Esquire Pickup - Broadcaster or Jerry Donahue?

[Bruce Reed]

I have a Custom Telecaster with a JD (Jerry Donahue) in the bridge position and am extremely pleased with it. In my Esquire I have an Antiquity and I just don't care for it. Compared to the JD in the Tele, the Antiquity sounds mild and the high strings sound thin. There's no problem with it, I just don't like a thin pickup. For this reason I have decided replace it, and after reviewing the Duncan products I have narrowed it down to either; 1) another JD, or 2) the Duncan Broadcaster. I'd appreciate some input from any of you familiar with both the JD and Broadcaster. Thanks!

 

[Mincer]

Well, the biggest differences is that the Broadcaster is slightly less power than the JD, with more twangy highs. You already know what the JD sounds like. If you want a more vintage Esquire sound, go for the Broadcaster. For something more rockin', you have the JD.

 

[EC Strat]

I’m loving the JD I just put in my Tele. It replaced a Pure Vintage 64 - big step up imo

 

[jeremy]

the broadcaster has more high end snarl, the jd more mid push. both are great pups.

which antiquity to you have, the antiquity I? softened a2 mags and about 6.5k? gonna sound a little thin compared to the jd for sure

 

[Bruce Reed]

...the broadcaster has more high end snarl, the jd more mid push. both are great pups.

I just want something that gives a more balanced approach to the tone.Yes, both are good pickups - thus my dilemma! I'm not a country player and I just don't like the thin, tinny "traditional" Tele sound when playing up on the neck for the style I play.


...which antiquity to you have, the antiquity I? softened a2 mags and about 6.5k? gonna sound a little thin compared to the jd for sure...

I normally will keep the boxes of the Duncan pickups I buy, the only kind I buy, but I don't have any info on the magnets used. Not sure if this information was available when I bought it? Yes, it reads about 6.5k while the JD is around 7.52k. I'd like the pickup with the fullest-sounding high strings - if there even is such a thing! I don't know how else to describe it.

More questions:

1) Best way to erase the white ink of the text used on the top of the pickup?

2) What about the Five-Two? It sounds interesting, having different magnets. Would this "solve" the thin-sounding unwound string thing/

 

[jeremy]

the jd sounds thicker overall than the 5/2. i havent tried to remove the text from a pup though i have worn it off after years of playing

 

[Mincer]

1) Best way to erase the white ink of the text used on the top of the pickup?

2) What about the Five-Two? It sounds interesting, having different magnets. Would this "solve" the thin-sounding unwound string thing/

It usually comes off with Brasso. Some people have used toothpaste, but I've never tried that. The Five Two is a great traditional Tele pickup with a rounder high end. It is less powerful than the JD.

 

[Bruce Reed]

Thanks for all your input. I spent a considerable amount of time last night comparing the sound samples of the JD, Vintage Broadcaster, and the Five-two and have decided that the Broadcaster is what I am looking for with this guitar. The JD had the fullness I was looking for, but the Broadcaster seem to sound similar and yet have a little more overall bite one expects from a Fender. I started out listening to the Antiquity (my current pickup) and went back & forth between the others numerous times on numerous settings. This SD site 'sound sample' feature is fantastic.

 

[Mincer]

If you order it, come back and let us know your impressions.

 

[Artie]

I wonder if they could make a Jerry Donahue neck version? Could be sweet. :scratchch

Sorry. Off topic, I know.

 

[Mincer]

I suppose they could.

 

[jeremy]

i think jerry used an aps2 for his neck pup with the tele bridge pup