Tele Reccomendations!

[Boldaslove83]

Hey guys! I might actually be aquiring a Custom Tele in the next couple days, and I might be thinking of new pickups for it. Its in HS configuration, so im looking for a new neck humbucker and a new bridge Single Coil. Keep in mind that it is a Semi-Hollow body & has a rosewood board.

What would you guys reccomend for me when I want to play heavly Steve Cropper influenced stuff, plus a WHOLE lot of blues? Maybe even some Country too.

Thanks much,
Nate.

[38thBeatle]

I can't really help with the neck HB but from what I have read from those who know, I would guess at a traditional HB such as a Mule. I am sure others will chime in. I recently bought a set of Country Boys for my Tele. If you are looking for traditional Tele bridge sound then the CB's certainly fit that bill. There are hotter pups available but I have no experience of them. I wanted traditional Tele sounds after having played mine alongside a friends ancient Tele. His was warm with plenty of punch- mine was good but a bit characterless and harsh sounding. After the CB's mine is more like I remember his to be- hopefully we will be able to do a head to head comparison soon. I will try and post clips of mine shortly. If you haven't already, I would suggest looking at the four way switch- you can then get the normal 2 pups in parallel plus the 2 pups in series.

[Elliot]

I always say it - but how about a Mississippi Queen instead of a humbucker

I'd go Alnico 3 MQ with a Country Boy for Steve Cropper - would sound great and allow some country jangle.


or Alnico 4 MQ with a Yardbird for a bit of a heavier blues/rock sound

[smudger123]

If your tele has the big fender "wide range" humbucker I'd seriously think about getting Tim to rewind and remagnet it. Personally I'd go for a Brown sugar in the bridge, but I am a stones fan.....

[Boldaslove83]

I can't really help with the neck HB but from what I have read from those who know, I would guess at a traditional HB such as a Mule. I am sure others will chime in. I recently bought a set of Country Boys for my Tele. If you are looking for traditional Tele bridge sound then the CB's certainly fit that bill. There are hotter pups available but I have no experience of them. I wanted traditional Tele sounds after having played mine alongside a friends ancient Tele. His was warm with plenty of punch- mine was good but a bit characterless and harsh sounding. After the CB's mine is more like I remember his to be- hopefully we will be able to do a head to head comparison soon. I will try and post clips of mine shortly. If you haven't already, I would suggest looking at the four way switch- you can then get the normal 2 pups in parallel plus the 2 pups in series.

I belive the Tele actually does have a 4-way already, or something of the sort, thats for sure.

Whats this Mississippi Queen you speak of?

And what about a Stormy Monday for the neck?

[carlaz]

Whats this Mississippi Queen you speak of?

Another of the great "unlisted" BKPs that has been sliding into production since the web site was last updated. :)  I believe the MQ is a P90 in a humbucker-sized packet (so if you've got a humbucker-sized hole, you can just drop it in).  The name's inspiration is Leslie West/Mountain (West famously played a Les Paul Jr., loaded with P90s).

[Elliot]

Mississippi Queens are humbucker sized P90s - (like Duncan Phat Cats) - they have a great wide powerful tone, capable of humbucker growl but also the clarity and definition of a single coil (i.e. like P90s).  

Because they come in a metal casing they lose alot of the hum of a P90 - if your'e thinking Stormy Monday - I would really consider an Alnico IV MQ.

I have one in the neck of my Fender Esprit (maple cap, alder body, heavily chambered to have an ES335 alike vibe) - it really has a fat sounding clarity - and it can go from jazzy blues to Fleetwood Mac era Peter Green to Leslie West without any effort or coaching from the FX department.  In fact I can't say how highly I rate it.