captain38
Full Member
I followed you big river...
Posts: 198
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Post by captain38 on Nov 6, 2018 7:00:37 GMT -7
Hello all, If this is already a thread, I apologize, as I was not able to find it. Point me in the right direction and I'll check it out. Here's the situation. I have a Tele that has some original Joe Barden pups in it. What I'm after is a much more "classic" tele tone. I've heard the Barden's described as hi-fi...it just doesn't fit the bill for me. They seem a bit too harsh...a bit too sterile, etc. I'm leaning towards trying out the following. wildepickups.com/Wilde_Bill_s_Keystones.htmlTruth is, there are so many options, it's a bit overwhelming. While I know that every setup is different, we all know about what a classic, twangy tele sounds like. I've heard some Lollars, I've played some Suhr's that sounded great (not suhr sure what they utilize)... Thoughts? P.S. Playing through a Maz 38NR - alnico golds.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Nov 6, 2018 7:13:54 GMT -7
Hello all, If this is already a thread, I apologize, as I was not able to find it. Point me in the right direction and I'll check it out. Here's the situation. I have a Tele that has some original Joe Barden pups in it. What I'm after is a much more "classic" tele tone. I've heard the Barden's described as hi-fi...it just doesn't fit the bill for me. They seem a bit too harsh...a bit too sterile, etc. I'm leaning towards trying out the following. wildepickups.com/Wilde_Bill_s_Keystones.htmlTruth is, there are so many options, it's a bit overwhelming. While I know that every setup is different, we all know about what a classic, twangy tele sounds like. I've heard some Lollars, I've played some Suhr's that sounded great (not suhr sure what they utilize)... Thoughts? P.S. Playing through a Maz 38NR - alnico golds. I have two tele's both with the Lollar's and I love them. I have the Vintage T in the neck and the Special T in the bridge. I highly recommend them for the twangy tele tones, plus they rock!
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Post by digs57 on Nov 6, 2018 7:24:30 GMT -7
Lindy fralin make a sweet sounding vintage voiced-"vintage hots"...don't let the "hot" fool ya...they are rated under the blues specials in db's fwiw.
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Post by bryan0418 on Nov 6, 2018 7:55:13 GMT -7
I really like Peter Florance Voodoo pickups. The TE59 is my favorite.
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captain38
Full Member
I followed you big river...
Posts: 198
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Post by captain38 on Nov 6, 2018 8:55:52 GMT -7
These are some good suggestions. I'd never heard of Peter Florance before. I'm always a little leary to checkout anything that is labeled "hot." I play an 82 fender bullet most of the time. It is a strange guitar that is loaded with Mustang pups...somewhat anemic, but in a way that I really like. The Joe Bardens are MUCH louder/hotter than the mustangs pups...and while I don't want the tele to sound the same as my other guitars, I don't want THAT much disparity between signals...if that makes sense. Are the vintage hots a really potent pickup? Does anyone here have any experience with Bill Lawrence pups?
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Post by "Z" Steve on Nov 6, 2018 8:57:44 GMT -7
Same as Rockerfeller - Lollars.
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Post by heynewguy (Ol’ Bill) on Nov 6, 2018 10:27:27 GMT -7
Hello all, If this is already a thread, I apologize, as I was not able to find it. Point me in the right direction and I'll check it out. Here's the situation. I have a Tele that has some original Joe Barden pups in it. What I'm after is a much more "classic" tele tone. I've heard the Barden's described as hi-fi...it just doesn't fit the bill for me. They seem a bit too harsh...a bit too sterile, etc. I'm leaning towards trying out the following. wildepickups.com/Wilde_Bill_s_Keystones.htmlTruth is, there are so many options, it's a bit overwhelming. While I know that every setup is different, we all know about what a classic, twangy tele sounds like. I've heard some Lollars, I've played some Suhr's that sounded great (not suhr sure what they utilize)... Thoughts? P.S. Playing through a Maz 38NR - alnico golds. Before changing pickups, did you try lowering the Barden’s Down a little bit? I think it’s worth a try. As always YMMV. In my Telecasters I have: Bardens modern Tele set Lollars J Street and a Royal T Bare Knuckles Yardbirds set Don Mare 3 speed Sting Ray for Esquire and a Super Sport set in another tele TV Jones in a Esquire cabronita style partscaster A Gibson P94 in a Esquire GT Yes, it is a bit overwhelming!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2018 11:14:09 GMT -7
My favorite is the Lindy Fralin Blues Special. I describe it as a little bit "bigger". Seems to work really great on the bandstand and negate some of the Telecaster dog whistle sound. If I'm looking for pure vintage snap then I go for the Peter Florence. I've got a couple of those, The TE60 and the 59. Great sounding stuff.
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Post by JebusCrebus on Nov 6, 2018 11:26:03 GMT -7
I love the Blues Special as well
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Post by Stan on Nov 6, 2018 13:14:06 GMT -7
Lollars love em
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2018 13:30:36 GMT -7
+1 on Lollars. In fact, I may have a set for sale here in a bit.
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spike
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by spike on Nov 6, 2018 13:37:03 GMT -7
Another vote for Lollers here. I have Special T's on both of mine and love them. Love 4 way switches on Teles too.
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captain38
Full Member
I followed you big river...
Posts: 198
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Post by captain38 on Nov 6, 2018 14:59:44 GMT -7
+1 on Lollars. In fact, I may have a set for sale here in a bit. Wait, if you're +1 on the Lollars, why are you selling them Which set? Y'all have me researching them and it is starting to look like the vintage set is most up my alley. They are ≈2.5X the price of Bill Lawrence.
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captain38
Full Member
I followed you big river...
Posts: 198
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Post by captain38 on Nov 6, 2018 15:03:03 GMT -7
Before changing pickups, did you try lowering the Barden’s Down a little bit? I think it’s worth a try. As always YMMV. I appreciate the suggestion, and I have tried that. It's less about the volume (as I don't switch between guitars that often) and more about the tonality. These always seem too bright, too harsh. I had the guitar setup by a really great luthier as well. I just don't think they are for me. Had em for years, still always wanted a classic tele sound.
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Post by trojanhov on Nov 6, 2018 15:54:10 GMT -7
I had a lollar special t set in my 52 AVRI that I traded for the suhr Classic t I have now. The suhr Classic t pickups have been treating me real well! Love them! The lollars were great too. Can’t go wrong with fralin, lollar, suhr. Great ears making those pups
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Post by helmi on Nov 6, 2018 17:24:10 GMT -7
Klein pickups.
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Post by lowbudget on Nov 6, 2018 17:25:45 GMT -7
We all know what opinions are like, so here's mine: consider a set of Fender Original Vintage Tele pickups. My favorites.
They are sooo sweet sounding and IMO are just what the name implies. I don't think you could get any more "classic". As a bonus, they're unusually quiet for Tele pickups.
Normally can be found under a hunnert bucks.
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Post by "Z" Steve on Nov 6, 2018 17:30:49 GMT -7
This may be a bad comparison, but I bought a set of Fralin Blues Specials for my son to drop in to his Squire Tele - it brought that piece of wood to life. I've had other Fralin pickups before and yessir - they were great!
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Post by mudman on Nov 7, 2018 21:12:13 GMT -7
I don’t think you can go wrong with anything from the great builders. Fralin, Lollar, Florance, etc. I include the cs nocaster set from Fender too. I find them just a hair sweeter than the OVs in the AVRI line.
I was blown away personally by Florance’s nocaster bridge. Had him make me a neck pickup to match. Absolutely pleased with the tone.
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Post by brendanp on Nov 8, 2018 1:03:20 GMT -7
We all know what opinions are like, so here's mine: consider a set of Fender Original Vintage Tele pickups. My favorites. They are sooo sweet sounding and IMO are just what the name implies. I don't think you could get any more "classic". As a bonus, they're unusually quiet for Tele pickups. Normally can be found under a hunnert bucks. Thanks for coming in with this suggestion. I concur! I have a USA Std Tele and I put a set of Original Vintage into it years ago, and I loved them. About a year ago, though, I got an itch to see whether the much-vaunted Custom Shop Nocaster set would add anything and ordered a set. I pulled them out after two days and sold them, reinserted the OVs. The Original Vintage pickups just do everything I want (and personal tastes vary): they have the right amount of twang, they have that hollow cluck in the middle position and the bridge pickup is a thing of beauty. (Callaham vintage bridge also improved that guitar by leaps and bounds.) And, as you say, deceptively cheap. Through my Maz 18 NR combo, just a complete winner of a setup.
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Post by Maddog on Nov 8, 2018 5:30:24 GMT -7
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Post by John on Nov 8, 2018 6:11:17 GMT -7
I'm a fan of the Seymour Duncan 5/2 pickup. A very traditional tone...and not trying to sound like anything. Let the amp sound like the amp. Not too bright, not too bassy, not too middy, not too hot....definitely on the vintage side of things in terms of output. (which I like...let the amp do the work)
The three plain strings have a different magnet, that helps keep the brittle treble under wraps. And the three wound strings have different magnet that allows them to have the bright pop when needed. And they don't cost as much as the boutique stuff.
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Post by LT on Nov 8, 2018 9:06:17 GMT -7
I haven't seen the set I use in mine mentioned yet. They are the Jim Weider set made by Fralin and marketed through Analogman. Love em.
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Post by pcns on Nov 8, 2018 9:24:32 GMT -7
I'm a fan of the Seymour Duncan 5/2 pickup. A very traditional tone...and not trying to sound like anything. Let the amp sound like the amp. Not too bright, not too bassy, not too middy, not too hot....definitely on the vintage side of things in terms of output. (which I like...let the amp do the work) The three plain strings have a different magnet, that helps keep the brittle treble under wraps. And the three wound strings have different magnet that allows them to have the bright pop when needed. And they don't cost as much as the boutique stuff. I second this thought of the 5/2 pickups. My son bought John's Tele with 5/2's in it. They really sound great and really honor the sound of a Tele and what I think it should sound like. Nice pups in my opinion and they aren't super expensive either. Nothing wrong with the other suggestions either but I am glad to see the 5/2's mentioned as a lower cost upgrade.
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Post by billybaloney on Nov 8, 2018 14:52:45 GMT -7
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captain38
Full Member
I followed you big river...
Posts: 198
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Post by captain38 on Nov 18, 2018 14:25:52 GMT -7
Y'all have changed my mind to some degree. After watching/listening to some reviews, I put an offer on reverb for some of the Lollar Vintage T's. We shall see...might have some Barden's up for sale soon.
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Post by zpilot on Nov 19, 2018 18:04:41 GMT -7
That was what I was going to recommend. It's a tie for me between those and the pickup in my CS '51 Nocaster. I absolutely love the Nocaster bridge but the output of the neck pickup is a little weak. Just like the real vintage Tele pickup. I use a booster pedal when I'm on that pickup.
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Post by markT on Nov 27, 2018 5:27:11 GMT -7
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