SD pickups for an Essex Telecaster -- Jerry Donahue, Alnico II Pro rhythm

[Govithoy]

I'm getting an Essex Telecaster in November that I'll be replacing the pickups in, and I'm almost certain it'll be with Duncans (I've got Basslines in my fretted p/j bass, I love 'em to death). I used the SD "ToneWizard" to find out which pickups the company would reccomend, and I got the Jerry Donahue lead for the bridge and an Alnico II Pro rhythm for the neck.

I'll be using this guitar mostly for recording (with Thomastik-Infeld strings) jazz, blues, some R&B, and some latin/spanish style stuff. I want a very, very clean tone from the guitar that I can dirty up later with amp and effects (if needed) with lots of sustain. The tele has an alder body, maple neck, and rosewood board. I also play almost entirely fingerstyle with lots of varying techniques and dynamics, so I want pickups that are very, very responsive to good technique -- and punish bad technique . No mud, as little noise as possible, and no microphonics.

Will the JD bridge and Alnico II provide what I need?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: SD pickups for an Essex Telecaster -- Jerry Donahue, Alnico II Pro rhythm

I know Lew would swear by that combo. A few months ago there was a really long thread about Tele pickups, and that combo was rated in the top 3. Once again, you'll likely be happy.

 

[Govithoy]

Re: SD pickups for an Essex Telecaster -- Jerry Donahue, Alnico II Pro rhythm

Thanks, when I came back hunting for this thread I saw an "Ultimate tele tone" thread on my way, so I'll make sure to check that one out.

 

[Curly]

Re: SD pickups for an Essex Telecaster -- Jerry Donahue, Alnico II Pro rhythm

I think everyone here who has tried the JD loves it (including me).

the Alnico II Pro seems like a good match, although I haven't tried it. I have a Hot neck in mine, but the AIIP would be just as nice.

 

[BS123]

Re: SD pickups for an Essex Telecaster -- Jerry Donahue, Alnico II Pro rhythm

I would do a bit more research before buying. Your Tele is alder with a rosewood board right? IMHO, the Alnico II Pro neck pickup might be a little too light for you. It's a really low-output pickup and is warm and kind of dark. Tat tone will be emphasized in your guitar. I like the DiMarzio Twwang King and the Fender Texas Special neck pickups for Telecaster. Both are very "big" sounding and are almost Strat-like.

But, as always, YMMV....

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: SD pickups for an Essex Telecaster -- Jerry Donahue, Alnico II Pro rhythm

I love the JD at the bridge, but am not a huge fan of stock tele neck pickups. If you dont' mind a bit of routing, the SM1 Mini humbucker for neck balances very well with the JD Lead at the bridge.

 

[BluesOwl]

Re: SD pickups for an Essex Telecaster -- Jerry Donahue, Alnico II Pro rhythm

I just posted on the long Ultimate Tele Tone forum/thread about the SD 5/2 neck pup I just installed.
I used Alnico II pro(s) at the neck and bridge, but came to feel that the wound string tone was too muddy/mushy. The 5/2 has Alnico V magnets for the wound strings and the tone gets tighter. I also took the metal cover off for more clarity. I've never played a Tele with a humbucker at the neck, but I'd like to try one. It may give a better jazz/R&B tone and will be higher output which may give you a better clean sound at lower volumes

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: SD pickups for an Essex Telecaster -- Jerry Donahue, Alnico II Pro rhythm

Your choice of pickups should be based on the acoustic tone quality of the guitar itself.

The Jerry Donahue sounds fabulous in my bright alder body Tele, but sounds a little lacking in treble in my warmer sounding and lighter weight swamp ash Tele.

But my two favorite Duncan Tele pickups are the Antiquity and Jerry Donahue.

The brighter sounding Antiquity is perfect in the swamp ash Tele that the Jerry Donahue sounded a little dull and lacking in treble in.

Both pickups are similar...but the Jerry Donahue is fatter and not as bright as the Antiquity.

Lew