ElectroKraft Custom Tele

Pickup features: single coil, passive, hotwound, waxpotted, vintage cloth covered leads
Impedence or other specs: In the 8K ohm range

Model of guitar or bass: 1994 MIM Fender Standard Telecaster equipped with 4-way switch mod
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Fender vintage noiseless neck, brand new
Other pickups on guitar: Fender vintage noiseless bridge, brand new
Artists using this pickup: myself
You musical style(s): blues, classic rock, country
Reason for pickup change: I rebuilt this guitar as a custom project & to be a knockout looker & player - spared no amount of coin, added 4-way controls and Fender's elite, vintage noiseless, single coil, humbucker-like pickups. The neck pickup was too harsh, metallic, distorted and industrial sounding ... no definition of either notes or sound. I liked what I heard about Tony's Elektrocraft, made-to-order product. I emailed for info and Tony was happy to oblige with info and professional input.

Perceived output level: Clean, clear & loud! Full range of tones from warm & bassy to treble accentuating jingle-jangle, where individual notes are all separate and audible. Instant attack with extra sustain. Fully dimensional and as powerful as a humbucker; way more juice than other hotrod pickups!
Tone: As above. Balanced with no garbling and distortion.
Sonic evaluation: Firstly, while owning 5 generations of Fenders incl. Teles since 1972, I refuse to be a spokesman for their "F"-word company, which has never given me any support or fully satisfactory product, let alone one word of communication. I do not intend to endorse any brand name guitar(s) or accessory(s) here, but will explain the 4-way, Tele switch, for those of you who would like to know, and to exemplify its relationship to the pickup being reviewed.
Telecaster players have long debated the merits of having their (2) pickups wired in parallel vs. series. In the traditional parallel wiring configuration, pickup output is relatively consistent across all 3 positions. A Telecaster with its pickups wired in series differs in that when both pickups are on at the same time, the combination produces fatter tone and higher output. The 4 position Tele modification allows you to have both wiring options at once. The resulting pickup combinations are: Position No. 1: Bridge pickup (standard Tele), Position No. 2: Bridge & Neck pickups In Parallel (standard Tele), Position No. 3: Neck Pickup (standard Tele), Position No. 4: Bridge & Neck Pickups In Series (fatter tone than position No. 2 & more output than position 1,2 or 3).
At home, being the purist, I use those "F" guy's tube amps, 40 - 60 watt models, and this pickup sounds awesome & nothing short of heaven! For "playing out", I share 40 & 60 watt Peavey transtube amps with my son, and guess what? - I only get the little 40. Thusly, I have tried a palm-sized Ibanez (pre-amp?)/compressor/stomp box to increase attack, fullness & sustain, but DO NOT find it essential.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I'm now playing 50's, 60's & 70's rock music (on steroids!), but dig the blues and cranked-up country. I also tap into heavy rock music and find this pickup suitable for all styles. I like the Elektrocraft bridge pickup especially in series with the bridge, where it rivals my DH-1 bridge humbucker Tele, also my hot ceramic 60 Les Paul Classic. The neck pickup is also excellent on its own, and in parallel like a normal Tele, only "normal" cannot be used to describe this over-the-top setup.

Comments: Of course, I'd buy another, completely identical, and SHOULD have a spare for whatever reason. I've ordered a complete Strat set to specs from Elektrocraft.
I've been playing for 32 years, tried to own all World Class or better stuff, and have been hotrodding, customizing and building my own guitars for 10 years, to take it to another level. I have had 6 decades of electric guitar models, mainly "F", especially dozens of Strats, quality Teles, all significant designs & variations from Gibson are now in my collection, along with multiples from 20 other brand names, including a very unique Nashguitars Custom "S".
I love the sheer World Class construction, design, workmanship, materials and SOUND of this pickup. There's nothing I dislike.
I've tried many kinds of pickups, incl. my own handwinder's and have frequented the top 5 or so in my hot rod builds, choosing Rio Grande (surprise!) as my signature sound ... but this Elektrocraft is in my opinion, the best pickup I have ever used in my life! I look forward to the custom Strat set, but am satisfied 100% with the dynamics of the Tele.
Anything else? Well sorta. My friends (seasoned musicians from a 60's - 70's band) like it too, and are actually blown away. I was asked to jam with them (and now be in the group) specifically to bring the flavour of the big "F" trademark, namely a Stratocaster into their assault of 3 guitars now; with Gibson and Ibanez humbucker guitars already on the frontline. They also have "deafening" amps. So, toting the little Peavey 40 watt amp, I jumped in to mix. My best possible stock Texas Special & Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates fat Strat couldn't quite cut it, but I purposely brought the Elektrocraft equipped Tele which delivered the sound ... and was asked to "turn it down!", except for "Rebel Rouser" which kinda sums it all up. GRRREAT!!!

Pickup features: Single coil / Passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Thinline Tele
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: N/A
Other pickups on guitar: N/A
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock, Country
Reason for pickup change: Newly built guitar

Perceived output level: Warm, Vintage Classic Tele tone. Clean Jeff Beckish sound !
Tone: Balanced and woody
Sonic evaluation: Bought these for a mongrel Tele thinline with a Fender James Burton maple neck. Played through a Fender Blues Jr. Sound is vintage with a slight kick. Great for blues, classic rock and chicken picking.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Blues, Rock, Country/ None

Comments: Would call Tony up in a second and have another set wound. I`ve been playing for 25 years. Next guitar I bulid will include ElectroKraft pickups. Great to deal with, and a fantisic deal. I have used Seymour Duncan custom shop pickups and these for less than half the price will easily compete.