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Poll results: Which Pickups for a vintage telecaster build?
Voter(s): 8
Poll is closed Apr 12, 2021
Iron Gear Steel Foundry  -  votes: 7 / 87.5%
7
87.5%
Wilkinson M- Series AlNiCo V  -  votes: 2 / 25%
2
25%
Vanson Vintage 50's AlNiCo V  -  votes: 0 / 0%
0
0%

60's Telecaster build - Which pickups?

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Koendb
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Topic starter  

For my next build, I 've got all material, except tuners and pickups.
I am trying to go for a lower output vintage type of pickups and  for now, my list contains

  • Iron Gear Steel Foundry
  • Wilkinson M- Series AlNiCo V
  • Vanson Vintage 50's AlNiCo V

Any other Pickups I should consider? Or which ones of these should I scratch from my list?


   
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mattbeels
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@koendb

As I don’t have experience with any of those pickups I can’t really vote. You’re bound to get a few votes for Iron Gear as they’re well know and liked around here. I‘m guessing that Wilkinson would place second from your list. 

Are you also looking to keep the price down? If not then I would consider looking into pickups from Lollar, Fralin or BKP to name a few pricy ones! 😆

Practice on scrap...


   
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Koendb
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Are you also looking to keep the price down? If not then I would consider looking into pickups from Lollar, Fralin or BKP to name a few pricy ones!

I am not sure if I want to go all the way price-wise - Yet. For now, I 'll probably stick to budget friendly components where possible.

You’re bound to get a few votes for Iron Gear as they’re well know and liked around here

I do love them too!

 


   
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tv1
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Of those, I’d say Iron Gear.

Add a few more brands to the list, and I’d still say Iron Gear.

And I’ll keep on saying Iron Gear until you’re spending about 4x the price of Iron Gear pickups!

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Deej
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I agree with @TV101 the iron gear pups are great from what I’ve found.

I have too many guitars...said no one in the world..ever!


   
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Boo
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@koendb I agree with @deej, I’ve voted for Iron Gear. 👍

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I used iron gear steel twin ll on a tele build and I’ve been very pleased with the result. They were easy to wire using a push/pull pot for the extra coil boost. I’ve also used iron gear P90s and humbuckers and I’ve always been impressed. Over the years I’ve had loads of different manufacturers pickups in my guitars including some quite expensive sets and iron gear easily hold their own against them. 


   
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Koendb
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I used iron gear steel twin ll on a tele build and I’ve been very pleased with the result. They were easy to wire using a push/pull pot for the extra coil boost.

Mine will be an attempt to stay as close as possible to a 60's tele, so no push/pull on this one 🙂
Reading the description of the Steel Twin vs the Steel Foundry, I am assuming that the Foundry would be more appropriate for my project. 

I’ve also used iron gear P90s and humbuckers and I’ve always been impressed.

Yeah I have P90's in a strat and in my ikea guitar and they both are very good.
Got Hot Slag, Pig Iron overwound and Rolling Mill in my modded RG470, Steamhammer and 2 Texas Locos in one of my strats.
So I do have enough experience with Iron Gear pickups. I didnt realize they where that popular 🙂 


   
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Koendb
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Yeah I have P90's in a strat and in my ikea guitar and they both are very good.

I mean , Iron Gear P90's (Platinum 90 ) obviously 🙂

It seems the edit button does not work for me on this forum 🤔 


   
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mattbeels
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It seems the edit button does not work for me on this forum 🤔 

@koendb

Sorry to hear that! You can contact @tv101 about it. 😉

Practice on scrap...


   
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Boo
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It seems the edit button does not work for me on this forum

@koendb The edit button doesn’t work for any of us, it broke a while back. 

Im an Iron Gear fan too, I’ve used quite a few Hot Slag, Rolling Mill and Rolling Mill overwound, and some others I can’t remember. 

Make guitars, not war 🌍✌️🎸


   
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Boo
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It seems the edit button does not work for me on this forum

@koendb Yeah Matt makes a good point, @tv101 knows about the edit button, ask him about it. 👍 

Oh, I’ve just remembered the other Iron Gear pickups I’ve used, Metal Machine. 🤘😁🤘🎸

Make guitars, not war 🌍✌️🎸


   
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Koendb
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Oh, I’ve just remembered the other Iron Gear pickups I’ve used, Metal Machine.

Awesome 🙂


   
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Deej
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I’ve also used rolling mills (including the overwound bridge), blues engines, alchemist 90, hot slag (Carol said I couldn’t use that on my exotica build at the workshop because of the name so used the dirty torque). All been great and still a few more to try out.

I have the Texas loco singles but not out in a build yet...I have high expectations though.

I have too many guitars...said no one in the world..ever!


   
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Koendb
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So in the meanwhile, I decided to  follow up on @mattbeels' advice to look at more expensive options too.

Given the difficult times we live in, I also wanted to support local businesses, so I have placed an order at a Belgian Pickup manufacturer Heartbreaker (Bella Noire Tele set).

Prices are more leaning towards Lollar or Frailin.
I'll probably order the Iron gear Steel Twin set anyway (for a Harley Benton T-30 I bought used a couple of years ago)

So now I have started a poll, asked for opinions and then decided to disregard all of your opinions and change my mind.. 😜 I am sorry guys 🙂


   
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mattbeels
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Haha, no need to be sorry @koendb! You were looking for suggestions and that’s what you received, all good.

The problem with pickups is that there are just too damn many to choose from! 😆

It sounds like you made a good choice plus you let us know about yet another source and as I’m part Belgien, I approve! 😉 

Just let us know how they sound. 🎸🔊

Practice on scrap...


   
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Boo
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So now I have started a poll, asked for opinions and then decided to disregard all of your opinions and change my mind.. 😜 I am sorry guys

@koendb Hey it’s fine man, we helped you make up your mind and chose what you wanted in the end, that’s all that matters. Glad to help, even you completely ignore me. 🤣👍

Make guitars, not war 🌍✌️🎸


   
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Koendb
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Glad to help, even you completely ignore me. 🤣

Now I am feeling guilty , Will I ever be able to make this right? 😎 


   
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Boo
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Now I am feeling guilty , Will I ever be able to make this right?

@koendb Don’t be daft, I’m just messing around. We are all here to help each other so if we suggest something and you choose something else, we have done our job and that makes me happy. 👍

Make guitars, not war 🌍✌️🎸


   
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Deej
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Choose what you want @koendb, it’s your build. I hope they work out great.

I have too many guitars...said no one in the world..ever!


   
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