Need Tele neck pickup suggestion.

[Mike M.]

I've tried a few differant Tele neck pickups (Quarter Pounder, Fralin Blues Special) and they both share the same traits. Too bassey, not enough mids and the highs are too thin. The Fralin was a step in the right direction but it's still lacking. Just off the top of my head I was thinking about trying a pickup like a mini-humbucker which is a pickup that I've never tried. Maybe something that has a P90 quality to it? Or maybe there is a Tele style neck pickup that will fit the bill that I don't know about. I'm open to any suggestions you might have.

The Tele is a MIA model (not sure of the body wood) with a maple neck. I've got a Dimarzio Tone Zone T in the bridge, 250K push/pull pot for volume and a 250K pot for the tone.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Need Tele neck pickup suggestion.

Hi Mike,

I was going to suggest either a DiMarzio Twang King or a Fender Nocaster neck pickup. However, given that you have a Tone Zone T in the bridge position, I think the TK and Nocaster would be over powered by the TZ. I would recommend either one of the Duncan Minihumbuckers (SM-1,2,3) or a P-90.

 

[ES350]

Re: Need Tele neck pickup suggestion.

I used to use a 50's Guild P90 (a little underwound and smaller magnets compared to Gibsons) as a Tele neck pu and that was a good match...DeArmonds, HiLo Trons, Supro, and Harmony gold foil pu's work well too. Mini HB's sound great, but everything sounded like Albert Collins in the middle position; not a bad thing, but hard to get away from.