Nocaster vs. Broadcaster - In Your Own Words.....

[Butch Snyder]

These two pickups, the Fender CS Nocaster bridge pickup and the Seymour Duncan Broadcaster model, seem to be sorta cut from the same mold; Telecasters from an era before there were Telecasters (by name anyway). The Broadcaster in 1950, then by stripping the "Broadcaster" decal, they became the Nocaster.

In your own words, what do you hear in the differences between these two iconic pickup models? Whether you have used one of them or both, I'd like to hear your thoughts. Please though, limit the talk to just these two pickups. No Antiquities, Bardens, or any other model.

Thanks....

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Nocaster vs. Broadcaster - In Your Own Words.....

I thought I'd add what I know and do it in a new post and not just edit the thread. I know that the CS Nocaster bridge pickup has Alnico 3 magnets and a zinc baseplate; while the Duncan Broadcaster has Alnico 5 magnets and a copper-plated steel baseplate.

I would describe the tone of a Nocaster pickup to be "Loud and proud"; with a big focus on the mids. It is warm and snarly and can really growl. It can also smooth out and be nice if needed. It can twang with the best but its twang is a big meaty twang; with no "Bakersfield" tone to be had. It lends itself to a multitude of musical genres.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Nocaster vs. Broadcaster - In Your Own Words.....

Well, the big hitch is WHICH Nocaster...Fender used to wind them all to around 10k, then they dropped the wind down a good bit...those 2 pickusp alone are pretty different sounding.

Moving on to the Duncan Broadcaster...it's not made much at all like a real early 50's Fender pickup. A real Broadcaster bridge pickup would have alnico III magnets, different baseplate, different wire guage and a different wind. The Duncan Broadcaster is more like a middle 50's Tele pickup but with the slightly larger magnets and slightly overwound.

The Duncan Broadcaster is fat, nasty and sort of compressed sounding.

The 10k Nocaster is hotter and nastier than the Duncan Broadcaster, slightly less lowend and has a typical Alnico III top end (I can't really describe it, you just have to hear it).

The lower wind Nocaster is less hot and LOTS less thick than, in fact it's almost thin sounding in comparison to a 10k Nocaster.

All 3 are good pickups but for that Broadcaster/Nocaster tone none of them are my fav. but if I were gonna pick one of the 3 I'd opt for a 10k Nocaster.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Nocaster vs. Broadcaster - In Your Own Words.....

Great analysis Christian....

Yes, the 10k CS Nocaster pickup would be a very rare find; if you could find one. That said, if I could get my hands on one, the case would be closed and I would have my "holy grail" Tele bridge pickup. Just for clarification's sake, I was referring to the current production Fender Nocaster bridge pickup.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Nocaster vs. Broadcaster - In Your Own Words.....

I would like to try the broadcaster.

I do have some experience with the current production CS nocaster. In a rosewood-board agathis tele, it gave me the best rock rhythm guitar tones of any guitar I've owned or played. Good mids, output, and not shrill. Decent bass but not as plucky as any of the ceramic or alnico V tele lead pickups fender currently makes. Alnico III really is unique in it's high end. The next closest pickup I could compare the cs nocaster to is the hot alnico III on the HWY 1's but as far as definition and clarity, the CS pwns. BTW, CS nocaster neck is a FANTASTIC tele neck pickup. It's so clear compared to some of the other trashy tele rhythm p'ups

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Nocaster vs. Broadcaster - In Your Own Words.....

Great analysis Christian....

Yes, the 10k CS Nocaster pickup would be a very rare find; if you could find one. That said, if I could get my hands on one, the case would be closed and I would have my "holy grail" Tele bridge pickup. Just for clarification's sake, I was referring to the current production Fender Nocaster bridge pickup.

There are out there...

If you want that sound there are several options, the Fender Nocaster would be the least money but there are other options.

 

[appar111]

Re: Nocaster vs. Broadcaster - In Your Own Words.....

Actually, the Duncan Broadcaster would be the least money at $57.95 new, wouldn't it?

The Dimarzio Pre B-1 is another good one for a beefier Broadcaster-ish tone.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Nocaster vs. Broadcaster - In Your Own Words.....

Im saying that there are several pickups out there that are similar to the specs of the 10k Nocaster but the Nocaster would be the cheepest...

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Nocaster vs. Broadcaster - In Your Own Words.....

Im saying that there are several pickups out there that are similar to the specs of the 10k Nocaster but the Nocaster would be the cheepest...

Okay, now you've stepped in it. Give me the other options (besides the Duncan CS 53 Tapped JB). I can't do $200...

 

[appar111]

Re: Nocaster vs. Broadcaster - In Your Own Words.....

Im saying that there are several pickups out there that are similar to the specs of the 10k Nocaster but the Nocaster would be the cheepest...

Ahh, ok.... hmmm, I'm pretty sure that Don mare winds something like that, if not better, and it would be cheaper than the Duncan Custom Shop.

 

[Hagbard Celine]

Re: Nocaster vs. Broadcaster - In Your Own Words.....

I've had both in the same guitar. My Nocaster is newer and part of the CS Nocaster set I bought last year.

The Broadcaster was ballsy and rockin'. The Nocaster is more polite and not as rude. Softer, but not wimpy. I find it very musical and pleasing to my ear. Lots of overtones. Pick lightly near the bridge - very sweet. Teamed with its neck sibling it is really nice. If I were equipping an Esquire I'd go with the Broadcaster, but, I just love the Nocaster set as a system. I think they will stay in for good.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Nocaster vs. Broadcaster - In Your Own Words.....

The Broadcaster was ballsy and rockin'. The Nocaster is more polite and not as rude. Softer, but not wimpy.

Does that mean the Broadcaster is harsh?

I just love the Nocaster set as a system.

I've had the Nocaster set too. I bought it a few years back when Fender moved from chrome to a nickel cover for the neck pickup. It was a very nice set indeed.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Nocaster vs. Broadcaster - In Your Own Words.....

i didnt find the broadcaster harsh last time i heard one. sounded like a tele pup with a little more punchy upper mid range

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Nocaster vs. Broadcaster - In Your Own Words.....

i didnt find the broadcaster harsh last time i heard one. sounded like a tele pup with a little more punchy upper mid range

Jeremy, would you mind comparing the APTL-3JD with an STL-1b Broadcaster?

 

[jeremy]

Re: Nocaster vs. Broadcaster - In Your Own Words.....

there is a decent amount of difference. sure they are both tele pups but the jd has a smoother top end and bigger mid range, not as tight or big on the bottom. the broadcaster has more spank and is more percussive.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Nocaster vs. Broadcaster - In Your Own Words.....

there is a decent amount of difference. sure they are both tele pups but the jd has a smoother top end and bigger mid range, not as tight or big on the bottom. the broadcaster has more spank and is more percussive.

Nice, thanks for the explanation....