What magnets are used in the Vintera 60s Strat pickups?

These pickups use Alnico 5 magnets. These magnets are non-beveled to maintain historical accuracy to the original 1960s Fender designs.

Is the middle pickup hum-cancelling?

Yes, the middle pickup is Reverse Wound/Reverse Polarity (RWRP). This allows for hum cancellation when the guitar is used in the 'in-between' positions 2 and 4.

What type of wire is used for the coils?

The set features enamel-coated magnet wire. This was a standard material used during the 1960s and contributes to the specific tonal profile of the pickup.

How does the magnet stagger affect the sound?

The original magnet stagger is designed to balance the volume output across all strings. This prevents certain strings from sounding significantly louder or quieter than others.

What is the typical price for this pickup set?

The set typically retails for approximately £94. This makes it an affordable upgrade for those looking for authentic Fender tones.

Can these pickups be installed in a Squier Mini Stratocaster?

Yes, these are standard-sized Stratocaster single-coils and can be used to upgrade instruments like the Squier Mini Stratocaster or other Squier models. Some soldering and basic technical skills are required for installation.

Are the magnets beveled on this model?

No, the Alnico 5 magnets in the Vintera 60s set are non-beveled. This is a specific design choice to replicate the look and magnetic field of 1960s originals.

What genre of music is this pickup set best suited for?

It is best suited for genres that require clean chime or vintage grit, such as 60s pop, surf, blues, and classic rock. It is designed to offer the 'bell-like' clarity famous from that era.

How do these compare to modern American Professional II pickups?

The Vintera 60s pickups are designed for vintage accuracy, whereas American Professional II pickups often feature modern refinements for higher output or different frequency responses. The Vintera set is more focused on 1960s historical specifications.

Do these pickups come as a set of three?

Yes, the Fender Vintera 60s Stratocaster Pickup Set is sold as a complete set of three pickups: bridge, middle, and neck. This ensures a balanced tone across all switch positions.

Is a mounting kit included with the pickups?

Fender accessory pickup sets typically include the necessary mounting screws and tubing for installation. However, the specific pickguard and wiring harness are usually sold separately.

How does the Alnico 5 magnet influence the tone compared to Alnico 2?

Alnico 5 magnets generally offer a tighter, punchier sound with a stronger output and more pronounced highs. This contributes to the 'bell-like' quality described by Fender for this 60s-style set.

Gear article

Fender Vintera 60s Stratocaster Pickup Set

The Fender Vintera 60s Stratocaster Pickup Set is a trio of single-coil pickups designed to replicate the specific tonal characteristics of 1960s-era Fender electric guitars. Utilising period-correct materials such as enamel-coated wire and non-beveled Alnico 5 magnets, these pickups are engineered to deliver the bell-like clarity and balanced output associated with the classic pop and rock recordings of that decade.

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Overview

The Fender Vintera 60s Stratocaster Pickup Set serves as a vintage-style replacement or upgrade for Stratocaster-style electric guitars. Positioned within Fender's mid-tier accessory line, these pickups aim to provide an authentic vintage aesthetic and sonic profile without the premium cost of Custom Shop models. The set is defined by its adherence to 1960s specifications, focusing on a balance between crisp highs and a controlled low-end response.

Technical Features and Design

The construction of the Vintera 60s set relies on two primary components for its tonal signature: enamel-coated magnet wire and Alnico 5 magnets. Unlike modern pickups that often feature beveled edges, these magnets are non-beveled, remaining faithful to the original manufacturing processes of the 1960s.

Another significant technical feature is the original magnet stagger. This physical arrangement ensures that the output is balanced across all six strings, accounting for the different gauges and tensions typically found on a Stratocaster. To improve modern usability, the middle pickup is Reverse Wound/Reverse Polarity (RWRP). This configuration provides a hum-cancelling effect when the guitar is switched to positions 2 and 4 on a standard five-way selector switch.

Sound Character

Fender describes the sound of the Vintera 60s set as 'tight' and 'bell-like.' The use of Alnico 5 magnets generally provides a punchier and more aggressive character compared to Alnico 2 or 3, yet the specific winding and enamel coating ensure the high frequencies remain clear and chime-like rather than harsh. This '60s tone' is characterised by a slightly more pronounced midrange and increased output compared to 50s-style pickups, making it suitable for a wide variety of genres including surf rock, blues, and classic rock.

Suitability and Comparison

This pickup set is primarily intended for players seeking a traditional 'vintage' sound. It is a popular upgrade for entry-level instruments, such as the Squier Mini Stratocaster or Stagg SES-30BK, or for players who find their modern stock pickups, like those in the American Professional II series, to be too contemporary in character.

Compared to alternative single-coil options like P90s found in Gibson Les Paul Standards or high-output humbuckers found in the Jim Root Telecaster, the Vintera 60s set offers lower output and greater clarity. It provides a more authentic 'vintage' experience than standard ceramic pickups found in budget models, offering the specific harmonic complexity required for classic Stratocaster tones.

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Frequently asked questions

What magnets are used in the Vintera 60s Strat pickups?: These pickups use Alnico 5 magnets. These magnets are non-beveled to maintain historical accuracy to the original 1960s Fender designs.
Is the middle pickup hum-cancelling?: Yes, the middle pickup is Reverse Wound/Reverse Polarity (RWRP). This allows for hum cancellation when the guitar is used in the 'in-between' positions 2 and 4.
What type of wire is used for the coils?: The set features enamel-coated magnet wire. This was a standard material used during the 1960s and contributes to the specific tonal profile of the pickup.
How does the magnet stagger affect the sound?: The original magnet stagger is designed to balance the volume output across all strings. This prevents certain strings from sounding significantly louder or quieter than others.
What is the typical price for this pickup set?: The set typically retails for approximately £94. This makes it an affordable upgrade for those looking for authentic Fender tones.
Can these pickups be installed in a Squier Mini Stratocaster?: Yes, these are standard-sized Stratocaster single-coils and can be used to upgrade instruments like the Squier Mini Stratocaster or other Squier models. Some soldering and basic technical skills are required for installation.
Are the magnets beveled on this model?: No, the Alnico 5 magnets in the Vintera 60s set are non-beveled. This is a specific design choice to replicate the look and magnetic field of 1960s originals.
What genre of music is this pickup set best suited for?: It is best suited for genres that require clean chime or vintage grit, such as 60s pop, surf, blues, and classic rock. It is designed to offer the 'bell-like' clarity famous from that era.
How do these compare to modern American Professional II pickups?: The Vintera 60s pickups are designed for vintage accuracy, whereas American Professional II pickups often feature modern refinements for higher output or different frequency responses. The Vintera set is more focused on 1960s historical specifications.
Do these pickups come as a set of three?: Yes, the Fender Vintera 60s Stratocaster Pickup Set is sold as a complete set of three pickups: bridge, middle, and neck. This ensures a balanced tone across all switch positions.
Is a mounting kit included with the pickups?: Fender accessory pickup sets typically include the necessary mounting screws and tubing for installation. However, the specific pickguard and wiring harness are usually sold separately.
How does the Alnico 5 magnet influence the tone compared to Alnico 2?: Alnico 5 magnets generally offer a tighter, punchier sound with a stronger output and more pronounced highs. This contributes to the 'bell-like' quality described by Fender for this 60s-style set.