Telecaster Neck Pickup

kswilson89

Hello, I'm building a new telecaster from parts and was looking for suggestions for a neck pickup. I want to keep it as a single coil but with more of a strat vibe, tele neck pickups tend to sound a bit underwhelming to me. I've been considering the fender CS twisted tele. Is there any other alternatives?

barry2tone

Creamery's take on the issue.  I'm sure some of the winders on this site do something too.

https://www.creamery-pickups.co.uk/custom-handwound-pickups-from-the-creamery/custom-handwound-telecaster-replacement-pickups.html#EXTRAWIDTHTELENECK

Roland

Oil City Californian

susbemol

The Fender Texas Specials would probably fit your description if set like mine (ie. as low as it will go).

Whitecat

I love Twisted Teles... fabulous pickups. 

chris78

barry2tone said:

Creamery's take on the issue.  I'm sure some of the winders on this site do something too.

https://www.creamery-pickups.co.uk/custom-handwound-pickups-from-the-creamery/custom-handwound-telecaster-replacement-pickups.html#EXTRAWIDTHTELENECK

I’ve got Jamie winding me one at the moment. I’ve got another tele with a twisted tele so I’ll report back on how they compare when it lands

Teyeplayer

Our very own @alegree does just the pickup you are describing -it’s called the cirrostratus and is a fantastic tele neck pickup. 

Zoolooter

This http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/155393/ft-bare-knuckles-flat-52-neck-pickup#latest

normula1

The Mojo OpenT is superb https://www.mojopickups.co.uk/product/open-t-neck/

rossi

I just put in a stratocaster neck pickup in mine on a 4 way .I used a Maida Vale a3 as  I like jazzy bluesy A3 tones.It really depends what sound you want .The twisted is very good .

earwighoney

I find the traditional Tele neck pickup to be the best thing about the Tele, so if that sound didn't suit my needs I'd just go for a completely different sounding pickup - be it a PAF, mini HB or Strat, whichever you like the most. 

CasperCaster

Dimarzio Twang King neck isn't specifically billed as a Strat sounding pickup, but it is a very clear sounding pickup, and might suit. 

gibsongretschfan

Came here to say this

CasperCaster said:

Dimarzio Twang King neck isn't specifically billed as a Strat sounding pickup, but it is a very clear sounding pickup, and might suit. 

chris_john

SD Vintage Broadcaster lowered down a bit (4-5 mm from pickup to string) gives a satisfying stratty-ish neck tone.

p90fool

I put a Strat neck pickup in mine, it makes for a better balanced guitar on all three switch settings.

exocet

Oil City Californian is very good. I also have a DiMarzio Twang King in a different guitar - it’s a good sounding neck pickup as well.

thebreeze

chris78 said:

barry2tone said:

Creamery's take on the issue.  I'm sure some of the winders on this site do something too.

https://www.creamery-pickups.co.uk/custom-handwound-pickups-from-the-creamery/custom-handwound-telecaster-replacement-pickups.html#EXTRAWIDTHTELENECK

I’ve got Jamie winding me one at the moment. I’ve got another tele with a twisted tele so I’ll report back on how they compare when it lands

Sorry if you thought you’d got away with this @chris78 ; but I’d be genuinely interested to know what you found.  I’m a fan of the twisted Tele too and considering changing a neck pickup.  I think I also like the ‘63 Tele pickups on CS guitars but I don’t know if they’re an identifiable thing or even available?

Alterlifeson

gibsongretschfan said:

Came here to say this

CasperCaster said:

Dimarzio Twang King neck isn't specifically billed as a Strat sounding pickup, but it is a very clear sounding pickup, and might suit. 

My choice as well, i replaced the Texas Special in my Roadworn with one, fits the bill perfectly.

ICBM

If you prefer to keep the classic look, simply disconnecting the cover of a normal Tele pickup from the eyelet on the bobbin makes quite a difference - some of the dulling effect of the cover is caused by its capacitance to ground.

I do this by snipping the wire as close as possible to the eyelet and just folding it out of the way, since that end is easier to re-solder if you want to put it back.

Zoolooter

Fender nocaster for me, gives the right balance between not too dull and not too bright. Although the Twisted is a nice pickup I lost the lovely middle position tone I was getting from the Nocaster. 

MichaelWatts

This may not be exactly what you had in mind but I love a Charlie Christian style blade in the neck of a tele