Blues Special Strat
Are you seeking a thicker Strat sound, that still sounds like a Strat? Look no further than our Blues Specials. One of our best-selling Stratocaster sets, Blues Specials provides more output and a thicker sound while retaining that Stratocaster tone we all know and love. Manufactured by hand in Richmond, VA with 100% USA-Made materials, instantly transform your Strat into a versatile powerhouse and discover what you’ve been missing with our Blues Specials.
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All Strat Tone, Only Thicker.
Want to learn more about our Blues Special Strat? Here's all the information you'll need:
Blues Special Strat FEATURES:
Blues Specials are our second best-selling Stratocaster single coil set, and for a good reason: with a thicker, warmer tone, they are perfect for balancing out a bright guitar and pushing your amp hard, all while retaining “the” Strat tone! If you are looking for a thick, warm sound out of your Strat, you will love the sound of these pickups. With more turns per coil than our Vintage Hots, these slightly overwound pickups sound a bit thicker and hotter than vintage-voiced models.
Plugging in, you’ll immediately get inspired by the powerful, slightly compressed, and creamy Strat tone coming out of these pickups. You’ll notice the tight and warm midrange coupled with crystal-clear lows and round highs.
Features:
- 5% more coil than our Vintage Hots: 5% more output and mids, 5% less highs
- Modified Fender specifications, with more output and thicker tone
- High output, but still has Fender sparkle
- Compensated Bridge for even volume across all pickups
- RW / RP Middle pickup for Hum Cancelling in positions 2 & 4
- USA-made Alnico 5 Magnets and wire for optimal tonal balance and output
- Two magnet staggers available for different fingerboard radiuses
- Hand-wound with our “Sectioning” technique for unique, dynamic tone
- Hand-built, locally-sourced fiberboard Bobbins for unrivaled quality control
- Backed by our 10-Year Warranty on manufacturing defects
- Risk-free 30-day exchange policy
It starts here: Our manufacturing process allows us to achieve unparalleled quality control and tonal bliss. Blues Specials consist of locally-sourced fiberboard, USA-Made Alnico 5 Magnets, and USA-Made 42-Gauge Single Poly Nylon Wire.
We wind each pickup by hand using our proprietary “Sectioning” technique, one at a time in Richmond, VA. Winding this way is more labor-intensive, but it gives the pickup a sweet, clear tone. Finally, we wax-pot the pickup in a neutral wax to prevent microphonics and preserve the pickup for years to come.
Sound
Whether playing clean or dirty, Blues Specials feature a thicker midrange and rounder highs than vintage-voiced Strat models like our Real 54’s or Vintage Hots. Although they are an overwound Strat pickup, they are not too aggressive and feature a very open and dynamic tone. Blues Specials sound more like a traditional Strat pickup, unlike our Steel Pole 42’s, which lean closer to the sound of a P90.
Expect a thicker high-end and low-end growl, which will push your amp or pedals hard and provide a versatile and creamy breakup that is ideal for many music styles.
Are you looking for a Hum Cancelling Strat pickup that actually sounds like a Strat? Check out the Blues Output of our Split Blade Strat Pickups
Lastly, cut through in the mix when soloing with a thicker, rounder single note and a powerful attack. Chords sound warm with a great string-to-string definition. Blues Specials sound powerful and bold – a great way to take your guitar’s tone to the next level. You’ll wonder why you didn’t make the switch earlier.
Tech Specs
See below for the estimated DCR and Polarity Information for our Blues Special Strat.
Blues Specials are made with 100% USA-Made parts.
| SPECIFICATION | VALUE |
|---|---|
| Neck Ohm Reading: | 6.3K |
| Middle Ohm Reading: | 6.3K |
| Bridge Ohm Reading: | 7.1K |
| Neck & Bridge Polarity: | Clockwise Coil Direction, South to Strings |
| Reverse Middle Polarity: | Counter-Clockwise Coil Direction, North to Strings |
| Recommended Pot Value: | 250K |
| Magnet: | USA-Made Alnico 5 |
| Wire: | USA-Made 42-Gauge Single Poly Nylon |
| Recommended Cap Value**: | 0.02mfd |
**We recommend a 0.02mfd Cap Value on most guitar and bass pickups. The exception is a Magic Cap, which Lindy prefers on the Bridge Pickup of Fender® guitars only. Learn More about Caps Here.
Sizing
Blues Special Strat Questions And Answers:
Notice:
Have a question about our Blues Special Strat? 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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A decade or more ago I built a "Parts Strat" and used your PU's, that as I recall, were called "Texas Specials". Wondering where those would fit in your current range or how they would compare to these "Blues" PU's ?
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Q A decade or more ago I built a "Parts Strat" and used your PU's, that as I recall, were called "T...... Read moreA
Hey Michael, the pickups you are referring to are actually our Blues Specials.
Is it possible for me to get these pickups 3% overwound? I’m looking for something between these and the Pole 42s.
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Q Is it possible for me to get these pickups 3% overwound? I’m looking for something between these ...... Read moreA
Hey Dee,
Yes, of course. Please use the 'notes' field on the checkout screen to request, and we'll make it custom for you. Please note that custom orders and requests cannot be returned or exchanged.
Recommended pickup heights for blues special strat set
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Q Recommended pickup heights for blues special strat setA
Hey Van, check this article here: How To Properly Set Pickup Height
I am thinking about switching out my stock Music Man Cutlass pickups (HSS) with Fralin Blues pick ups. Just wondering about matching the single coils w/the humbucker. Thanks, Bob
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Q I am thinking about switching out my stock Music Man Cutlass pickups (HSS) with Fralin Blues pick...... Read moreA
Hey Bob, this is a great question, as there are many options. I'd personally go with a Pure P.A.F. with an output of 8K - you'll get a good match in terms of tone and output with that setup. - Tyler
Would it be possible to order a set of blues specials without the reverse wound middle position?
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Q Would it be possible to order a set of blues specials without the reverse wound middle position?A
Hey James, yes! Simply request it in the "order notes" field on the checkout screen.
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GET IT PREWIRED
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Featured Reviews
Reviews we worked hard for, and are proud of.
I installed these in a 2007 Fender MIM strat that always sounded “ok,” but never had enough body and bottom end, and the highs were a bit thin. This set of pickups was the PERFECT solution. Nothing but pure, full, strat tones coming from my old friend. I also installed with a freeway switch because I like to be overwhelmed with too many tone choices. This guitar has amazing range now. I’m considering buying another MIM to experiment with different Fralin pickups in the future. I’ve purchased 5 different sets of Fralin pickups (mostly Telecaster) and EVERY SINGLE ONE of them has been the best pickup in its class. Without question, the finest tones I’ve heard in my 40 years of playing.
What a pleasure these things are!!! There’s the chime if you want it. The mid-range growl, and the oompf to push any amp into overdrive glory! I love these pups. The have a fuller body than many stock single coils that I’ve worked with and are a breeze to install. I paired them in an HSS style strat with a big single and it has become a fan favorite in my playing circle. I work a side gig at a guitar shop and any client that wants a little more body to their strat but dont want to sacrifice too much in the iconic quack…i point them to these.
I’ve had numerous repairs done of several makes and models of pickups by Lindy and the staff. All the work has been top notch! I enjoy talking to Lindy when i have had the opportunity to call about something and he has always been very friendly and helpful. You guys are great! Lindy also helped me design a custom set of pickups for a customer/friend of mine and the results were so good I bought set for myself and may buy another set, they sound incredible. Thank you guys for being professional, true experts in your field, and extremely easy to do business with. I recommend you to all my customers.
Install the set of Blues special on my strat. Its the sound a was looking for dont think i will never change them. Thank you for a great product.
Lowell George would approve. I built my take on a Lowellcaster using two Strat Blues Specials and a Tele Blues Special in the bridge. Couple that with a Craftsman socket wrench and a Tweed Deluxe. Fralin Pickups nailed it.
Killer blues sound, I have a custom warmoth strat build that I’ve tried every pickup style and brand you can think of. I put these lindy fralin blue’s specials in and they haven’t left. I put a Seymour Duncan red devil in the bridge with a blender switch. I cannot describe the clarity, response and just over all tone of these pickups. I liked them so much I put the blue’s specials in my telecaster as well.
Absolutely stellar pickups! Tone for days, clarity and single note definition are unreal. If you were thinking of adding the baseplate to the bridge, stop thinking about it and do it! The baseplate on the bridge pickup makes up for everything that a traditional strat bridge pickup lacks. Gives it the perfect amount of girth.
A review of a Lindy Fralin pickup is easy::::: Tone, Tone, Tone, Sustain, Sustain, Tone, Tone, Tone. I’ve been playing Strats and Teles for decades and love Lindy Fralin pickups!
Thanks again Lindy. They did exactly what you said they would, except you always forget to explain that these pickups are some kind of fourth dimension shit.
I’ve been wanting to put Fralins in one of my strats for a while now and finally had the right setup for them. Put the Blues Deluxe’s in the neck and middle and couldn’t be happier with them. Added the SP43 in the bridge and it’s the perfect combo for what I was wanting. Love ‘em. Won’t ever change ‘em. I will definitely be recommending them for upcoming custom builds for clients.