Grateful Dead Music Forum

So... I have a '78 Tele Custom, totally stock. Which means the guitar is completely unbalanced with a kick ass Humbucker in the neck and a wimpy, pathetic, thin sounding bridge pick up. Here are my questions. First, will i kill the value of the guitar by changing the bridge pickup? If I do change it, what are the best pickups you have found to give that punchy, nasty Tele bridge pick up tone?

1960strat wrote:So... I have a '78 Tele Custom, totally stock. Which means the guitar is completely unbalanced with a kick ass Humbucker in the neck and a wimpy, pathetic, thin sounding bridge pick up. Here are my questions. First, will i kill the value of the guitar by changing the bridge pickup? If I do change it, what are the best pickups you have found to give that punchy, nasty Tele bridge pick up tone?

My e-brother, FretWilkes, can likely advise better than I but I'll start with some suggestions:
- Stock Fender can get a really aggressive but very Tele like sound with some good output
- I've installed a Dimarzio True Velvet in the bridge of my latest Tele style and WOW do I love it so far! But Not super hot.

Are you looking to match volumes better or a more solid compliment? I think the Dimarzio would be a solid compliment.

As the bridge pickup is installed on the bridge itself I'd say it would be a simple procedure and not devalue the guitar. Save the original and use solder sucker so you don't run out of lead. If you go to sell it simply reinstall!

What I am looking for is a pickup that both is more even in terms of output with the neck HB and still can do that tele twang thing.

1960strat wrote:What I am looking for is a pickup that both is more even in terms of output with the neck HB and still can do that tele twang thing.

Can't help ya there, amigo. I cannot think of a super hot single or Hum that still twangs well.

I'd check these out:

http://www.joebarden.com/main.php

i'm not sure how much it'll fix the balance problem, but No-Casters sound great and definitely can do the tele twang like its nobodys business

actually it should help. both are right around 7k according to my research. try em out

KCJones wrote:I'd check these out:

http://www.joebarden.com/main.php

+1 on the bardens. I've used both the single and double coil from Joe and they are super hot and would probably compete nicely with the humbucker. Listen to Danny Gatton and you'll hear how they sound. My favorite pups out there.