Don Mare Hayride Telecaster Pickup Set

Don Mare Hayride Telecaster Set

The Don Mare Hayride set is one of his most balanced and best-selling Telecaster pickup sets. Designed to cover the classic tones from the 1955–1963 era, it delivers clear, articulate sound that works well beyond country—equally at home in rock, blues, and jazz.

The bridge pickup is wound to approx. 6.4k with staggered, slightly beveled Alnico V magnets and black cotton string wrap (white cotton is period-correct and available by request). It delivers tight low end, focused mids, and smooth highs with just the right amount of bite—ideal for Bakersfield tones, but without any shrillness or harsh edge. Great harmonics, no squeal, and still microphonic in a musical way.

The neck pickup is Don’s 1955-style wind using Alnico V magnets and approx. 8000 turns of 43 AWG plain enamel wire, measuring around 6.3k. It comes with an upgraded nickel silver/chrome cover for better transparency and openness, avoiding the muddy character of traditional brass-covered necks.

This set uses Don’s “Rosie Wind Pattern” and a modern stagger with a slightly lowered G pole, so it plays well even with 10" to 16" radius necks. Both pickups are hand-wound using vintage-correct materials, and the result is a rich, well-balanced EQ with sweet top-end chime, strong mids, and tight bass—pure vintage Tele tone with no ice pick highs.

Like all Don Mare pickups, the Hayride set is no longer available to order. These remaining new sets are among the last you’re likely to find.