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Could be a ceramic magnet too which might explain the low output even with high ohms...

jeremyb wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 6:42 pm Could be a ceramic magnet too which might explain the low output even with high ohms...

Hadn’t considered that.
if the pickup can be repaired for not a big cost I’m tempted to just order a set of Mr Glyn pickups to put in and keep the originals in the case.
I’ll test the originals properly first but i remember loving the pickups in your Strat (bellbirds?) so I’d imagine would be hard to wrong with a set of his Tele pickups.

Reg18 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 7:30 pm

jeremyb wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 6:42 pm Could be a ceramic magnet too which might explain the low output even with high ohms...

Hadn’t considered that.
if the pickup can be repaired for not a big cost I’m tempted to just order a set of Mr Glyn pickups to put in and keep the originals in the case.
I’ll test the originals properly first but i remember loving the pickups in your Strat (bellbirds?) so I’d imagine would be hard to wrong with a set of his Tele pickups.

Sweeet! Yep bellbirds, Glyn has his pickup game on point!

jeremyb wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 6:42 pm Could be a ceramic magnet too which might explain the low output even with high ohms...

High dc resistance and a mellow tone could just be because it’s more turns of lower gauge wire. That’s a shitload more likely than ceramic polepiece magnets.

The more I read the more I think mine must be an outlier.
All the examples I can find give early to mid 70 S Tele pickups with 5.8-6.2k on the bridge and 6.5k ish on the neck pickup. They look original though so not sure what to think.

That's great idea Ben had to send both pickups to Glyn - that way, if Glyn has to rewind the broken one, he can match it with the other one. Pots/resisters go off spec over time. I've had instances where I've changed the pots/resisters on an older guitar (or a newer guitar with budget pots/resisters) and it's totally transformed the sound of the pickups. I think there's room for you to experiment a bit in this area. Wire up a loom with 250k,500k,1meg pots, and try some different spec resisters etc. you could also try a four way switch

Reg18 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 06, 2022 6:31 am The more I read the more I think mine must be an outlier.
All the examples I can find give early to mid 70 S Tele pickups with 5.8-6.2k on the bridge and 6.5k ish on the neck pickup. They look original though so not sure what to think.

Yeah, that’s not been my experience. I’ve only owned one 70s Tele but have a couple of mates with them and both had similar measurements and characteristics to yours. I vaguely remember one even had a low DC resistance on the bridge pickup (somewhere around 7k) and with the neck up towards 10k. The bridge was still punchier and way brighter- they sounded spectacular together too.

Don’t sweat it. See what Glynn says about the bridge pickup and ask his advice if in doubt. See what they’re like when it comes back- if it doesn’t sizzle your bacon, you can always order a set of his Tele pickups and keep the originals for if/when you decide to sell it.

bender wrote: ↑Tue Dec 06, 2022 6:59 am

Reg18 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 06, 2022 6:31 am The more I read the more I think mine must be an outlier.
All the examples I can find give early to mid 70 S Tele pickups with 5.8-6.2k on the bridge and 6.5k ish on the neck pickup. They look original though so not sure what to think.

Yeah, that’s not been my experience. I’ve only owned one 70s Tele but have a couple of mates with them and both had similar measurements and characteristics to yours. I vaguely remember one even had a low DC resistance on the bridge pickup (somewhere around 7k) and with the neck up towards 10k. The bridge was still punchier and way brighter- they sounded spectacular together too.

Don’t sweat it. See what Glynn says about the bridge pickup and ask his advice if in doubt. See what they’re like when it comes back- if it doesn’t sizzle your bacon, you can always order a set of his Tele pickups and keep the originals for if/when you decide to sell it.

Solid advise

Some interesting updates for people.
According to Mr Glyn it doesn’t look like a factory pickup so my guess is they both might have been changed.
As an educated guess as the pots are dated 78, the guitar got a bit of a birthday in 78 with new Schaller tuners, new pickups and pots to match. But I’d love to know what the pickups are if anyone recognises them? What did Dimarzios look like in late 70s?
I’ve also asked for help on the Telecaster forum and it looks to be a late 72 according to some people on there.
Based on the serial/ neck date and the body shape changed in 73 apparently with the neck pocket/upper bout changed shape a bit do looks to be late 72.

Cool! Gotta love Glynn.

If it's a 72 then dibs! I don't think anyone has put dibs on it yet!? Surprising...

vyfster wrote: ↑Wed Dec 07, 2022 6:34 pm If it's a 72 then dibs! I don't think anyone has put dibs on it yet!? Surprising...

Dibs noted, although its looking like a keeper at this stage.
Once I’ve got pickups sorted (and a new parchment pickguard on the way) I’ll play it for a while and see if it suits me. Body is heavy (as is the case with most 70s Fenders) but the neck seems about perfect! It’s thicker than a modern C but not a massive bass ball bat either, it’s played in nicely and feels great! I guess 50 years of playing is hard to replicate.

Update, Glyn repaired the old bridge pickup.
It’s measuring 14.2k!!
Someone on the telecaster forum thought it looked like a Dimarzio Pre-B1 with the original Fender bottom plate put on and the 14.2k ohm reading would certainly indicate that is likely. The Pre-B1 was around in the late 70s too so I’m
Guessing it’s a set of Dimarzio pickups both neck and bridge.
In light of that I’ve decided to buy a set of Mr Glyn Cruel Mistress pickups to put in it. They sound like they should be a big upgrade and I’ll keep the original dimarzios in the case as part of its story.

I had a pre b1 in my old Esquire. Such a good sounding pickup.

All parts parchment pickguard arrived today so the guitar is pretty much complete. Mr Glyn Cruel mistress pickups installed which sound great!
Gonna leave it as is for now, original (most likely Dimarzio) pickups, pots and 3 way switch have been kept as part of its story.
Gonna leave the brass nut on as I don’t mind it.
Here’s a demo I did this morning which shows it with the parchment guard on, I much prefer it to the black!