As the subject suggests, I'm looking to swap out the stock APTR-1 and APTL-1 from my Tele. I find that the neck pickup is too dark, and the bridge pickup could use a little mids. Any suggestions? I'm playing mostly P&W, blues, and classic rock. I think vintage output single coils are more along the lines of what I'm looking for. All help appreciated!
Replacing Alnico Pro II Neck and Bridge PU's
- Thread starter ctbaggett
- Start date
Welcome to the forum!
I'd suggest a Jerry Donahue in the bridge, and an Antiquity 55 in the neck. The Jerry has mids, and more power, but still sounds like a Telecaster pickup. The Antiquity 55 is a cleaner/less-dark rhythm pickup. You can also swap the neck pickup (and pickguard) for something like a good Strat pickup (like a Five Two, or Vintage Staggered) for a cleaner/clearer sound.
I'd suggest a Jerry Donahue in the bridge, and an Antiquity 55 in the neck. The Jerry has mids, and more power, but still sounds like a Telecaster pickup. The Antiquity 55 is a cleaner/less-dark rhythm pickup. You can also swap the neck pickup (and pickguard) for something like a good Strat pickup (like a Five Two, or Vintage Staggered) for a cleaner/clearer sound.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
I have a Broadcaster and Antiquity 55 in my ash tele. Plays almost every kind of music I've needed in cover bands; country, rock, blues, pop, funk, etc.
My other tele has a Fender Twisted Tele set, which is like mix between a Strat and a bright vintage Les Paul sound. Good for more modern music. Less twangy but some twang is still there.
My other tele has a Fender Twisted Tele set, which is like mix between a Strat and a bright vintage Les Paul sound. Good for more modern music. Less twangy but some twang is still there.
If I stuck with a tele pickup but wanted a little more treble than what the antiquity 55 has then what would you suggest?
The broadcaster sounds a bit too twangy. As far as the Twisted Tele set, I've heard mixed reviews about them -- and I already have a strat and LP.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
That's where your tone control comes in. But good luck. You've already ruled out a few.
Perhaps the Vintage Tele...?
That would be my suggestion, too.
alex1fly
Well-known member
Interesting description of the Twisted Tele. Before I bought my Tele, I borrowed a friend's MIA for about a month. It had a Twisted Tele set in it. The bridge pickup was much different than what I was expecting based on Telecaster lore - hotter, darker, warmer, more humbucker-like. Not by much but enough to change the character a bit. I can see how it'd make a useful set for a player trying to get tones from both sides of the aisle.
Since I have this thread going already I'll also ask about wiring. What do you think of this?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H935FBE...v_ov_lig_dp_it
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H935FBE...v_ov_lig_dp_it
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I put on the finishing touches today but I did a lot more than just replacing the pickups: new tuning machines, bridge/saddles, 4-way switch, CTS pots, 50's wiring, upgraded input jack cover, and of course, a good cleaning. In the end, I'm really happy with how things turned.The Vintage Tele pickup was exactly what I was hoping for: warm, articulate, and doesn't get lost in the mix. The Jerry Donahue is an undeniably bright pickup, but it has some beef in the mids/low-mids so that it isn't all treble. I was very surprised to find that the two in parallel do a better quack than my old Alnico Pro's, and when in series they have a thick sound almost like a humbucker in the neck. Before this project I had 2 pickups, 3 positions, and 1 good sound: position 1 with volume and tone maxed. Now I have 2 pickups, 4 positions, and I can get tons of great sounds out of the volume and tone controls.
I appreciate the help finding my pickups!
Save yourself $10-20 and buy the separate components...Oak-Grigsby sw, CTS or Alpha pots, Switchcraft jack, any good cap (=$15-25 with free shipping, depending on where you buy them).
JD pup is really good. Might also consider a tapped Quarter Pound for lots of versatility (my personal fav for a Tele bridge).
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