Pickup pairings on a Tele--what do you think?

[Graffiti62]

Hi Guys--

I'm wondering which route you guys would go on a Tele. I want to have a Seymour Duncan Custom Mini HB in the neck, but I'm torn on the bridge pickup. I hate the screechy "ice pick in the ear" highs that you can experience with some bridge pickups. I want something ballsy, and I would like to know which route you would take. My decision has been narrowed down to either the SD Quarter Pounder, or the Rio Grande Dirty Harry. Which route would you take?  If you have a different idea on what would fit the bill, please feel free to contribute.

Thanks!

 

[mayfly]

I haven't heard the two that you mention, but I'm quite happy with my Lollar special 'T' in the bridge position of my teles.  They cut without cutting your head off.

 

[Tonar8352]

Lollers are great, The Duncan Jerry Donahue is a great pick-up in the brige also.

 

[tfarny]

Since you're considering radical departures from a tele sound, the SD lil 59 tele bridge does a good job of being a rocking humbucker.

 

[emmaporkchop]

The Rio Grande is really nice, but I'd have a hard time switching away from the SD custom mini HB! It's the best neck pickup I've heard.

 

[willyk]

I built a swamp ash Tele for a guy a year or so ago. He had an SD antiquity mini humbucker he wanted in the neck. I mounted a Jerry Donohue in the bridge and it sounded great in all 3 positions. Unmistakably tele but ballsy too. The 1/4pounder is a great bridge pup, I've got it in my Korina hybrid. Haven't done RGs in a Tele yet but the dual calibrated sets I've put in a couple of strats pump serious juice.  :blob7: