New telecaster needs new pickups

[Chris Downing]

Re: New telecaster needs new pickups

Well with a MIM you're in danger of trying to upgrade a guitar that will never be a great guitar. The high end guitars have better finished necks, hardware, action, materials. So whatever you do make sure you keep the old PUs so you can keep your new SDs for your next upgrade - trust me you'll eventually want to upgarde from your MIM. Go for a pair of vintage or Alnico II PUs and keep it pretty much traditional/conventional as a first upgrade. After that you might want to just change one PU for some special requirements. If you're not sure what you'll be playijng - wait a while until you buy.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: New telecaster needs new pickups

Well with a MIM you're in danger of trying to upgrade a guitar that will never be a great guitar. The high end guitars have better finished necks, hardware, action, materials. So whatever you do make sure you keep the old PUs so you can keep your new SDs for your next upgrade - trust me you'll eventually want to upgarde from your MIM. Go for a pair of vintage or Alnico II PUs and keep it pretty much traditional/conventional as a first upgrade. After that you might want to just change one PU for some special requirements. If you're not sure what you'll be playijng - wait a while until you buy.

I agree on part of this and disagree on another part. Yes, you should play your guitar for a while first before deciding (a) how you're using it and (b) what's not working for you. However, having a MIM Tele doesn't mean you shouldn't upgrade the parts. I've got a MIM Tele that I love, and I've replaced the pups on that.

MIM Teles get a bad rap, and maybe it's because they're not consistent, but I only own one and it's a great piece of work. Maybe I got lucky...maybe you did, too. You'll know after you've spent a few months with the guitar unchanged. (Perhaps you already know; it's been a few months now.)

- Keith