Esquire Pickup Replacement

[mjcolucci701]

Looking to replace the pickup on my Esquire (reissue) and I'm not sure what would be the most comparable to the original pickup that would have come on a '50s model... I'm considering the STK-T3b Vintage Stack, for the low end sound, but, open to suggestions.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

Stacks are a type of humbucker, despite their best attempts to voice it single coil-ish it'll never be MOST comparable to the original single

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

Stacks are a type of humbucker, despite their best attempts to voice it single coil-ish it'll never be MOST comparable to the original single

Have ever actually played an STK-T3b? It's voicing is closer to a "real" Tele pickup than a great deal of SD's true single coils. It's got vintage Tele tone to it, but it also has a decent amount of thickness and power to overdrive an amp. Gone are the days of mediocre noiseless single coils.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

Well if OP wants the most vintagey originals, there's vintagey single coils baked along oldskool recipe lines for that

Probably something like a Duncan Antiquity Tele or Fender CS Nocaster

 

[mjcolucci701]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

Good to know, but is there an SD you'd recommend?

 

[mjcolucci701]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

Well if OP wants the most vintagey originals, there's vintagey single coils baked along oldskool recipe lines for that

Probably something like a Duncan Antiquity Tele or Fender CS Nocaster

Now, that is helpful! Thank you.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

The SD Broadcaster bridge model is probably the best SD pickup for a single pickup Tele. It's fat with decent power, while maintaining clarity and articulation. That doesn't mean it's too bright. It's not nasal in the mids or too thin either. It's a pretty versatile pickup, but tends to stay towards the vintage side of things.

 

[mjcolucci701]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

The SD Broadcaster bridge model is probably the best SD pickup for a single pickup Tele. It's fat with decent power, while maintaining clarity and articulation. That doesn't mean it's too bright. It's not nasal in the mids or too thin either. It's a pretty versatile pickup, but tends to stay towards the vintage side of things.

I was checking that out on the SD website but it looks more high and mid-range a pickup than I think I'm looking for (and yes, I realize I'm asking for a pickup that's closest to the original model and considering buying not what I was asking about in the first place.)

But I'm closer to making an informed decision than I was when I started earlier today. Thank you!

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

Tapped Tele bridge if you want twang to rock.

Jerry D if you want more mild.

I have never had a bad Duncan Tele bridge pup.

 

[elelpe]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

Hot for tele. Plenty low end without being excessive and still delivers some twang. It's not exaggeratedly hot or middy as people may perceive from its name and description. I'd say it's SD Broadcaster on steroids. If you're a rocker that wants some twang, it's your pickup.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

The SD Broadcaster bridge model is probably the best SD pickup for a single pickup Tele. It's fat with decent power, while maintaining clarity and articulation. That doesn't mean it's too bright. It's not nasal in the mids or too thin either. It's a pretty versatile pickup, but tends to stay towards the vintage side of things.

This is what I would recommend, too, judging from your description.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

Esquire pickups changed through the '50's. They were the first Fender guitar, preceding even the Broadcaster, so they saw literally every variation of Tele-shaped bridge pickup Fender came up with during the '50's. Of what supposed year is your Esquire a reissue? Is it one of those '50's MIM Classic Series ones?

If closest to original is your aim, then the pickup you named is unsuitable; you want a single coil pickup. The main thing you need to decide is whether or not you want staggered magnets. Then, if you do want them, you need to decide which '50's stagger you want.

That being said, I can't say enough good about the Fender Pure Vintage '58 Tele pickups in my AV '58 Tele. It's one of the best sounding Teles I've ever picked up. I played 10 or 20 seconds on it before I decided to buy it. This is a staggered pickup, FWIW.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

The earlier Tele pickups tended to have a beefier output. I think they at one stage were wound (like the neck pickups) with the thinner 43 gauge wire and fairly punchy - that type is what most try and capture with their 'broadcaster' type pickups. As the decade progress the wind became more open, dropped output and gave out more twang.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

If it were my Esquire, I’d put an SD Broadcaster in it.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

i have the tapped '53 jb in my esquire and its terrific. depending on what you are using as a rig, a bright cutting bridge pup can sound thick and fat (into a tweed deluxe for example) or thin and twangy into a super reverb.

 

[Artie]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

Jerry D if you want more mild.

The JD is my current favorite Tele bridge pup, and I had two Antiquity's in there first. The Ant's were fantastic, but the JD had that little extra "bite". I almost want to say that the JD is to a Tele, what a PG is to a Paul. It's why I'd love to try the new Gilly for Tele, to see how it compares to the JD.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

which ants did you have? i have the ant I and i love it but the aged magnets give it a sweeter top end. the jd is a great pup for sure.

 

[Artie]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

It was the Tele '55 and the Tele II. And don't get me wrong. Both were uber-sweet. Silky smooth cleans on both. Rich harmonics. But this was quite some time ago, when money was tighter. I can't remember if I bought the '55 or the II 1st, but whichever it was, I did a temporary trade for the other with someone on TDPRI. The other guy loved both and asked if he could buy mine, so he sent me the money to buy the JD. I fell in love with it. If I was a richer man, I'd buy yet another Tele and put the Antiquity back in. It's a truly sweet pup.

 

[Bruce Reed]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

The JD is my current favorite Tele bridge pup, and I had two Antiquity's in there first. The Ant's were fantastic, but the JD had that little extra "bite". I almost want to say that the JD is to a Tele, what a PG is to a Paul. It's why I'd love to try the new Gilly for Tele, to see how it compares to the JD.

Yes, I also have a JD in my '96 Custom Tele and it is a bit "beefier" than the Antiquity in my Esquire. Personally, I prefer the JD for my playing, but I would say that the Antiquity is probably closer to the originals.



You can't go wrong with any of these Duncans.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Esquire Pickup Replacement

nice! which antiquity? my ant I has less umpf than the jd for sure but i love it into a small amp