Recommend me a tele bridge pickup plz!

AxlOz

New member
Hey guys, I have a US Fender tele with a maple fret board. Its currently running a SD Quarter Pounder in the Neck pos, and a SD Hot Rails in the Bridge pos, 500k CTS pots.

I love the QP in the neck, its staying. It has loads of spank, is very musical, has good output, and has really sweet highs.

The Hot rails I'm growing less fond of though.. It has very high output and sounds solid, but its like the treble is permanently wound down on it and it just lacks the sweet highs that the QP has. I'm certain there's nothing wrong with it as I've had it in there for several years now and while I used to like that it took the ice-pick out of my JCM800 nicely, my tastes have now changed and I'm playing more lower gain stuff, through various amps (AC30, Fender Blues Jr, and the JCM800). I play bluesy kinda stuff that weighs more towards a rhythm style playing than anything too elaborate. Think SRV or Hendrix, not Satriani or Vai :)

SO - can anyone recommend me a bridge pickup that will pair well with the QP neck, and maintain some clear and sweet highs? I'd almost like something that was 'hi-fi' if thats such a thing. My web research tells me I may be best to get something with A3 magnets as these are apparently quite clear through the tone spectrum, including the high notes, though I have no experience with them so I'll happily take some advice/opinions!
 
Re: Recommend me a tele bridge pickup plz!

maybe just get a qp bridge. At least it will hold up output wise and you like the qp neck.
Otherwise, you probably need to get a pair of more traditional single coils that match up.
 
Re: Recommend me a tele bridge pickup plz!

I like the look of the Fender Deluxe Drive pickups but they might be a bit too hot..
The other ones I've looked at are the Fender Pure Vintage '58 set (now known as the 'Original Vintage'), or the American Fender Vintage '62 set. All A3 based from what I've read online.

Otherwise yeah, the QP bridge might be good. I'm concerned it'll be a bit honky and lack articulation in the highs though - high output and A5 magnet..
 
Re: Recommend me a tele bridge pickup plz!

maybe just get a qp bridge. At least it will hold up output wise and you like the qp neck.
Otherwise, you probably need to get a pair of more traditional single coils that match up.

I'd go for a QP bridge or possibly a tapped SSL-5, since you already like that sound. For some versatility, you might try a tapped version. To read more about how these sorts of pickups work, read here.
 
Re: Recommend me a tele bridge pickup plz!

My favorite Duncan Tele bridge is the Tele Hot...especially the Alnico 2 Custom Shop version.

My favorite non Duncan is the Fralin Blues Special.
 
Re: Recommend me a tele bridge pickup plz!

Actually, tapping the coil of the HR is probably a great start, I shoulda thought of that, thanks Mincer!

Off topic - I was in FL in July/August last year (I'm from Sydney Australia but my in-laws live in FL). Didn't get to Tampa this time but we had a good time in St Augustine! Hope you survived the storms ok!

Back on topic:

Lewguitar, Fralin's are always nice pickups. I nearly bought some for my strat not so long ago. That A2 CS Tele Hot pup could also be a good contender for my tele...

Has anyone had any experience with the Fender tele pups I mentioned above? There's some decent prices to be found on some of those here is AU at the moment.
 
Re: Recommend me a tele bridge pickup plz!

I like the look of the Fender Deluxe Drive pickups but they might be a bit too hot..
The other ones I've looked at are the Fender Pure Vintage '58 set (now known as the 'Original Vintage'), or the American Fender Vintage '62 set. All A3 based from what I've read online.

Otherwise yeah, the QP bridge might be good. I'm concerned it'll be a bit honky and lack articulation in the highs though - high output and A5 magnet..

The QP bridge in a tapped version is what you want for sure! Not "honky" IMO, and definitely articulate, especially when tapped.
 
Re: Recommend me a tele bridge pickup plz!

I have a Hot For Tele Tapped in my Tele Custom, with an Antiquity Surfer Strat pickup as the neck pickup.

Just about the perfect Tele.

But I rarely use the lower output/Vintage tap of Tele Hot. Sounds weak and puny compared to the full output.

I have a 5 position switch on that guitar.

#3 is the neck and #1 is the hot bridge and #5 is the vintage bridge.

That’s the way to do it.
 
Back
Top