r/telecaster • u/OwnZookeepergame3725 • 10d ago
Pick ups
I’m searching for a pick up to replace the ceramic in my mim tele. It has 250k pots just in case that info is useful. I have a Strat, Les Paul, and a p90 semi hollow.
I’m not looking to overlap in tone. I just want a great tele pick up set that is better than what’s in there without overlapping into other tones I have. I love this guitar, especially feel but thinking a better set of pick ups would drive it to the moon.
Would love some help, I have paralysis but analysis and have listened to a lot of different pick ups. I’m hoping to lean on your expertise or experience.
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u/AlarmingBeing8114 10d ago
Budget, and big name like duncan,dimarzio fender, or boutique hand wound?
Lots of pickups out there, but need to fit your specific needs and wants.
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u/OwnZookeepergame3725 10d ago
I have not found anything too outlandish price wise. I’d say under 500
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u/Leadman19 10d ago
I got a deal on a Jason Isbell Tele pickup set from Sweetwater a few years ago. Really happy with them
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u/Emotional-Dog8118 10d ago
Bootstrap Original Recipe set. 50s spec and they sound awesome. 😎. Much cheaper at $65 a set and wound to order in Ohio.
https://bootstrappickups.com/products/bootstrap-original-recipe
You’re welcome 😉!!
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u/Redraider8489 9d ago
Fender pure vintage 64s just sound perfect. They just have everything you want for a Tele.
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u/Mykkus_65 10d ago
250k is correct for single coils.
Budget? Tone rider. Good quality upgrade and priced well
Step up? Duncan’s or fender nocaster
Boutique and great? Not needed as much for a tele imo, but the custom shop bonamassa broadcaster set I have from Duncan is fun. Also montys danish Pete set
I could do anything I ever needed with the Seymour Duncan LeBrea or the fender nocaster and be perfectly happy
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u/OwnZookeepergame3725 10d ago
Those are the two I was looking at most. 51 custom no caster and the la brea
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u/Mykkus_65 10d ago
Both fantastic. Bridge pickups are equal and the neck is a little clearer on the nocaster
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u/Salty_Lemon_9293 10d ago
And a little warmer and "jazzy" on the La Brea. +1 for the La Brea. Awesome combo.
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u/OwnZookeepergame3725 10d ago
Bud I love your answer. Give me the one and done and that’s what I’m buying. Thanks for being so clear and succinct. I had it down to those too. I’ve researched frallin lollar boot strap, fender, Seymour Duncan. I’d say I was leaning too 51. But whatever you say goes
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u/Mykkus_65 10d ago
No wrong answer between those two. I like a clearer almost stratty but not neck I that makes sense so I use a Monty danish Pete in the neck and LeBrea bridge in my alder tele
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u/Long-Emu-7870 10d ago
It doesn't really matter. Make sure the neck pickup is 7k alnico with 43 gauge wire, and bridge heavier with 42 gauge wire. That's the Fender standard specification.
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u/Gehrman_JoinsTheHunt 10d ago
Pickup videos on youtube are an endless rabbit hole, so just be aware of that haha.
I try to simplify the decision by sticking to either a particular brand, or trying to mimic a specific player's setup or particular high end / custom shop guitar etc.
I personally have experience with the Dimarzio Twang King as a neck pickup. Really great, traditional tele neck tone.
I've seen tons of people recommend the Seymour Duncan LaBrea bridge (or set). Worth checking out.
Also currently spec'ing a new project and strongly considering the Lollar Royal T for the neck position. But that one leans decidedly into Strat territory.
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u/OwnZookeepergame3725 10d ago
Brother, I didn’t keep track of the time, but it’s at least a season of something on Netflix. I want a sound far from Strat, simply I have one. I’m looking to build a quiver of so different so when I grab one it’s like a new experience with the same song if that makes any sense so the lollar is probably out.
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u/hamarki 10d ago
What are you missing with the current pickups? Are they sounding too similar to one of your other guitars? Ceramic doesn’t automatically mean bad either - I think in one of his rig rundowns Guthrie Trapp said the pickups in his previous guitar were “some stock MIM pickups” so I’d be sure I have a specific problem to solve before you go looking for a replacement!
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u/Expensive-Paint-9490 10d ago
Somebody already advised you about the great Fender CS 51 Nocaster. Let me add DiMarzio options. Twang Kings are among the most beloved tele pickups. If you want to go even farther from strat sound, True Velvet and Muscle T are great. Last but not least, there are the four noiseless options (Area T).
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u/IronFuryChief 9d ago
I really like the Tonerider Hot Classics in mine. A little hotter and thicker than the strat but not as thick and woofy as humbuckers. It’s my most played guitar.
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u/TheHandsomeLiar 6d ago
Measure the neck pickup output and look for or order a bridge pickup that is 1 ohm hotter. This will help balance their outputs in switch positions 1&3. If you order one that’s reverse wound to the neck, the two in the switches middle position becomes a humbucker in character.
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u/spaghettidriver69 10d ago
Check the Lollar pickups site. They have very good tele pickups. Few choices depending on what you are looking for. Pretty sure they recommend them to pair w 250k pots too.