Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

[twoheadedboy]

Hey dudes. I'm chasing some of those grinding, biting tele tones. Just wondering what pickups you guys dig for stuff like Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Led Zeppelin, stuff like that. I'm looking for lots of punch with just enough of that twang to let you know it's a tele.

 

[flank]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

the JD may not be high output, but i find its got a bit more mids than the typical tele lead pickup. I find it to be great for that early Led Zeppelin sound, i mean almost dead on sometimes, it just sounds NASTY! but at the same time, it can sound full and warm in clean mode. I basically only use the JD pickup for everything and it sounds great. i cant recommend it any greater

 

[twoheadedboy]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

I like the way the JD sounds too. I've heard a guitar or two with it. Basically if I could have Keith Richard's tele sounds off the latest stones record, i'd be happy.

 

[Rev Donzo]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

Rolling Stones, uses a 10k Broadcaster wind -- custom shop order = expensive! -- or use the 8k production Broadcaster

Tom Petty, 50's Antiquitys

Led Zeppelin, 59's Antiquity II's

 

[twoheadedboy]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

I was hoping you'd chime in here, Rev. Sounds like you really know yr teles. I should also ask while I have a chance, what's the best tele for those types of sounds for around $800-900 american.

 

[twoheadedboy]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

I don't know if it will help, but with this guitar I'm going to be using a hotrodded AC30 style 30 watt head.

 

[twoheadedboy]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

Rev, how well does that 8k Broadcaster do recent stones type tones? Is it a big difference from what 10k would be like?

 

[Rev Donzo]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

what ever one plays nice! and feels right -- IE weight and neck shape--
spend the extra on a nice level crown and edge roll - for that worn in feel on the necks edges.-- and get the pups swapped.

Myself I would use the ligh ash series or the Mexican 50's --

Sadly--Americian' teles have the wrong bridges and the 52 reissue, theres STICKY finish on the neck back-- that just stops hand motion...

 

[Rev Donzo]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

the Broadcaster covers alot of ground... its my favorite..easier on the ear mussles..soothing.. but with plenty of tele attitude

you can here mine in action at www.trainbridgerecords.com

 

[twoheadedboy]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

How do you feel about the Highway 1s? I don't like the neck on the Classic 50s much. I think I'd like something made of ash. Thanks a lot for the tip on the broadcaster.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

I really like the Fender Texas Special that came in mine. I honestly thought I was going to replace it when I was buying the guitar, but this thing is great for classic rock and blues. A bit higher output and mids than stock, and I bet you could find one on the 'bay for cheap...

 

[teleblooz]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

Call me crazy, but the Dimarzio VV Hot T and VV neck do an excellent job on classic rock and blues stuff. No noise to boot.

 

[ES350]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

I like the Broadcaster, wish I could get one a little hotter...ditto the JD clean or dirty; a nice Tele sound. I just put a old SD Hot in a MIM 50's Tele with a 500K pot---brings out the high end a little and it almost cops a LP Special kinda sound.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

I like the Broadcaster, wish I could get one a little hotter...ditto the JD clean or dirty; a nice Tele sound. I just put a old SD Hot in a MIM 50's Tele with a 500K pot---brings out the high end a little and it almost cops a LP Special kinda sound.

That's cool ... I was thinking of getting a tapped Hot for my Tele, so I could get the best of both worlds.

 

[BachToRock]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

The JD is an excellent tele bridge pickup with the Vintage or Alnico Pro II in the neck with the cover removed.
I use it and the overwound Broadcaster pickup which is outstanding!

 

[twoheadedboy]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

guh.... I need to find a nice tele

 

[gripweed]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

I like the Broadcaster, wish I could get one a little hotter...ditto the JD clean or dirty; a nice Tele sound. I just put a old SD Hot in a MIM 50's Tele with a 500K pot---brings out the high end a little and it almost cops a LP Special kinda sound.

The JD is a great pickup! For those of you wanting a little hotter Tele, the Texas Tele is really a nice underrated pickup!

Edit: PFD said *Texas Special* actually meant the Texas Tele. Texas Special refers only to the Strat pickup.

 

[rhmcfarland]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

I use an Antiquity in the bridge, and a Fralin Blues Special in the neck.
The Antiquity doesn't have a lot of output, but the extra midrange presence really makes a big difference. It interacts very well with fuzz and overdrive. I use the Lovepedal Ezekiel for heavy fuzz, BSM OR for tighter slide leads, and a Lovepedal Eternity for overdrive, and it sounds fantastic with them all. Bogner Metropolis amp, btw.

 

[thucydides]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

the JD may not be high output, but i find its got a bit more mids than the typical tele lead pickup. I find it to be great for that early Led Zeppelin sound, i mean almost dead on sometimes, it just sounds NASTY! but at the same time, it can sound full and warm in clean mode. I basically only use the JD pickup for everything and it sounds great. i cant recommend it any greater

What is the JD?

 

[gripweed]

Re: Favorite Tele Pickups for Classic Rock

What is the JD?

Replica of Jerry Donahue's Tele pickup. JD for short.