I have a 90's reissue Tele that currently has Duncan vintage '54's in the neck and bridge. I've had the PUPs in for about 4 years and I'm thinking I need a change. I have an older Broadcaster I want to throw in the bridge, but am wondering what people would recommend for the neck position? The 54 vintage isn't doing it for me at all in this guitar and never really has. It just sounds boring and I don't want to play on the middle or neck position. I've heard the 5-2 neck is a good match for the broadcaster. Anyone have any suggestions or recommendations?
Suggestions for Neck PUP to go with Broadcaster
- Thread starter slimjw
- Start date
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Suggestions for Neck PUP to go with Broadcaster
you have what I woiuld suggest...if the vint 54 isn't doing it for ya, you could try a P-90...lots of people try this, If I were gonna do away with my Tele neck pup...I would go with a Mini-bucker...just a thought.
you have what I woiuld suggest...if the vint 54 isn't doing it for ya, you could try a P-90...lots of people try this, If I were gonna do away with my Tele neck pup...I would go with a Mini-bucker...just a thought.
rhmcfarland
New member
Re: Suggestions for Neck PUP to go with Broadcaster
You could go with a minihumbucker like the SM-1, SM-2, SM-3 or one of the Antiquity Mini's or Firebirds. I have an Antiquity Firebird that is absolutely gorgeous sounding. I have been using a Fralin Blues Special in the neck position of my Tele, and its a great sounding one as well.
You could go with a minihumbucker like the SM-1, SM-2, SM-3 or one of the Antiquity Mini's or Firebirds. I have an Antiquity Firebird that is absolutely gorgeous sounding. I have been using a Fralin Blues Special in the neck position of my Tele, and its a great sounding one as well.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Suggestions for Neck PUP to go with Broadcaster
Regarding the Fralin Blues Special Tele neck pickup, it's my favorite Tele neck pickup when used all by itself.
It's not my favorite for combining with the bridge pickup to get a classic chimey jangley Tele N & B tone because the Blues Special has the output and tone of a flat poled Strat neck pickup.
When it's combined with a vintage style Tele bridge pickup the tone is thicker and fuller and a little less chimey than a pair of Antiquitys combined, for example.
But for soloing on the neck pickup or playing jazz or blues rythym on the neck pickup alone, I don't think the Fralin Blues Special can be beat...though it can be almost equaled by the tone of the Duncan Custom Shop "Tele ala Strat" Tele neck pickup, and that pickup does have a cover so it retains the traditional vintage look.
The Fralin Blues Special set remains one of my very, very favorite Tele pickup sets...along with the Duncan Antiquitys and the Duncan Custom Shop "Tele ala Strat" neck and Tapped Hot Tele bridge set.
Those are the three sets I use in my three Teles, tho I use the covered Fralin Tele Stock neck pickup with the Blues Special bridge pickup because I do prefer the combined N & B tone of that combination over the straight Blues Special set for chords...it's brighter and chimier. Even though for soloing the Blues Special neck pickup sounds "better" and when used alone the tone is stronger and less muffled than the covered Fralin Tele Stock neck pickup.
Lew
mrfjones said:
Regarding the Fralin Blues Special Tele neck pickup, it's my favorite Tele neck pickup when used all by itself.
It's not my favorite for combining with the bridge pickup to get a classic chimey jangley Tele N & B tone because the Blues Special has the output and tone of a flat poled Strat neck pickup.
When it's combined with a vintage style Tele bridge pickup the tone is thicker and fuller and a little less chimey than a pair of Antiquitys combined, for example.
But for soloing on the neck pickup or playing jazz or blues rythym on the neck pickup alone, I don't think the Fralin Blues Special can be beat...though it can be almost equaled by the tone of the Duncan Custom Shop "Tele ala Strat" Tele neck pickup, and that pickup does have a cover so it retains the traditional vintage look.
The Fralin Blues Special set remains one of my very, very favorite Tele pickup sets...along with the Duncan Antiquitys and the Duncan Custom Shop "Tele ala Strat" neck and Tapped Hot Tele bridge set.
Those are the three sets I use in my three Teles, tho I use the covered Fralin Tele Stock neck pickup with the Blues Special bridge pickup because I do prefer the combined N & B tone of that combination over the straight Blues Special set for chords...it's brighter and chimier. Even though for soloing the Blues Special neck pickup sounds "better" and when used alone the tone is stronger and less muffled than the covered Fralin Tele Stock neck pickup.
Lew
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Re: Suggestions for Neck PUP to go with Broadcaster
If you have a '52 RI Tele, then I would suggest the new model of Fender original vintage pickups (as in the current 52RI), the Fender CS Nocaster set (stronger midrange but still bright), or the SD Antiquities. All of these will fit the spirit of the RI Tele. If you really don't care for the classic Tele neck pickup, the SD Firebird-style mini-HBs or Phat Cat sound great in a Tele. You would need a fairly stout bridge pickup to match their output, like the Nocaster or the SD Jerry Donahue. You would also have to rout the guitar for a HB slot.
If I misunderstood the model of guitar in question, then I take it all back (well, at least some of it).
If you have a '52 RI Tele, then I would suggest the new model of Fender original vintage pickups (as in the current 52RI), the Fender CS Nocaster set (stronger midrange but still bright), or the SD Antiquities. All of these will fit the spirit of the RI Tele. If you really don't care for the classic Tele neck pickup, the SD Firebird-style mini-HBs or Phat Cat sound great in a Tele. You would need a fairly stout bridge pickup to match their output, like the Nocaster or the SD Jerry Donahue. You would also have to rout the guitar for a HB slot.
If I misunderstood the model of guitar in question, then I take it all back (well, at least some of it).
Re: Suggestions for Neck PUP to go with Broadcaster
Maybe I should just grab an Antiquity neck then. I heard the antiquity Tele PUPs a few weeks back in a late 60's Tele and they were smokin'. I have heard some guys use the 5-2 with the Broadcaster and that it is a good balance. It's weird, I've played Teles that have a nice balance in the in between positions and I do like the 54 bridge, but the neck just sounds like it's sitting there. The Fralin blues special sounds cool, but I do want something that's balanced, not something that only sounds like it fits with itself
Maybe I should just grab an Antiquity neck then. I heard the antiquity Tele PUPs a few weeks back in a late 60's Tele and they were smokin'. I have heard some guys use the 5-2 with the Broadcaster and that it is a good balance. It's weird, I've played Teles that have a nice balance in the in between positions and I do like the 54 bridge, but the neck just sounds like it's sitting there. The Fralin blues special sounds cool, but I do want something that's balanced, not something that only sounds like it fits with itself
Re: Suggestions for Neck PUP to go with Broadcaster
I have a 5/2 set on order that should arrive this week. If it does, then I'll post my impressions. I hope they live up to my expectations. I considered an Antiquity set, but I wasn't sure I'd like them with the alder body/RW fingerboard combo of this guitar.
I have a 5/2 set on order that should arrive this week. If it does, then I'll post my impressions. I hope they live up to my expectations. I considered an Antiquity set, but I wasn't sure I'd like them with the alder body/RW fingerboard combo of this guitar.
