I'm sold on Don Mare Tele pickups.

[Sean French]

Have tried a few different pickups in my Tele.
Fender custom shop Nocasters,stock custom shop('52 RI) and three other boutique winders pickups.
A forum brother was extremely kind enough to send me a set of Don Mare pickups to try out.
All I can say is I'm sold.
So,had to give Don a call and order my own set.
Got a Super Sport T set comin'.
Don's Tele pickups are the only ones I'll get from now on.
No need to ever look elsewhere.

Here is a video clip from Don's site with the Super Sport set.
: http://youtube.com/watch?v=F1xQLEnEx8U

 

[gkoelling]

I have 2324 set #31 in a partscaster and ordered the Super Sport set about 10 days ago for a pine body.

I've tried other pups from well-known builders that, to me, just didn't compare to Don's work.

We're lucky to have so many choices for gear today.

 

[Strat-O]

The 0038's are killer too. The bridge is like a P90 almost...but better.

Don's a cool guy with a great talent for building and rewinding pickups. He does some killer P90 rewinds too.

 

[Dave Orban]

I have a set of his Roy Nichols wind in a parts tele, and it has become my go-to Tele, for sure...!

 

[bluehugh2]

I have a Don Mare bridge pickup and it waits for a guitar... just over 7k. I currently have an O.C. Duff "Nancy" 6K in my Tele... I really like it... so I am reluctant to put the Mare in. Anyone compared O.C. Duff to Don Mare???

 

[lclyman]

I have a Don Mare bridge pickup and it waits for a guitar... just over 7k. I currently have an O.C. Duff "Nancy" 6K in my Tele... I really like it... so I am reluctant to put the Mare in. Anyone compared O.C. Duff to Don Mare???

I've got Don Mare pups in 3 of my teles and an OC Duff pair in one other tele..

Don's pickups are pretty much un-equalled in my opinion...

However Owen Duff wound me a tele bridge pickup to his personal favorite specs (7.75k with over sized A5 pole pieces) that's right up there as well...

Can't go wrong with either but I have to say Don Mare's pups are pure tele magic...

 

[jetlag]

Yup - I dig 'em too. I have a 0038 lead pup like strato's and a stelly in my old feather weight slab board tele. I liked the voodoo 60's back pup that was in the guitar and would be happy with either the 0038 or that, but Don's stelly is hands down the best covered front pup I've heard. If I bought another set I'd definitely get another stelly but probably try something different for a lead pup - just for something different.

 

[Droptop]

Has anyone tried JM Rolph's tele pickups?

 

[gkoelling]

Yup - I dig 'em too. I have a 0038 lead pup like strato's and a stelly in my old feather weight slab board tele. I liked the voodoo 60's back pup that was in the guitar and would be happy with either the 0038 or that, but Don's stelly is hands down the best covered front pup I've heard. If I bought another set I'd definitely get another stelly but probably try something different for a lead pup - just for something different.

The Super Sport set he offers has a S-Telly in the neck. I've been interested in the S-Telly since he introduced it and now that he's matched it with it's own bridge pup it seemed like a no-brainer for my pine body.

 

[hardys]

So what makes Mare's Tele pickups so special? How do they sound to other Tele pups, like Lollar? I'm not trying to be a smart ass...just always looking for something better. I'm currently using a Lollar Vintage T neck & Special T bridge and really love 'em.

 

[jamison162]

Got to be the wind pattern, wire, his magnet specs, etc.

 

[DonM]

Thanks guys!

I'm happy - I've been lucky enough to have made so many happy over here!

My local friends & myself over here hangin out on the Blues Scene in Long Beach, well we sorta like em too! LOL...

- But whats more fun then making them, is listening to all these Links online that pop up from you guys! thats been a big help and I really enjoy all the diversity and styles - sure beats me trying to post the A-typical Pup makers boring clips that I would have had to post with me trying to play the same lick on every pup I make -- Yuck --LOL. -

But -- nothing beats going out and hearing you guys play em live whenever I can. !!!

Lately I've been lucky and get to play on stage... My friend LA Jones
has me out all night at the local gigs he gets.
sorta worked my way in to a side man 2nd. guitar slot - gives me a chance to stage test the latest creations.
http://www.lajones.com/bio.htm
Thanks so much,
Don M.

 

[jamison162]

That Don's such a cool cat, ain't he!

 

[Sean French]

Howdy Don.:BEER
Had no idea you were a member here.
Can't wait to get the homemade lemonade stand pickups.:AOK

Thanks guys!

I'm happy - I've been lucky enough to have made so many happy over here!

My local friends & myself over here hangin out on the Blues Scene in Long Beach, well we sorta like em too! LOL...

- But whats more fun then making them, is listening to all these Links online that pop up from you guys! thats been a big help and I really enjoy all the diversity and styles - sure beats me trying to post the A-typical Pup makers boring clips that I would have had to post with me trying to play the same lick on ever pup I make -- Yuck --LOL. -

But -- nothing beats going out and hearing you guys play em live whenever I can. !!!

Lately I've been lucky and get to play on stage... My friend LA Jones
has me out all night at the local gigs he gets.
sorta worked my way in to a side man 2nd. guitar slot in - gives me a chance to stage test the latest creations.
http://www.lajones.com/bio.htm
Thanks so much,
Don M.

 

[JDJ]

Here's another vote for Don's p'ups... nice fella to boot.

 

[El Kabong]

I have a Don Mare bridge pickup and it waits for a guitar... just over 7k. I currently have an O.C. Duff "Nancy" 6K in my Tele... I really like it... so I am reluctant to put the Mare in. Anyone compared O.C. Duff to Don Mare???

I had a bridge p-up from Owen that was wound *exactly* for the tone I asked for and he delivered in spades. Don took what I wanted and put his own stink on it and they are magical. Both make great tele p-ups, but the edge goes to Don.

 

[Ricky_Rockhardo]

2324's for me, they kick major butt!!

 

[YOGA64]

Don Mare's 2324 are ALIVE in my humble opinion.
For anybody who's interested here's a clip I've recorded with them, go to ROY'S MEMORY to check them out

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=804454

 

[hardys]

How do they sound to other Tele pups, like Lollar? Can anybody compare the 2324 with a Lollar Special T? How is the squealing/feedback with the 2324 using high gain?

 

[DonM]

2324 using high gain??? -- for that just order them waxed for high gain use - they were not designed for ultra High gain - and Like Roy's Nancy they will squeal if you hit them with metal pedals - but not with Tube boutique peds.

Jason Lollar and I have a great friendship - so I can't describe any sonic diffs.. they both are great, I know thats true cause I read all the reviews. - I'm sure there different _ and have their own unique voices_ - so I say this why not buy two Teles and use us both... - you'll be happier ! LOL ;-)