Pickup Recommendations

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dapmdave

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I'm considering having a "custom" telecaster-style guitar built. It's a sort of a trade for some IT-related services, to a friend who builds electric guitars. He's quite good at it, and I'm confident that I'll wind up with a well-made guitar.

So... I need to choose pickups. I want that classic tele sound... meaty, punchy, and noiseless. The builder uses Lollar a lot, and they DO sound good. Do you guys have any others to suggest? I plan to stick with the standard 2-pickup tele configuration.

I know some of you will (correctly) advise that I should play a bunch of telecasters and evaluate from there. We don't have a lot of music stores locally, and most carry cheesy Asian-built guitars that generally sound crappy. The new guitars at the big-box music stores in Orlando have their name-brand pickups installed, so I don't think I'll learn much there, either.

Dave :D
 
killdeer43

killdeer43

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It's SO difficult to pass up a good set up, so I just won't even go with my recommendation of.....TOYOTA pickups.
That would be way too easy.
No no, I won't even go there!! :lol:

Carry on, Dave,
Joe
 
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cjd-player

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Dave, I suggest that you PM our own Telenator.
He has a small company that is making custom pickups.

You might find something off the beaten path and that you really like.
 
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mad dog

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Lots of great tele pickups out there right now. My favorites are by Don Mare. A set of his 2324 "Nancy" pickups in a partscaster now. These are not overwound, designed to capture the tone of Roy Buchanan's early 50s tele. I'm no Roy Buchanan, and this partscaster has it's own unique tonal touches - chambered ash body with a spruce top. It's not always the loudest guitar, but the sound could not be better. Especially on the neck pickup position. I have other pickups from Don too. I can highly recommend him.

MD
 
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alpep

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lollar
do the charlie christian in the neck position you will not be sorry

voodoo pickups
peter florance makes some nice stuff
 
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dapmdave

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Thanks, guys.

I'm going with the Lollar T series, with the understanding that if I'm not happy I can go with something else.

I was close to going TV Jones, though. Did you know that Fender is selling a $5200 telecaster with TV Jones pickups? Really... a $5200 tele. Sheesh.

We now return you to Guild content...

Dave :D
 
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fungusyoung

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dapmdave said:
Thanks, guys.

I'm going with the Lollar T series, with the understanding that if I'm not happy I can go with something else.

I was close to going TV Jones, though. Did you know that Fender is selling a $5200 telecaster with TV Jones pickups? Really... a $5200 tele. Sheesh.

We now return you to Guild content...

Dave :D
Click to expand...


The Lollar Vintage T's are great. The Special T's are more modern & can get closer to P90 terrain. From what you've described, I think the Vintage T's would fit the bill. I have one in an Esquire & am very happy with it.
 
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dapmdave

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fungusyoung said:
dapmdave said:
Thanks, guys.

I'm going with the Lollar T series, with the understanding that if I'm not happy I can go with something else.

I was close to going TV Jones, though. Did you know that Fender is selling a $5200 telecaster with TV Jones pickups? Really... a $5200 tele. Sheesh.

We now return you to Guild content...

Dave :D
Click to expand...


The Lollar Vintage T's are great. The Special T's are more modern & can get closer to P90 terrain. From what you've described, I think the Vintage T's would fit the bill. I have one in an Esquire & am very happy with it.
Click to expand...

Yup... Vintage T's are the choice. Assembly starts this week, as the paint arrives Tuesday and the neck is scheduled to arrive from Warmouth on Wednsesday.

Dave :D
 
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MojoTooth

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Kinman Broadcaster set or Kinman 60's set. I think you will be much more satisfied with them than the Lollars, which are great too.

www.kinman.com
 
Walter Broes

Walter Broes

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I have to recommend my good friend Steff : www.steffsen.be

He actually winds a signature telecaster set for me, called "Seatsniffers specials" (my band's name is "the seatsniffers", and yes, you're allowed to laugh or make faces!)
 
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bluzman

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AlohaJoe

AlohaJoe

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dapmdave said:
Vintage T's are the choice. Assembly starts this week, as the paint arrives Tuesday and the neck is scheduled to arrive from Warmouth on Wednsesday.
Dave :D
Click to expand...
It's been a while... how's it coming along? Is it done? Got picks?
 
lcjones

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WHOA!!! .. I just listened to those Kinman tele pups.... and WOW!

I liked the Broadcaster set but dang, that 60's set sounds hot as all get out!
I've bookmarked K-man for my tele project!

Sweet!
 
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