Duncan broadcaster, does it nail the 50's tele tone?

[kurt1981]

Hey guys, got a great new tele but I'm wanting that early 50's tele tone, nice and full, not icepicky. I've tried the duncan alnico II pickups and the bridge was a bit too thin. I'm looking for that Duke Levine type tone if that helps.
Thanks for the help,
Kurt

 

[jnepo1]

I've got the Duncan Braodcaster pickup in a Tele I built. The sound is fantastic, definitely that classic Tele sound.

 

[big mike]

Little bright for me. I prefer a little warmer.

 

[Matt L]

I hooked one up to a MIM Esquire, and did the Eldred mod. I thought it kicked ass.

 

[Harmolodics]

It is a good "middle road" pickup. Hot enough to rock but not too much RAWK. "50's" tele tone is sort of vauge to me.... How much breakup do you want or need? etc. I just listened to some Duke Levine on the youtube and i think the duncan broadcaster would serve well. But i also suggest trying a bridge pickup with anico 3 magnents... they really warm up a telecaster pickup and are period correct for early 50's tone.

 

[jota]

It will do it.
Remember to use the tone knob and you're good to go.
I have one on my MIM Classic 50's tele.
Now, if I could just play half as good as Duke, I'd be a very happy man!

 

[Weathered]

I had one in an old American Tele, and it was a pretty good pickup for most things - I brought it closer to the strings than most people would, and it responded by getting more midrange push. Never lowered it, but I'd expect that as you lower it, it may get a little bit sweeter and lower output.

 

[kurt1981]

Cool, if there's a better option out there, I'm game, I just liked the specs on this one and the price. Anyone have a good recommendation for a neck pickup in that same vein.

 

[BUTTISLAND]

if you want something that has 50's flavor i think any 50's style tele pickup will nailed the tone of that era. you just have to mate it with the right amp though.

 

[twoheadedboy]

Hey guys, got a great new tele but I'm wanting that early 50's tele tone, nice and full, not icepicky.

The SD Broadcaster is an awesome pickup. You can definitely get 50s telecaster sounds out of it. However, it isn't an exact 50s reproduction in that it uses alnico 5 magnets instead of alnico 3.

 

[DavidS]

Check out the Fender Custom Shop '51 Nocaster set. A3 magnets and great early 50s tone at a great price as well.

 

[kurt1981]

Would the neck pickup of the nocaster set fit in a pickguard that houses a strat neck pickup? I've got a jerry donahue tele that has a strat pickup at the neck.
Thanks,

 

[BUTTISLAND]

damn you already have jerry donahue tele with its pickup, and you still don't like it?

i thought that pickup is based on jerrys own real 52 tele pickup?

what amp are you playing the tele through?

 

[EL 34 X2]

I teamed the SD Broadcaster bridge with a SD Telecaster 5/2 in the neck. Has a nice balance and sounds great with a Fender 4-way switch.

 

[imonabuss]

I have to say I am a guy who has tried all kinds of boutique stuff, and for me, in my favorite Tele, that stupid SD Broadcaster is the best Tele bridge pickup of all. It shouldn't be that good at that price.

 

[bluesjuke]

It is a good "middle road" pickup. Hot enough to rock but not too much RAWK. "50's" tele tone is sort of vauge to me.... How much breakup do you want or need? etc. I just listened to some Duke Levine on the youtube and i think the duncan broadcaster would serve well. But i also suggest trying a bridge pickup with anico 3 magnents... they really warm up a telecaster pickup and are period correct for early 50's tone.

I recommend the same, maybe a Lollar.
Extremely happy with my Lollar AlNiCo IIIs.



Did I mention extremely happy?

 

[mr coffee]

Voodoo TE50... smoking broadcaster tone. One for sale in the emporium...

 

[Matt L]

damn you already have jerry donahue tele with its pickup, and you still don't like it?

i thought that pickup is based on jerrys own real 52 tele pickup?

what amp are you playing the tele through?

Yeah, if he's got a Duncan J Donahue bridge pickup in there already, that wouldn't be going anywhere, IMO! Great pickup...one of my favorites, actually.

 

[BUTTISLAND]

Yeah, if he's got a Duncan J Donahue bridge pickup in there already, that wouldn't be going anywhere, IMO! Great pickup...one of my favorites, actually.

yeah right?!

I personally use Klein broadcaster bridge, but that is a bit hotter than a 50's tele bridge tone.

 

[big mike]

Well is it a real Jerry, or a MIJ (good guitar) but different pickups.