72 Telecaster Custom replacement pickups

Boromedic · September 2023

The Tele Deluxe thread has got me thinking, and I didn't want to derail that thread! My Squier Tele Custom is amazing value for money, but compared to all my other pickups they lack that handwired sparkle for me.

So I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a good replacement set that won't cost loads. Doesn't have to be Cunife happy with a wide range copy. Not even sure what bridge pickup to go with either but happy to be schooled!

Thanks!

OilCityPickups · September 2023

The main issue we found when making Wide Range style pickups was the cost of the covers and baseplates ... we stopped doing our Buccaneer WRs (other than to special order) ... because the price of nickel meant there was bugger all profit in making them!

Boromedic · September 2023

OilCityPickups said:

The main issue we found when making Wide Range style pickups was the cost of the covers and baseplates ... we stopped doing our Buccaneer WRs (other than to special order) ... because the price of nickel meant there was bugger all profit in making them!

Dare I ask the price of a special order?!

Alexlotl · September 2023

I think The Creamery offer rewinding of your stock Fender not-WRHBs, so it re-uses the cover (and presumably the baseplate), which I would guess brings the cost down a bit.

OilCityPickups · September 2023

Boromedic said:

OilCityPickups said:

The main issue we found when making Wide Range style pickups was the cost of the covers and baseplates ... we stopped doing our Buccaneer WRs (other than to special order) ... because the price of nickel meant there was bugger all profit in making them!

Dare I ask the price of a special order?!

Around £100 each ... you are really better off to go with Jamie at the Creamery for his stock rewinds

Teyeplayer · September 2023

Check out Cats whisker pickups, Alan’s your man for good pickups that don’t break the bank.

Boromedic · September 2023

OilCityPickups said:

Boromedic said:

OilCityPickups said:

The main issue we found when making Wide Range style pickups was the cost of the covers and baseplates ... we stopped doing our Buccaneer WRs (other than to special order) ... because the price of nickel meant there was bugger all profit in making them!

Dare I ask the price of a special order?!

Around £100 each ... you are really better off to go with Jamie at the Creamery for his stock rewinds

To be fair mate that's £60 cheaper than Creamery and I've had issues with them before so I'd sooner spend with someone else tbh.

OilCityPickups · September 2023

Boromedic said:

OilCityPickups said:

Boromedic said:

OilCityPickups said:

The main issue we found when making Wide Range style pickups was the cost of the covers and baseplates ... we stopped doing our Buccaneer WRs (other than to special order) ... because the price of nickel meant there was bugger all profit in making them!

Dare I ask the price of a special order?!

Around £100 each ... you are really better off to go with Jamie at the Creamery for his stock rewinds

To be fair mate that's £60 cheaper than Creamery and I've had issues with them before so I'd sooner spend with someone else tbh.

PM me and I'll give you the specs
Ash

Boromedic · September 2023

Teyeplayer said:

Check out Cats whisker pickups, Alan’s your man for good pickups that don’t break the bank.

Thanks, I'll have a look, although his website isn't the best!

t1000 · September 2023

Teyeplayer said:

Check out Cats whisker pickups, Alan’s your man for good pickups that don’t break the bank.

I have a custom partcaster with Alan's pickups. A wide range in the neck as well was around £150 for the set from memory and they sound awesome.

Teyeplayer · September 2023

Boromedic said:

Teyeplayer said:

Check out Cats whisker pickups, Alan’s your man for good pickups that don’t break the bank.

Thanks, I'll have a look, although his website isn't the best!

It isn’t, but he has always been quick to communicate when I’ve had questions and usually has orders out within the week. I’ve been very impressed with his service.

Dave_Mc · September 2023

Boromedic said:

Teyeplayer said:

Check out Cats whisker pickups, Alan’s your man for good pickups that don’t break the bank.

Thanks, I'll have a look, although his website isn't the best!

He occasionally has a set on Ebay for a little less as well. Mine are great- though admittedly I haven't compared them to any other Wide Range-style pickups (apart from the originals in my AVRI which were basically just standard humbuckers I think).

gatheredinsong · September 2023

Is the bridge pickup a thin, single coil? I've got an old stock bridge pickup from an early-2000s reissue Fender '72 Custom floating around. You can have it for nothing if you want to try it while you're messing around replacing the neck pup? I never thought it was particularly special, but it may be a slight improvement on the stock one in the Squire?

Boromedic · October 2023

t1000 said:

Teyeplayer said:

Check out Cats whisker pickups, Alan’s your man for good pickups that don’t break the bank.

I have a custom partcaster with Alan's pickups. A wide range in the neck as well was around £150 for the set from memory and they sound awesome.

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll have a closer look

Boromedic · October 2023

gatheredinsong said:

Is the bridge pickup a thin, single coil? I've got an old stock bridge pickup from an early-2000s reissue Fender '72 Custom floating around. You can have it for nothing if you want to try it while you're messing around replacing the neck pup? I never thought it was particularly special, but it may be a slight improvement on the stock one in the Squire?

Thank you so much, that's so very kind of you, I'll PM you.

liamon · October 2023

Love my catswhisker WRHB set. Got from eBay, never looked back. Mine are coil tapped.

Dave_Mc · October 2023

liamon said:

Love my catswhisker WRHB set. Got from eBay, never looked back. Mine are coil tapped.

Ditto, basically. I got mine just before Cunife became more easily available, but considering how good they sound, and how expensive the Cunife ones tend to be, I'm not that worried.

jpttaylor · October 2023

I’ve not paid much attention to the Cunife pickups since they’ve been released/reissued, but surely the Wide Range humbucker’s sound is defined by both the magnets and the overall larger surface area? Hence why most regular humbucker sized WR pickups just sound a bit off.

OilCityPickups · October 2023

jpttaylor said:

I’ve not paid much attention to the Cunife pickups since they’ve been released/reissued, but surely the Wide Range humbucker’s sound is defined by both the magnets and the overall larger surface area? Hence why most regular humbucker sized WR pickups just sound a bit off.

As magnets go CuNiFe is defined as a relatively weak magnet with very poor permanence. A fair number of pickups that use threaded magnets (and maybe would have you believe they use CuNiFe) today use FeCrCo ... Iron Chromium Cobalt not Copper Nickel Iron.
To be honest it makes bugger all sound difference apart from FeCrCo magnets will probably keep their charge longer!
The most important consideration is that the wide range has relatively weak magnets but placed individually directly under each string for a more 'single coil' vibe in the tone.
The other point is that they are quite high winding turn count with relatively thick 42awg wire ... again adding to the single coil 'openness' and good response both in the bass end and treble ... hence 'wide range'. :-)

Lebarque · October 2023

Boromedic said:

The Tele Deluxe thread has got me thinking, and I didn't want to derail that thread! My Squier Tele Custom is amazing value for money, but compared to all my other pickups they lack that handwired sparkle for me.

So I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a good replacement set that won't cost loads. Doesn't have to be Cunife happy with a wide range copy. Not even sure what bridge pickup to go with either but happy to be schooled!

Thanks!

Anyone got a link to the Tele Deluxe thread you mention? I think I need it in my life. Thanks in advance.

Vintage-T · October 2023

I can highly recommend Mojo Pickups, I've just put their CUNIFE WRHB in the neck and Esquire bridge and it's sounds glorious. Aggressive on the bridge and smooth and creamy on the neck.

Boromedic · October 2023

Lebarque said:

Boromedic said:

The Tele Deluxe thread has got me thinking, and I didn't want to derail that thread! My Squier Tele Custom is amazing value for money, but compared to all my other pickups they lack that handwired sparkle for me.

So I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a good replacement set that won't cost loads. Doesn't have to be Cunife happy with a wide range copy. Not even sure what bridge pickup to go with either but happy to be schooled!

Thanks!

Anyone got a link to the Tele Deluxe thread you mention? I think I need it in my life. Thanks in advance.

Here ya go!

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/254702/72-telecaster-deluxe-classic-series-vs-vintera#latest

Boromedic · October 2023

liamon said:

Love my catswhisker WRHB set. Got from eBay, never looked back. Mine are coil tapped.

Thanks for the recommendation, someone else mentioned them above, I'll have another look

Boromedic · October 2023

Vintage-T said:

I can highly recommend Mojo Pickups, I've just put their CUNIFE WRHB in the neck and Esquire bridge and it's sounds glorious. Aggressive on the bridge and smooth and creamy on the neck.

I do like Mojo, I have a set of their PAFs so may look at them, pricey though but he does make great pickups.

Dave_Mc · October 2023

jpttaylor said:

I’ve not paid much attention to the Cunife pickups since they’ve been released/reissued, but surely the Wide Range humbucker’s sound is defined by both the magnets and the overall larger surface area? Hence why most regular humbucker sized WR pickups just sound a bit off.

I've only tried the WR-sized ones and only without Cunife! (I assume mine are FeCrCo- that's nice to know @OilCityPickups that it doesn't make much difference

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72 Telecaster Custom replacement pickups

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