Need advice on which humbuckers to put in my Tele

deftgala

deftgala

New member
I'm looking to swap out my antiquities for high gain humbuckers (mini or reg-sized) in my mid-90s American Tele. I own an APII neck pup that's laying around but don't mind purchasing a whole new set if I need to. I'm currently looking at the Hot Rails set or Lil 59 bridge (but don't know what to match it with). Not too sure on what reg-sized pups would be good options either.

I play in an original rock band and a cover band. I play mostly classic rock and hard rock through one of my two combos (or combined): a Bogner Shiva and an AC15. I use various pedals; delay, flange, wah, an OC-2, and a Shur Riot paired with the AC15. I use the Shiva's overdrive instead of the Riot when using that amp.

Examples of songs my cover band plays are Foo's "My Hero," Kravitz "Are You Gonna my Way," Zep's "Good Times, Bad Times," Aerosmith's "Walk This Way," Young Giant "My Body," Killers "When We Were Young," and GnR "Paradise City." Etc... You get the idea.

Here's a link to my band's original music. I play all guitars: http://youtu.be/hvRRX-kkEdg

My two other main axes are a '12 LP Standard and a mid-90s 335. Unfortunately, the Tele seems to have fallen by the wayside, but I love playing the neck and want to get it back into regular rotation. Need suggestions.

Thanks guys. I appreciate your recommendations.
 
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Re: Need advice on which humbuckers to put in my Tele

I defo can add the bridge ground wire... The neck cavity is already cut to fit a reg-sized humbucker. I have to remove the pick guard to see if the bridge position is carved, but the guitar isn't around right now to check it out. I used to have an SH-2N in the Tele, but that's now in my LP Studio. But I can pair either the AP2n or the SH2n with the lil 59 depending on which it pairs better with.
 
Re: Need advice on which humbuckers to put in my Tele

I personally like bright, underwound neck humbuckers in my Teles. Bridge pickups tend to be towards the overwound but vintage realm. The Broadcaster is pretty fat and raunchy sounding.

Not sure I'm much help as far as a bridge humbucker, though. I'd keep your Tele vintage in the bridge, though, since you already have a Les Paul and 335,especially since some of the music you listed calls for a Tele.
 
Re: Need advice on which humbuckers to put in my Tele

DMZ has some nice sounding humbucking Tele pups of varying tonality.
 
Re: Need advice on which humbuckers to put in my Tele

Check out the Pearly Gates telecaster pickup from the custom shop. Sounds right up your alley.
 
Re: Need advice on which humbuckers to put in my Tele

HTT said:
DMZ has some nice sounding humbucking Tele pups of varying tonality.
Click to expand...

This is true. I love the Chopper T, but that is more mid gain, with a somewhat brighter top end. The Super D and Tone Zone for the Tele may be worth checking out. For Duncan, the Hot Rails is an excellent high gain pup, and also is made to drop right in the bridge of your Tele.

I've used the lil 59 in a Strat, love it, but it isn't high gain, not that it can't do it if your amp has plenty of gain on tap. These days I tend to prefer a lower output pup, since many amps have a lot of gain available, and good crunch boxes can also get you there. This way you'll (generally) have a better sounding pup if you do decide to play more in the clean realm.
 
Re: Need advice on which humbuckers to put in my Tele

So, I settled on installing a lil 59 in the bridge and an SM2 mini hum in the neck with 500k pots. Sounds really good with the 59 matching the output of my Gibson guitars, minus the fullness of the humbuckers. I enjoy the the of the SM2, however I can't help but notice it's a bit too shimmery. In this case, I think that the SM1 would have been a better choice because of the magnet used in that p/u. I think I'll swap magnets when I change the strings next.
 
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