A noiseless Telecaster pickup with vintage tone
The Apex Blackguard set is for guitarists who want early Telecaster tone without single-coil hum on stage or in the studio. The APT1-B bridge pickup delivers the sharp attack and tight lows of a Tele, with solid handling under overdrive. The APT1-N neck pickup, with its nickel silver cover, stays warm and articulate with smooth highs that keep chords open. The middle position provides the expected chime of a well-matched Tele set.
Technical specifications
APT1-N neck: 8.6 kΩ, 2.4 H inductance, Alnico 5 rod magnets, flat pole pieces, scatterwound coil, wax potted, 2-conductor lead with ground. APT1-B bridge: 11.8 kΩ, 5.1 H inductance, Alnico 3 rod magnets, flat pole pieces, scatterwound, wax potted, 2 conductors. Both pickups are hum-cancelling. The neck pickup is available with a nickel, open nickel or gold cover. Supplied with latex tubing, two sets of screws, springs, installation guide and warranty card.
Compatibility and installation
Apex Blackguard pickups fit any Telecaster or Tele-style guitar, Fender, Squier or partcaster, with standard Tele pickup dimensions. They work with both 3-way and 4-way switches, with no wiring modifications required. Wiring diagrams and exact dimensions are supplied by Tonerider as a PDF, we can include them with your order on request.
Why choose this set
Tonerider has been making pickups in Canterbury since 2003. The Apex Blackguard is the noiseless version of their vintage Telecaster set, with the same resistance readings as a period set and tone that stays true to a single-coil pickup. This is the set we recommend when a customer wants to retain their Tele's character but plays with gain, under fluorescent lights or in the studio.
Do I need to modify the wiring to install an Apex Blackguard?
No. The set installs with an existing 3-way or 4-way switch, using a 2-conductor lead with ground like a standard Tele pickup.
Can the Apex Blackguard bridge pickup be bought separately?
Yes. The APT1-B bridge and APT1-N neck are available individually, in the same finishes.
What is the difference compared with a single-coil Telecaster pickup?
The same output level and character, without 50 Hz hum. The resistance readings (8.6 and 11.8 kΩ) match those of a vintage set.