Which Tele neck pickup with a JD?

N

Nico 666

New member
Hi you all Tele lovers (and non Tele lovers too of course)!
I just got a Jerry Donahue pickup from a friend (a gift! :cool3: )
So I decided to upgrade my neck pick up at the same time, the stock one which is a Fender covered pickup could be better IMO.
The guitar is a 1999 American Standard with a ash body.
Amp is either a Bluesbreaker RI or a Bassman RI.
I play blues, classic rock and electric folk music.
I would like a neck pickup which is warm and round clean and could sing blues lead, definitely with a vintage vibe. I would also keep the nice hollow sound of the two pickups together.
I was leaning toward an Alnico 2 Pro Rythm or a Vintage Rythm.
What is your opinion? Which one should I try and why?

Thanks for reading this.
Peace

Nick
 
Re: Which Tele neck pickup with a JD?

I would go with either an A2 Antiquity neck or A5 Vintage. A5 has more treble and a less muffled tone. The A2 Antiquity has more highs and a less muffled tone than the A2Pro. If you want the absolute best Duncan has to offer order a: Tele ala Strat neck pickup from MJ in the Duncan Shop.

That one has the tone of a Strat neck pickup in a covered Tele neck pickup. It's the one I use.

Lew
 
Re: Which Tele neck pickup with a JD?

I agree with Lew. An A2 Pro is a very "soft" sounding pickup. I don't believe it's what you want. I had it paired with a JD and it was just too soft. A Hot model or VIntage 54 will work much better.. An Antiquity is great too...
 
Re: Which Tele neck pickup with a JD?

Thanks Butch!

I'll go with the vintage 54 first and see if it is my taste!
I Can't wait to hear my guitar with those pickups!
Btw, is there something I should do along with changing the pickups, such as cap or pot upgrade, as this guitar is entirely stock and will stay with me for a thousand years?

Thanks to all!

Nick
 
Re: Which Tele neck pickup with a JD?

I haven't tried the Vintage 54 rhythm, but the A2P and 5/2 Tele rhythm pups were way too dull and underpowered for my tastes. I would strongly recommend the Antiquity Tele rhythm pickup for a classic Tele neck tone. I have an Antiquity set in an American Series Tele with alder body and rsoewood fingerboard, so I'm sure it will work well in your Tele. I also think it will be RWRP with respect to the JD lead for hum-cancellation in the combined position, which will not be the case with the Vintage 54. As far as I'm concerned, the only other traditional Tele pickup that can hang with the Antiquity is the current Fender CS Nocaster rhythm, but that will require mods to work with the JD. If you want to step out of the vintage Tele scene, then I can also heartily recommend the Phat Cat neck pickup as a great match with the JD -- a killer RWRP setup.
 
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