United States · Est. 1946
Fender
The inventors of the modern single-coil. The Custom Shop 54s and Pure Vintage are the reference for authentic Strat and Tele tone.
About the brand
Leo Fender designed the first single-coil pickups of the modern guitar in the 1940s and 50s. The Telecaster original pickups (1950) and the Stratocaster's (1954) established the sound of the guitar across many genres. The characteristic twang of the Tele in bridge position and the chimey, bell-like tone of the Strat in neck position are sounds instantly recognisable across decades of recordings.
Fender's Custom Shop division has produced some of the most acclaimed recreations of those original pickups. The Custom Shop Texas Specials, co-designed with Stevie Ray Vaughan, add more punch and midrange to the vintage formula. The Pure Vintage series attempts to reproduce the exact specifications of the original alnico magnets and copper gauge.
The Noiseless range solves the hum problem with stacked coil technology. The Ultra Noiseless Hot series delivers higher output with zero hum, bridging the gap between vintage tone and modern application. Eric Clapton's signature Noiseless pickups remain one of the most popular Stratocaster replacements ever made.
Key facts
- Leo Fender designed the modern single-coil in the 1940s
- Strat pickups (1954) define the sound of rock, blues, and country
- Custom Shop Texas Specials: co-designed with Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Pure Vintage: reproduce the exact specifications of the 1950s originals
Iconic pickups
Custom Shop '54
Recreation of the original 1954 Stratocaster pickups. Alnico 5 with period copper gauge. The reference for authentic vintage Strat sound.
Texas Special
Co-designed with Stevie Ray Vaughan. More turns than the '54, more output and more midrange body. The Texas blues Strat sound.
Noiseless (Eric Clapton)
Stacked coil pickups designed with Eric Clapton to eliminate hum. One of the best-selling Stratocaster signature pickups in history.
Pure Vintage '65
Reproduction of 1965 Stratocaster pickups with original alnico 5 gauge and enamel lacquer. Part of Fender's most authentic vintage range.
Notable musicians
- Stevie Ray Vaughan · Custom Shop Texas Specials
- Eric Clapton · Noiseless, Custom Shop Brownie
- Jeff Beck · Custom Shop '54
- John Mayer · Custom Shop '69 Strat