfortunately the extra noise that goes with them. I have heard plenty of noiseless setups and most of them sound pretty good.

PRETTY GOOD

but if you're serious, forget all that junk, play a Gibbo if you want noiseless.

If you're serious about good Tele tone, it's gotta be the JD or some other dedicated SINGLE COIL, non-stacked pickup. The difference may be only 5 or 10 percent, but it is precisely THAT little difference that will give you the real sound, and it IS noticeable. You wanna eat real chicken or artificial chicken?

You know what to do........ (grin)......

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Classic Stack vs JD in my Tele Bridge?

I don't know TR, you're making me have second thoughts on the stack. I'm not really doing much recording these days, so having hum canceling is probably not as important as "The Tone" . Drat, I'm flip flopping way too much here.
I should just learn from the experience of others. Buy the JD and have no regrets as many here seem to have done.
I guess I was hoping someone would chime in saying the Classic Stack was the best invention since the wheel.
I'm not hearing that. I'm hearing it's Ok, and it's decent. I guess I want more than decent.

If you want true single coil tone, the stack in split mode is identical to a single coil. It's got pole pieces.

As for the nice tone of the JD, I don't know if that's what you'll get with a split classic stack. You could go ultra-expensive and ask for a stack JD, i.e. a JD with the added coil, so you could split to a true JD or go with it in stack mode.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Classic Stack vs JD in my Tele Bridge?

I have not used the Classic stack, but I have a JD in my 52RI Tele paired with a vintage 54 neck. Its an awesome sounding Tele, very vintage sounding. If thats what you are looking for the JD would be my choice.

 

[loudriver23]

Re: Classic Stack vs JD in my Tele Bridge?

I have not used the Classic stack, but I have a JD in my 52RI Tele paired with a vintage 54 neck. Its an awesome sounding Tele, very vintage sounding. If thats what you are looking for the JD would be my choice.

This is exactly what I'm looking for. That vintage twangy, yet beefy telecaster bridge sound I keep hearing and loving on countless albums. I love that twang, but would like a little more beef, and maybe a little less bright than a traditional tele bridge. The JD according to the specs might fit that bill perfectly.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Classic Stack vs JD in my Tele Bridge?

This is exactly what I'm looking for. That vintage twangy, yet beefy telecaster bridge sound I keep hearing and loving on countless albums. I love that twang, but would like a little more beef, and maybe a little less bright than a traditional tele bridge. The JD according to the specs might fit that bill perfectly.

What albums are you talking about?

 

[loudriver23]

Re: Classic Stack vs JD in my Tele Bridge?

Primarily:
Keith Richards - Talk is Cheap
The Wallflowers - Bringing down the Horse
Most Stones Stuff
Tom Petty/Mike Campbell -Torpedoes

But the snarly Keith tone on Talk is Cheap I just can't get enough of!

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Classic Stack vs JD in my Tele Bridge?

Of the Duncan lines, either the JD (my fave) or the Broadcaster. The Fender Nocaster, DiMarzio Pre B-1 or Twang King will get you there too.

That said, the Vintage Stack, not the Classic Stack, is the current Duncan production pickup. The Classic Stack Tele bridge pickup hasn't been made in about 10 years. The Vintage Stack, while being a great pickup, might be a little too polite for you.

 

[loudriver23]

Re: Classic Stack vs JD in my Tele Bridge?

Thanks for the clarification. I'm pretty bad at the different nomenclature SD uses to describe their PUP's throughout the years.
I've actually never used a DZ pickup, I've had great luck with SD pup's and if it ain't broke .. . yadda yadda.

Yeah a slightly raw/rude tone is what I'm after so the vintage stack might indeed be a little polite. What about the Hot lead stack it seems to cover a lot of sonic territory?

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Classic Stack vs JD in my Tele Bridge?

Thanks for the clarification. I'm pretty bad at the different nomenclature SD uses to describe their PUP's throughout the years.
I've actually never used a DZ pickup, I've had great luck with SD pup's and if it ain't broke .. . yadda yadda.

Yeah a slightly raw/rude tone is what I'm after so the vintage stack might indeed be a little polite. What about the Hot lead stack it seems to cover a lot of sonic territory?

The Hot Lead stack is nice, The Hot model (STL-2) just smokes. A Tapped Hot model just screams... They're hot but not quite humbucker hot. You will also lose a little of the vintageness of the tone too. The tapped Hot model, when tapped, gets close to the vintage vibe.