Tele replacement pickups?

[The Admiral]

I've been looking for some replacement pick ups for a cheap Chinese Tele I bought on here, and there are a lot of options - no surprise.

I don't want to shell out for dimarzios etc. so I've been looking at some of the after market companies like Iron Stone. Anyone have any suggestions for some good replacements which won't break the bank? It's for playing rhythm guitar in a classic rock band, so boutique custom winds not necessary!

Thanks.

[ezbass]

I'd look out for someone selling the pickups from a Classic Vibe.

EDIT: these are available from the US http://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/381460204011

Edited November 15, 2015 by ezbass

[Bassnut62]

You could 'pick up' (boom, boom) some G&L MFD pups as used in the Asat Special. They are incredible....full and punchy at 10, sweet clean and refined when rolled off a touch. A truly remarkable set of pups that sound v Tele too.

[randythoades]

Sorry to be late on this, sure you have sorted by now, but: I use Tonerider Hot Classics in my homebuild Tele, great 50s vibe with a bit extra grunt, great for some classic rock. About £35 for a set.

[berme]

Bump. I would like to hear more ideas for this very same question.

[Luulox]

Irongear pickups are good, I bought a set of strat pickups and was very impressed with them. Not expensive either. Well worth trying.

[paul h]

I have opinions on replacement pickups...here they are

IMHO the reason I don't like the sound of the pickups on cheaper guitars and basses is that they tend to use ceramic magnets. Now of course many people love the sound of ceramics but I'm not just one of them.

So with a cheap Chinese tele my first thought would be to swap them for alnico equipped pickups. I think the change from ceramic to alnico is far more important than brand/price etc. I have used Artec alnico pickups in the past and always been very pleased with them but I would literally just get any set of alnico pickups and expect an improvement.

However I have no idea what I'm talking about,

[ahpook]

I've got Kent Armstrongs in my Tele, I know they're not top-end but they sound lovely.

I've always been pretty impressed with their bass offerings too.

Edited May 10, 2016 by ahpook

[Dave Vader]

I've got a set of second hand classic vibes (from a 50s one my mate upgraded) in a very cheap chinese tele, it sounds shockingly good now, when it probably shouldn't.

[ezbass]

[quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1462880502' post='3046517']
I've got a set of second hand classic vibes (from a 50s one my mate upgraded) in a very cheap chinese tele, it sounds shockingly good now, when it probably shouldn't.
[/quote]Those Classic Vibe pickups are ace.

[Dave Vader]

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1462892270' post='3046715']
Those Classic Vibe pickups are ace.
[/quote]

I heard a rumour that they are rebadged toneriders, which would explain it.

[Beer of the Bass]

I've used an Artec "Giovanni" tele bridge pickup which was nice. It's a bit hotter than a standard tele bridge, but not so hot that it loses the tele sound. They're fairly standard vintage style alnico pickups and seem well made.
[url="http://www.eyguitarmusic.com/Artec-Custom-PickupVitage-Tele-Pickup1pcs-of-Bridge-pickup_p_1214.html"]http://www.eyguitarmusic.com/Artec-Custom-PickupVitage-Tele-Pickup1pcs-of-Bridge-pickup_p_1214.html[/url]

[3below]

Worryingly I recently played a Farida tele (standard pickups) through a Stagg practice amp. At low / medium volume it was seriously good, on a par with my USA tele and valve amp. There are many good pickups out there, even cheapie OE. I have had good results with Kent Armstrongs and DiMarzio.

Edited May 10, 2016 by 3below

[ColinB]

Unless you want to pay for the 'big-name' p/ups, then GFS have a very good range of quality tele pick-ups [url="http://www.guitarfetish.com/Tele-Sized_c_580.html"]here[/url].

[Dandelion]

Wilkinson's? The vintage 52 tele gets rave reviews.

[TheGreek]

Thanks guys....

Just bought myself a Harley B Tele for my b'day - not expecting much from the standard pups so ready this thread has helped.

Have a good New Year

[stevie]

There are lots of Tele (and Strat) pickups that sound exactly the same. If you want a pickup that really makes a difference to your tone, sounds fat and smooth and cuts through without that thin "jangly" edge, try the Alinco II pickups from Seymour Duncan. They really are the business.

[Nicko]

19 hours ago, stevie said:

There are lots of Tele (and Strat) pickups that sound exactly the same. If you want a pickup that really makes a difference to your tone, sounds fat and smooth and cuts through without that thin "jangly" edge, try the Alinco II pickups from Seymour Duncan. They really are the business.

The symour duncan range has something for everyone.  I fitted my mex tele with a set of hot Tele SDs and it sound absolutely awesome.  Its gone from being a guitar I used every now and then to the one I like best.  The Seymour Duncan site also allows you to hear the differet pickups so you get an idea what sound you're likely to end up with.