What is the primary design goal of the Fender Custom Shop Fat 50s pickups?

The primary goal is to resurrect the hallmark quality and iconic snap of 1950s Stratocaster tones while providing enough low-end punch for modern performance.

What does 'custom wound' mean in the context of this set?

It means that each of the three pickups in the set is individually designed and wound to provide a specific, unique character for its respective position on the guitar.

How does the 'Fat' designation affect the sound?

The 'Fat' designation refers to the overwound design, which incorporates a distinctive and enhanced low-end punch into the traditional single-coil sound.

Are these pickups suitable for modern music genres?

Yes, while they sound vintage, they are built for modern performance with increased output and bass response that handles contemporary amplification well.

Who is a notable artist known for using Fender Fat 50s pickups?

The legendary musician Prince is a notable artist associated with the use of these specific pickups.

How many pickups are included in the standard set?

The product is sold as a trio, containing three period-correct single-coil pickups for the neck, middle, and bridge positions.

What tonal characteristics define the Fat 50s high-end?

They deliver the iconic snap, bite, and sparkle that originally gave the Stratocaster its legendary status in the 1950s.

How do these compare to the pickups in a Squier Mini Stratocaster?

These are professional-grade Custom Shop pickups offering significantly more tonal depth, clarity, and vintage accuracy than the entry-level pickups found in a Squier Mini.

What is the typical price range for a set of Fat 50s?

In the UK market, these pickups typically retail in the price range of approximately GBP 249.

Do these pickups offer a vintage or modern look?

They are designed to be period-correct, offering a vintage flair that matches the aesthetic of 1950s instruments.

How does the low-end of the Fat 50s differ from standard 50s pickups?

The Fat 50s are overwound to specifically increase the low-end punch, making them sound 'thicker' than a standard, non-overwound vintage pickup.

Can these pickups be used in an American Professional II Stratocaster?

Yes, they can be installed as an upgrade in most standard Stratocaster models, including the American Professional II series, to provide a more vintage-voiced character.

Gear article

Fender Custom Shop Fat 50s Stratocaster Pickups

The Fender Custom Shop Fat 50s Stratocaster Pickups are a trio of period-correct single-coil pickups designed to replicate the hallmark sound of the 1950s. They combine vintage aesthetic and snap with an overwound construction that provides enhanced low-end punch for modern performance requirements.

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Overview

The Fender Custom Shop Fat 50s Stratocaster Pickups represent a premium upgrade path for guitarists seeking to capture the 'golden era' tones of the mid-20th century. Meticulously crafted by the Fender Custom Shop, these pickups are intended to resurrect the iconic snap, bite, and punch that established the Stratocaster's legendary status. While they are rooted in vintage design, they are engineered to meet the demands of contemporary players through modern manufacturing techniques and specific tonal adjustments.

Design and Key Features

A primary feature of the Fat 50s set is the custom-wound nature of each component. Unlike mass-produced alternatives, these pickups are individually designed so that each position in the trio brings a unique character to the instrument's overall sound.

The technical design incorporates an overwound construction. This deviation from standard vintage specifications allows the pickups to maintain a distinctive low-end punch and increased output while still preserving the high-end clarity associated with 1950s single coils. This 'Fat' designation refers specifically to this enhanced bass response and fuller midrange.

Sound Character

The sonic profile of the Fat 50s is defined by a balance of vintage flair and modern power. Players can expect the traditional Stratocaster 'quack' and 'sparkle' in the higher frequencies, but with a more robust foundation.

Low End: Enhanced punch and depth compared to standard vintage-spec pickups.
Midrange: Clear and articulate, facilitating a 'fat' tone that cuts through a mix.
High End: Retains the characteristic snap and bite of a 50s-era single coil.

Target Audience and Comparisons

These pickups are ideally suited for players who require the aesthetic and tonal characteristics of a vintage Stratocaster but find standard vintage-output pickups too thin for modern genres. They have been utilised by high-profile artists, most notably Prince, who was known for his exacting standards regarding tone.

When compared to modern alternatives like the pickups found in an American Professional II Stratocaster or the high-output humbuckers in a Jim Root Telecaster, the Fat 50s offer a more traditional, single-coil clarity. They provide more warmth and 'girth' than the Squier Mini Stratocaster pickups or entry-level models like the Stagg SES-30BK, positioning them as a professional-grade component for serious studio and stage work.

Artists who play it

Prince
Singer

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary design goal of the Fender Custom Shop Fat 50s pickups?: The primary goal is to resurrect the hallmark quality and iconic snap of 1950s Stratocaster tones while providing enough low-end punch for modern performance.
What does 'custom wound' mean in the context of this set?: It means that each of the three pickups in the set is individually designed and wound to provide a specific, unique character for its respective position on the guitar.
How does the 'Fat' designation affect the sound?: The 'Fat' designation refers to the overwound design, which incorporates a distinctive and enhanced low-end punch into the traditional single-coil sound.
Are these pickups suitable for modern music genres?: Yes, while they sound vintage, they are built for modern performance with increased output and bass response that handles contemporary amplification well.
Who is a notable artist known for using Fender Fat 50s pickups?: The legendary musician Prince is a notable artist associated with the use of these specific pickups.
How many pickups are included in the standard set?: The product is sold as a trio, containing three period-correct single-coil pickups for the neck, middle, and bridge positions.
What tonal characteristics define the Fat 50s high-end?: They deliver the iconic snap, bite, and sparkle that originally gave the Stratocaster its legendary status in the 1950s.
How do these compare to the pickups in a Squier Mini Stratocaster?: These are professional-grade Custom Shop pickups offering significantly more tonal depth, clarity, and vintage accuracy than the entry-level pickups found in a Squier Mini.
What is the typical price range for a set of Fat 50s?: In the UK market, these pickups typically retail in the price range of approximately GBP 249.
Do these pickups offer a vintage or modern look?: They are designed to be period-correct, offering a vintage flair that matches the aesthetic of 1950s instruments.
How does the low-end of the Fat 50s differ from standard 50s pickups?: The Fat 50s are overwound to specifically increase the low-end punch, making them sound 'thicker' than a standard, non-overwound vintage pickup.
Can these pickups be used in an American Professional II Stratocaster?: Yes, they can be installed as an upgrade in most standard Stratocaster models, including the American Professional II series, to provide a more vintage-voiced character.