Author Topic: Same old question: Which tele pickups? (Read 4665 times)

simplygoodmusic · « **on:** May 23, 2006, 02:46:17 PM »

Hi there,

I was hoping someone could possibly help me out here. I'm looking for some pickups for my telecaster (alder body, maple neck and fretboard), and I was thinking of finally getting some pickups off bare knuckles.

I'm currently leaning towards either the yardbirds or the brown sugars, but maybe you lot can help me out.

I play mostly blues and blues-rock sounding stuff, and one of the main problems I've come across in tele pickups is an excess in "shrill". Now I've been told that fender makes a nocaster set which does a very good job in keeping that down, but they seem a little too vintage for me. Which BKP would you lot suggest.

I know that too many people come here and ask the same questions, but I was hoping you lot could help me out anyway :D .

Thanks in advance.

38thBeatle · « **Reply #1 on:** May 23, 2006, 07:41:53 PM »

I have a set of Country Boys -they may not be what you are after as they do seem to me to be the classic vintage Tele sound There is a clip somewhere in the players room).They are definately not shrill but have the characteristic Tele bite. The name should not fool you- they are definately not weedy and fit only for country. Having said all that, I have not tried the other sets of BK Tele pups but you seem to be on te right track with your choices- maybe the Brown Sugars might do it for you but also look at the Piledrivers. Best thing is to wait for Tim to advise- he is the guru. Definately consider the 4 way switching- you get the extra series sound- very well worth it. My tele sounds beautiful cranked up- bags of character and dynamics. Oh, sorry forgot to say, welcome to the forum.

simplygoodmusic · « **Reply #2 on:** May 23, 2006, 09:06:02 PM »

Thanks for the suggestions and the welcome

I'm gonna have to consider country boys as well. Truth is the piledrivers look a bit extreme for me (if anyone cares to prove me wrong, go ahead), so I think I'm gonna steer clear of those.

PhilKing · « **Reply #3 on:** May 23, 2006, 10:40:38 PM »

I have the Piledriver and a Mini Mule in one Tele, and a Brown Sugar with a Slowhand neck (yes I know it is a Strat pickup), in another. The Piledriver is not an extreme pickup, it is a great sounding old Broadcaster tone, a bit fatter than a regular tele. The Brown Sugar is very Led Zeppelin I sounding. I find it sits between the Yardbird and Boss in tone (though I have never heard them all at the same time).

simplygoodmusic · « **Reply #4 on:** May 24, 2006, 11:30:42 AM »

Just of curiosity, would using alnico IV or II get rid of the shrill? And if yes, could it be done with some BKPs?

Johnny Mac · « **Reply #5 on:** May 24, 2006, 10:02:55 PM »

I had a go of a Boss set at the LGS and they were amazing

PhilKing · « **Reply #6 on:** May 24, 2006, 10:16:34 PM »

Hi Johnny, didn't you try the Yardbirds too?

Cheers
Phil

turnip bag · « **Reply #7 on:** May 25, 2006, 08:24:25 PM »

hello there, i dont think any bare knuckle could be termed shrill

38thBeatle · « **Reply #8 on:** May 25, 2006, 08:55:18 PM »

I'd agree- they have character and warmth and the Tele pups have the tele bite that should be there with the dynamics that BK's have.

simplygoodmusic · « **Reply #9 on:** May 31, 2006, 09:38:47 PM »

So I'm guessing some Bosses would do?

38thBeatle · « **Reply #10 on:** May 31, 2006, 10:51:54 PM »

I have not tried them sorry but have heard they are great but that is not answering your question. My country boy loaded Tele has tons of punch with a cranked up amp- I have used it live and it is definately not lacking. I think the Boss set has more mid range but with the vintage tone-( check with Tim on this).

simplygoodmusic · « **Reply #11 on:** June 01, 2006, 04:01:42 PM »

Thanks everyone

deg0ey · « **Reply #12 on:** June 02, 2006, 05:02:06 PM »

This thread has helped me a lot too, I was looking for some tele pickups also - just need to find some sucker on ebay who wants to buy the seymour duncans in it at the moment

38th Beatle: Just noticed you're a sussex lad - whereabouts you from?...I live in East Grinstead (near Crawley)

38thBeatle · « **Reply #13 on:** June 02, 2006, 05:58:22 PM »

I am in Horsham- not far from you at all.