Cheap Telecaster pickups on Ebay - Worth it ?

musicalstash

Has anyone got experience with the cheaper telecaster Alnico V pickup sets on ebay ( warman , Wilkinson , Vanson etc)  

, they  seem great value at around for £30 for the pair. 

Only looking for a couple decent sets to refurbish a couple of Fender Japan projects,   I am looking to  sell them on so do not want to invest too much .

Funkfingers

Generally, I find the budget A5 pickups functional but with room for improvement. Any of the brands you mention would suffice for helping to shift your MIJ Fenders but add no kudos. 

For a few quid more, Alegree Old Timer series pickups might add value - not least because he offers several magnet type variations.

Another route to low cost, appropriate parts is the Parts £ section of this very forum. There should be plenty of pre-owned T style pickups listed.

TheMarlin

Treat yourself, get something great, not ok. 

Heck, you could wait for one of Oil City’s pickups sales, and her a fantastic set for a bargain price.  

Save up, spoil yourself.  

dchwhite

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/2853505/#Comment_2853505

Edit -ah not A5, sorry:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Maida-Vale-Pickups-Rapier-Telecaster-A3-Neck-Chrome-or-Gold-A2-Bridge/184310248812?hash=item2ae9bf356c:g:hs8AAOSwZtpe0XOp

Voxman

TheMarlin said:

Treat yourself, get something great, not ok. 

Heck, you could wait for one of Oil City’s pickups sales, and her a fantastic set for a bargain price.  

Save up, spoil yourself.  

Because it's a project that he's selling on, I don't think he wants something that costs a lot more. I'm sure it would likely be different if these were going to be keepers.

musicalstash

Voxman said:

TheMarlin said:

Treat yourself, get something great, not ok. 

Heck, you could wait for one of Oil City’s pickups sales, and her a fantastic set for a bargain price.  

Save up, spoil yourself.  

Because it's a project that he's selling on, I don't think he wants something that costs a lot more. I'm sure it would likely be different if these were going to be keepers.

Yes that's right, if it was a keeper I would put in a decent set (got some antiquities and Joe bardens waiting for the right guitar) but don't want yo spend too much as I won't get it back  when I come to sell. 

longjaw

I have a set of Wilkinsons in one of my Teles and they're great at any price, done a very short comparison with my favourite ever Tele pickup's - SD Alnico II Pros - here on Instagram a while back:

rossi

Toneriders are fine as many on the TDPRI site will agree with so for me they are the bottom line default .They are a  given .

impmann

Tbh, if you are flogging it, leave the Fender Japan pickups in. Some mad buggers prefer them to be original... 

musicalstash

impmann said:

Tbh, if you are flogging it, leave the Fender Japan pickups in. Some mad buggers prefer them to be original... 

Sadly the pickups are long gone , the previous owner had some handwound pickups installed in both and wanted to keep them for his next guitar ( and a backup set ) so sold the guitars without pickups .  

Will take a punt a cheap set and leave it to the new owner to decide to upgrade , I think even a cheaper set are an upgrade over the originals which I think were the bar magnet type from what the previous owner told me .

rze99

Good to use the UK winders if you can. 

thomasw88

I've had a few sets of Vanson pickups before -  They were really good..

For a bit more I'd always recommend Tonerider Hot classics or the vintage ones they do.  Absolutely cracking pickups and I've had pickups from pretty much all the big names.

musicalstash

Thanks, currently bidding on a couple of sets of tonerider pickups.