flat 50 vs the boss

[brian_ward]

Looking for tele pickups for alder body and maple neck guitar. Who here has had or heard both that could share some comparisons/thoughts. I have previously had the flat 50 and i generally liked the eq curve but found it lost a little too much of the snappy response that a tele typically has-a bit too compressed? im hearing more attack in the boss set but am concerned that the boss might be a bit bright on top. any input?

[brian_ward]

bummmmp!
my band for reference:
https://www.facebook.com/wolvesandmachines/videos/504343454035370/

[b.gandt]

Funny that, I also logged in to ask someone to compare/contrast the same two pickups!

I have used the Boss, and had it not been in a guitar I sold, I’d use it for the harder edged blues rock that I sometimes play.  It is fuller than the average vintage output Tele pick, fuller and punchier.  It isn’t so far away from vintage that you wouldn’t recognize it as Tele.

Love the tunage, by the way.  The Boss isn’t as bright as the typical low output Tele pickup.  I like it for what I use it for, and it’ll work for me for harder edged classic rock type crunch too.  Some nice grind, but still sounds like a Tele.

The Flat 50 is why I was going to come.  I haven’t played it.

Just curious as to why you’re not looking at a Cobra or Piledriver?

[brian_ward]

Funny that, I also logged in to ask someone to compare/contrast the same two pickups!

I have used the Boss, and had it not been in a guitar I sold, I’d use it for the harder edged blues rock that I sometimes play.  It is fuller than the average vintage output Tele pick, fuller and punchier.  It isn’t so far away from vintage that you wouldn’t recognize it as Tele.

Love the tunage, by the way.  The Boss isn’t as bright as the typical low output Tele pickup.  I like it for what I use it for, and it’ll work for me for harder edged classic rock type crunch too.  Some nice grind, but still sounds like a Tele.

The Flat 50 is why I was going to come.  I haven’t played it.

Just curious as to why you’re not looking at a Cobra or Piledriver?

I ended up getting the flat 50 set because I had it before and I did like it. I’m looking in this output range because 3 out of my 4 amps are non-master volume so if you hit them with too much signal upfront they’re a) super loud and b)get a little too dirty too quickly. Pile driver definitely would be too loud and the cobra is a little too modern. Flat 50s are kind of a Goldilocks pickup-reasonable amounts of everything. Thanks for the kind words about my band. It’s a lot of fun and takes up more money than it should at my age but I guess you can’t take it with you!

[b.gandt]

Leaning Flat 50s myself..

You guys are from the Saginaw Bay Area?  I’m in Green Bay, WI, opposite side of lower Michigan, I know.  If you guys ever tour the Midwest, a place called the Lyric Room in Green Bay handles the cool touring bands.  If I hear of your band there, I will pop by!

[Paz]

I recommend the flat 50. I have it in an alder body maple neck tele and I think it sounds awesome!