Blues Special Tele
Love playing your Telecaster again and know it finally has the voice it was always meant to with our Blues Specials. Wound with a 5% overwind from our Stock Teles, Blues Specials feature a punchy, warm tone that tames the harsh top-end from most Telecasters and helps you hear every nuance in your playing. Lastly, customize your appearance with our neck options and make your Telecaster a real eye-catcher with a look that suits you.
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100% Tele, Just a Bit Meaner.
Want to learn more about our Blues Special Tele? Here's all the information you'll need:
Blues Special Tele FEATURES:
Discover what you’ve been missing with our best-selling Telecaster pickups. Blues Specials feature a 5% overwind that emphasizes the midrange while taming the high-end for a warmer, thicker Telecaster tone that still sounds like a Tele. Built with all USA-Made parts, you can take pride knowing Lindy designed his Blues Specials with the highest quality materials available.
It starts here: Our manufacturing process allows us to achieve unparalleled quality control. Blues Specials consist of local fiberboard and USA-Made Alnico 5 Magnets. We wind each pickup by hand, one at a time, using our proprietary “Sectioning” technique for a sweet, unique tone. You can feel great knowing that we wound your pickups specifically for you. Finally, we wax-pot the pickup to prevent microphonics and preserve the pickup for years to come.
Features:
- 5% more coil than our Stock Tele set for a warmer, thicker tone
- Modified Fender specifications, optimized for output
- High output, but still has Fender sparkle
- Compensated Bridge for even volume across all pickups
- USA-made Alnico 5 Magnets for optimal tonal balance and output
- Two different magnet staggers for optimizing pickups for your instrument
- Hand-wound with our “Sectioning” technique for unique, dynamic tone
- Hand-built fiberboard Bobbins for unrivaled quality control
- Backed by our 10-Year Warranty on manufacturing defects
Sound
If you’re looking for balance – not too bright, not too dark, this set is for you. While playing clean, Blues Specials sound thick and creamy with open and clear highs and a thicker midrange. The overwound coil tames your highs and bumps your midrange – more than the Stock Tele Pickups, while you can expect more of a traditional Tele Tone than our Steel Pole 42s.
With distortion, you can expect a light compression, low-end growl, and a medium attack. Single notes sound thick and round, while chords have a full tone with an early breakup. Finally, Blues Special Pickups are for you if you’re looking for more output from your current pickups, but still want to keep that traditional Tele tone.
You’ll wonder why you didn’t make the switch earlier.
Are you looking for a Hum Cancelling Tele pickup that actually sounds like a Tele? Check out the Blues Output of our Split Blade Tele Pickups
Tech Specs
See below for the estimated DCR and Polarity Information for our Blues Special Tele.
| SPECIFICATION | VALUE |
|---|---|
| Neck Ohm Reading: | 7.8K* |
| Bridge Ohm Reading: | 7.3K |
| Neck Polarity: | Counter Clockwise Coil Direction, North To Strings |
| Bridge Polarity: | Clockwise Coil Direction, South To Strings |
| Wire: | USA-Made 42 / 43-Gauge Single Poly Nylon |
| Magnet: | USA-Made Alnico 5 |
| Recommended Pot Value: | 250K |
*The Neck reads higher due to the use of 43 Gauge Wire, outputs are compensated
Sizing
Blues Special Tele Questions And Answers:
Have a question about our Blues Special Tele? Ask it here. Your Question will be publically visible.
If you want to ask a Private Question, please contact us through our Contact Us Form.
If you have multiple questions, please call us at (804) 358-2699.
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Hi, I have a tele with a H neck and a standard tel bridge. In the neck I put a seymour Duncan phat cat. It is quite hot. The standard tele bridge needs to be hotter, what would you recommend for the bridge. Currently the middle position seems to be out of phase. Thanks So I am looking for a tel bridge recommend, Thanks
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Q Hi, I have a tele with a H neck and a standard tel bridge. In the neck I put a seymour Duncan pha...... Read moreThere are no answers for this question yet.
Hey team, What is the difference in the three magnet stagger options? Cheers!
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Q Hey team, What is the difference in the three magnet stagger options? Cheers!A
Hey Luke, Stock Stagger is optimized for rounder fingerboard radiuses (rounder than 10"). Hybrid Stagger is optimized for flatter fingerboard radiuses (flatter than 10"). Flat Stagger is a vintage Broadcaster stagger, for those looking for an authentic 50's look and tone.
More on Fingerboard Radius here.
- Tyler
Hi I have purchased a Blues Special pickup set for Telecaster, from Sound Affects Premier here in the UK. I did not have a choice with respect of open or covered neck pickup as they only had the open neck pickup version in stock, so I bought it hoping I would like it. Unfortunately I don't like the look without cover, it just does not look right. I have a spare cover from a Fender neck pickup and I am contemplating fitting it to the pickup. I wou...
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Q Hi I have purchased a Blues Special pickup set for Telecaster, from Sound Affects Premier here in...... Read moreA
Hey Denis, unfortunately, this will not work. Our Neck Pickup has staggered magnets out the top of the pickup, and a cover won't fit. What you can do is send the pickup back to us for an exchange, and we can make a 3-Wire covered Blues Special for you. You'll have to pay to ship both ways. - Tyler
Hi What would you recommend for a Tele Thinline 69 with Maple neck? I play the Blues.
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Q Hi What would you recommend for a Tele Thinline 69 with Maple neck? I play the Blues.A
Hey Mike, we'd recommend this set - our Blues Special Tele. They are perfect for a Thinline, and for the style of music you are playing. - Tyler
Hi, what is the output of the Blues special set?
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Q Hi, what is the output of the Blues special set?A
Hey Joel, 7.8K for the Neck, 7.3K for the Bridge. As Lindy describes it, Blues Specials are as hot as we can make a Tele pickup while retaining that traditional Tele "sparkle".
Hi - I would like to mount the BS neck pickup to my pickguard. Are the mounting holes threaded for that?
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Q Hi - I would like to mount the BS neck pickup to my pickguard. Are the mounting holes threaded fo...... Read moreA
Hey Ian, we provide two sets of screws for our Neck pickups. We provide a course-threaded screw with a flat tip (which is our pickguard screw) along with a set of wood screws. See this link for more information: (Click the second question)
I have a Mexican telly How can you tell what the neck radius is? Not sure what it is.
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Q I have a Mexican telly How can you tell what the neck radius is? Not sure what it is.A
Hey Brodie, most often than not, the Neck Radiuses on Mexican Telecasters are around 9.5". It's helpful to look up the specs on your guitar and the year it was made, and find the Fingerboard Radius specification.
I've got a stock Custom Shop 60's Tele. Nice guitar, but the bridge pickup is too trebly. Which of your Tele replacement pickups are best for eliminating that harsh, brittle, trebly sound?
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Q I've got a stock Custom Shop 60's Tele. Nice guitar, but the bridge pickup is too trebly. Which o...... Read moreA
Hey Mike, the Blues Specials are as loud as we can get a Telecaster Pickup while still retaining the Tele tone. The benefit here is our Bridge has extra punch that tames the top-end glassiness. So, if you're looking to keep the Tele tone but remove the top end "bite", go with our Blues Specials. If you're trying to get away from the Tele Tone altogether and get something really thick and dark, I'd go with the High Outputs.
Will a blues special bridge and vintage hot neck work well together. Also Will flat stagger work well with 9.5 radius neck? My current bridge pup is flat staggered but not sure how yours would sound in comparison.
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Q Will a blues special bridge and vintage hot neck work well together. Also Will flat stagger work ...... Read moreA
Hey Daniel, yes, these two pickups would work together if you're looking for a stronger bridge. You can absolutely go with a Flat Stagger - you can expect a bit more "punch" and presence out of the pickup.
So reading the above I have a Fender Player Tele which is 9.5” radius I assume I should go for the stock stagger?
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Q So reading the above I have a Fender Player Tele which is 9.5” radius I assume I should go for th...... Read moreA
Hey Bill, yes - we recommend Stock Stagger for a guitar with a 9.5" fingerboard radius.
My Question is I have a Fender American Elite Tele If I go with the Blues specials what maget stagger is best and what does right or left handed mean?
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Q My Question is I have a Fender American Elite Tele If I go with the Blues specials what maget sta...... Read moreA
Hey Jerry, if you're a left-handed player, go with the Left-Handed orientation so we build your pickups to the correct stagger. Your Telecaster has a Compound Radius, so we recommend going with the Hybrid Stagger!
Will the stewmac pickup routing template for Tele be suitable fit for routing these pickups on my new build?
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Q Will the stewmac pickup routing template for Tele be suitable fit for routing these pickups on my...... Read moreA
Yes, we believe so! Just note that our neck pickup mounting holes are slightly more narrow than most other manufacturers. So, if you're mounting the neck pickup into the body, check our dimensions to be sure.
Morning I have a Squire Affinity Tele and only play the bridge pickup I want a Fralin Blues special in there. If I want the middle changed too down the road is that ok with just the bridge to start? Also what else needs to be changed while I’m in there for better tone? Thanks Rick Omer
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Q Morning I have a Squire Affinity Tele and only play the bridge pickup I want a Fralin Blues speci...... Read moreA
Hey Rick, Yes - you can simply start with the Bridge pickup. Just pay attention to pickup polarity when you eventually add the Neck and Middle. See these related articles: The Nashville Tele Problem & How to Reverse Pickup Polarity, Part 1: Single Coil Pickups. Regarding what...
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I am about to buy the Blues Special Tele set for a Lefty Partscaster. I have an issue where this guitar is one of the best I've ever played... but... the bridge was routed/mounted a bit too far back on the body... making the Bridge p/up thinner than normal. Is there any way to compensate for that at all... or is moving the bridge forward the only option? I've ordered b4 a Vintage Hot Strat set and Pure PAF set that I love! Thanks
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Q I am about to buy the Blues Special Tele set for a Lefty Partscaster. I have an issue where this ...... Read moreA
Absolutely - we can overwind the bridge pickup to compensate. Please use the "Notes" field on the checkout screen to request an additional +5% overwind on the Bridge.
Would the Blues Specials be the best choice to get the classic Telecaster tone (without the "ice pick") on my recently acquired Offset Telecaster? I primarily play rhythm guitar in my R&B band. I already have a have a Stratocaster and a Les Paul for those classic tones. Thanks!
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Q Would the Blues Specials be the best choice to get the classic Telecaster tone (without the "ice ...... Read moreA
Hey Barry, yes - that's what the Blues Specials were designed for! They are as thick as you can get Tele pickups while still retaining the "Tele" sound.
AHey Barry, yes - that's what the Blues Specials were designed for! They are as thick as you can get Tele pickups while still retaining the "Tele" sound.
Will the pickups install okay using the ToneShaper Guitar Wiring Kit, For Fender Telecaster, SS3 (4-Way ToneShaper Wiring)? Do I order the pickups with the 4-way switching option? Thanks!
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Q Will the pickups install okay using the ToneShaper Guitar Wiring Kit, For Fender Telecaster, SS3 ...... Read moreA
Hey Barry, yes, they should fit. The push-back cloth insulation will expose the stranded core of the pickup's leads. Make sure you twist these with your fingers to make sure the wires are close together before inserting into ToneShapers' mounting system. Also, make sure to select 3-Wire configuration.
I will be installing a 4-way switch. Do I need to order neck pickup with or without cover? Thanks in advance!
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Q I will be installing a 4-way switch. Do I need to order neck pickup with or without cover? Thanks...... Read moreA You can order it either way! Just note, if you select a cover, please choose the “4 Way Switching Modification” checkbox so we can give you the correct pickup.
I have the same question as Peter. Does a cover on the neck pickup make a difference on tone or shielding?
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Q I have the same question as Peter. Does a cover on the neck pickup make a difference on tone or s...... Read moreA It does – however, we compensate the winding to make sure there is no impact on tone. So, for your intents and purposes, the cover is purely an aesthetic choice.
Hi. Really eyeing these Blues Specials. The question is if position two/middle provides that crystalline shimmer that position two on a strat provides.
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Q Hi. Really eyeing these Blues Specials. The question is if position two/middle provides that crys...... Read moreA As long as you’re wiring your Tele normally, then yes! These pickups sound great in parallel and give you the Tele quack.
Howdy – I’m building a Partscaster that is a ’69 Thinline with a TV Jones in the neck position. Currently, it has a ’62 Fender bridge pickup. I’m looking for something a little stronger and warmer (less harsh highs) in the bridge slot and the Blues Special looks like a good fit. Questions are: Which stagger? (neck is 7.5? radius) Will a 500k resistor make this pickup see a 500k pot as a 250? (per your wiring diagram showing the resistor...
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Q Howdy – I’m building a Partscaster that is a ’69 Thinline with a TV Jones in the neck position. C...... Read moreA We definitely recommend Stock Stagger for this neck radius. Regarding your resistor question, absolutely! Go for a 500K / 470K resistor (whichever you can find), and if following this wiring diagram here, you’ll have a compensated tonal balance. https://www.fralinpickups.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Humbucker-Single-Coil-Tele-With-Resistor.pdf
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FEATURED REVIEWS
Reviews we worked hard for, and are proud of.
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"I have the Frailin Blues Special Tele pickups in my USA Fender Telecaster and I absolutely love them. They definitely provide the punch I was looking for. They still have that awesome “twang” but with more definition. I have a variety of different pickups in my three teles (wide range humbuckers, hot rails, standard Fender pickups) and my Tele with the Frailin pickups are always my go to guitar. Gotta love them and they’re made in my home state of Virginia!"
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"I had ordered another (reputable) company's PU's and was not at all happy with them. I had all but stopped playing my Telecaster because of this. On a recommendation from my tech, I called and actually spoke with Lindy about the issue. On HIS recommendation after our conversation, I ended up ordering a set of the Blues Specials for my Tele. The very minute they were in the guitar I could immediately hear the difference. A few days later, I was using them onstage in front of a large, very rowdy crowd, and the guitar was so alive and responsive... the difference was like night and day. I absolutely LOVE these PU's!!! Meaty, but not too dark, clear, but not too shrill... VERY toneful, for lack of a better description. Well, maybe that IS the best description... Thanks Lindy. I have my Tele back!!!"
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"my 1st time writting a review, i am so impressed with the tele blues special i decided to say something. now i have 2014 tele with a maple neck. i've used dimarzio quiet pickups, seymore duncan pickups and they are pretty nice and then mojo tone 52 quiet coils. they were ok but lack severly in the neck postion. after saying all that, installing the fralin blues special, what great difference! i played my 1st gig with my 76 deluxe reverb, WOW! and then on my 2nd gig i used my 66 vibrolux, another WOW! a real nice open sound, and in the neck position was alive and well. all 3 positions was spot on. i've been playing a long time, started at the age 14 and now i'm 72 and still have a lot to learn. very grateful for these fine pickups. i'm seriously concidering the blues special for my strat also. thankyou for letting me share my opinion."
I was told by a luthier on the East Coast to try these pickups . I bought a set and put them in a guitar I built and wow ! I now use them in my guitars and in 90% of my builds ! Lindy and Co have left the others in the dust . I can’t say enough about how great these and their other pickups are . I saw a loaded Strat pick guard on 920 D and bought it immediately . Why ? Because it was loaded with Fralin’s now I’m building a Strat around these pickups !
I built two Tele’s for my Daughters for Christmas , you guessed it Fralin stock Tele’s in one Fralin Blues Specials in the other .
I am now a life long customer . The guitar I built for my friend ? That’s Paul Bell from the Nighthawks . He loves the Blues Specials !
I picked these up to replace the pickups in a 63 Fender Custom Shop Tele that were a little too thin and bright. I really can’t believe the difference that these pickups have made; the bridge pickup is clear and punchy without ever being shrill and gets a fantastic, creamy, bluesy sound with the tone control rolled back. The neck pickup is round and warm but clear enough that I can actually hear all the strings…it’s basically perfect. These pickups are truely special, and they are never leaving my guitar.
The Fralin team recently added blues specials to my American ash/maple Tele and out of my collection it’s become my favorite guitar again! These pickups are absolutely fantastic. I got the -Tone Cap: 02 – 0015 w/push-pull – bridge position pulled and neck position pushed are my favorite settings. I previously had N3 noiseless stock Fender pickups and they were average at best. Now, the guitar produces warm lows and clear highs – no more shrills or stingy sounds, and the harmonics are beautiful. I couldn’t be happier and never knew what a difference superior quality pickups would make.
Moving forward, I’ll be going through the Fralin team for all of my pickup needs – you guys do stellar work!
Just recently put a full set of Blues Specials in my Standard Tele after modding it with a bunch of Fender aftermarket vintage parts, I thought I was in love with it’s look the most until I put these pick ups in. They sound incredible! They eliminate that harsh, high pitched twang you sometimes get on higher notes on the Tele, but keep the low crunchy tones. They sound great both clean and dirty, giving off a sound somewhere between a vintage Tele and a well worn Strat. I ordered the uncovered neck pickup, and the output difference is astounding. Easily the best Tele pickups I’ve come across, I highly recommend them for any Tele enthusiasts and I’ll definitely be coming back to Lindy Fralin if I need any other pickup.
Great set of Tele pickups….incredibly versatile, both live and in the studio. You can stick with the clean traditional Tele voice or drive them and get warm, fluid tones. Fingerpicking, flatpicking, or hybrid picking styles are all well-served by these pickups. Whatever I do with them, they retain richness, clarity, and articulation while still having color and character. They are very well made with quality materials. On top of that, the company is nice to work with and always helpful. Can’t recommend them highly enough.
These pickups are Great! I tried 3 different pickups till I got it right. These Blues Specials make my Tele sound like what I imagine a vintage Telecaster would sound like without being harsh or ice-picky. I highly recommend! I bought the set and it even sounds good in the middle position. Kinda like that Straty quacky sound. Amazing!
Bought a Michael Kelly t-style because it came loaded with these pickups. I replaced the 500k pots (yeah, what’s up with that?) with Emerson pots and cap. Hokie smokes, Bullwinkle! It is one of the best sounding, and playing, t-types I have ever owned. These pickups wail! And they are the quietest single-coils I have ever heard. Great pickups!
I ordered the Fralin Blues Special bridge pickup for my 1999 Fender Telecaster American Standard. Excellent presales service to ensure seamless installation. The pickup sounded good but I ended up reinstalling the original Fender stock bridge pickup. The Fender stock pickup seemed to sound more compatible with the Fender Twisted Tele neck pickup that I have on this guitar. Perhaps the Fralin Stock Bridge Pickup would have been a better choice to go with the Twisted Tele neck pickup. The Blues Special bridge was just a little too dark as was the Twisted Tele bridge pickup that came in a set with the Twisted Tele neck pickup. The 048610 Fender stock bridge pickup seemed to be clearer in tone and with more sustain than either the Twisted Tele Bridge or the Fralin Blues Special Bridge. Good sounding pickup, just not compatible with the Twisted Tele neck pickup.
Beautiful-sounding, inspiring pickups! Sounds great clean or dirty. I was leaning towards the stock Tele pickups but Lindy recommended these and I’m glad he did! I went with the covered neck, 2% output and it feels nicely matched to the bridge. Based on your touch they can be fat and warm or gnarly and bright. As Gershwin said, “Who could ask for anything more?” 5 stars!
Just outstanding. Upgraded a Roadworn 50s w Blues Specials and it instantly became a beast! Very responsive to both touch and controls and easily moves from warm and clean to crunchy when digging in. Couldn’t be any happier with them.