Dimarzio Tele pre B-1, or Area T pickups

[Turdus]

Got a '63 CS tele. Love the guitar, but lately I've thought the tone to be too bright, and hi-fi sounding. Just compared it to an American Standard Tele. Totally different tone with that one.... Not quite as loud, but drove the amp harder, and had a darker tone.

Was looking at the subject Dimarzio pickups, as I want less clarity, and more drive from the '63.

Thoughts?

[Hamer Bass Head]

Got a '63 CS tele. Love the guitar, but lately I've thought the tone to be too bright, and hi-fi sounding. Just compared it to an American Standard Tele. Totally different tone with that one.... Not quite as loud, but drove the amp harder, and had a darker tone.

Was looking at the subject Dimarzio pickups, as I want less clarity, and more drive from the '63.

Thoughts?

just for laughs why don't you decrease the value of the pots and see if that takes the edge off.

[Turdus]

The pots are 250k. I recently went the other way on a P-bass; 250 -> 500, and the tone improved greatly.

The clarity on this CS tele is unreal. Gotta be the pickup. I need a darker sounding pickup.

[tomteriffic]

Not familiar with the DiMarzios, but check out a Duncan Broadcaster. It should get you where you want to go. I'm a definite non-fan of ice-picky Tele pickups and the Broadcaster was just the ticket.

[zenmindbeginner]

I don't have much experience with the Area T pups, but I have extensive experience with the Area line for strats.

The Area line is brilliant. Larry and Steve truly tipped the balance on hum canceling single coils' trade-off between sound quality and a lack of noise. They are powerful yet complex. entirely useful in a single coil situation and also useful in high gain soloing. Nice blend of chime, crunch, quack and punch.

[Craig S]

I've had both in my 82' Reissue... different pickups... Pre-B1 is hot and is a rock pickup with the mids and output pushed... the Areas were very vintage sounding and smooth.... Favorite pickups in the guitar have been the Seymour Broadcaster and the Stock w/rewind(slight overwind). I've used a bunch of Tele pickups over the years, the t20 you mention are pretty good.

[anotherfreak]

I will chime in for the smoothness of the Area pickups, I have 'em in my T-51 and I love 'em

[Turdus]

Was able to get a Duncan Broadcaster and try it out. Nice improvement, and closer to the nasty Tele tone I have in my head. Sound is a little hotter, and thicker. Maybe still a touch bright, but my amp has a cut knob that can tame that.

Will try it out for awhile.