Hi - Hi - I'm building my first Tele (alder body, rosewood fretboard) and I need some suggestions for the pickups. I'm not looking for a lot of twang - I play mostly blues and classic rock, with the occasional punk cover. I really like the tones of Roy Buchannan, Albert Collins and Joe Strummer. Any suggestions that might cover those areas? Thanks, Bob
Need some Tele pickup help
- Thread starter wolf papa
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Re: Need some Tele pickup help
I'd say to look at the Jerry Donahue, or if you want even less twang but more mids with more power, the Quarter Pound.
The JD has more versatility. The QP is more geared toward thicker power.
I'd say to look at the Jerry Donahue, or if you want even less twang but more mids with more power, the Quarter Pound.
The JD has more versatility. The QP is more geared toward thicker power.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Need some Tele pickup help
Fender’s twisted Tele set or Tex mex set would do the styles in the op. I have the twisted set in a rosewood Tele and they compete with a Les Paul tone wise but can still pull out some Tele brightness when needed. Amp makes a difference. I had the Tex mex set in an ash highway 1 Tele and played live for years similar music as mentioned in the op, plus country, oldies, 70s rock, some folk, etc.
Fender’s twisted Tele set or Tex mex set would do the styles in the op. I have the twisted set in a rosewood Tele and they compete with a Les Paul tone wise but can still pull out some Tele brightness when needed. Amp makes a difference. I had the Tex mex set in an ash highway 1 Tele and played live for years similar music as mentioned in the op, plus country, oldies, 70s rock, some folk, etc.
Re: Need some Tele pickup help
I agree that the Tex Mex tele set is very good. While there are probably better purist vintage options, I find them to be very Tele-esque. they will do a decent country twangy sound, but are just a tad hotter and are very nice for bluesy and classic rock and punk kind of sounds.
In my opinion they're great tele pickups, and pretty inexpensive. Easy to find on the used market, and if you aren't happy, they are "known" enough to be a good basis for comparison.
I agree that the Tex Mex tele set is very good. While there are probably better purist vintage options, I find them to be very Tele-esque. they will do a decent country twangy sound, but are just a tad hotter and are very nice for bluesy and classic rock and punk kind of sounds.
In my opinion they're great tele pickups, and pretty inexpensive. Easy to find on the used market, and if you aren't happy, they are "known" enough to be a good basis for comparison.
Butch Snyder
ObsoleteChickenPickingologist
Re: Need some Tele pickup help
Alder body and rosewood fretboard? Fender CS Texas Specials all day long. I had a MIM James Burton Standard at one time. Did not like its tone. Alder body, maple fretboard and Fender CS Tex Specials. Too harsh and grainy-sounding. I had another Telecaster with a nice rosewood fretboard. I changed the necks out and the James Burton Tele really came alive.
Alder body and rosewood fretboard? Fender CS Texas Specials all day long. I had a MIM James Burton Standard at one time. Did not like its tone. Alder body, maple fretboard and Fender CS Tex Specials. Too harsh and grainy-sounding. I had another Telecaster with a nice rosewood fretboard. I changed the necks out and the James Burton Tele really came alive.