Hi - I have a Vintera 50s Mod Telecaster, which is basically a Baja Telecaster with a V-shaped neck. Pickups are a Twisted Tele in the neck and a Broadcaster in the bridge.
I'm thinking about replacing these with something aftermarket. I find the current tones good but the neck can be a bit muddy and the bridge a bit shrill on certain notes. I also found the neck sounded a bit like a strat pickup (IMO).
What good aftermarket sets are out there? My Tele is my swiss-army-knife guitar - I play it in my covers band (pop to rock) and also when I just need something dependable.
In terms of tones I'd want (and I hesitate because words aren't great for this, but...) for the neck I love those clear, musical, bell-like tones, and from the bridge snarly, driven and sounds amazing when you bash a simple A chord out into an overdriven amp.
Comments
What other mods did you make? I'm simplifying the wiring to take out the S1, and upgrading the wiring loom. Also adding intonated brass saddles.
It is designed to do precisely that.
•
If you wish your Telecaster to sound like it came from the early Fifties, investigate aftermarket pickups with Alnico 3 rod magnets.
For more Country twang, choose Alnico 5.
To combat the screech, consider A5/A2 hybrid designs.
I am deliberately trying to avoid naming brands. I am also trying not to influence your decision process by blathering on about my personal preferences.
Monty’s 50’s Broadcaster set. I’ll also have the complete Monty’s 50’s wiring loom available too.
Only taking them out as the Tele is being sold tomorrow and the gent would rather have it in standard form.
PM for further information and price.
I hated the Fender Broadcaster units tbh - and all of the aftermarket ones I’ve played sounded better to my ears.
£110 for the pair and £40 for the wiring loom delivered or £140 for the lot.
Apparently ordering direct can be a bit ...difficult. But if you can find some already made (I got mine via Coda) then they're ace pickups.
These 'hotter' Alnico V pickups really don't seem to suit new mid price Teles. Youtube is full of horribly ice picky brash Tele demos.
I'd remove the loom and S1 junk.....get a nice straight forward replacement loom/pots of quality, a set of decent but inexpensive standard Alnico 3 vintage output pickups and Rutters saddles, I actually prefer the steel ones....replace the nut and get a good setup, remembering pickup height and angle is critical on a Tele, If it doesn't float your boat..sell it and move on.
I think they blend really nicely too, the neck loves modulation effects like phase or chorus while the bridge cuts through. I would consider removing the neck from the tone circuit, though.