Thinking about new pickups

[G.A. Donis]

Hello everybody. Right now my main guitar with my band (www.zachtate.com) is a Highway One Telecaster. I've had it for a couple of years now and recently I've become less than happy with the tone I'm getting. I don't know exactly what has changed lately. Probably nothing except my ears. I have two different amp set ups that I use. I either play through my Atomic Reactor 112-50 with my PodXT or I play through a Vetta.

Lately it seems like my Tele has been thin and whimpy sounding no matter what I do. The only thing I can think of is the fact that I changed the stock 3 saddle bridge for a 6 saddle bridge. I noticed that this brightened the guitar up a fair amount but didn't notice any lack of "umph" until recently. So I figure it must be time for some serious thought about a pup swap and I've heard nothing but raves about the Rio Grande pups. I rarely (hardly ever actually) use the bridge pickup by itself. The stock bridge pup is too twangy all by itself. I'm not a country guy, more of a blues and rock guy. Most of my rhythm playing is in the middle position with solos in the neck position. Rhythm parts range from clean to semi-dirty with lead tones that tend to border on too much gain. That is probably the hard rockin' metal head in me coming out.

What I'm looking for is a set of pups that has the classic Tele tone but with some balls. The Dirty Harry also intrigues me. I have a soapbar equipped guitar that sounds great through my rig but the Tele tone is more in line with this band.

I am open to any and all suggestions.

[Dave Wintz]

Initially the Muy Grande Tele set is the way to go. It seems it should satisfy the description regarding what is lacking in your tone. In addition your mention of the Dirty Harry is also a viable possibility.

To conclude a Muy Grande tele set...or a Muy Grande tele neck with the Dirty Harry in the bridge should do the trick.

Both combinations should be great....the Dirty Harry will grind your bridge position a bit.

There is just no reason at all why you shouldn't be able to get a fantastic sound out of the bridge pickup by itself. It is, by the way, the true "voice" of a telecaster.

Thanks for your interest.

Dave/Rio Grande Pickups

[RobR]

I have been using Rio's for the last 4-5 years... Killer Pickups overall! And yes... TONS of beef in the Muy Grande Tele Bridge pickups

Muy Grandes in this one:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v96/pesocaster/DSCF0003.jpg



This is the latest:
Vintage Tallboy Twangbucker Bridge and Muy Grande Tele in the neck

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v96/pesocaster/DSCF0121.jpg


Rob

[Kizanski]

I have been using Rio's for the last 4-5 years... Killer Pickups overall!
The guy that got you into Rios must have been quite the visionary! :D

Good to see you here, Double R!

[RobR]

The guy that got you into Rios must have been quite the visionary! :D

Good to see you here, Double R!

Yes... Kiz is the one that turned me on to these.... Good guy that Kiz!

Cheers Buddy!

[G.A. Donis]

Thanks for the input. If I can get my lazy butt in gear today I'm going to drive to Rockin Robin and pick up a set of Muy Grande pups. I hate driving into downtown. When I moved to Houston I chose the north east corner because of work without realizing that there were no music stores near me.

[G.A. Donis]

The pups went in last night. It was late when I finished so I haven't had the chance to crank it but I can tell a difference already. Was a little worried when I had some problems getting the bridge pickup to go through the hole in the bridge. For a second I thought it wasn't going to fit but it just took some wiggling and wrangling to get it through.

Thanks everybody for the input. And thanks to the guy at Rockin' Robin who gave me a pretty good deal on the pups.

[G.A. Donis]

So I had my first full volume practice with the new pups last night. I was smiles all night long. For the first time in a long time I felt a life and energy to my tone that had been lacking. Even the bridge pickup will be useable by itself on occasion. It is still a little more twangy than I like but the Muy Grande bridge has a more pleasing quality than the stock pup.

I'm not sure this next bit will make sense but I think I'd like the neck pickup up to be a "little more neck pickupish". I'm not sure how to describe it but I think it might be a matter of adjusting pickup height. There isn't a huge difference between the middle position and the neck position tones. I might need to bring the bridge pickup up in height a little bit to give it more pressence in the middle postition.

Overall I am very happy with the Muy Grande's. Next time I need pup's Rio Grande will definately be at the top of the list.