If you had a Hwy 1 Tele, would you change the stock AlNiCo III pups?

[XmasTree]

If you had a Hwy 1 Tele, would you change the stock AlNiCo III pups?

If you have one, or played one, please tell us what you think of the pickups.

[M I K E D.]

yes.

Fender standard issue p'ups are lackluster at best; Some Lollars or Dimarzio's would do wonders for it.

[rybass]

I really dig the bridge pup. I plan on putting one in my project tele. The neck isn't really what I'm looking for though.

[big mike]

I'd yank em out faster than I could get the plastic off the pickguard.

Ol Don mare would be getting a call immediately. Or at least Seymour Duncan.

[jpervin]

I had a Hwy 1 Tele a few years back and I remember the stock pickups being bland and meh-sounding. It was a nice guitar in all other ways though.

[XmasTree]

It's an awesome guitar
i like the neck pickup
the bridge pickup CANNOT hang w/ the rest of my guitars

Im looking at a Texas Special bridge pu

[codyj84]

Hey man. I had a highway one and i replaced the pups. All the above pickup reccomendations are great, but a bit pricey. You may check out Klein pickups. He usually has some deals in the Dealers Emporium and winds fantastic tele pickups.

[npirt.89]

I have been thinking about changing the pickups in my Highway 1. I do like the neck pickup, but the bridge pickup sounds really thin to me. What do you guys recommend? What pups have you put in your teles?

[scott757]

The only things I'm thinking about changing in my Hwy1 Tele is the pick gaurd and the saddles. Both of those are just because I like a different look.

[shark_bite]

If it were me, and to a certain extent it was, SD Antiquities are the answer. It's hands-down my best sounding guitar. Of course, it isn't really a Hwy 1 either (just the body) but still. I've always liked those. Great guitars for the money.

[npirt.89]

anyone tried the lollar B.S. bridge pickup? looking for something with more sustain and a thicker sound. my highway1 sounds thin sounding. Would love to have the money for something with humbuckers...but i'm broke!

[wingwalker]

I sure did!

I pretty much have gutted mine over the years...electro socket, compensated brass saddles, all new wiring, new tuners, new guard plate, strap locks and in answer to your question a set of Custom Shop Duncan pickups that are AMAZING...took a guitar that was OK to a guitar thats just killer!

[soapvox speaker]

yup

[Boris Bubbanov]

Yes, I'd change them.

The original (up to mid 2005) version pups are kinda eh (same as Classic 50's Tele) but the Upgrade (post Summer 2005) overwound versions are heinous.

In addition to brass saddles, Gotoh split shaft tuners + electrosocket, I put Keystones (no neck pup cover version) in one Highway One Upgrade and Original Vintages in another Upgrade. The third Highway One is pre-upgrade (tho it has the Greasebucket circuit) and still has the stock pups for now. I may try to base plate the stock bridge pup - a base plated stock Tex Mex Tele bridge pup sounds pretty good.

[Stratofuzz]

Hmmm
Are you referring to the Hwy 1 Texas Telecaster? I don't know any better, so I like the stock pick ups. What would be gained by replacing the "hot-vintage" pickups?

[Boris Bubbanov]

Hmmm
Are you referring to the Hwy 1 Texas Telecaster? I don't know any better, so I like the stock pick ups. What would be gained by replacing the "hot-vintage" pickups?

I didn't think he was. Those stock Texas Tele H1 pups are not bad. They're not my #1 favorites but they can be quite good adjusted just so.

[Stratofuzz]

I didn't think he was. Those stock Texas Tele H1 pups are not bad. They're not my #1 favorites but they can be quite good adjusted just so.

The guy the guitar came from is a pro, so the guitar was set up real nice when I got it. I raised them pick ups up about 2-3mm and it gives the spank from both pickups, but together it's just right.

But hey, isn't this forum all about making the good great?

[Boris Bubbanov]

I've just come into possession of 2 more Upgrade Highway One Teles.

Been thinking about ya'lls comments that the neck pickup can be worked with.

Thinking about people wanting to rout out the neck pocket - what's wrong with trying to adapt to a little hotter single coil A3 like we have here. With a replacement single coil bridge pup, probably from Fender. Might do it to one of the other Upgrades, too, if.

Anyway, I paid no attention to whether any of my previous Highway Ones were reverse wound reverse polarity (noise canceling in the middle position). The new Sept. 2007 and May 2008 guitars are reverse wound, reverse polarity. I think at one time they were not.

Does anyone know when the Highway Ones first went Noise Canceling in the Middle Position?

Much obliged.

BTW, here's a look at a cosmetic redo and aftermarket neck on the 2007 one:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/19AUG242009002.jpg

[shane88]

yes i'd throw them away and put in some 5 yo mex ceramics :crazyguy