Telecaster Pickups for Vintage Tone

[TBurst Std]

Sure, but have you truly made any one of them “ your bitch”?!!!!!!

Yes , the 60s Tele. It’s the lady on my arm at the gala and the slut under my sheets LOL

 

[Strat Avenger]

Hard to say, I just love Tele's and always looking for variances in the "character" of the pickups. For example, I love my Fralin's, but just want to try pickups from someplace different to see if they do in fact vary in "character".

Then follow my suggestion.

 

[Ozopart]

Then follow my suggestion.

The Dimarzio's look interesting. I will research them more closely. That being said, I am thinking of two things now: (1) Contacting Cavalier, and (2) maybe sticking with Fralin and getting the Blues Special Neck paired with the High Output bridge. I would either have Fralin build me the control plate, or use my Freeway 3 way switch which allows for the 4 way switch functionality and more.

 

[Wizard of Wailing]

I have a set of Broadcaster pickups from Manlius. How authenticity vintage they sound, I can’t say, but they sound great. Plus it includes free relicing if you’re into that sorta thing.

 

[Spud]

The Dimarzio's look interesting. I will research them more closely. That being said, I am thinking of two things now: (1) Contacting Cavalier, and (2) maybe sticking with Fralin and getting the Blues Special Neck paired with the High Output bridge. I would either have Fralin build me the control plate, or use my Freeway 3 way switch which allows for the 4 way switch functionality and more.

Larry D-learned under BillLawrence FYI. L-48.

 

[Spud]

 

[Hodgo]

Larry D-learned under BillLawrence FYI. L-48.

Have you tried the Wilde (Lawrence) Micro-coil Alnico? I have a set here but the body is in my box of shame

 

[Spud]

Have you tried the Wilde (Lawrence) Micro-coil Alnico? I have a set here but the body is in my box of shame

no sir haven't love the t280 neck though

 

[Strat Avenger]

Larry D-learned under BillLawrence FYI. L-48.

I know. Bill Lawrence pickups are great, but "vintage Tele" they are not.

 

[Spud]

I know. Bill Lawrence pickups are great, but "vintage Tele" they are not.

Yes but they are naughty.

 

[Ozopart]

Just wondering about neck pickup wiring. Do the Custom Fender pickups like the 50/51 Blackguard have 2 or 3 wires in the neck pickup?

 

[Ozopart]

I really like the Cavalier Pickups "Fat Lion" (slightly overwound A5 tele pickup) that I have in the bridge of my jazzcaster. Cavalier specializes in tele pickups and has a range of models, might have something to interest you. They're also pretty affordable. Highly recommended, if I were to build another telecaster I wouldn't hesitate to use their pickups. https://www.frettech.com/

As far as wiring mods, series/parallel switching is fun and can be done either with a four-way switch or push-pull.

Just wondering why Cavalier has two websitew url's:

Cavalier Guitar & Bass Pickups

https://www.frettech.com/

 

[ragamuffin]

Just wondering why Cavalier has two websitew url's:

Cavalier Guitar & Bass Pickups

https://www.frettech.com/

Lol, I did not know that!

I'd shoot him an email at rob@cavalierpickups.com if you're interested

 

[Ozopart]

Lol, I did not know that!

I'd shoot him an email at rob@cavalierpickups.com if you're interested

I will do that. I am interested. Still deciding but definitely want to see what he has to say.

 

[TBurst Std]

Just wondering about neck pickup wiring. Do the Custom Fender pickups like the 50/51 Blackguard have 2 or 3 wires in the neck pickup?

2

 

[Ozopart]

2

So to do 4 way wiring, with a 4 way switch, or the Freeway switch, would I then need to solder a 3rd wire (another ground wire) to the pickup and to the switch?

 

[TBurst Std]

You need to break the ground on the neck pup to its cover. Then splice a wire to it and run it to a common ground. Google it as you can have the series position other than position 1 (which is the norm)

 

[Shelter]

If you are into Roy Buchanan, you'll probably like Nick Silver's "Django" set. I also like Lollar '52 series T.

 

[Ozopart]

If you are into Roy Buchanan, you'll probably like Nick Silver's "Django" set. I also like Lollar '52 series T.

I do like Roy Buchanan! Not country, but definitely somewhat similar to the tone Eddy Shaver got on the Johnny Carson video clip where he plays Little Sister with Dwight Yoakum. Not country twang, but definitely a classic Tele sound.
I have been looking into Lollar's also.
After research, and with the input from TBurst, I now know that to put Fender pickups in my Freeway switch I would need to mod the neck pickup wiring. I prefer to avoid that. So any company that will offer 3 wire neck pickups as an option is definitely on my list.

 

[Ozopart]

You need to break the ground on the neck pup to its cover. Then splice a wire to it and run it to a common ground. Google it as you can have the series position other than position 1 (which is the norm)

Have you seen the wiring diagram for a 3 Way Freeway Switch? I am attaching a pdf of it.

If I purchase a neck pickup which is uncovered or open top cover do I then not need the third wire for the Freeway switch? It seems like I wouldn't need it. I know Fralin offers open top cover neck pickups, which I really like. Not sure who else offers this.