PICKUPS for TELECASTER Guitar. FEATURES Various Types of Vintage Telecaster Pickups: Fender, Seymour Duncan, and DiMarzio.
Many think that why buy a Telecaster when they can have a more versatile model like the Stratocaster, because it has an additional pickup in a central position compared to the Telecaster.
But it turns out that the Telecaster model has its own qualities, especially when it comes to its classic pickup models. One of the elements that can most influence the final sound of an electric guitar.
Pickups for Guitar Telecaster Classic
Although the type of manufacturing and woods used in both the Stratocaster and the Telecaster are very similar or even identical, when it comes to the type of classic pickups, there is a clear difference.
Alnico III Magnet
To begin with, the magnet that Fender used for its first models of Telecaster pickups was the Alnico III. This would be one of the main characteristics of pickup models in the purest Vintage Telecaster style.
Tele Bridge Pickup with Base Plate
To slightly reinforce the weakness of the alnico III magnet, a zinc or copper plated steel plate was installed on the bottom of the bridge pickup, commonly referred to as the Base Plate.
This board slightly increases the output of the pickup as if it were an extra winding, and alters the magnetic field to finish producing the unmatched tone of a vintage Telecaster bridge pickup.
The result was a penetrating sound, similar to that of a bell, with a very characteristic nasal tone. Typical factors and hallmark of a Classic Telecaster, and of genres such as Country or Rock.
This pickup is also larger than those used in a Stratocaster. So you can’t mount a Telecaster bridge pickup on a Strat without making the necessary adjustments.
However, we have other options to give our Stratocaster a Telecaster touch, such as installing a Base Plate on the bridge pickup.
Sound Tele for a Strat Guitar
This modification is not complicated to make, but if we plan to change the pickups in our Stratocaster, we can install the Seymour Duncan Twang Banger directly in bridge position with its factory-installed Baseplate.
This pickup model has medium output and features an alnico II magnet for a more balanced Telecaster tone.
The Classic Telecaster neck pickup gives a much warmer sound compared to the bridge pickup, but retains the Telecaster twang. Ideal for playing genres such as Jazz or Blues.
When both pickups are activated, the sound is balanced and the characteristic “quack” sound appears, similar to that produced by a Stratocaster when two pickups are activated at the same time.
Fender Pickups for Telecaster Guitar
Fender Original Vintage Tele
The Fender Original Vintage Tele Pickup Set is a set of pickups that would fit perfectly into the most characteristic and classic sound of a 1950 Telecaster.
This set features the classic alnico III magnet, low output in true vintage style, controlled highs, and good bass presence.
Fender ´51 Nocaster Telecaster Pickups
One of Fender’s most popular vintage-style sets is the Set 51 Nocaster. Also with alnico III magnets, with a medium output, and with less thick bass for the neck pickup.
What is “Fender Nocaster”?
The first Telecaster-style guitars marketed by Fender were named the Broadcaster, but Fender was forced to dispense with this designation, learning that a line of drums with the same name already existed.
But due to the success of the Broadcaster, Fender could not stop its production until a new name was found, and his guitar was released simply with the Fender logo and nothing else, until it was finally named Telecaster.
These guitars that went on the market without a name are known as Nocaster. So if by chance you have bought an old second-hand Telecaster with no name on the headstock, what you have at home may be nothing more and nothing less than a Nocaster, which can inflate your bank account a full.
Fender Texas Special Telecaster Pickups
With classic manufacturing characteristics, but entering more powerful and modern sounds, we have the Fender Texas Special Tele. This pickup set features alnico V magnets, extra winding for more output, and increased treble presence for the bridge pickup.
Fender Pure Vintage ´64 Telecaster
With a traditional Telecaster sound, but for warmer more versatile tones, we have the Fender Pure Vintage ’64 Telecaster. This pickup set features staggered alnico V magnets for greater tonal balance between the different strings, with medium output and an compensated equalization.
Fender Vintage Noiseless Telecaster
For vintage-style sound without hum, we have Fender’s Noiseless models. These pickups remove background noise, remove the base plate of the vintage pickup, and may also remove other things from the authentic Vintage Telecaster sound. In short, its design is different from the classic, and therefore, its sound will be too.
In my opinion, before opting for noiseless pickups, we should first review all the factors that can cause noise or interference in our electric guitar equipment. Since not only pickups can generate noise.
Seymour Duncan Pickups for Telecaster Guitar
Seymour Duncan Vintage Broadcaster STL-1B
Among Seymour Duncan’s most popular models for Telecaster, we have the Vintage Broadcaster STL-1B set. Classic ’50s sound, but with the added punch of alnico V magnets.
The neck pickup provides a balanced tone, while the bridge pickup has a rock-oriented tone loaded with middles and trebles.
Seymour Duncan APTR-1 Alnico II Pro Tele
For a softer string attack and a sweeter tone, while retaining the classic snap and twang, we have the Seymour Duncan APTR-1 Alnico II Pro Tele.
This pickup set features a clear bite reduction for the bridge pickup, and a warm tone for the neck pickup.
Dimarzio Pickups for Telecaster Guitar
Twang King DP172 y DP 173
Dimarzio offers the famous Twang King DP 172 for the neck and DP 173 for the bridge. These pickups have a Vintage-style sound, are mounted with alnico V magnets, and generate a medium output.
The neck pickup has a balanced tone with controlled bass and pronounced treble for the bridge pickup.
Telecaster with Compressor Effect
Due to the forceful twang of the Telecaster, it is very common to use this guitar with a certain degree of compression to reduce its aggressiveness in the treble, especially in clean or slightly distorted sounds.
The Telecaster is the most iconic guitar in Country music. But with this guitar we can play an infinite number of musical genres, and it is an essential part of the origins, evolution and transformation of the most popular genres of modern music.