1968 Telecaster Pickups – A Quick Guide

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The 1968 Telecaster pickup set sits right in the middle of Fender’s late-1960s transition period. By this point the company was under CBS ownership, and although the basic Telecaster design remained largely unchanged from the early ’60s, small shifts in production methods, materials and winding practices began to shape the sound.

The result is a pickup set that still feels unmistakably vintage, but with its own character compared with earlier “blackguard” or early-’60s Tele units.

This guide covers the key details: construction, tone, identification, wiring and modern setup.

Construction & Materials

Bridge Pickup

Typical specifications for a 1968 Telecaster bridge pickup:

  • Magnets: Alnico V rod magnets

  • Magnet orientation: South up (standard Fender orientation of the period)

  • Coil wire: Plain enamel copper

  • Winding method: Machine wound on a Leesona Model 102

  • Bobbins: Black top plate with grey fibre bottom plate

  • DC resistance: approx. 6.2k – 6.8kΩ

  • Baseplate: Copper-plated steel

  • Pole pieces: Flat-top staggered Alnico V rods

  • Hook-up wire: Yellow (hot) and black or blue (ground)

The steel baseplate is an important part of the Tele bridge design, helping boost output and adding bite to the upper mids.

Neck Pickup

Typical specifications:

  • Magnets: Alnico V

  • Magnet orientation: South up

  • Coil wire: Plain enamel

  • Winding method: Leesona Model 102 machine wind

  • Bobbins: Black fibre

  • DC resistance: approx. 6.0k – 6.6kΩ

  • Cover: Chrome-plated brass (slightly rounder profile than many ’50s covers) See Photo.

  • Pole pieces: Flat-top non-staggered Alnico V rods

  • Hook-up wire: White (hot) and black or blue (ground)

The brass cover naturally rolls off some top end, giving the Tele neck pickup its smoother, warmer voice.

Tonal Character

Compared with many 1950s Tele pickups, late-’60s examples tend to be slightly brighter and tighter. The use of Alnico V magnets and relatively moderate coil windings contributes to a clear, articulate sound.

Bridge Position

  • Bright and cutting

  • Slightly scooped mids

  • Classic country twang

  • Strong note definition

Works especially well for:

  • Country

  • Rock

  • Blues

  • Funk rhythm playing

Neck Position

  • Warm and rounded

  • Softer high-end due to the metal cover

  • Slightly compressed attack

Ideal for smoother leads and rhythm work.

Middle Position (Bridge + Neck)

  • Scooped midrange

  • Glassy top end

  • Classic Tele rhythm tone

This setting is where much of the Telecaster’s clean rhythm magic lives.

Factory Wiring (1968)

By the late ’60s, Telecasters were using the now-familiar modern 3-way switching layout:

  1. Bridge pickup

  2. Bridge + Neck (parallel)

  3. Neck pickup

Typical electronics included:

  • 250k CTS potentiometers

  • 0.05 µF tone capacitor

  • Cloth push-back wiring

This setup delivers the wide dynamic range and sharp attack that define the classic Tele sound.

Output & Measurement

Typical readings at room temperature:

Pickup Resistance Character
Bridge 6.2k – 6.8kΩ Bright, punchy
Neck 6.0k – 6.6kΩ Smooth, warm

Values vary because Fender pickups of this era were still wound with a degree of variation from unit to unit.

Setup Tips for Authentic Tone

Pickup height makes a noticeable difference with vintage-style Tele units.

A good starting point (measured while fretting the last fret):

Bridge pickup

  • approx. 2.0 mm from the strings

Neck pickup

  • approx. 2.4 mm from the strings

From there, adjust by ear for:

  • balanced output between pickups

  • improved clarity

  • reduced magnetic pull on the strings

Summary

1968 Telecaster pickups are defined by a few key traits:

  • Alnico V magnets

  • Plain enamel coil wire

  • Grey fibre bobbins (bridge bottom plate)

  • Vintage output around 6.5kΩ

  • Bright, cutting bridge tone with a warm neck voice

They represent one of Fender’s classic pickup formulas — balancing clarity, snap and warmth in a way that still defines the Telecaster sound today.