Replacing pickups on Modern Player Tele

[Cstib]

I’m very new to the world of pickups. I have a fender modern player telecaster, which has two single coil pickups and a split coil humbucker. I’d like to replace these pickups in the near future. Is there a good way to choose a telecaster style neck pick up, a middle pick up and a humbucker to replace the old components with?

 

[Mincer]

Welcome to the forum!

We love replacing pickups here! But before any recommendations, we need more info. What don't you like about the pickups you have? What kind of music? What amp?

 

[Cstib]

Hi, thanks!

I play mostly pop rock and rock, a mixture of clean and dirty tones. Some of my inspirations are COIN, catfish and the bottlemen and the band Camino. I’m playing with a Supro 1970RK Keeley Custom 25W amp. Most of the positions are pretty noisy, so I’m usually just using the humbucker. I’d like to get more versatility out of the guitar.

 

[ragamuffin]

So it looks like that guitar has a humbucker bridge pickup, strat in the middle, and tele neck pickup; kind of a weird setup. Do you want to stick with the same pickup layout? If you're only using the humbucker due to noise issues you may want to go with a humbucker in the neck position, or a stacked noise cancelling single like the Vintage Stack for tele.

The 59' would probably be a good humbucker for the bridge position; it's a pretty classic, versatile humbucker with moderate output.

 

[Cstib]

I don’t have a strong preference honestly. I was thinking that keeping the same overall set up would be easiest since I wouldn’t have to rout any additional wood or change the pick guard, but I guess I could be swayed either way. I’ll check out your suggestions. Thanks! Do people typically buy separate individual pickups to use together? If so, do some pickups interact better with others?

 

[Mincer]

There are really no rules...some buy sets, some mix and match. It really comes down to the power and the EQ you currently have, versus where you want to go.

 

[beaubrummels]

Sounds like just noiseless versions of the same pickups in there would solve the problem. E.g. a stack or rail strat pickup in the middle, and a noiseless tele neck. Only replace the humbucker if you don't like the sound.

 

[Cstib]

Thanks all! This is really helpful!

 

[alex1fly]

Sounds like just noiseless versions of the same pickups in there would solve the problem. E.g. a stack or rail strat pickup in the middle, and a noiseless tele neck. Only replace the humbucker if you don't like the sound.

+1

Definitely keep the bridge humbucker if you like it and are used to it. If you can't live with after replacing the other pickups, and you really dig the other pickups, you can replace the bridge humbucker.

 

[CaptainWhizz]

I’m not familiar with those bands, but I’ve had a little look for information on their gear.

https://mixdownmag.com.au/features/...sh-and-the-bottlemens-johnny-bond-van-mccann/

Can’t find too much on the others.

If you’re not sure exactly what direction you want to go in, want something versatile, and want noiseless in all positions, a good place to start looking would be at videos of the Seymour Duncan Everything Axe set. You could fit a similar combination by substituting a full-sized JB in the bridge position, or a 59 (or even a P-Rails).

Full-sized humbucker, noiseless single coil or parallel sc-sized humbucker in the middle, sc-sized humbucker in the neck should be very flexible.

 

[Cstib]

Thank you everyone!

 

[Mincer]

Let us know what you eventually settle on!

 

[Artie]

So it looks like that guitar has a humbucker bridge pickup, strat in the middle, and tele neck pickup; kind of a weird setup.

It is a bit unusual, but it also seems to be the configuration of Lari Basilio's new Ibanez sig guitar. Must be something to it.

https://www.ibanez.com/usa/products/detail/lb1_00_01.html