Fender Custom Shop Nocaster

Single coil passive Alnico 3 magnets
Bridge: DC Resistance 7.3k/Inductance 3.28 Henries
Neck: DC Resistance 7.3k/Inductance 3.28 Henries
Enamel coated magnet wire and a zinc shielding plate
AlNiCo= Aluminum (Al) - Nickel (Ni) - Cobalt (Co)

2005 MIM Tele
Neck / Bridge
Replacing stock pups
Looking for a less tinny sound

The output level is higher but could be for a number of reasons. I use it thru an Epi 60 watt solid state or a Vox 30 watt tube. I use a 4 way switch and even in the 4th position it is not real muddy. The sound is perfect for me. Great smooth Midrange. Classic Rock clean to unsanitary and Country/Folk is what I play.

I have been playing electric for 8 years and folk for 30 years. Bass since 1968. I did the change over myself so it was affordable. I would replace these without hesitation if someone stole the pickups out of my guitar, I guess. I thought about a heavier Texas sound but decided to go for a strong yet smooth/peaceful sound the no-casters provide. The 4 way switch and the new pearl pickguard finished the job nicely.

Single Coil Neck and bridge upper 7k both.

Ltd Edition 69 RI Telecaster Mahogany (MIM)
Replaced stock pickups as well as bridge-Glendale with brass intonated saddles
Stock pups are were thin and one dimensional.

Play through 65 RI Deluxe Reverb (Blonde with Alnico Jensen)
Neck pup is thick and Stratty with a nice clean tone, sounds good with a smidge of drive as well. Bridge pup is one of the most satisfying I've played so far. I've played it through Fenders, Marshall's and Vox tube amps and never found fault (Vox was my favorite for loud, driven Tele tone). Tone on bridge can be rich and thick, when you roll it off a bit, to trebly and direct with classic early 50's sound. (Vince Gill at Crossroads concert possibly ????)

Haven't been playing that long (5 years) but, being the tweeker that I am, I've experimented with alot of pups and with this particular Tele these are my faves. There are a bunch of pups I think are great (Duncan Antiquity, Fralin, Lollar, Don Mare) but I believe the particular guitar/wood/bridge set up has so much to do with the actual sound that sometimes it takes awhile to find a neck and bridge that jives with your personal taste and works in a particular instrument. This guitar works in both positions and I have no desire to switch this set up ever, I would search for another Tele first. Neck gives me Strat tone and can cover Jazz/funk etc and bridge gives me classic Tele as well as "alternative" country/rock ala Moe, James McMurtry, Wood Bros, Derailers etc. Never sounds harsh even when cranked.

Passive single coils - not 'hot'just very 'full' and as they're made by Fender they suit the character of the guitar well. Low impedance, and very quiet for single coils.

Put bridge and neck in a Fender standard (Mexican) Tele to replace stock pickups which were too shrill. These are much fatter sounding with more mids, and seem very versatile - work well clean or with overdrive (I'm not one for distortion, except some fuzz now and again as I play mainly blues and classic rock).

This is the good bit - the output seems higher than stock, which is suprising as they still have vintage character. They are well balanced. Still can get muddy when the tone is rolled off (standard 250k tone), but I have a 4 way switch and the range of sounds is great, so I generally don't need to touch the tome, just use the guitar volume and amp settings toget what I want. These are great for blues, jazz and classic rock - for other things you'd probably want something different (they will do other styles but not with the same quality they do blues). I'm very suprised at the sound quality given these are not very expensive (??90 per set). I use a Vox ad60 head with Vox overdrive, Ibanez wd9 wah and Boss ME50 effects. I have everything I need in that setup: not a metal rig at all, but very blues and rock.

If these pickups were stolen I'd replace with the same. I also put Sperzel locking tuners on it (keep the string tree but replace with graphtech, because if you bend the top strings like I do you'll need the anchor). The tuners add more mass and I've got a fatfingers so sustain is awesome, but the quality of the pickups still lets me get that Tele snap when I want it (maple board is a must). I don't need my Strat any more as this can do everything that can, and still be a Tele as well. The 4 way switch (for about ??10) makes a big difference. I shielded the scratchplate (they are vintage pickups) and would recommend you do the same: with that done they're pretty quiet (for single coils). If you want real depth to a range of different sounds, and a responsive guitar, and you play jazz, blues (all styles of blues), and classic rock, go for these. You have to like a Tele in the first place though - and the clarity of these pickups will embarrass you if you can't play!! Don't buy an American Tele - buy a Mexican and upgrade it: you'll end up with a better guitar for half the price. The Mexican body, pots, neck and saddles are good enough quality, and you only need to replace the tuners and pickups (and string tree) to get a great axe. Like I said, do keep a string tree, even with staggered posts, because if you bend a lot and use heavy strings the three does help with keeping things right. If you want to keep the character of a Tele best stick to single coils and 250k pots - anything else is not a real Tele in my opinion. I've been playing for over 30 years, and these are the best Tele pickups I've heard.

Old fashioned, proper Tele pickup

52RI Tele
Set these about 1/4-inch at the bridge and slightly higher for the neck at the high E. Sensitive to height and repays fiddling to get the exact tone and balance you want. Neck unit is plently bright and very useable. Very flexible actually. Simple is often best.

Been thru lots of pickups in my 52RI - originals, Lollars, Fralin and TX Specials - all very nice, but these Nocasters are in another league, for me at least, in search of the true, original, full-range thick, Tele twang.

They have the original Tele soul in them and may well be the reason Fender have sold so many Nocaster guitars. Hot, but "Rock 'n' Roll" Hot, not "Rock" Hot, if that makes sense. Ripe, full, thick twangy sound with wonderful chime thru my Deluxe Reverb - that's chime, not icepick. Three great sounds Really wonderful. Makes you want to play all day.

I'm tempted to buy in a few sets of these in case they stop making them.

Pickup features: single coil
Impedence or other specs: can we say ROCK/METAL/COUNTRY/BLUES

Model of guitar or bass: 51 NOCASTER HAND MADE BY MYSELF
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: ITS NEW
Other pickups on guitar: NECK/BRIDGE
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): ROCK/METAL/COUNTRY/JAZZ/
Reason for pickup change: I HEARD THESE WERE HOT AND LET ME SAY THIS, COUPLED UP WITH A 4 WAY SWITCH MADE BY METRO GUITAR SERVICE UN REAL TONES HUGE DIFFRENCE

Perceived output level: VERY TONEFUL VERY HOT
Tone: WITH THE NEW 4 WAY SWITCH ITS VERY COOL,SO MUCH TONE I REALLY DONT KNOW WHAT THEY DO AT METRO GUITAR SERVICE BUT OH MY GOODNESS THEY REALLY DO KNOW THERE STUFF
Sonic evaluation: HAND MADE 51 NOCASTER MANY AMPS MOSTLY FENDER I ALSO RUN THREW MY GNX4,

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: THERE REALLY IS NO UNSUITABLE SOUNDS OR PICKUP CONFIGURATIONS IT REALLY DOES SOUND BEUTIFUL

Comments: I WILL SAY THIS THESE PICK UPS ARE VERY TONEFUL BUT THEN AGAIN LIKE I SAIDI BOUGHT A 4 WAY SWITCH HAND MADE BY THE PEOPLE AT METRO GUITAR SERVICE YOUR PROLLY THINKING I WORK FOR THEM OR I KNOW SOMEONE THERE THE FACT IS I REALLY DONT KNOW ANYONE THERE JUST A GREAT PRODUCT THEY MAKE. AS FOR THE PICKUPS THERE SMOOTH AND YET THEY ROCKOUT IVE FOUND FROM BUILDING GUITARS THERE ARE WAY TO MANY PICKUPS OUT THERE TO CHOOSE FROM IF YOU REALLY DONT KNOW WHAT YOUR LOOKING FOR IF THE POTENTNOMETERS ARE 250S, WELL WHAT TYPE OF CAPACITER ARE YOU GOING TO PUT IN. HELLO IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFRENCE IN THE TONE. WHAT ABOUT A 500. COME ON EVERYTHING MAKES A TONAL VALUE WE ALL KNOW THIS BUT IF YOU START WITH A GOOD WELL KNOWN PRODUCT, AND THEN START TO SEARCH FOR TONE. ATLEAST WE HAVE A GOOD START. THIS I MUST SAY IS THE BEST IVE HEARD SO FAR. NOW YOOU MAY WANT TO ASK ME HOW WOULD I KNOW.WELL I OWN MANY CUSTOM SHOP PIECES.GIBSON CUSTOM SHOP LESPAUL/FENDER CUSTOM SHOP STRAT/AND I MAKE MY OWN GUITARS FROM NOTHING BUT AMERICAN PARTS AND THERE PRODUCTS. IF YOUR LOOKING FOR TONE BUY THESE PICK UPS YOU WONT BE SORRY.

Pickup features: Single Coil (Passive)
Impedence or other specs: Both bridge and neck right around 7.3k

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Highway 1 Tele
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rockabilly, 50's Rock & Roll
Reason for pickup change: The stock pickups in this guitar where a little on the ice-picky side. I liked the stock neck pickup, but I figuared I would buy the nocaster set and replace both pickups.

Perceived output level: The nocaster pickups where slightly hotter than the stock pickups.
Tone: The nocasters have a very smooth top end on them. No icepick. I noticed a considerable amount of midrange that I did not have before. Overall I would say that these pickups are pretty well balenced.
Sonic evaluation: I have played these pickups through a number of amps(66' Fender Bassman,63'Fender Vibroverb RI, Fender Champion 800). Most of the time I use slap-echo on most of the stuff that I play. These pickups really work well for me. I can still have a nice sharp lead if I need it, but these pickups also have alot more body for rythum playing. They also work well for finger-picking in the middle position. They sound almost like a gretsch with that nice swirling sparkle.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rockabilly, think Johnny Burnette Trio. This pickups works great for this style. I can honestly say that I am not dissappointed in any way.

Comments: I would definitly reccomened this pickup for roots players and fans of early tele recordings. I have been very happy with mine. These pickups really do fill out the sound of my tele. Some tele players like a very snappy and high pitched tone, but I like a bit more mids and that is what I got with this pickup. I still have nice twang, but it is a fatter twang.

Pickup features: S C passive
Impedence or other specs: 7.4-7.5k

Model of guitar or bass: Squier Affinity Telecaster 2003 MIC
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Squier originals
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Country, Blues and Light Rock
Reason for pickup change: Muddy lows & mid on the neck pup
ICEPICK bridge pup

Perceived output level: Def higher than the origs pups
Tone: Neck is sweet clear lows, well def mids & highs, bridge is that TWANG everyone wants, mid position is a mix dep of how U set theese up as to reg hight to string rel. a good rule is fret the high E at 12 measure to the pup about 3/16" , on the low E 12't fret agan fretted about 1/4", set Your Bridge to flush pickguard & adj to get 3 DISTINCT diff sounds from the pups, works well for Me. 1/2 a turn makes a lot of diff so experiment
Sonic evaluation: Guitar is
Squier Affiny Tele 2003 MIC
3 piece Ash body
Maple neck & fretboard
I use this on a Marshall AVT50 Valve preamp solid state output
To really evaluate the diff,I dont use ANY effects at all
The difference is night & day
Now I own a sweet sounding Telecaster, I bet very close to a vintage Tele for a fraction of the price

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: The BEST match for the style I'm playing on this Guitar

Comments: If theese were stolen I'll order again from Acme Guitars ( I live in Australia & had them at my door within 7 days) There is nop other pup I want fr My Tele!!!