Joe Barden T-Style

Stacked Humbuckers meant to emulate single coils without any hum, and higher output. These do have a lot of output, even more than my les paul!

I put it in an American Standard Telecaster. Neck and bridge, replacing stock PU's. These are the T-Style which is the same as the reviews for the Joe Barden "Danny Gatton" pickups so look there for more reviews on these same pickups.

I replaced the stock pickups for a few reasons. I could not handle the hum of the stock PU's, even without much gain you could hear them and I don't want that to interfere with the music you're supposed to be hearing. Also, as is the nature of the tele neck pickup, I found it's signal to be too weak and thin. I mean, that sound is great if you want it, but for someone like me who wants a lot of tones without having to buy lots of guitars (although these pickups are very expensive, it's cheaper than buying another pro level guitar), the old pickups were too linear. I wanted much more versatility even if that meant sacrificing some of that single coil snap we all love (which it did, slightly). I also wanted a really good jazz tone which the stock neck PU did not supply.

Ok, so basically these pickups are AMAZING. The bridge sounds exactly like Danny Gatton's recordings. Youtube his performances of anything, especially "sleepwalk", and you'll hear the tone you will get. The bridge tone is wonderfully gritty and breaks up pretty early, even on a clean setting but that's how it gets that very vocal screaming sort of thing. I think it's amazing, it sounds very voice-like and I have not found it too trebly at all, even through a bright Fender amp. The bridge is a magical pickup.

The neck, which I found hard to find recordings of because everyone I've seen playing this is always using the bridge (which I can understand, it's a very amazing tone). However, I think the neck is also an amazing piece or work. If you roll off the tone, you get one of the best jazz tones I've ever heard on any guitar. Literally, I play jazz and listen to it a lot and this pickups is KILLER for that, which I didn't expect but definitely wanted. With the tone fully on you get a very smooth, semi-single coil sound. I actually find that the most single-coil sounding setting is the middle position, with both pickups activated.

These pickups are dead quiet, and, although unique sounding and definitely not vintage sounding, they sound amazing and are incredibly versatile, from bright and screaming treble to ultra smooth jazz, these pickups get a lot of amazing sounds. I also put in the 250k audio taper pots and tone capacitor, like the website suggested, and I recommend you do the same.

I would hate to pay for these again, but I would buy them again. I've been playing professionally for about 2 years now and have worked in musicstores trying my fair share of gear. The only thing I hate about changing to these pickups is the same with anything, if you change things, you're gonna lose something, you can never have everything without owning everything but these do an amazing job at a million things (but that's still not everything... primarily the complete single-coil snap). However, for what they do do, which is most things, and how well they always sound, these are amazing pickups that just sound unreal, and I can't stress how good the jazz tone is... wow. I also can't stress how cool the bridge lead stuff sounds with the gritty, screaming quality, again, just check out Danny Gatton's "sleepwalk" on youtube and you'll hear it,

Pickup features: passive single coil sized humbuckers
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: G&L ASAT Classic
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock G&L pick-ups
Other pickups on guitar: same
Artists using this pickup: Danny Gatton
You musical style(s): country, blues, rock, jazz
Reason for pickup change: Better tone, less noise, Stock pickups where not bad just a little harsh at times and noisy.

Perceived output level: maybe 15% hotter than Am. Std. Tele P/u's
Tone: I will start off by saying this pickup is absolutely noise free, touch the strings however and they lunge notes out of the speakers with Hi-Fi clarity. These are hard to describe, mainly because they don't sound like anything else I've played. These things give a thick low mid whallup to every note while retaining great definition. Not a mid humped "Bucker" type tone , in fact its the emphasized lows and refined strong highs that you first notice. These p/u's address alot of problems with traditional single coils, but IMHO its at the expense of some of the qualities that I love about vintage p/u's. I miss that transparent , crisp pluck of the plain strings that gets a stinging bite when you dig in (with the amp set at that just breakin-up point) with the Barden's you keep that penetrating slice even when trying to overdrive, they seem to resist breakin up. For this reason they might be a great choice for Jazz . Very good p/u's just not exactly what I wanted.
Sonic evaluation: I play this guitar through a MXR dynacomp, Fulldrive 2,(Dano cool-cat and Daddy-o bypassed most of the time via a homemade true bypass switch) into a SF Twin Reverb (live) or Laney VC 30 (studio).

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup is best for Danny Gatton type music (Rock-a-billy, Jazz ) but would be suited for anything where noiseless single coil tone was prefered.

Comments: If these where lost I would not replace them, as they are very expensive and not exactly what I was looking for. However many players won't use anything else. If I could afford to buy another Tele, I would definitely keep these. My Barden equipped G&l would be a great compliment to a vintage Tele. The traditional Tele for home and studio the Barden equipped ax for gigs. Possibly the BEST pickups on the Planet for gigging as the more subtle differences aren't noticed but the clearly defined high output noise free sound is instantly appreciated, where even your Buddies LP won't drown you out.

Pickup features: Passive dual blade, stacked humbucking single coil.
Impedence or other specs: Joe says just play em'.

Model of guitar or bass: 98' Ash American Standard Tele.
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Fender Delta Tone American Standards
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Probably a lot more than we know about.
You musical style(s): Roots, Blues, Rock and Fusion.
Reason for pickup change: Stock American Standard PUP's were OK, but the neck PUP was
weak and the single coil noise was driving me up the wall.

Perceived output level: Louder than most "High Powered" humbuckers. Articulate & powerful.
Tone: Tone for days. Unbelievably BALANCED. Superb detail. The neck PUP has that beautiful, hollow kind of strat sound and the bridge is pure, wicked tele.
Sonic evaluation: Playing through a Fender Hot Rod DeVille 4x10 and a Mesa 1x10 Subway
Blues with a 2x12 closed back cab. Playing the Bardens is unlike anything I've experienced. They're so sensitive it's like your looking
into a mirror naked. There's no place to run or hide, every subtle
nuance of your playing style becomes up front and center. They favor
the more experienced player, and especially reward finger style players. You can dig in or back off and get every tone you can think
of. They're so balanced and clean it actually takes some getting used
to! They're so sweet sounding I just plug straight into the amp with
my George L and go. One thing though; Joe mentions these PUPs amplify
any buzzes, rattles and other assorted noises your guitar might display - he's right. They're that sensitive. Same thing with your
playing style. Great licks will never sound better but clams are
magnified into a full seafood buffet, so you want to have your chops
together with these.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: For recording, these rule. DEAD QUIET at full volume. These PUPs are great for ANY application where a tele is the preferred weapon of choice.B

Comments: Been playing since the 70's. Bought way too much gear over the years
but these Barden's, while expensive, are worth every penny. Really.
Clean players will dig em'. I'm never satisfied with just one sound,
and I'll reach for my strat or other humbucker guitars for the colorful tones they offer. The Barden's were purchased for super clean
roots and blues and they deliver big time. If your into Fender tone,
do yourself a favor and check these out.

Pickup features: passive stacked dual blade humbucker in single coil format
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: G&L ASAT Classic
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: ASAT Classic
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock, Jazz
Reason for pickup change: I wanted more!!!

Perceived output level: Extreme balance from neck to bridge. Very hot in comparision to stock ASAT/Tele. No noise..
Tone: Danny Gatton tone for days. These pickups are odd. You can get tons of sounds from these pickups. If you jump on them, they bark. Do whatever you want to them, and they respond accordingly. BALANCE.
Sonic evaluation: I have them in a G&L ASAT Classic. I have the following amps; vintage 1965 Bassman w/original cab. vintage 1962 Bandmaster w/original cab., 1963 Vibroverb w/original 15" JBL. Marshall JCM800 100Watt lead w/4X12 cab. I obviously prefer it through my fenders. It sounds ok through the Marshall, but not what I prefer.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Blues, rockabilly, jazz, whatever you want, they will deliver.

Comments: If they were stolen, burned, flooded, missing, or I no longer had them for whatever reason, I would replace them instantly. They made a great guitar better.