How will SD Tele pickups sound different from stock ones on an MIM tele?

[qbertsoul]

I currently play a 2001 MIM Tele, and I've been thinking about changing out the pickups due to an overall blandness of the tone. Not much shimmer, very low bass on the bridge pickup. The tone is very brittle.

I feel that pickup swapping would be a good idea mostly because I like the way it sounds acoustically.

How dramatically would the SD pickups change my tone if I were to swap in a Vintage '54 in the neck and a Broadcaster in the bridge?

 

[Curly]

Re: How will SD Tele pickups sound different from stock ones on an MIM tele?

I have an MIA. I had it for a few years and thought the stock pickups sounded pretty decent. However, I decided to try a Broadcaster and Vintage Rhythm, and it made a noticeable improvement.

BTW, I saved the stock parts whole, and replaced them with a new plate, wiring, cap, and pots. One thing I noticed was the SDs were better built -- fiber bobbins instead of plastic that Fender uses.

 

[qbertsoul]

Re: How will SD Tele pickups sound different from stock ones on an MIM tele?

When you say noticeable improvement, in what area? Were the highs brighter, the lows warmer, or was the sound just kind of clearer in general?

 

[J Moose]

Re: How will SD Tele pickups sound different from stock ones on an MIM tele?

It'll be night & day.

The guitar will seem 'more alive' under your fingers... like taking a shade off a window & the sunlight comes rushing through. Way more personality & mojo not to mention usable tones.

 

[alex1fly]

Re: How will SD Tele pickups sound different from stock ones on an MIM tele?

+1, its like the difference between "pretty good" and "pretty **** good." It's just one word, but it carries a lot of weight. Untrained ears may not be able to hear the difference but you will, and you'll feel the difference too. There's more potential for good tone with non-stock pickups. I'm talking about replacing stock pickups in general; I've never tried those pickups in a Tele. But I can tell the difference between a regular Tele you can pick up at a music shop and a Tele you hear on recordings or on stage... sure the amp plays a big role but I bet few of those guys have stock pickups! Definitely worth it!

 

[millsart]

Re: How will SD Tele pickups sound different from stock ones on an MIM tele?

Good pickups are important but I wouldn't go as far as saying night and day (unless your going something totally different, like say, swapping a Seth Lover for an Invader, then pretty drastic lol)

Remember that pickups are just a small part of your tone as well, your amp, effects chain and especially your speakers make huge differences as well.

I remember switching from greenbacks to v70's I think they were on a Marshall cab and the difference in tone was just huge

 

[Curly]

Re: How will SD Tele pickups sound different from stock ones on an MIM tele?

When you say noticeable improvement, in what area?

there was more harmonic content ... more overtones, and a more vocal, better tone