I know this is several years after the vid was posted but..... FINALLY, I heard that tone that I've been looking for since 1990-ish. THANK YOU! I leaving to get that Broadcaster pup ordered..............hope they still make them.
I'm not a country fan by any stretch of the imagination but this is the sort of country playing that makes me giggle .............. no seriously, it makes me smile and giggle to myself, nice clean, bouncy, musical and dripping with virtuosity - nice.
I'm the same way. Most country songs are either so commercial or so corny that they're not my bag. But guys like Ken and Brett Mason, et al, made me giggle to the point that I started learned "Working Man Blues" and went from there. It's a blast and will improve any style of playing.
I had the same thought process years ago when I was looking for replacement pickups for my 70s Japanese Tele copy. I bought the SD Broadcaster based on the catalogue description (no internet in those days), and on Seymour's reputation, which was pretty big in London back then. Everything you say about this snarling masterpiece of a pickup is true! I was looking for that fat country sound, and for the nasal overtone you can hear on the first Roy Buchanan album -- the Broadcaster totally nails both. I have a Bill Lawrence OBL vintage Tele neck pickup on the same guitar; it doesn't look like a 50s Tele pickup, but it sounds amazing. I got lucky and hit on a perfect combination. Still trying to chicken pick properly...your playing is terrific. I'm heading to your page to find some more.
Just had a t style(broadcaster) made and I got this pick up based on your review. So happy I did, it brought my guitar to life. Your right, it has a great snarl to it. Thank you for this great review!!
The Duncan Broadcaster pu is killer. Had a friend playing his 68 Tele in my shop in the early 90’s. The bridge pu sounded killer. I played his guitar and the pu was perfect. I said wow these old pu’s are magical! He said it’s a Duncan Broadcaster pu, the original pu died! lol I put that pu in a 70 ash Tele and it was amazing. I coupled it with a hot Tele Duncan. The output was what I wanted but the sound was too muted. I removed the cover and it was perfect. If I could have one guitar back that I sold it would be that one.
ow yeah! got me a Broadcaster that I put in a Strat pickguard (yes, at the Tele angle) with an SSL-1 RWRP in the neck and an Oak Grigsby 4 way switch. Now to solder everything together with a killswitch and a blower switch to bypass Vol and Tone. Can't wait to hear what the combination Broadcaster / SSL-1 sounds like in series. This Broadcaster alone is awesome already!
How did it sound? I'm making a similar configuration with my Fender Player tele with the exception of the neck pickup being the SSL-2 because I don't use a wound G and my fretboard radius is modern. Electronic-wise everything else is going to be stock. I have no desire for a 4-way switch yet. I might replace the output jack if it comes loose on me but that's pretty much it.
brad bolin I find that my telecaster is very very bassy... I’ve been on the hunt for trebly pickups with a snarl and chirp as described in the video. How would you describe the pick ups?
I obtained both SD Broadcaster pickups ( STL-1B - Bridge / STR -1 Neck) and put them in my '68 style Thinline Telecaster. The guitar sounds real good but I often wonder how these pickups would sound in a solid body Tele. Your video as it pertains to the bridge pickup helped. I could immediately discern the Thinline has a more "woody" sound...as would be expected I guess. Anyway thanks for the demo. Well done.
I put in the SD Antiquity 55 in my tele. Its a perfect match for the 55 neck position. Its clean, so i get my “snarl” from my amp by turning up the gain and/or compression.
The late great, chickin’ pickin’ Buddy Church of Memphis would dig this. He had toured with Tammy Wynette, Jerry Lee Lewis, etc. He was originally from NC, but settled down in Memphis and was the top GC salesman when I knew him, plus he gigged with the Eddy Smith Trio or something like that around town. Sadly, he passed of cancer in 2013.
@@akacaleb He was a good guy and great player, for sure. I remember he sold me a 1988 MIJ Fender Jazz Bass Special (Powered) at Guitar Center in a bright 80s Neon Yellow. He joked "If this one is not bright enough yellow for you, I'll find you another one", ha.
Fantastic playing and a crystal clear review. Please show the rest of the TH-cam wanna be reviewers the right way to do it. Now off to your website to learn. Cant wait. Thanks
Absolutely smokin chops, Ken! I'm not a country player, but I base my criterion for great Tele tone is how well it sounds when playing country; the tonal range, degree of sparkle, amount of what you beautifully demonstrated as "snarl", those are the things I know are going to push a Marshall, AC30 or Tweed Deluxe exactly the way I want it. Just scored one of these pickups along with the matching neck model and it's going into my latest Tele this evening......then fire up the Vox!
This sounded really good. I had one of the Duncan Antiquity rear pickups for about 10-minutes. It was just horrible, incredibly trebly to the point where it was just unusable, and rolling back knobs on both guitar and amp wouldn't help it any. But this sounds surprisingly good. Personally I like a Texas Special in front and a much weaker pickup in back. Then I screw the front pickup nearly flush with the pickguard and get a good balance. I can never seem to get the clean sound I want out of a strong rear pickup. I liked the ones Fender made in the 60's. Now I'm using some Dimarzio Area T's because I inherited a house with knob and tube wiring and just had to find a noiseless set. If you need a noiseless set, you could do far worse that the Area T's.
I just put a set of SD Broadcasters in my MIM Tele. My first swap, took about an hour and was easier than I thought it would be. Anyways these are beautiful and their built so well, heavy solid materials. They have a little more bite than true vintage but their not "hot" at all. The neck sounds so nice, sparkly but can break up too. I set them up low and I think Ill keep that, not loud but still projects clean and clear. For $110 its an incredible upgrade, was looking for an American tele but not going to bother now.
I have two same bridge pickups in two differend guitars, rosewood and a maple tele. On the maple is more live, you need a less effort to get a sound from them then on a rosewood neck tele. Rosewood its not so sensitive. Neck meterial obviously makes a big difference.
Thank you. Unfortunately, my "current" guitar collection is small. The shipping container I rented from Pack-Rat for my move last summer was broken into at their "secured" facility and they stole 17 instruments as well as all my guns and many other things. Over $50K gone............
Sucks to hear that. My guitar tech also had his guitars stolen recently. I hope somehow you're able to gain all of them back again. Much of luck. @@CountryGuitarChops
Taste in anything is purely subjective but I have to admit that I gravitate towards the Seymour Duncan pickups when it comes to a jazzmaster or telecaster.
DUDE AWESOME: i forgot i had youtube on as i had got busy and i had paused from watching some other demos,,all of a sudden i hear some tele jamming in the back ground ,,i was all ::what is that and then all of a sudden i had a BIG Smile on my face your jam made me happy ..good job
jeffrey biscoe what are thinking? Nocaster, broadcaster, am. Vintage and p90.? I have a 200 yr old pine from a bar foundation/church in New Orleans I'm building. We should definitely talk lol
onemorebrando I was gone use a Seymour Duncan antquity 1 + then a Don mare has a 0038 ( I think he calls it ) then outside the box TV Jones makes a tele pick up now that's kinda D armond sounding a tone I always thought would be great in s tele guitar. And last because it's a one pick up guitar Seymour's quarter pounder ( a friend has one in a tele and it's tele sounding with more bottom.)
Thanks for the review! I have been searching for some replacement pickups to throw in a Tele that I just picked up. I have been a rock and metal guy for years, and can talk pickups for that all day long, but have been beating myself up on what to get for my Tele. I wanted to go with a classic vibe, and have that classic tone associated with some of the Tele greats. This video has helped me make a decision. I'm trying to expand my playing more into different genres and styles, so I wasn't wanting to just add some Hot Rails in there or go for a rock/metal tone, I have plenty of gear for that. Thanks again, and I will be checking out the site a little more in depth once I get some more time to really dedicate to it. Keep it up!
After trying so many different pickups, i think i need to try the one that has always been there as far as after market pickups ... the Seymour Duncan Broadcaster! I'm going to mate it with a Dimarzio Twang King neck pickup. RWRP in the middle position.
Just in case your interested... I've been working on making my own line of pickups the past couple of years, and I'm about ready to market them real soon. I'm working on building the website now, but I can wind the pups to order in a few days. Here's a link to a preview video for my version of "Ghost Riders In The Sky", using my own pickups. I have a "Mod Broad" in the bridge (similar to the SD but hotter) and an "Imperial" in the neck, which is designed after the Twang King. You can contact me via my contact form or phone at my guitar lesson site countryguitarchops.com for more info if you'd like. Here's the video link. th-cam.com/video/NgFSbFocsZg/w-d-xo.html - Thanks.
I just bought a American Performer Telecaster a few days ago. I’m already unhappy with the “ Yosemite” pickups in it 🤦♂️. It’s butterscotch color and looks just like the 52 Reissue Tele but sure doesn’t sound like one. I’m definitely going with the vintage 54 pickups 😎👍🏻. The stock Yosemite pickups sound good with some drive but the clean country sound is way off.
Your absolutely correct. Thanks to SD for being so greedy and treating me like dirt, I decided to start making my own pickups and discovered quickly that their "broadcaster" isn't even close to the original specs. They don't even use the same kind of materials. The broadcaster I got fro them sounds pretty good, but one of my customers from my website (countryguitarchops.com) sent me his broadcaster pup because he thought it sounded rather dead. Sure enough, his didn't sound nearly lively as mine, and the ohm reading was quite different as well. Anyway, it worked out well for me because I've started another business selling my own line of pickups.
@@CountryGuitarChops There are two versions of this pickup, one from the early 80s (42 AWG, Alnico 5, about 8.0k DCR) and the current one (43 AWG, Alnico 5, 7.6k DCR). The one from the 80s is warmer and fatter than the current one. The current one is more of a jack-of-all-trades 50s pickup. It can definitely imitate a broadcaster tone well enough but not the best way. At the same time it can also imitate your typical mid 50s tone again not in the best way either.
@@CountryGuitarChops I reread your comment and I assumed you must've gotten an older model. The new model is very clean sounding compared to the older model. You may have to compensate the brightness by lowering the treble side a bit but hey you bring out more snarl that way! Us humans are more comfortable with hearing low frequencies than high frequencies. When it comes to adjusting pickups I go for a sound profile that sounds right to my ears regardless how imbalance it sounds to other people.
@@rpmathis Thanks for asking, but I am not selling them at this time. All my pickup gear is still packed in boxes from when I moved to Nashville last year.
This sounds fantastic....though we know it is really the player that makes the pickup/guitar come to life! Anyone compared this SD Broadcaster with the SD Antiquity '55 Tele Bridge pick up? I have the latter, love it, but just wondering what customers comments are comparing the two?
I bought a second hand MIM Fender Esquire as I'm a big Luther Perkins fan and put in a Seymour Duncan Broadcaster and it now sounds superb! Cheers Ken from England for your video and recommendation!
My first time looking at your videos, I like your playing and love that guitar tone. I think many guitarists like me are fans of Country Pickin even though I just know a few double stops. Like the Lovin Spoonful sang "Nashville Cats play clean as country water". I will listen to more country guitar from now on.
Love your picking and sound, I just put a new Fender Noiseless Gen4 N4 pickup on my tele and the sound is way to clear, now on them pickups there is 3 wires, so I got the RED on the switch and the 2 other one together on ground and sound is way to clear. I'm thinking of maybe change my the resistor to a .047 , What do you suggest, Thank You.
I have a squier affinity series tele and I'm wondering if it's worth it to get this bridge pickup instead of keeping the original squier pickup. I want a more twangy 50s-60s country sound like some Johnny cash shit but I'm not super sure if this pickup is worth the 70 bucks and the change out
That's the sound IM looking for exatly. Its hard to tell someone what it is but it's in my head and that's it. Oh. Do you but into the time wood stuff on electrics ?
I forgot to mention I have a fender Baja Telecaster which I love which has a broadcaster pickup in the bridge and a twisted tele in the neck that broadcaster in the fender is not the same as the Seymour broadcaster is that right?
Awesome country picking for sure!! -- hey, I played a 2017 CS Tele relic with U 9.5 neck, and an all black (even electrodes) pickup in back (broadcaster, blackguard?)- guy said the magnets were processed to decrease the magnetism like they were 60 yrs old, and of course, they were hand-wound a certain way. They did sound strong but very sweet, actually, FANTASTIC, and the roll off was subtle. Any truth to the DE-MAGNETISM thing? Is that something new to the 30th anniversary editions? or just hype? PS--Sounded very similar to this guitar.
Interesting notes in the second and third bar: b#-c#-a-g-f-g, f-e-d-b#-c#-d-e#-f etc. Where did you get the idea to use these notes? I transcribed the whole thing. Good stuff, really!
I've played that lick (and variations of it) on a few lessons. In fact, I just used it on the latest lesson I did for Vince Gill's version of Mystery Train. I broke down his and James Burton's 4 solos, and also played one of my own, using that lick. I don't think I have a youtube video of it, but you might consider checking out my website and subscribe to the online lessons. countryguitarchops.com
I like the broadcaster pickup but what would you recommend for the Keith Richards Rolling Stones stuff cuz I'm trying to get into his musically I am into his music you recommend this pickup? Thank you
This is exactly the tone I’m after for a very long time and after a long research I decided to buy this pickup. I haven’t installed it yet, but my hopes are high. However, I know how much of that chicken pickin style of playing contributes to that sound. Unfortunately it’s a technique that I don’t master (by any stretch of the imagination). Also…, I don’t use Fender amps and I think that’s part of that sound too. I’m the Vox type of guy. Do you think this pickup will help me get there? I mean, for the amp I guess I can get close by using a pedal like the GE-7 or something similar. But without the technique, do you think I could still get a bit of that country twang? 🥴
Don't worry about your amp. Brad Paisley uses Vox amps too, and his tone is incredible. You might consider studying my lessons on my website to learn this style. countryguitarchops.com
@@CountryGuitarChops ; Thanks! You’re right about the amps. I saw Brad Paisley a few years ago in the Netherlands. I’m an old dog, but I guess even old dogs can still learn. Thank you so much! 😊👍
Yes, I have the Twang Kings in another Tele. I really like the neck PU, it's tighter and brighter than the typical tele neck PU. And the bridge is similar to the Broadcaster, but the Broadcaster seems to have a bit more "snarl" to it.
Ever roll the tone off on the 54? I just ordered one on advice from my tech for a jazz tone. Replacing the neck pickup on my modern player tele. Thoughts?
I roll the tone off a tad on the bridge for any tele ridge PU's. But the neck PU is is very bassy sounding without rolling off. I think you'll it for jazz.
I just ordered a SD custom shop Broadcaster for a Tele build, would you have any suggestions on either vintage vs modern wiring? P.S. as far as tonal preference is concerned, I really like your sound.
I like the sound of the old vintage guitars, so I use the old wiring. If you haven't already purchased a body and neck, I highly recommend contacting Tommy at USACG and tell him what kind of sound your looking for. He'll fix you up! Thanks.
Your welcome. The Esquire is just another tele but without the neck pup, so it's entirely up to you and the tone your looking for. I'm not sure, but I believe the old Esquires had the Broadcaster pups in them.
amazing sound, Im considering a set for my project tele. The question here is: is there any problem that my guitar is left handed? I know it is an odd question but I have no idea if reversing the pickups position will afffect the performance. Thanks in advance
You are a great player. Love your tone. I have watched probably every TH-cam video you've posted. I am struggling to find the right pickups for my AV'64 Telecaster and after hearing this a SD Broadcaster will be a top consideration. What is the neck pickup you're using?
Love your playing! I have a made in Mexico Telecaster from 2001/2002 and installed the Seymour Duncan Broadcaster pickup (STL-1b) in the bridge and the accompanying vintage pickup (ST1-R) in the neck position. Love the Broadcaster pickup! I find the neck pickup too dark in comparison so very rarely use the neck pickup on its own. Is this how vintage Telecasters are supposed to sound? I would prefer a more transparent neck pick up so the tone is more balanced across the 2 pickups - but still want a fairly vintage tone. What do you suggest?
The vintage tele neck PU's tend to sound muddy, and some guys don't care for that tone. I also have set of the Dimarzio twang kings. The bridge is real similar to the broadcaster, but the neck PU is much tighter and a bit brighter sounding. I think you'd like that one. Thanks, and good luck!
CountryGuitarChops Do you mean, you suggest the Broadcaster neck pup to match the bridge Broadcaster ? Are they tight and have midrange like the bridge? Please, I hate low end on the neck. Thank you.
Thanks, I use Canon Vixia GH20's (Vixia something 20...?), but I think you can find cheaper units now days that'll do the same or better. Actually, the DSLR camera's will make a higher quality recording because the sensor is larger. The reason I don't use them is because they only record for 20 minutes before automatically shutting off, and most of my lessons run an hour or two or more, so I prefer to keep to use these.
Hi Luca. Hey, that's a great question! I had to dig through a slew of old receipts to find out which bridge I installed on this guitar. I'm glad you asked, because I'm thinking of ordering a couple more for some other tele's I have. What I like about this bridge is that it has a double cut away on the top and bottom sides, so my fingers don't accidentally hang up on them as I play. It's also a tad thicker than other vintage style bridges. But I did replace the saddles with the steel barrel style saddles, not that there is anything wrong with the brass ones it comes with. I also drilled a small screw hole in front of the pickup slot just to help secure it tightly to the body. Here's the name of it, I ordered it from Amazon. "Modern Ashtray Style Telecaster Bridge-Compensated Saddles-Double Notched-Barden" Thanks, let me know if you get one, and how you like it!
Thanks Alex. No, those are steel saddles. I had some on my first 1978 Tele. I'm not sure when Fender started and stopped using them. They sound great on this guitar.
There is! It's the Kinman's, and I just installed a set in another new tele I built from USACG. They are now the authorized dealers for Kinman PU's, and I ordered mine from them. I think they have a tad more snarl than the SD's, which I really like.
CountryGuitarChops Thanks. Sorry for delay in reply. I’d have to get over the look of the Kinmans, especially a neck version, but thanks. I’ll keep it in mind as an option, and value your input highly on the matter.
"I guess I should've read the description on their website"...yep..words of wisdom, should've done it myself several times before some quick trigger finger transactions online :)
Thanks. You can find the full material on my website countryguitarchops.com - most of these TH-cam videos are just short bits and pieces and previews of the full lessons.
Sorry about that Emmanuel, I replied to the wrong post yesterday! So, to answer your question, YES, I do have the 5/2 pickup, it's been in that grey tele (used to be black with hipshot bender) for about 20 years. It's a decent PU, but nothing about jumped out at me tone wise with it. But that's just my opinion, you may hear something I don't. Watch all the videos with the ugly grey tele, and some of my earlier videos with the back one, which is the same guitar, and you'll hear that 5/2 pickup. Thanks Emmanuel.
I like the sound of the Dimarzio Twang King neck pup, and had that paired with this broadcaster. But I started building my own pickups a couple of years ago, so now all my guitars have my own version of these pups. My broadcaster style pup is a bit hotter and the neck is very sweet sounding.
@@goldestwoninetyfive2876 No. I don't try to make any money from my youtube videos. Just do a google search for this pup to see who has the best price.
Great pickin'! I know what you mean about the SD '54. I had one in a maple body (yes, maple, believe it or not) and the combination of that hard wood and the pickup was WAY to bright! I turfed the maple body and replaced it with an ash one. The '54 now resides in a cheap Telecopy with a basswood or poplar body, but it sounds surprisingly good. Maybe those pickups like softer wood better. I'm also building a pine Tele myself, so maybe I'll try one of those Broadcaster ones. BTW, is that guitar you're playing the Pinecaster you built?
Thanks Glen! No, this is a swamp ash body. You can see and hear the pinecaster here th-cam.com/video/XU2oBUB_TBA/w-d-xo.html It's a very bright sounding guitar, and I have to EQ the highs down in the recording mix to get a good tone out of it. I like the tone of this one much better, and it's just as light weight too.
My ash body Tele has an unknown Tele bridge pickup that I bought from a repair man, and it sounds kind of bland. I think I'm going to take the plunge and get a Broadcaster unit for the ash one, and maybe the pine one as well. Those pickups sound great for the price!
I love the vintage 54, I think it's probably the BEST sounding pickup I've ever heard on any guitar! Too bad it's not here to review, as the title claims. The neck pickup especially is amazing - everyone who hears it agrees - beautiful sound.
I know this is several years after the vid was posted but.....
FINALLY, I heard that tone that I've been looking for since 1990-ish.
THANK YOU!
I leaving to get that Broadcaster pup ordered..............hope they still make them.
Good Gawd.... when this guy plays, who cares about gear and word pronunciation ?He's the bomb.
That intro jam absolutely killed. Reminds me of why I liked country so much when I was a kid. I need to get back into it.
I've always been a rock guy, but would love learn to this type of stuff. It's so fun to listen to.
Move your root note.
It’s a lot harder than the rock stuff.
Yep that's my exact comment
I'm not a country fan by any stretch of the imagination but this is the sort of country playing that makes me giggle .............. no seriously, it makes me smile and giggle to myself, nice clean, bouncy, musical and dripping with virtuosity - nice.
Thanks!
You're very very welcome, respect to you.
I'm the same way. Most country songs are either so commercial or so corny that they're not my bag. But guys like Ken and Brett Mason, et al, made me giggle to the point that I started learned "Working Man Blues" and went from there. It's a blast and will improve any style of playing.
Outstanding - definitely the Tele sound in my head as well.
I had the same thought process years ago when I was looking for replacement pickups for my 70s Japanese Tele copy. I bought the SD Broadcaster based on the catalogue description (no internet in those days), and on Seymour's reputation, which was pretty big in London back then. Everything you say about this snarling masterpiece of a pickup is true! I was looking for that fat country sound, and for the nasal overtone you can hear on the first Roy Buchanan album -- the Broadcaster totally nails both. I have a Bill Lawrence OBL vintage Tele neck pickup on the same guitar; it doesn't look like a 50s Tele pickup, but it sounds amazing. I got lucky and hit on a perfect combination. Still trying to chicken pick properly...your playing is terrific. I'm heading to your page to find some more.
Wonderful playing! This answers a lot of questions to as to what type of telly bridge pick up I might be looking for. Thanks again, sir!
Hot damn that IS the tele sound to me. Gotta get me one of those
Just had a t style(broadcaster) made and I got this pick up based on your review. So happy I did, it brought my guitar to life. Your right, it has a great snarl to it.
Thank you for this great review!!
Mike Barrand Please, are you using Bcasters also on the neck ? Do they have a ot of low end on the neck ? I am looking for midrange on the neck.
I like this person as a presenter I wanna see him more often
The Duncan Broadcaster pu is killer. Had a friend playing his 68 Tele in my shop in the early 90’s. The bridge pu sounded killer. I played his guitar and the pu was perfect. I said wow these old pu’s are magical! He said it’s a Duncan Broadcaster pu, the original pu died! lol I put that pu in a 70 ash Tele and it was amazing. I coupled it with a hot Tele Duncan. The output was what I wanted but the sound was too muted. I removed the cover and it was perfect. If I could have one guitar back that I sold it would be that one.
ow yeah! got me a Broadcaster that I put in a Strat pickguard (yes, at the Tele angle) with an SSL-1 RWRP in the neck and an Oak Grigsby 4 way switch. Now to solder everything together with a killswitch and a blower switch to bypass Vol and Tone. Can't wait to hear what the combination Broadcaster / SSL-1 sounds like in series. This Broadcaster alone is awesome already!
How did it sound? I'm making a similar configuration with my Fender Player tele with the exception of the neck pickup being the SSL-2 because I don't use a wound G and my fretboard radius is modern. Electronic-wise everything else is going to be stock. I have no desire for a 4-way switch yet. I might replace the output jack if it comes loose on me but that's pretty much it.
I have the Seymour Duncan Broadcaster pickup sets in 4 Teles. they are great! I even use mine with overdrive. It sounds great.
brad bolin I find that my telecaster is very very bassy... I’ve been on the hunt for trebly pickups with a snarl and chirp as described in the video. How would you describe the pick ups?
Well after watching this video about 10 times I've finally ordered this pickup. Excited to see what's going to happen
Ken , always enjoy your reviews and your playing is what this checken picker strives for
I obtained both SD Broadcaster pickups ( STL-1B - Bridge / STR -1 Neck) and put them in my '68 style Thinline Telecaster. The guitar sounds real good but I often wonder how these pickups would sound in a solid body Tele. Your video as it pertains to the bridge pickup helped. I could immediately discern the Thinline has a more "woody" sound...as would be expected I guess. Anyway thanks for the demo. Well done.
That snarl sound is quite evident regardless of the double stop bends though. You can even hear it on open chords. Particularly in an open A chord.
... I would give a kidney to be able to play that way... AMAZING!!! I'm not a country music fellow by I really love that technique. 😍
I put in the SD Antiquity 55 in my tele. Its a perfect match for the 55 neck position. Its clean, so i get my “snarl” from my amp by turning up the gain and/or compression.
I agree I can get any single coils to snarl via the amps.
Great video with good info. Love hearin' you pick. I wish I could get that kind of speed. At 70 yr old it's probably too late.😁
Thanks, but it's never too late to try!!!!
Holy cow! You got the tone I wish my Tele had! Fantastic!
The late great, chickin’ pickin’ Buddy Church of Memphis would dig this. He had toured with Tammy Wynette, Jerry Lee Lewis, etc. He was originally from NC, but settled down in Memphis and was the top GC salesman when I knew him, plus he gigged with the Eddy Smith Trio or something like that around town. Sadly, he passed of cancer in 2013.
I bought a bunch of guitars from Buddy. Used to go watch him play all the time. One of my favorite people in memphis.
@@akacaleb He was a good guy and great player, for sure. I remember he sold me a 1988 MIJ Fender Jazz Bass Special (Powered) at Guitar Center in a bright 80s Neon Yellow. He joked "If this one is not bright enough yellow for you, I'll find you another one", ha.
Fantastic playing and a crystal clear review. Please show the rest of the TH-cam wanna be reviewers the right way to do it. Now off to your website to learn. Cant wait. Thanks
Sounded like it was gonna be an A/B demo but it wasn't. So whats the point without a sound demo of the contrasting pickup?
Absolutely smokin chops, Ken! I'm not a country player, but I base my criterion for great Tele tone is how well it sounds when playing country; the tonal range, degree of sparkle, amount of what you beautifully demonstrated as "snarl", those are the things I know are going to push a Marshall, AC30 or Tweed Deluxe exactly the way I want it. Just scored one of these pickups along with the matching neck model and it's going into my latest Tele this evening......then fire up the Vox!
Thank you Rick!
Great playing and the tone of that Tele is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!
Love your playing, and guitar finish, thanks for the video!
i got the broadcaster thanks to you, waiting for it in the mail
This sounded really good. I had one of the Duncan Antiquity rear pickups for about 10-minutes. It was just horrible, incredibly trebly to the point where it was just unusable, and rolling back knobs on both guitar and amp wouldn't help it any. But this sounds surprisingly good. Personally I like a Texas Special in front and a much weaker pickup in back. Then I screw the front pickup nearly flush with the pickguard and get a good balance. I can never seem to get the clean sound I want out of a strong rear pickup. I liked the ones Fender made in the 60's. Now I'm using some Dimarzio Area T's because I inherited a house with knob and tube wiring and just had to find a noiseless set. If you need a noiseless set, you could do far worse that the Area T's.
Thanks again for the suggestions!
I just put a set of SD Broadcasters in my MIM Tele. My first swap, took about an hour and was easier than I thought it would be. Anyways these are beautiful and their built so well, heavy solid materials. They have a little more bite than true vintage but their not "hot" at all. The neck sounds so nice, sparkly but can break up too. I set them up low and I think Ill keep that, not loud but still projects clean and clear. For $110 its an incredible upgrade, was looking for an American tele but not going to bother now.
I have two same bridge pickups in two differend guitars, rosewood and a maple tele. On the maple is more live, you need a less effort to get a sound from them then on a rosewood neck tele. Rosewood its not so sensitive. Neck meterial obviously makes a big difference.
Yes, you are absolutely correct.
Great playing and demo! You echoed my thoughts about the Vintage '54 perfectly.
I ditched it and got Quarter Pounders for neck and bridge. Thanks!
do you use the QP for country?
@@okidoke-xe8gj You can. It's actually easier to get a good overdriven tone with the QPs.
Great playing..awesome!Can we see your current guitar collection. TY
Thank you. Unfortunately, my "current" guitar collection is small. The shipping container I rented from Pack-Rat for my move last summer was broken into at their "secured" facility and they stole 17 instruments as well as all my guns and many other things. Over $50K gone............
Sucks to hear that. My guitar tech also had his guitars stolen recently. I hope somehow you're able to gain all of them back again. Much of luck. @@CountryGuitarChops
A little bit away from your normal great videos, but I liked it. Man that Tele is hot! Thankz
Broadcaster bridge and antiquity neck, if I’m not using 51 cs nocasters
Ken is so awesome..,such a great country tone and chops!
Taste in anything is purely subjective but I have to admit that I gravitate towards the Seymour Duncan pickups when it comes to a jazzmaster or telecaster.
Great Pickup, nice review, I love your playing Dude!
DUDE AWESOME: i forgot i had youtube on as i had got busy and i had paused from watching some other demos,,all of a sudden i hear some tele jamming in the back ground ,,i was all ::what is that and then all of a sudden i had a BIG Smile on my face your jam made me happy ..good job
Nice review thank you as I've changed my mind 4 times on a pick up for a 200 year old piece of pine for a pinecaster prototype type Esquire.
jeffrey biscoe what are thinking? Nocaster, broadcaster, am. Vintage and p90.? I have a 200 yr old pine from a bar foundation/church in New Orleans I'm building. We should definitely talk lol
onemorebrando I was gone use a Seymour Duncan antquity 1 + then a Don mare has a 0038 ( I think he calls it ) then outside the box TV Jones makes a tele pick up now that's kinda D armond sounding a tone I always thought would be great in s tele guitar. And last because it's a one pick up guitar Seymour's quarter pounder ( a friend has one in a tele and it's tele sounding with more bottom.)
Thanks for the review! I have been searching for some replacement pickups to throw in a Tele that I just picked up. I have been a rock and metal guy for years, and can talk pickups for that all day long, but have been beating myself up on what to get for my Tele. I wanted to go with a classic vibe, and have that classic tone associated with some of the Tele greats. This video has helped me make a decision. I'm trying to expand my playing more into different genres and styles, so I wasn't wanting to just add some Hot Rails in there or go for a rock/metal tone, I have plenty of gear for that. Thanks again, and I will be checking out the site a little more in depth once I get some more time to really dedicate to it. Keep it up!
After trying so many different pickups, i think i need to try the one that has always been there as far as after market pickups ... the Seymour Duncan Broadcaster! I'm going to mate it with a Dimarzio Twang King neck pickup. RWRP in the middle position.
Just in case your interested... I've been working on making my own line of pickups the past couple of years, and I'm about ready to market them real soon. I'm working on building the website now, but I can wind the pups to order in a few days. Here's a link to a preview video for my version of "Ghost Riders In The Sky", using my own pickups. I have a "Mod Broad" in the bridge (similar to the SD but hotter) and an "Imperial" in the neck, which is designed after the Twang King. You can contact me via my contact form or phone at my guitar lesson site countryguitarchops.com for more info if you'd like. Here's the video link. th-cam.com/video/NgFSbFocsZg/w-d-xo.html - Thanks.
Love it! Just ordered a set for my Telecaster build.
Good review. I'm going to get the SD broadcaster for my pinecaster
I just bought a American Performer Telecaster a few days ago. I’m already unhappy with the “ Yosemite” pickups in it 🤦♂️. It’s butterscotch color and looks just like the 52 Reissue Tele but sure doesn’t sound like one. I’m definitely going with the vintage 54 pickups 😎👍🏻.
The stock Yosemite pickups sound good with some drive but the clean country sound is way off.
YUP...that is what I am looking for in my partscaster Esquire.
The Seymour Duncan Broadcaster P/U is a great P/U for the money. It is NOT an authentic Broadcaster P/U but is sounds great.
Your absolutely correct. Thanks to SD for being so greedy and treating me like dirt, I decided to start making my own pickups and discovered quickly that their "broadcaster" isn't even close to the original specs. They don't even use the same kind of materials. The broadcaster I got fro them sounds pretty good, but one of my customers from my website (countryguitarchops.com) sent me his broadcaster pup because he thought it sounded rather dead. Sure enough, his didn't sound nearly lively as mine, and the ohm reading was quite different as well. Anyway, it worked out well for me because I've started another business selling my own line of pickups.
@@CountryGuitarChops There are two versions of this pickup, one from the early 80s (42 AWG, Alnico 5, about 8.0k DCR) and the current one (43 AWG, Alnico 5, 7.6k DCR). The one from the 80s is warmer and fatter than the current one. The current one is more of a jack-of-all-trades 50s pickup. It can definitely imitate a broadcaster tone well enough but not the best way. At the same time it can also imitate your typical mid 50s tone again not in the best way either.
Ken, I don't see anything about your pickups on your website. Are they available?
@@CountryGuitarChops I reread your comment and I assumed you must've gotten an older model. The new model is very clean sounding compared to the older model. You may have to compensate the brightness by lowering the treble side a bit but hey you bring out more snarl that way! Us humans are more comfortable with hearing low frequencies than high frequencies. When it comes to adjusting pickups I go for a sound profile that sounds right to my ears regardless how imbalance it sounds to other people.
@@rpmathis Thanks for asking, but I am not selling them at this time. All my pickup gear is still packed in boxes from when I moved to Nashville last year.
This sounds fantastic....though we know it is really the player that makes the pickup/guitar come to life! Anyone compared this SD Broadcaster with the SD Antiquity '55 Tele Bridge pick up? I have the latter, love it, but just wondering what customers comments are comparing the two?
I bought a second hand MIM Fender Esquire as I'm a big Luther Perkins fan and put in a Seymour Duncan Broadcaster and it now sounds superb! Cheers Ken from England for your video and recommendation!
Cool!!!!!
My first time looking at your videos, I like your playing and love that guitar tone. I think many guitarists like me are fans of Country Pickin even though I just know a few double stops. Like the Lovin Spoonful sang "Nashville Cats play clean as country water". I will listen to more country guitar from now on.
Love your picking and sound, I just put a new Fender Noiseless Gen4 N4 pickup on my tele and the sound is way to clear, now on them pickups there is 3 wires, so I got the RED on the switch and the 2 other one together on ground and sound is way to clear. I'm thinking of maybe change my
the resistor to a .047 , What do you suggest, Thank You.
I have a squier affinity series tele and I'm wondering if it's worth it to get this bridge pickup instead of keeping the original squier pickup. I want a more twangy 50s-60s country sound like some Johnny cash shit but I'm not super sure if this pickup is worth the 70 bucks and the change out
do you have lessons.....i would be interested
Ken...do the Seymour Duncan's come with your fingers?...if not I ain't buyin
Very nice sir 👍👍
Man, that sounds good, but all your tones are remarkable.
That's the sound IM looking for exatly. Its hard to tell someone what it is but it's in my head and that's it. Oh. Do you but into the time wood stuff on electrics ?
I forgot to mention I have a fender Baja Telecaster which I love which has a broadcaster pickup in the bridge and a twisted tele in the neck that broadcaster in the fender is not the same as the Seymour broadcaster is that right?
... I was just thinking about buying a Baja tele. How does your broadcaster bridge sound compared to what Ken is playing here?
@@williamnedbalek6836
They don't sound the same.
Awesome country picking for sure!! -- hey, I played a 2017 CS Tele relic with U 9.5 neck, and an all black (even electrodes) pickup in back (broadcaster, blackguard?)- guy said the magnets were processed to decrease the magnetism like they were 60 yrs old, and of course, they were hand-wound a certain way. They did sound strong but very sweet, actually, FANTASTIC, and the roll off was subtle. Any truth to the DE-MAGNETISM thing? Is that something new to the 30th anniversary editions? or just hype? PS--Sounded very similar to this guitar.
Exactly what I was looking for... thank you!
Interesting notes in the second and third bar: b#-c#-a-g-f-g, f-e-d-b#-c#-d-e#-f etc. Where did you get the idea to use these notes? I transcribed the whole thing. Good stuff, really!
I want the Broadcaster pup in a Jazzmaster cover...
6/28/2023. The lick you are doing at 20 to 22 seconds? In A. Is there a video the you explain that lick ?
I've played that lick (and variations of it) on a few lessons. In fact, I just used it on the latest lesson I did for Vince Gill's version of Mystery Train. I broke down his and James Burton's 4 solos, and also played one of my own, using that lick. I don't think I have a youtube video of it, but you might consider checking out my website and subscribe to the online lessons. countryguitarchops.com
@@CountryGuitarChops thanks for writing back. I will check you website out. You have a killer tone and your playing is phenomenal 👍🏻
@@tonybergeron4226 Thanks!
What strings (gauges) are you using? Have you made any changes in hardware (bridge plate and saddles)?
Thank you very much. Excellent presentation.
Thanks, I use 10's.
I like the broadcaster pickup but what would you recommend for the Keith Richards Rolling Stones stuff cuz I'm trying to get into his musically I am into his music you recommend this pickup? Thank you
Angel Martinez I’m on the same quest. I ha e a Seth Lover humbucker and this is What Seymore Duncan. recommended to go with it.
This is exactly the tone I’m after for a very long time and after a long research I decided to buy this pickup. I haven’t installed it yet, but my hopes are high.
However, I know how much of that chicken pickin style of playing contributes to that sound. Unfortunately it’s a technique that I don’t master (by any stretch of the imagination). Also…, I don’t use Fender amps and I think that’s part of that sound too. I’m the Vox type of guy. Do you think this pickup will help me get there? I mean, for the amp I guess I can get close by using a pedal like the GE-7 or something similar. But without the technique, do you think I could still get a bit of that country twang? 🥴
Don't worry about your amp. Brad Paisley uses Vox amps too, and his tone is incredible. You might consider studying my lessons on my website to learn this style. countryguitarchops.com
@@CountryGuitarChops ; Thanks! You’re right about the amps. I saw Brad Paisley a few years ago in the Netherlands.
I’m an old dog, but I guess even old dogs can still learn. Thank you so much! 😊👍
Ken,
What controls are you using on the broadcaster pup? 250k,500k,or1meg? Ray From RI
250k
Fantastic playing.
Great review, tyvm. Please, which would be a good match for the neck ? Looking for midrange, I hate low end. Are you using the Bcaster on the neck ?
any opinion the SD broadcaster bridge vs the Dimarzio Twang king? I have the Dimarzio in now...I like but not sure I love..
Yes, I have the Twang Kings in another Tele. I really like the neck PU, it's tighter and brighter than the typical tele neck PU. And the bridge is similar to the Broadcaster, but the Broadcaster seems to have a bit more "snarl" to it.
Thanks for the info,may try out the SD bridge down the road.
No problem. I think they'll make a great combo.
If I put the Seymour Duncan broadcaster would you advise me to change both or just the bridge one,
Depends if you're happy with the neck pickup. If you like the neck pickup you have now, don't replace it. :)
I have a SD STL-3 that is looking for something more vintage in the neck, suggestions.
I'd suggest you call SD and see what they recommend as a good vintage sounding match for that PU.
Ever roll the tone off on the 54? I just ordered one on advice from my tech for a jazz tone. Replacing the neck pickup on my modern player tele. Thoughts?
I roll the tone off a tad on the bridge for any tele ridge PU's. But the neck PU is is very bassy sounding without rolling off. I think you'll it for jazz.
Beautiful player, and tone
Ok. I'm sold and gonna get those installed.
I just ordered a SD custom shop Broadcaster for a Tele build, would you have any suggestions on either vintage vs modern wiring? P.S. as far as tonal preference is concerned, I really like your sound.
I like the sound of the old vintage guitars, so I use the old wiring. If you haven't already purchased a body and neck, I highly recommend contacting Tommy at USACG and tell him what kind of sound your looking for. He'll fix you up! Thanks.
CountryGuitarChops - Thanks, I appreciate your response.
Love that sound “ great picking
Thanks a lot for your insights! What would you recommend for an Esquire?
Your welcome. The Esquire is just another tele but without the neck pup, so it's entirely up to you and the tone your looking for. I'm not sure, but I believe the old Esquires had the Broadcaster pups in them.
Great playing.
amazing sound, Im considering a set for my project tele. The question here is:
is there any problem that my guitar is left handed? I know it is an odd question but I have no idea if reversing the pickups position will afffect the performance.
Thanks in advance
I don't think so, but I'm not positive. I'd suggest that you contact the SD support and ask them. Thanks.
CountryGuitarChops
Yes, I did already. They said there is no problem as long the polepieces are not staggered :)
cheers and thanks!
That's what I thought, because the poles aren't staggered, but I didn't want to assume anything.
You are a great player. Love your tone. I have watched probably every TH-cam video you've posted. I am struggling to find the right pickups for my AV'64 Telecaster and after hearing this a SD Broadcaster will be a top consideration. What is the neck pickup you're using?
Love your playing! I have a made in Mexico Telecaster from 2001/2002 and installed the Seymour Duncan Broadcaster pickup (STL-1b) in the bridge and the accompanying vintage pickup (ST1-R) in the neck position. Love the Broadcaster pickup! I find the neck pickup too dark in comparison so very rarely use the neck pickup on its own. Is this how vintage Telecasters are supposed to sound? I would prefer a more transparent neck pick up so the tone is more balanced across the 2 pickups - but still want a fairly vintage tone. What do you suggest?
The vintage tele neck PU's tend to sound muddy, and some guys don't care for that tone. I also have set of the Dimarzio twang kings. The bridge is real similar to the broadcaster, but the neck PU is much tighter and a bit brighter sounding. I think you'd like that one. Thanks, and good luck!
CountryGuitarChops Do you mean, you suggest the Broadcaster neck pup to match the bridge Broadcaster ? Are they tight and have midrange like the bridge? Please, I hate low end on the neck. Thank you.
Awesome playing! Here's a question; what kind of camcorder did you record that with? I'm looking for a good unit to record stuff onto TH-cam.
Thanks, I use Canon Vixia GH20's (Vixia something 20...?), but I think you can find cheaper units now days that'll do the same or better. Actually, the DSLR camera's will make a higher quality recording because the sensor is larger. The reason I don't use them is because they only record for 20 minutes before automatically shutting off, and most of my lessons run an hour or two or more, so I prefer to keep to use these.
Ok, thanks!
Crystal clear
Hello great video!one question! What kind of bridge did you install?
Hi Luca. Hey, that's a great question! I had to dig through a slew of old receipts to find out which bridge I installed on this guitar. I'm glad you asked, because I'm thinking of ordering a couple more for some other tele's I have. What I like about this bridge is that it has a double cut away on the top and bottom sides, so my fingers don't accidentally hang up on them as I play. It's also a tad thicker than other vintage style bridges. But I did replace the saddles with the steel barrel style saddles, not that there is anything wrong with the brass ones it comes with. I also drilled a small screw hole in front of the pickup slot just to help secure it tightly to the body. Here's the name of it, I ordered it from Amazon. "Modern Ashtray Style Telecaster Bridge-Compensated Saddles-Double Notched-Barden" Thanks, let me know if you get one, and how you like it!
Great video!!!! Looks like you have titanium saddles on the bridge here, right?
Thanks Alex. No, those are steel saddles. I had some on my first 1978 Tele. I'm not sure when Fender started and stopped using them. They sound great on this guitar.
Loved the Broadcaster pickup. Wish there was a noiseless version.
There is! It's the Kinman's, and I just installed a set in another new tele I built from USACG. They are now the authorized dealers for Kinman PU's, and I ordered mine from them. I think they have a tad more snarl than the SD's, which I really like.
CountryGuitarChops Thanks. Sorry for delay in reply. I’d have to get over the look of the Kinmans, especially a neck version, but thanks. I’ll keep it in mind as an option, and value your input highly on the matter.
Go for the mojotone quiet coil Broadcasters
Beautiful, tasty playing. 👍🇮🇪
Nice playing bro
"I guess I should've read the description on their website"...yep..words of wisdom, should've done it myself several times before some quick trigger finger transactions online :)
Love your vids. Just need to put out more material.
Thanks. You can find the full material on my website countryguitarchops.com - most of these TH-cam videos are just short bits and pieces and previews of the full lessons.
CountryGuitarChops Have you ever tried the Seymour Duncan Five Two pickup? Great review by the way!
CountryGuitarChops Sure. I'm a subscriber. Do you have a review of them on the website?
CountryGuitarChops Why do you ask ?
Sorry about that Emmanuel, I replied to the wrong post yesterday! So, to answer your question, YES, I do have the 5/2 pickup, it's been in that grey tele (used to be black with hipshot bender) for about 20 years. It's a decent PU, but nothing about jumped out at me tone wise with it. But that's just my opinion, you may hear something I don't. Watch all the videos with the ugly grey tele, and some of my earlier videos with the back one, which is the same guitar, and you'll hear that 5/2 pickup. Thanks Emmanuel.
Sweet pickin there.
Their videos of God showing a lot of licks, but someone needs to tell what strain gauge they use and why they use it.
What neck would you pair with the Broadcaster??
I like the sound of the Dimarzio Twang King neck pup, and had that paired with this broadcaster. But I started building my own pickups a couple of years ago, so now all my guitars have my own version of these pups. My broadcaster style pup is a bit hotter and the neck is very sweet sounding.
CountryGuitarChops Thanks. Is there an order link for these pickups?
@@goldestwoninetyfive2876 No. I don't try to make any money from my youtube videos. Just do a google search for this pup to see who has the best price.
Great pickin'! I know what you mean about the SD '54. I had one in a maple body (yes, maple, believe it or not) and the combination of that hard wood and the pickup was WAY to bright! I turfed the maple body and replaced it with an ash one. The '54 now resides in a cheap Telecopy with a basswood or poplar body, but it sounds surprisingly good. Maybe those pickups like softer wood better. I'm also building a pine Tele myself, so maybe I'll try one of those Broadcaster ones. BTW, is that guitar you're playing the Pinecaster you built?
Thanks Glen! No, this is a swamp ash body. You can see and hear the pinecaster here th-cam.com/video/XU2oBUB_TBA/w-d-xo.html
It's a very bright sounding guitar, and I have to EQ the highs down in the recording mix to get a good tone out of it. I like the tone of this one much better, and it's just as light weight too.
My ash body Tele has an unknown Tele bridge pickup that I bought from a repair man, and it sounds kind of bland. I think I'm going to take the plunge and get a Broadcaster unit for the ash one, and maybe the pine one as well. Those pickups sound great for the price!
Awesome. Please leave a comment again after you've got them installed. Thanks!
Just ordered one a couple days ago. I'm looking forward to getting it! I'll let you know.
I just got Broadcaster pickup and installed it. It's a winner!
Gary Allan plays the vintage 54.
I love the vintage 54, I think it's probably the BEST sounding pickup I've ever heard on any guitar! Too bad it's not here to review, as the title claims. The neck pickup especially is amazing - everyone who hears it agrees - beautiful sound.
is it microphonic?
I wouldn't use it if it was.......
Is this the stl-1b pickup?
Yep