CS 53 Tapped Tele vs Jerry Donahue Model

[Butch Snyder]

I have a 2020 Fender 70th Ann. Broadcaster. It’s the regular production model, not the Custom Shop model. It’s a great guitar, but I have never loved the pickups. I know that sometimes you get a telecaster and it has those special, wonderful pickups. These are not those pickups. They’re average at best.

So, I’m thinking about replacing them and I am looking at either, a Jerry Donahue in the bridge with an Alnico 2 Pro Tele pickup in the neck position or a 53 Tapped Tele set from the Duncan Custom Shop. My question is, how do the two bridge pickups compare to each other? They seem to be both a little bit overwound, but still with a vintage flavor and have Alnico 2 magnets.

 

[Artie]

I've never done the 53, but the Jerry Donahue is my favorite Tele bridge pup. Tough to beat. Tele spank, without the classic ice-pick highs.

 

[Butch Snyder]

I've never done the 53, but the Jerry Donahue is my favorite Tele bridge pup. Tough to beat. Tele spank, without the classic ice-pick highs.

Yep, I have owned many JD pickups. I have two currently. Would love to know the tonal differences between the JD and 53 Tapped bridge model.

 

[beaubrummels]

You know, this is one question that might be worth a call to the Custom Shop. On the site, they say Seymour voiced the 53 a particular way and they say it's his favorite (could be marketing yeah, but if they claim it, I would politely call them on it), I would call and ask them what the tonal difference is.

Surprised the Duncan Broadcaster isn't in consideration for that guitar. But I guess Alnico 2 is the requirement.

 

[Artie]

I have to back pedal a little bit. When we talk about the "53", are we talking about the Antiquity? I had that. Loved it. Smooth and silky. But I liked the JD more.

 

[beaubrummels]

Antiquity is slightly different from the '53 Tapped and the '54 Tele

53 Tapped Tele
9.3k / 6.3k A2 bridge
7.7k A5 RWRP neck
wax potted

Antiquity
6.5k A2 calibrated hand-ground rods bridge
7.9k A5 RWRP neck
wax potted

Antiquity II
6.6k A5, raised D/G, brass-plated steel baseplate bridge
7.9k A5 neck
wax potted

Antiquity '55 Tele
6.5k A2 raised D/G bridge
8.0k A5 neck
wax potted

54 Tele
7.00k A5, raised D/G, copper-plated steel baseplate bridge
7.6k A5 neck
wax potted

Broadcaster
7.95k A5, slightly larger .197 rods bridge
7.63k A5 neck
wax potted

Jerry Donahue
7.7k A2, slightly larger .197 hand ground rods, raised D/G, copper-plated steel baseplate bridge
wax potted

Alnico 2 Pro Tele
6.6k A2 sand-cast rods, copper-plated steel baseplate, bridge
8.0k A2 neck
wax potted

 

[Butch Snyder]

Surprised the Duncan Broadcaster isn't in consideration for that guitar. But I guess Alnico 2 is the requirement.

Actually, I have been thinking about the Broadcaster pickup as well.

 

[Mincer]

I never directly compared them, but tried them about a year apart. I do remember the JD being louder, though. Or the EQ made it seem louder.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Antiquity is slightly different from the '53 Tapped and the '54 Tele

53 Tapped Tele
9.3k / 6.3k A2 bridge
7.7k A5 RWRP neck
wax potted

Antiquity
6.5k A2 calibrated hand-ground rods bridge
7.9k A5 RWRP neck
wax potted

Antiquity II
6.6k A5, raised D/G, brass-plated steel baseplate bridge
7.9k A5 neck
wax potted

Antiquity '55 Tele
6.5k A2 raised D/G bridge
8.0k A5 neck
wax potted

54 Tele
7.00k A5, raised D/G, copper-plated steel baseplate bridge
7.6k A5 neck
wax potted

Broadcaster
7.95k A5, slightly larger .197 rods bridge
7.63k A5 neck
wax potted

Jerry Donahue
7.7k A2, slightly larger .197 hand ground rods, raised D/G, copper-plated steel baseplate bridge
wax potted

Alnico 2 Pro Tele
6.6k A2 sand-cast rods, copper-plated steel baseplate, bridge
8.0k A2 neck
wax potted

That's all great info. I read where most of Seymour's pickups use 42 gauge wire. That makes a huge difference, going from 43 to 42 gauge.

 

[jeremy]

tele bridge pups usually use #42, neck usually #43.

i LOVE the tapped '53 bridge pup. the 6k output is vintage and sounds kinda similar to the antiquity I tele lead. the 9k output is thicker, less bright, and pushes the amp more as youd expect. when we made seymour a tele years ago, this was the bridge pup mj wound for it