Pickup recommendations for a MIM Telecaster

[Uncle Bambi]

Picked up a nice MIM Tele on CL for cheap. It has the stock pickups in it, and I'm looking for something better.

What do you like in your Telecaster, and why?

 

[Rex Everything]

I liked Fralin's in my tele. Called them up and they wound them just the way I wanted them.

 

[SOTA]

Here's my 92 MIM with a lot of upgrades including Joe Barden pickups...noiseless and like a Tele only bigger.

J.R.

 

[enzoazul]

I know a few Tele players that really like Lollar pickups.

 

[GHilinski]

I replaced the bridge pickup in my Telecaster with a Semour Duncan Hot rails mini humbucker which sounded great and was able to add a coil tap which is helpful. The other setup I heard was the Fender Lace Blue sensors which are noiseless and have a PAF humbucker sound. Either will fit into the stock positions with no modifications.

 

[MikeyG]

I can recommend Tonerider pickups. Don't be put off by the low price - they sound amazing. I put some in a mid-90s Japanese 1968 reissue Strat and the difference was unbelievable - pure Strat tone like it's meant to sound. A friend was putting together a parts-caster and ordered a set and again, one of the nicest sounding tele's I've ever played.

The sound demos on their website aren't great but I think there were some youtube videos that showed them off a little better.

 

[Colb11]

Best tele bridge pup I ever had/ heard... Seymour Duncan JD (Jerry Donahue) model.

 

[ericzim]

I know a few Tele players that really like Lollar pickups.

The Lollar Charlie Christian is an awesome neck pickup for Telecasters.

 

[Br1ck]

There are so many I like. The Seymour Duncan Broadcaster bridge PU is reasonable and does the classic tele thing really well. I have Van Zandt and Fralin sets too, but the cream of the crop are Don Mare.

For bang for the buck value, Keystone by the original master Bill Lawrence, are very good. BL lost the rights to his name a while back.

 

[Uncle Bambi]

For bang for the buck value, Keystone by the original master Bill Lawrence, are very good. BL lost the rights to his name a while back.

Interesting you should mention Bill Lawrence pups. I am good friends with one of the founders of Travis Bean guitars, and when I called and asked him his opinion he said he used to talk pup winding and building with Bill all the time and it was his opinion that they would be a top notch upgrade. That, and the Keystones are getting very favorable reviews in the Telecaster forums. :scratch2:

 

[Fred Sanford]

Best tele bridge pup I ever had/ heard... Seymour Duncan JD (Jerry Donahue) model.

^ Best Tele bridge pickup I've ever owned, yes. Heard a bunch of Bardens/Fralins/Lollars I've loved & lusted for, though.

Currently in my Tele is a Bill Lawrence in the lead, and Duncan 5/2 at the neck. Many good options out there.

je

 

[Uncle Bambi]

I went ahead and nabbed a set of the Bill Lawrence Keystones for about $72 or whatever they charge on the web site.

A lot nicer than the standard MIM ones. I'm happy.

 

[FredC]

Stick a Seymour Duncan JB Mini Humbucker at the bridge SJBJ-1b JB Jr.

And a Seymour Duncan "Li'l 59" at the neck SL59-1n

Switch to split the coils.. reverse phase.. Wire however you like. These are GREAT.

 

[Ths364]

That's one of the beautiful things about Fender's design- (though I doubt Leo anticipated widespread availability of aftermarket parts when he released the frist ones in '47-8). A screwdriver and a soldering iron and you're set. The Telecaster is an amazing bit of design work in my opinion.

 

[Mystic]

I know a few Tele players that really like Lollar pickups.

I'll second the Lollars.

 

[trhee]

There are a bunch of nice Tele pickups from Lollar, Duncan, Fralin, Suhr, etc... Do a little research to see what's gonna float your boat.

If you need noiseless, I'd recommend Dimarzio Area T's as well as Kinman.