"Dull" Pickup replacement

bobtrack

bobtrack

New member
I bought a old Fender John 5 tele as a project guitar and after getting all the parts to make it playable, I'm unhappy with the bridge pickup. It sounds dull and lifeless, especially compared to the neck. (twisted tele)
Up until I bought the tele I've only been playing my strat so I'd like to get something strat like.
I'm thinking the Frallin P92 would be good in the bridge? The output is 9k I believe, would that be a good balance with the twisted tele? I'm open to other P90 suggestions too!

Also does anyone know if a 2 position PRS style rotary pot exists? I've found 5 position ones but no 2 position
 
Re: "Dull" Pickup replacement

Before you spend the money on a replacement, I'd spend the time to set up the stock pickup.

If it has an overbearing bottom end, try lowering the pickup. Then, if it ends up too quiet, raise just the polepieces, not the whole pickup. That will give you some volume without dramatically changing the tone from where you set it.

If it sounds dull as in anemic, try doing the opposite. Raise the pickup to get the fatness into the tone. Then if it is too loud, lower the screws. (They can go down a little bit below the bobbin if necessary.)
 
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Re: "Dull" Pickup replacement

Thanks for the advice! I'll mess around with the screws and see if I get better results! Could pickup height also be at fault if when both pickups are engaged its quieter in volume then when the pick ups are played individually?
 
Re: "Dull" Pickup replacement

Sounds as if you could have a phase reversal issue.

Which exact J5 model do you have?
 
Re: "Dull" Pickup replacement

1: i agree with the others.

2: dc resistance is NOT an indication for output!!
 
Re: "Dull" Pickup replacement

Its either a 2005 or 2007 model, with humbucker in the bridge and twisted tele in the neck
 
Re: "Dull" Pickup replacement

That Twisted Tele in the neck is bright, but sort of thin. I am surprised you aren't replacing that.
 
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