Replacement pickups for a MIM Fender Toronado

[ncrock]

I've read every post on here - and seen lots of people saying what they were going to do but haven't heard much discussion about the end results!

I got a beaut' MIM Fender Toronado (alder body, rosewood neck). The stock pickups sounded narrow and bland, missing all the highs. I replaced them with some hot handwired Alnico 5 humbuckers and this thing is now passable but overly bright and missing the midrange ROCK that really makes it really carry the riff or stand out in the mix when playing in a band. I play power pop sort of stuff, both with clean full vintage sounds and big Sex Pistols power chord riffs. No metal, no shredding, just big warm classic rock.

I was wondering what others have used in this guitar that has worked for them. I've seen so many people say "I tried xxx and it sucked!" Is there any hope?

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Replacement pickups for a MIM Fender Toronado

What amp are you using? What value pots are in the guitar?

 

[ncrock]

Re: Replacement pickups for a MIM Fender Toronado

It has 500k pots that came with the guitar.

About an amp, I'm in the market for that too - but maybe an Orange Tiny Terror or Fender Blues Junior III or a ZT Lunchbox (sounds amazing with an extension cab). (Let me know if you have any suggestions!)

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Replacement pickups for a MIM Fender Toronado

What amp are you using now that doesn't sound good? The amp and speakers you play the guitar through will change the sound that you hear more than the pickups in your guitar.

 

[ncrock]

Re: Replacement pickups for a MIM Fender Toronado

Funny you say that on a board dedicated to pickups!

I will take it this weekend and try it on a bunch of amps at the store and see if it still sounds so overly bright.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Replacement pickups for a MIM Fender Toronado

If it's too bright you might also want to try rolling the volume and tone knobs back a notch or two. This knocks a little of the shrillness out, and you always have a bit in reserve if it gets near the end of the night and you need to cut through a bit more.

 

[ncrock]

Re: Replacement pickups for a MIM Fender Toronado

If it's too bright you might also want to try rolling the volume and tone knobs back a notch or two. This knocks a little of the shrillness out, and you always have a bit in reserve if it gets near the end of the night and you need to cut through a bit more.

yes! unfortunately it doesn't bring back the midrange that i feel is missing. the highs are great and crystal clear, but the fullbody-sounding mids sound missing.

i wonder if others with this guitar hear the same thing regardless of what pickups they put in.

 

[Ryan84]

Re: Replacement pickups for a MIM Fender Toronado

Get a JB Sh-4 for the bridge. It can do everything you want with some real midrange punch too. Leave the neck pickup you got in. A JB has been used live/on record with alder bodied Fender's countless times with success. It's pretty much foolproof.

 

[ncrock]

Re: Replacement pickups for a MIM Fender Toronado

Thank you everyone for all your advice! I will see how it sounds after getting a new amp next week.

Is there anyone out there who has a Toronado and has made any success switch? I've read tons of posts from people talking about the switch they're going to make but not whether they were happy with the results!