Telecaster Virgin!!

Norman_T

Norman_T

New member
It's a long story but I have got a very nice MIA Tele, stock pups etc presently residing with a good friend of mine in the US.

Before I have it sent over to me I am considering doing some changes to it and would like some recommendations as to what sort of pups should be put in it. This might be cheaper to do and have it installed and then have it shipped over to me.

So what do you guys recommend and I am open to suggestions?
 
Re: Telecaster Virgin!!

I played a very nice new American Series Tele recently and came perilously close to buying it. I thought the stock pickups sounded great, but then I'm not an expert on Teles.
 
Re: Telecaster Virgin!!

I should have expanded a liitle on the guitar and other details. Firstly I am not a Tele player but over the last few months I have gassed for one and finally bit the bullet and got one. I have recently played a number of Teles and I like them.

I have just seen pictures of the guitar and my very good friend, who I trust explicity, says it is a great playing guitar. It is a 2004 Tele, maple neck and a gorgeous blue. The tones that I want are vintage and it is almost sure that I will be using this for some country and blues work.

What does anyone think of the custom pickups that MJ is doing - has anyone any experience of them?

Any more ideas/suggestions
 
Re: Telecaster Virgin!!

I'm putting a Vintage neck and a Hot (tapped) Lead in mine soon.
 
Re: Telecaster Virgin!!

Scott_F said:
I'm putting a Vintage neck and a Hot (tapped) Lead in mine soon.
Click to expand...
Scott,

Let me know what this comes out like -as I am keen to see how these fit together.

Norman
 
Re: Telecaster Virgin!!

I use my tele for eveything from hard rock to country (not if I can help it though :laugh2: ). I've got QP's in mine I'd recommend the tapped bridge version then you can get vintage tone and spank as well as some hotter sounds. An a2pro in the neck would compliment nicely too.

BUT for the purists the broadcaster bridge or 54 tele bridge and neck. I like those a2p's in both positions too.

For true old school sound you can NEVER beat antiquities though. Sweet and smooth

Luke
 
Re: Telecaster Virgin!!

I think the stock pickups are not bad. I left my MIA stock for quite a while.

I think the stock pickups may actually be a little more output, even if they don't sound as nice. Also, Seymour's construction is noticeably better.

Of the pickups I've tried, the Antiquities are warm, and bluesy. A well balanced set through all positions.

The JD bridge is warm and punchy, and sustains well with the A2 mags. I have that paired with a Hot neck - not bad. I found the Vintage neck just a little low output for me.

I had the Broadcaster in my ash tele, and found it a little bright in that guitar, so I switched to Antiquities, but I think the Broadcaster would be fine in the right alder tele.

I do have a custom shop set from MJ, but I haven't used them yet. Lew rates that set highly, though.

actually, I think you should get the guitar first and play it stock for a while to get a good reference point for what you want, then go from there.

I have clips of most of the pickups I've tried on my site, if you click my sig. There are likely a number of good ideas for you in the reviews in the Vault as well.
 
Re: Telecaster Virgin!!

I have 4 MIA Teles: one with a Fender Nocaster set, one with a Nocaster lead and a SD SM-3n Seymourized Firebird-style mini-HB, one with a SD Phat Cat neck and JD bridge, and one in the shop right now for installation of a 5/2 Nashville Studio set. I'll check in with a brief review of the 5/2's in a few days. All of the other pickups have provided a definite improvement in tone over the stock MIA pickups.

If the guitar is pretty heavy and bright sounding, then I would go with the alnico 2 options like the JD, but if it is light and darker/middier sounding, then I would consider the Antiquities or Nocasters. Pay attention to the actual acoustic tone of the guitar in question, rather than the old alder vs. ash or maple vs. rosewood generalities. Good luck!
 
Re: Telecaster Virgin!!

I like the JD/SM-1 combo in my Fernandez 50's style tele. Good punch for OD work with a neck sound that's usable for everything from Jazz to rock and a bridge pickup that's bright but never brittle. The only thing I gave up was that classic middle position. I might go to a Alnico II Pro Rythm for that reason alone.
 
Re: Telecaster Virgin!!

I just put a set of Nashville 5/2's in my G&L Asat Classic and I have to say I LOVE them ! The Tone is Excellent !!!
 
Re: Telecaster Virgin!!

Why would you think that you'll need to change the pickups out? If I understand you correctly, you've never even played the guitar. Stock Fender Tele pickups, even the MIMs, sound pretty good.
 
Re: Telecaster Virgin!!

I'd do nuthin.
Just play it until you know the guitar inside and out and then play it some more.
Do a few gigs with it, jam with your buddies.
Then, once you have done that you will know what you like about the guitar and what you want to keep/change accentuate/complement/supplement etc.
Then you will be able to say "i have this tele that sounds like X and i like/dislike that and want to change it so it sounds/feels more like Y"
Then we can help you out.
There is no "better", there is only "different" and working out what sound is the best match for your needs takes time and a real feel for the inherent characteristics of your instrument and what you want to coax out of it.
 
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