Which wide-range humbucker?

[speakerjones]

A NGD is impending, my first Tele. It's a CIJ '72 Reissue Tele Custom. It's been my experience that the Japanese electronics leave quite a bit to desired, so my first order of business will likely be to replace the neck humbucker.

I've done some research, and it looks like the options are SD Custom Shop, Lollar, The Creamery, Novack, or Telenator. GFS too, I guess. I'm wondering if anyone has any real-world experience with any of them.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Which wide-range humbucker?

Novaks are the only ones I know of that use the correct CuNiFe magnetic screws and they're supposed to be spot-on recreations. They're also expensive as are the Duncan Custom Shop wide-ranges. A lot of it comes down to how vintage-correct you want and how much you're willing to spend. I've used a few GFS pickups for example, and I doubt they're better than the stock Fender RI wide-ranges.

 

[speakerjones]

Re: Which wide-range humbucker?

Actually everyone uses Alnico 5 poles except Telenator, who's the only one using CuNiFe, as far as I can tell. They're also $450 which I can't really justify. All the other high end options are $200 give or take. If that's what they cost, so be it. Just wondering if one stands out from the crowd.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Which wide-range humbucker?

Yes, the Telenator is the only one in the world with Cunife. He has a few options with how much of it you want, but needless to say its $$$ regardless.

Many use A5, like Duncan and Lollar etc.

I have a neck WR from The Creamery, and he's winding a bridge p/up for me too. The neck has been out of a working guitar for a while, but I seem to remember it sounding pretty nice. I've changed my entire amp setup since then too so hopefully the improvement in every other pickup thru the new rig is matched there.
There are clips of The Creamery ones, I'm sure you've listened to them though.

 

[speakerjones]

Re: Which wide-range humbucker?

I have listened to most of the clips out there. They all sounded good and did little to help me decide between them. I'm thinking I'm going to want something custom wound too, as I hear there's a pretty big difference in output between a vintage style Tele bridge p/u and a WR.

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: Which wide-range humbucker?

Anyone try the MojoTone version?. They make two types, one for vintage guitars with the 1M (I think) pots and another for modern replacements that use 250K pots. I've heard no feedback on them.

Al

 

[AlexR]

Re: Which wide-range humbucker?

I have listened to most of the clips out there. They all sounded good and did little to help me decide between them. I'm thinking I'm going to want something custom wound too, as I hear there's a pretty big difference in output between a vintage style Tele bridge p/u and a WR.

You might want to test that out first - I'd go with the full vintage type/clone wind. That way you have the real deal......output wise and tone wise if you reduce the winds you also will change the tone. If the bridge pickup is too thin or sounds flat, then an upgrade to something more beefy will also likely give you a better tone as well as matching the neck output more - aftermarket pickups tend to be more lively lets face it.

 

[Tele-Bob]

Re: Which wide-range humbucker?

You might want to test that out first - I'd go with the full vintage type/clone wind. That way you have the real deal......output wise and tone wise if you reduce the winds you also will change the tone. If the bridge pickup is too thin or sounds flat, then an upgrade to something more beefy will also likely give you a better tone as well as matching the neck output more - aftermarket pickups tend to be more lively lets face it.

Hi, I am Telenator and agree, you do want something as close to original as possible, if that's the sound you're after.

If the EXACT vintage tone isn't that important, the absolute next best thing is a WRHB made with ALL alnico 5 magnets. There are a precious few manufacturers who make an alnico 5 WRHB, and the ones I've heard are clearly more authentic sounding than the rest. Most manufacturers use FeCrCo magnets and while the resulting pickup sounds decent, it ain't no replacement for the original tone. The pickups we've tested using FeCrCo magnets have all exhibited similar qualities like the ability to hold their low end together better when using moderate to heavy gain/overdrive at the expense of less chimey highs when played clean.

I have not heard the Seymour Duncan version of the WRHB but, knowing the outstanding quality of his pickups, and the fact that he uses all alnico magnets, I'm sure that it sounds terrific.

Fortunately, there are several options available now, and yes, we're the most expensive. CuNiFe isn't cheap when it's not being manufactured in a form suitable for guitar pickups. Unfortunately, the people who sold us the little stashes of CuNiFe we've been able to find know this and charged us accordingly. Then we had to have it cut and machined. It's not cheap. If you must have the absolute closest thing to the original, it's available. If something else really close will suit you, that option is available too. These are good times!

 

[speakerjones]

Re: Which wide-range humbucker?

Hi, I am Telenator and agree, you do want something as close to original as possible, if that's the sound you're after.

If the EXACT vintage tone isn't that important, the absolute next best thing is a WRHB made with ALL alnico 5 magnets. There are a precious few manufacturers who make an alnico 5 WRHB, and the ones I've heard are clearly more authentic sounding than the rest. Most manufacturers use FeCrCo magnets and while the resulting pickup sounds decent, it ain't no replacement for the original tone. The pickups we've tested using FeCrCo magnets have all exhibited similar qualities like the ability to hold their low end together better when using moderate to heavy gain/overdrive at the expense of less chimey highs when played clean.

I have not heard the Seymour Duncan version of the WRHB but, knowing the outstanding quality of his pickups, and the fact that he uses all alnico magnets, I'm sure that it sounds terrific.

Fortunately, there are several options available now, and yes, we're the most expensive. CuNiFe isn't cheap when it's not being manufactured in a form suitable for guitar pickups. Unfortunately, the people who sold us the little stashes of CuNiFe we've been able to find know this and charged us accordingly. Then we had to have it cut and machined. It's not cheap. If you must have the absolute closest thing to the original, it's available. If something else really close will suit you, that option is available too. These are good times!

Thank you for the info and advice, Telenator!