Custom Shop Broadcaster vs. Production model??

indeedido

New member
Long time listener, first time caller. lol

What is the difference between the CS Broadcaster and the regular production model. Specs I've seen look about the same.
 
Re: Custom Shop Broadcaster vs. Production model??

Where did you get specs on the CS Broadcaster??

The stock Broadcaster is a great pickup but spec wise it has very little in common (almost nothing) with a pickup from a 1950 Broadcaster.

However I have wondered about the CS version more than a few times.
 
Re: Custom Shop Broadcaster vs. Production model??

Saw a set sell on ebay..

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Re: Custom Shop Broadcaster vs. Production model??

I recently found this...
 

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Re: Custom Shop Broadcaster vs. Production model??

I had been wondering if the CS would have had closer spec but looks like no. So now I ponder what the difference is to the production model. :scratchch
 
Re: Custom Shop Broadcaster vs. Production model??

Short answer - attention to detail during the winding process. The handwriting on the label in that photograph will be familiar to many. Personally, I would take an MJ-wound pair over shop floor production every time. (Genuflect, smarm, grovel.) All you need is cash.
 
Re: Custom Shop Broadcaster vs. Production model??

I recently found this...

A5, 8.8K ... and I assume 42awg? I really hope pickup like this replaces current Broadcaster/avalaible in regular line. Duncan lacks medium output tele bridge pickup with specs like 42Awg, A5, 9k + and also 43awg, A3, 11k +.
 
Re: Custom Shop Broadcaster vs. Production model??

Production version with 7.6k with alnico V mag I dont see much difference on the surface. I've got a CS '78 and had her wind me a set of whole lotta humbuckers with cream (aged white) bobbins, before I go down this road I'd like to know any real difference. I dropped a line to the custom shop if I don't hear back mid week I'll give them a call. I'm curious too why not go with an A3 and 43awg in the cs version.
 
Re: Custom Shop Broadcaster vs. Production model??

Depends almost on which week of original Fender manufacture one hopes to replicate.

You are correct about the wire gauge and magnet material for the majority of examples. Historical records show intermittent use of A5 and even AlNi3 (zero colbalt) rod magnets. The change to 42awg on bridge position pickups is well documented.

It is possible that the magnetic material used in the pickup set illustrated in post #3 has been mildly degaussed to simulate the performance of A3.
 
Re: Custom Shop Broadcaster vs. Production model??

Why not go for a a3 #43 pickup sorta 9.00K wind? Because you are going CS.... MJ is the queen of tone!

No?

BTW, I loved my Hamel STD-B (9.00K #43 a3) till it died on me. Ron Ellis is the best, he rewound/repaired that pickup for me for free. And now it sounds as it did, phenomenal! Love that pickup.

B
 
Re: Custom Shop Broadcaster vs. Production model??

Point #1) Don't get too hung up on the printed numbers.

If you can, check out the book "The Blackguard" by Nacho Baños. ISBN:84-609-6633-X. 9_788460_966333. This illustrates numerous individual Fender instruments made between 1950 and 1954. There is no single exact specification for a Broadcaster pickup pair.

Point #2) Be guided by your ears rather than your theories and expectations.

I used to be prejudiced in favour of vulcanised fibreboard bobbin plates, Alnico magnets and, on Tele Rhythm/neck position pickups, a particular metal formulation for the cover.

All of my pet theories were blown out of the water when I first encountered G&L ASAT Classic MFD single coil pickups. Upon refreshing a dry solder joint on an output cable, I observed that the pickups featured underslung ceramic bar magnets. (Quelle horreur!) Through a good valve amplifier, they sound and respond like great, old Telecaster pickups.

More recently, I have tried the larger MFD pickups. These also do much of what I would like a Telecaster to do only with a hint of Gibson P90 muscle thrown in.
 
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Re: Custom Shop Broadcaster vs. Production model??

I have tried my share of Broadcaster type pickups, and with all due respect, I have to emphasize that I am not "hung up on the printed numbers". In my case, I have learned the details of them pickups after trying them... It just happens that I like that 0038 Broadcaster sound. Instead of the Broadcaster sound coming out of the Duncan Jerry Donahue levels of 7.80K #43 (I absolutely would love to try it with a3 rods, and not be limited to the a2s). The same goes for the Duncan Broadcaster... It is a good pickup. Yet, I prefer a3 rods with a 9K wind #43.

B
 
Re: Custom Shop Broadcaster vs. Production model??

Sorry, dr.b. My comments were aimed at the OP, not you.
 
Re: Custom Shop Broadcaster vs. Production model??

Just FWIW...if you read through The Blackguard Book you will see that ALL Broadcasters have alnico III mags in the bridge pickups and alnico 5 in the neck pickups and both neck and bridge use 43 gauge wire...

Sure things changed at some point but that change was WELL after the name was changed to Telecaster so there are NO Broadcasters with pickups with specs like the Duncan Broadcaster OR the CS Duncan Broadcaster.

While I do say do not get hung up on numbers there is no way that a 42 gauge pickup with alnico 5 magnets can sound like a pickup wound with 43 gauge wire and alnico III magnets...
 
Re: Custom Shop Broadcaster vs. Production model??

I'm going to have to pick that book up. I've come across references several times over the past week.
 
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