United States · Est. 1993
Rio Grande
Texan boutique pickup maker specialising in Texas blues tone. Their Telecaster pickups are favourites on the Austin circuit.
About the brand
Bill Lawrence Jr. founded Rio Grande in Houston, Texas, in 1993. The company is deeply rooted in the tradition of Texas blues and country — the Austin sound, of aggressive twang and electric blues that produced figures like Stevie Ray Vaughan.
The Muy Grande pickups are humbuckers with an open, airy character very different from the usual high-output humbuckers. The BBQ is a high-output Telecaster pickup with more bass and more muscle than a standard production Tele. The Halfbreed is a unique pickup that uses an alnico 5 magnet on the neck side of each coil and an alnico 2 magnet on the bridge side, creating a unique asymmetric character.
Rio Grande is one of the most respected brands on the Austin circuit and among Texas-influenced blues players worldwide. The Tallboy Telecaster pickup is particularly admired for its combination of single-coil bite with more midrange presence than typical Tele bridge pickups.
Key facts
- Deeply rooted in the Texas blues tradition of Austin
- Muy Grande: open, airy humbucker very different from typical boutique style
- Halfbreed: unique pickup with different alnico magnets in each coil
- BBQ: the high-output Telecaster reference for electric blues
Iconic pickups
Muy Grande
Humbucker with open, airy character. Less output than a typical PAF, more transparency and musicality. Designed for blues and rock that needs space and dynamics.
BBQ Bridge
Telecaster pickup with more output and more bass than the standard design. Texas blues tone with more muscle. A favourite on the Austin circuit.
Halfbreed
Unique pickup with alnico 5 on the neck side and alnico 2 on the bridge side of each coil. The asymmetric character produces a tone unlike any other humbucker.
Tallboy
Telecaster neck pickup with humbucker body and single-coil height. Cancels hum while preserving the bright, airy character of the Tele design.
Notable musicians
- Billy Gibbons · varios modelos Texas
- Jimmie Vaughan · Vintage Tallboy
- Charlie Sexton · varios modelos
- Eric Johnson · varios modelos Austin