Change pickups on your Telecaster - Full tutorial with sound samples!

In this video you'll learn how to install new pickups on your loved Tele to get the tone you always wanted from it. It doesn't require special tools or skills so it's a great project to get into the awesome world of guitar mods. Enjoy!
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*Disclaimer: All the actions shown in this video are 100% safe for you and your guitar and are supported by years of experience doing this kind of works. Having said that, if you aren't familiarized with the use of basic hand tools like screwdrivers and pliers or don't feel comfortable messing around with your instruments, take your guitar to a reputable and trusty luthier to do it for you. Be safe!
Hope you enjoy the video!!!!!
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Upgrade your Telecaster electronics - Full tutorial:
• Telecaster complete wi...
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Greetings from Argentina!
Juan Pablo - Inspiring Tracks

[@InspiringTracks]

The follow up of this video is now available! If you want to know how to completely swap all the electronics of your Tele (wiring, pots, pickup selector and output jack) click here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4W7dKSPp698aqM

[@koreyscheffen839]

I love

[@Baci302]

Loved your video and subscribed. Can you tell me what that black covered wire coming from the selector switch that you placed in the hole underneath the bridge plate? I had no idea that even existed.

[@ericmojave6061]

Wow , what a massive improvement in tone from those original pickups. ‘64 pure vintage pickups are some of the best you can buy.

[@Voxguitarsrock]

Good video. Thanks. Just a suggestion that helps me out : when I pull neck pickup I tie fishing line to old pickup wires. Then you can tie new wires to it and pull them thru. Saves a little frustration sometimes. Cheers!

[@gusman412]

Great video for those that don't have the knowledge it takes the scariness out of the equation. I replaced the pickups in my '84/87 squier strat and the only obstacle I came across was the cheap selector switch. The internal contacts warped from to much heat. I installed a Fender switch and was totally happy with the SD noiseless single coils. Good Luck everyone and ROCK ON !

[@michaeldiver6031]

Fantastic camera work to show what you are doing close up.

[@69jomen]

Bravo and also the first time I was actually shown the wiring for the 3 way switch close up. Will definitely recommend your site to all my fellow musicians and friends.

[@MrZootalores]

hey thanks for the great step by step video! I'll be putting some Fender Original Tele pickups in a Monoprice Tele(tonight).I went for the 50's sounding Originals as i am always blown away by good players who can make those old guitars shine. Your new 64's sound great! lots of command,quite a difference. surprisingly, the cheap ceramic pups had a nice "twangy yet mellow" tone with both engaged.again, tx for the tutorial!

[@Flat_Stanley]

Like many others have said, the stock pickups sounded fine, and depending on what you play, arguably as good or better. I think the takeaway here apart from the awesome instructional knowledge gained, is that the stock pick ups have plenty of spank and giddy up for the most people.

[@enesozcelik4407]

Man, I'm so happy to see you post another helpful video. Just a few days ago I set the string height thanks to your telecaster set up video, also thank you for that!

[@InspiringTracks]

It's awesome to know that, thanks for your comment! Hope you also find this video useful. Cheers!!

[@williammoore9277]

Feel very confident to do this now....I didn't want to end up with a table of gtr parts with nowhere to go !!! Thanks a lot, buddy....a cracking video in every sense....the pups sound great after fitting...especially the neck one !!! 😀 🎸 Bravo 👏 👏 👏 👏

[@davidhession4753]

Excellent, just done exactly the the same mod to my tele, anico v wow what a difference, very helpful thanks 🎸😀

[@nonnoinsandiego8303]

Telescope are one of the best platforms for mods. Your video has inspired me to swap out the pickups, on mine. Thnx, and rock on! I shared your video in my Flipboard ezine: Telemania.

[@InspiringTracks]

Thanks a lot for sharing the video and good luck with your new pickups!

[@tjstevens001]

Very easy to hear the difference! I'm also changing all electronics. This will be good!

[@cuda426hemi]

Good job, appreciate the time & work you put in - and we can sure as sh*t hear the difference. Will proceed to your next guts swap vid. 🎸☮

[@thomasd9237]

Very nice video 👍👍 I put these same p-ups in my ash/maple/maple tele with a 4way 920D control plate. They absolutely smoke the ceramics that were in it. Very Happy 😀

[@justcallmeangel1]

Great video! To me, the difference was huge, especially the neck pup, but the 64 bridge is incredible too. I'm about to do a swap also and was considering these pickups. Thanks for sharing.

[@InspiringTracks]

Glad you liked it. I really love these vintage 64s!

[@micksaunders5122]

Excellent video. Nicely broken down by section with super clear photography. Thanks!

[@InspiringTracks]

Glad you liked it!

[@2dazetake]

Definitely have more of that articulate Tele quack, than the stock pickups,sounds sweet to me.

[@riveter4]

Excellent video tutorial!! One of THE best on Tele change up.

[@riveter4]

I'm new to the world of Teles. I've just bought a Squire butterscotch blond Tele for €199 from Thomanns Germany to Ireland. It arrived fully set up and in excellent condition Lovely neck! Your vid inspires me to maybe change up. (Any recommendations?) I've become a Tele obsessive watching tons of videos about them and yours is best for Tele pickup mods! I will be checking out your other stuff and have subscribed to your channel. Btw Your music is cool and suits the vid perfectly😎🎸🎸

[@user-jr7zw1ti9j]

Wonderful! Thank you so much! Was sooo close to selling my Player Tele because of thin sound and hum. Love the look and neck but hate the tone. I’ll try to install new pickups now. Sure appreciate your sharing of skill and knowledge! You have a new subscriber thanks to this video!

[@HektorBandimar]

Yes the Fender pickups are so much brighter and fuller sounding, they make the ceramic pickups sound quite dull. ....Interesting and useful video, I want to do this on one of my affordable Tele's, but I wasn't sure if I had to change the switch and pots too, I just hope the new pickups I buy will fit the existing holes in the scratch plate and bridge.

[@wyattsdad8561]

Thank you for making this vid. I’m going to put in some fender original tele pickups in my Harley Benton tele this week and I’ve never done this before. I hope it comes out good with no issues. Thanks again.

[@InspiringTracks]

Glad I could help! good luck!

[@donnywagers8736]

the 64 pickups are one of my fav....I like using them on my drop D outlaw country.... awesome tones ..

[@grantg44]

Excellent step by step video. I hope you are still enjoying those pickups.

[@tjstevens001]

Just the pups I picked up for my Squier Bullitt Tele!

[@erickirwan6432]

Great video! Gives my confidence a boost.

[@ed_music1834]

Thank you for this video Sir. Those pickups are a huge improvement. Has more growl and twang this time.

[@InspiringTracks]

Thanks! I love them!

[@danielcarter3928]

Attempting to install a new Seymour Duncan into my bridge this weekend! Thanks for this video.

[@InspiringTracks]

Good luck with that and hope you find the video useful!

[@RedCarRecords]

Fantastic video, thanks! I’m about to go install some noiseless pickups on my new Tele knockoff!

[@InspiringTracks]

Glad it helped! and good luck with your project!

[@TheForce_Productions]

I've used that rubber tubes for adjust the pups height for sometime, until I've realise that in time they lose flexibility and pups start to vibrating and making ugly noises in ontact with pickguard, since then I return to using springs, never again rubber tubes!

[@sallogrande3206]

Sounds great

[@hankholliday2223]

I recently purchased a Kramer Focus to practice with. I have a MIM tele that I adore, but i want a little more bottom end and clarity.

[@pogocityradio77]

Im putting TexMex pickups in mine 1sg time i'm doing this and your video is insanely helpful thanx

[@InspiringTracks]

Awesome to hear that! I have a set of Tex Mex on a Strat and they are great, good luck with your project!

[@pogocityradio77]

@@InspiringTracks thank you I'm pumped they should be here in a few days! On another not I have a short scape Jackson bass coming today for my soon to be 7 year old girl

[@rumpelstilz6329]

Hey, it's nothing new for me but i think your explanation is good. Best regards from Germany!

[@InspiringTracks]

Thanks!! I'm glad you liked it. Cheers!

[@SnuSlavin]

Big difference. I have a stock 2008 tele with what I believe are ceramic. Looking for bottom boost with clarity. These 64's are sweet. Across the board.

[@beatleleebailey]

Very well done!

[@InspiringTracks]

Glad you liked it!

[@riffafrank]

Really good man. Thank you.

[@InspiringTracks]

Glad you liked it!!

[@bungopony]

The stock pups weren't nearly as bad as I thought. They sounded pretty damn Tele'ish. The new ones were hotter and broke up easier, which would be great for Rock. Were the string the same on both tests?

[@wtibbs21]

Love the brightness of the 64’ V’ in test No.3…Sweeeet

[@InspiringTracks]

They sound awesome!

[@wyattsdad8561]

That’s a big improvement

[@InspiringTracks]

Thanks!!

[@Andreas_Straub]

It also makes a big improvement to connect the tone control only to the bridge pickup and leave the neck pickup out. This way you can take the often very harsh bridge pickup. Especially when using both pickups this gives more control over the tone.

[@carlinisatnirvana8499]

This looks.. intimidating

[@IronSausage]

You can do it!

[@mikenorman6697]

Definitely better clarity and definition on the Fender pickups compared to the stock ceramic pickups. Especially noticeable to my ears on the neck pickup - where it was very muddy sounding on the ceramic pickup. What is the guitar? I can see it's a toploader. Would you get a better tone by converting it to a string through body?

[@dbradford32]

I think I'm leaning towards the blues. Ngl. It sounds amazing.

[@josephdicianni7424]

Awesome 😊

[@InspiringTracks]

Thanks!

[@billleith7110]

my vintage blonde standard tele got the Dimarzio area T treatment quiet n sweet.

[@InspiringTracks]

Those are great pickups, enjoy your Tele!!!

[@codymcgrew4015]

16:08 Stock Bridge 16:22 Stock Middle 16:36 Stock Neck 16:56 ‘64 Bridge 17:10 ‘64 Middle 17:26 ‘64 Middle

[@tonyrobbins1665]

The difference is like pawnshop to Paisley ! (Brad that is)

[@BRYANDKING03]

I like the stock bridge pick up a lot better but the fender neck pickups sound way better

[@umbertopadovan6563]

Ho una tele squier standard dello stesso colore 🔥 Ottimi pickup, appena puoi cambia anche selettore e pot tono/volume 😎

[@rodsmolter5046]

The alnico pickups sound better for soloing but for chord riffs, I liked the warmer sound and higher output of the stock ceramics.

[@InspiringTracks]

I prefer the alnico but the stock ones are pretty decent

[@ralphclark]

The stock ceramic pickups sounded great 😂

[@InspiringTracks]

Yep

[@buck7477]

My Tele has has a whiter looking maple board can I put true oil on it to make it look a darker more vintage yellow and pad also make it a little more slick! It doesn’t seem to have a finish!

[@howietianjamz6649]

Thanks man this is helpful. it would be more helpful if there isn’t so much constant camera pans.. I’m getting way too dizzy

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

😭😭😭 Wha Wha Wha

[@michaellathim791]

Much hotter than stock

[@grooveu1965]

Nice job, and I love the tone of the A5's. This was just the video I was looking for on my project tele thinline HB/SC. I have on order Alnico 5 HB Size for the neck and fender vintage 52's A5's for the bridge. Do you know if the wiring is the same for the HB/SC config? I've never done a pup replacement but after watching your video I think I can do the swap outs. Thanks for the very informative video.

[@InspiringTracks]

If you don't plan to do coil splitting on the HB (which I don't recommend on a SC sized HB) then it should be the same wiring. Check the wiring section on the Seymoud Duncan page, It's AWESOME and every schematic you'll potentially need is there. Cheers and good luck!

[@grooveu1965]

@@InspiringTracks Thanks, no coil splitting, just a standard 3 way switch. Update, I'm switching things up do to a shipping issue with the 52 Fender sc. I've decided to use a vintage ceramic sc for the bridge.

[@grooveu1965]

@@InspiringTracks Update: I just replaced pups and plugged in before re-stringing and now have loud hum on both pup settings. Not sure what's happening as there was no ground hum noise on the former cheapo pickups??? Will open up control plate today and see if there is a loose solder wire. Can't test as meter is out of commission so I may need to pick up a meter today and troubleshoot? Any suggestions why there's noise now and no noise before if wiring is ok?

[@InspiringTracks]

Pretty sure there's some loose ground wire or you connected something in the wrong place. If I was you I'll re check all the wiring with the schematic to look for some mistake, it happens and is its pretty common. There's a GREAT FB group called Guitar Wiring Diagrams with nice people and lots of knowledge, check it out in case you need more help. Hope you can solve it soon!

[@grooveu1965]

@@InspiringTracks Thanks again for the advice. I pulled the control plate and inspected all wirings and solder connects after doing meter check on the pups(pups all checked and are reading ok). After careful inspection it appears that the HB wires had a small split and a few ground strands were exposed. I unsoldered the 2 HB wires and trimmed them down and respliced, tipped with solder and re-soldered them. I tested the pups with the plate off and no noise. Put the plate on and gave it a test ride and pups sound great and minimal noise even with stacked OD. Crazy stuff if those few ground strands were causing the hum.

[@davidcassidy8390]

It's driving me mad trying to remember the name of the song being played for the first few minutes of this video. It reminds me so much of a famous popular song. For copyright purposes it is a little different I guess but it certainly reminds me of something well known. Ideas anyone ?

[@Chris.B.72]

Wich is the alnico 5 bridge pickup height?

[@MrShowman92]

I just got this set. I just have a complaint regarding the pickups been too microphonic. Was it for you as well?

[@paulwilson8367]

My tele neck pickup just crapped out. Not that I loved it. I have one of the TV ones on the way, I chose it because it fits right into the same hole with no expansion required. I couldn't see carting my tele across town to the shop where it would likely sit for weeks, plus the big bill. This looks doable. I will leave the bridge pickup in place. I bought the new PU without taking the old one out first. Yeah, for all I know, the switch is bad or a wire popped loose. Oh well.

[@wickedmethod151]

After watching this I think I can do a swap myself

[@InspiringTracks]

If you have a little experience with a soldering iron is really easy. Go for it!

[@chiccosantulli9949]

I just bought a American Professional II, but I like guitar but not pickups. I’m planning to buy a Lollar Special T set. Am pro II has a push push feature to put ,in the middle position, the pu’s in parallel mode. Do you know hot to wire the new pickups to keep the push push feature? Thanks!

[@InspiringTracks]

Check the schematic section on the Seymour Duncan page, all you need to know (and much more) is there

[@cmmnsenserules4339]

After watching this, I took mine to my luthier to do it!!!! I'd break it.

[@mizmor149]

Hi. thank you so much. and one question: where in the control plate do you solder the ground?

[@InspiringTracks]

Usually all grounds are soldered to the volume pot chassis

[@mizmor149]

@@InspiringTracks thx.

[@JohnnyRebKy]

I just bought a new American Performer Telecasted in butterscotch. Looks just like the 52 RI from few feet away. But I’m not crazy about the “ Yosemite” pickup in the bridge. I’m gonna order a Seymour Duncan 1954 Tele pickup for it. I’m hoping I don’t screw anything up lol

[@gregperkins7723]

Wondering how you liked the SD after replacing the yosemite? I am about to do the same thing ;/

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

I bet you can't play with out a compressor pedal' bet you one hundred 2 dollar you leave it on all the time.

[@JohnnyRebKy]

@BryanClark-gk6ie well...OK then 👍. You feel better now?

[@Ronno4691]

The new pickups are TWANGY! Is your guitar a Squier Classic Vibe?? The new pickups still sound good wired up to the old electronics too.

[@InspiringTracks]

Thanks, they sound pretty cool. The guitar is an SX, kind of in the same ballpark as a Squier but with a sloppier quality control. If you are lucky you can get an AMAZING guitar for a ridiculously low price like in my case

[@a071831x]

I prefer the stock ceramic pickups. Any idea what they are?

[@InspiringTracks]

They came stock with the guitar -an SX-. Any generic 10 bucks set from Ebay should be basically the same.

[@djhoneylove5710]

You could change the switch and pots while you're there.

[@InspiringTracks]

I changed them in another video

[@muziekvoorfeest]

why did you de-solder the black wire from the selecter switch, only to solder it back again with installing soldering the two new pick up wires?

[@InspiringTracks]

Just to make work easier and to make sure that it is correctly soldered. No real need to do it if you don't want to

[@bored4428]

Doesn't really seem like you can mess this up or at least you can't really hurt the guitar. It's way less scary than I thought it would be.

[@darkestfugue]

i want to replace the broadcaster bridge pickup and twisted tele pickup in my 2013 american standard with SD quarter pounders, i want a hotter and fuller sound

[@InspiringTracks]

These are great pickups if you look for a fatter sound. Good luck!

[@moderndaygrinch]

I have the same model and pickups!! Did you end up replacing yours?

[@Brandonfunky]

Ive just pulled on the new pickups. But the bridge and middle sounds exactly the same. Dunno where the problem is. Any advice???

[@InspiringTracks]

If it was working fine before the swap then probably something is wired wrong on the switch. Check it with a schematic, it should be an easy fix

[@MrErdner]

Why do so many people go to the time, trouble, and expense of swapping out perfectly good pickups for other pickups, when 99% of getting the sound you want depends on your amp & maybe pedals rig, and how you tweak all the control knobs? I've heard lots of before and after videos of stock pickups versus "upgrades". The upgrades sound different, but they seldom sound better.

[@InspiringTracks]

Because it's fun

[@MrErdner]

@@InspiringTracks That's the only reason anyone ever gave to that question that makes even a little bit of sense.

[@ralphclark]

It’s mainly FOMO

[@MrErdner]

@@ralphclark Huh!

[@ralphclark]

@@MrErdner I think you must need UltraHD ears to hear any significant improvement in what comes out of the amp. But the magic words “custom”, “vintage”, “hand wound”, “Alnico”, and “Seymour Duncan” etc have a pleasant sound in many guitarist’s brains.

[@mr.p3ncil157]

64's riff had me singin' like... "awake on my airplane...awake on my airplane..." (Take a Picture by Filter)

[@anthonyegan59]

The neck pickup in test 2 with the stock sounded chicken shit good.

[@bobbystereo936]

Holy shit.

[@alexiabettencourt7535]

Hello, I am new at changing my own guitar pickups and am trying to put in Twisted Tele pickups. The guitar is MIM, and I ran into a problem with the wiring. I cannot de-sauter any of the grounds. It is almost as if they are permanently welded in place instead of being sautered. I have changed my Strat pickups before and it went perfectly fine, I was able to desauter it easily, but this guitar seems different. I was wondering if you have run into this issue before? Do you have any advice or videos you can link me to? I can also give an email for easier communication if needed! Let me know if you require more info too! Thank you so much.

[@InspiringTracks]

If the guitar is somewhat new then almost sure that they used lead free solder at the factory, which melts at a higher temperature and is much harder to solder/desolder. Try applying some fresh leaded solder on the joints before desoldering, that should make it a lot easier. Hope that helps!

[@alexiabettencourt7535]

@@InspiringTracks hi there, the guitar is around 2018. We tried to turn the heat up to about 550°c on the sauntering iron and had no luck. Is there a specific temp you use?

[@alexiabettencourt7535]

also how long can you hold that temp to the area before the pods get damaged.

[@stancoleshill8925]

Don't you think that if the new pickup has a wire that is too short so you have to splice a new piece in, that you can do the same with the other wires to prevent damage to the new components especially if you aren't very good at soldering ?? It is much easier and safer to cut the wire away from the components and then splice them with solder.

[@luboetr]

What is this guitar man? Fender or Squier? Thanks! :)

[@InspiringTracks]

It's an SX, cheap chinese guitar in the same price range than an Squier. Totally worth checking it out. I also have an SX Strat and the necks is just amazing. Just don't order online without playing them before, QC sometimes isn't the best

[@luboetr]

@@InspiringTracks thanks man! I know them. They are really cheap, but they look so good. Maybe it's like Squier's, some are good, some sucks(that's the deal with cheap guitars). 😃

[@charlegarcia1940]

What's the purpose of "ground wire for the bridge"? 8:41

[@InspiringTracks]

The strings needs to be connected to ground to both produce a correct signal and avoid hum. That's the reason why when you touch the strings the hum disapears (or is greatly reduced)

[@vk6554]

I've followed the video, but i ended up with a horrible hum. Any solutions?

[@InspiringTracks]

That usually means ground issues, either you have some ground cables not connected or some live wire touching ground. Follow the cables coming from the pickups and check every joint against the schematic to see where is the mistake. Check also for unwanted solder bridges or cold joints. Oh and also check that the bridge is properly grounded, this can be done with a multimeter measuring continuity between the bridge plate and the output jack. Good luck!

[@racheltaylor6578]

I would have changed the pots and switch as well.

[@InspiringTracks]

I did it in another video!

[@griswald7156]

I’d like to do it without all that soldering…you can get little scotchloks these days..messin with the factory soldering worries me..

[@InspiringTracks]

Soldering is totally safe and personally I'll trust a good solder joint a lot more than those scotchlocks. You can try them if you don't feel comfortable with the soldering iron but keep in mind that the space on the control cavity of Teles is minuscle and maybe they wont fit inside. Cheers and good luck!

[@griswald7156]

@@InspiringTracks they make really tiny clip loks now , have a look on the net..you’re right a scotchlok might be a crowd.

[@matesklep]

I like my ceramics.

[@illuminutteh_2033]

I thought the stock pickups actually sounded better to me.

[@marceloferreira43]

Será que só eu gostei mais dos cerâmicos?

[@InspiringTracks]

No tienen nada de malo los ceramicos, son un poco menos brillantes que los de Alnico lo que los hace mejores para gente que no quiere un sonido tan agudo

[@marceloferreira43]

@@InspiringTracks , gosto mais do clean com cerâmicos. No drive prefiro alnico.

[@juanon755]

Nevermind

[@TamingTheSprue]

The first 5 seconds I thought was the intro to “I Wanna Kiss You All Over” by Exile..

[@gertzpalma]

FENDER 64 ALNICO V ... THIS IS MY CHOICE.

[@InspiringTracks]

Awesome pickups

[@gertzpalma]

@@InspiringTracks - THANKS!

[@airinbone]

I don't care what pickups are in a Tele as long as the 60 hum is cancelled. Ceramics are fine. Anything without the hum.

[@InspiringTracks]

As long as you don't play with a high gain amp/pedal the hum isn't a big deal. Noiseless pickups or SC sized humbuckers are great for that but they don't have the same twang and chime as true single coils

[@johnstephen7610]

Pretty misleading for the video to say this project doesn't require special tools or skills, when in fact it does. Soldering equipment and soldering skills are required, and they seem to me to be special tools and skills. Personally, I don't know anyone who has soldering equipment (I've asked around). I also take issue with his characterization of the previous owner's shielding attemps as "failed." I tried to shield a guitar, though I didn't have any experience or knowledge of how to do it. I just tried to follow KZbin videos like this, and I didn't do a very good job, as it was my first attempt. I don't regard it as failure. Thumbs down on this video, for me.

[@InspiringTracks]

Sorry to know that you don't liked the video and thanks for your feedback. I'll keep note of your suggestions to keep improving the channel on the future. Cheers!

[@johnstephen7610]

@@InspiringTracks Thanks for your reply, much appreciated.

[@davewilliams2405]

Dude if you play guitar you MUST have a soldering iron, that's a fact. I swapped pickups on my Strat with no experience and a 15 bucks iron from Amazon and it came out just great. I know people nowadays get ofended by anything but this video is great and super detailed, calling it misleading because you think soldering a couple wires is some kind of dark art is just dumb.