1963 Virgil Arlo Tele Pickups. Best Pickups for Blues. Mike Bloomfield Year.

White Label Sets Worth It? 

$1500 is used market price for Vintage Virgil Arlo White Label Tele sets and they are nearly impossible to find. 

They’re not just rare.
They’re effectively gone.

What you’re getting here isn’t an interpretation or a “tribute” build.

These Black Label Tele pickups by ToneSpec are built using the same methods, materials, and approach that defined the originals.

Same feel. Same response. Without paying $1500 to get there.

What is 1963 Telecaster Tone?

The 1963 Telecaster is a favorite among expressive Tele players because it balances clarity, warmth, and dynamic response. It has the snap and definition of earlier models, but with a smoother top end and a more vocal midrange that responds to touch.

It is no surprise that players like Mike Bloomfield gravitated toward early 60s Telecasters for some of their most expressive recordings. That combination of clarity, feel, and responsiveness makes it one of the most musical Tele tones ever produced.

This is not about sharp twang or aggressive/too shrill bite. It is about expression. The way a note blooms, sustains, and responds to subtle changes in your hands without losing definition.

Top Trade-In Sets

We consistently see the same pickups being traded for this set. Send us an e-mail if you have one of these sets & we'll set you up for a trade.

-Seymour Duncan Antquity
-Fender Texas Specials
-Lollar Blonde
-Fralin Blues Special
-Bare Knuckle  

These are all respected pickups with strong followings. For many players, they are part of the journey.

With experience, many players start looking for more authority, more control when pushed, and a Tele tone that stays tight and defined as gain increases.

Your Tele with 1963 Tone.

You’ll feel it right away...

-Notes bloom with more expression and sustain
-The midrange feels more vocal and responsive
-The tone stays smooth and controlled as you dig in

Original early 60s Telecaster pickups with this level of feel and responsiveness are rare and difficult to find. The Virgil Arlo 1963 Tele set delivers that same musical response, built to the same standards, with consistency and reliability players depend on.

Pro Testimonials

-“These don’t just sound like vintage pickups, they feel like vintage pickups" -  Hadden Sayers, Blues Recording Artist

-“The best pickups I’ve ever owned.” - Brett Garsed, Legendary Guitarist

-“Virgil Arlo pickups changed the way I play guitar. I’ll never go back.” - Pat Buchanan, Nashville Session Legend

-“The Black Label's sound exactly like the originals, I don't know how you did it. They sound incredible.” - Michael Gallaher, Guitarist for Joe Cocker

1963 Telecaster Specifications

DC Resistance - Vintage Range
True vintage output Telecaster range. The bridge delivers clarity and vocal midrange response, while the neck remains warm and smooth without losing definition.

Magnet Type - Proprietary Alnico 
Proprietary Alnico magnets crafted to deliver the clarity and dynamic response associated with Alnico 5, along with the warmth and compression more commonly found in Alnico 2. The result is a pickup that feels, sounds, and responds like a vintage pickup.

Matched Set Calibration
Each set is calibrated so the neck and bridge work together as a system. Output, magnet strength, and coil balance are adjusted to ensure consistent response and smooth transition between positions. 

About the Builder

Virgil Arlo designs are built by ToneSpec, using the same methods, materials, and standards that defined the originals. For more on the process, watch the video below.