Prewired Pickguards – The Fralin Way
At Fralin Pickups, we’re always trying to make you sound better. The Fralin Prewired Pickguard offers the best tone and highest quality available. We use our world-famous pickups with the best ingredients we can get. Furthermore, you can customize your pickguard exactly how you want it! With this Prewired Pickguard, you can have famous Fralin tone and ease of mind. All you need to do is solder a few wires, screw it in, string it up, and you’re off rocking! Here’s how to get it going:
Step 1: Choose Your Pickguard
We use the finest quality pick guards available, only from Allparts®. These are standard 11-hole Stratocaster pickguards. The following options are available:
We wanted to use the highest-quality, USA-Made pickguards available. We have Single Ply White (8-hole vintage style), 3-Ply White, Mint Green, Parchment, Black, White Pearloid, Parchment Pearloid, and Tortoise.
Step 2: Choose your pickups
With our pickguards, you can choose any combination of pickups you would like. Load in a calibrated set of pickups like our best-selling Vintage Hots or Blues Specials, or mix and match!
Step 3: Choose your Cover Color
Customize your look further with our Strat Pickup Covers. We have White, Parchment (Aged White), Mint Green, and Black covers available.
Step 4: Choose your Pots
You can customize your wiring as well! We’ll wire your pickguard to your specifications. Most of the time, you’re going to use 250K Split Shaft Pots, as these work well with our plastic knobs. If you’re using your own metal knobs with a set-screw, choose Solid Shaft pots. Confused? Check out our in-depth article on pots and how to choose here.
Here are some popular combinations:
- Volume – Master Tone – Blender
- Volume – Neck & Middle Tone – Bridge Tone
- Volume – Master Tone 1 (.02 Cap) – Master Tone 2 (Magic Cap)
Step 5: Choose your add-ons
We have a ton of add-ons available for your pickguard. Want a baseplate installed on your bridge? How about our Volume Kit? Need new pickguard screws? Just let us know!
Knobs:
Matching Backplates:
Complete your look with a matching backplate for your Strat. We have matching backplates for all of our pickguard colors.
Step 6: Install
Check out our installation guide below to put your new pick guard in! With 20 minutes a few easy steps, you can get your pickguard in your guitar and start rocking out with some of the best sounding pickups in the world! Also, download our installation guide here.
F.A.Q’s:
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How long will my Pickguard take? One week on average.
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Can you wire it up without the Pickguard? As it turns out, No. You can transfer all the wiring once you receive it. It’s time consuming and unsafe to ship it without a pickguard.
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Can I return my Pickguard? No. Since these are custom and made to order, all pickguard sales are final. Returns and exchanges are not available.
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What Pots should I use? Most of the time, 250K Split Shaft pots will work best. They are for guitars with single coil pickups and plastic knobs. If you have metal knobs, go with Solid Shaft Pots.
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What if I don’t see exactly what I want? Use the “Notes” field on the checkout screen to type in any special requests.
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What does a Magic Cap do? Our Magic Cap is a very low capacitance tone cap. It doesn’t roll off highs as much as it seems to boost the mids. This really works well on the bridge pickup only.
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What does a Blender Pot do? Our Blender Pottakes the place of Tone #2, and it allows you to blend between the Neck and Bridge. You can get all 3 pickups on with a Blender Pot.
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What does a Baseplate do? A Baseplateis a steel plate that adds a little bit of bass and power to your bridge pickup.
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Why don’t I see Ground Jumper wires between all my parts? Our pickguards have a metal shielding that connects the metal parts together – we don’t need to use jumper wires.
Fatman (verified owner) –
I’ve been buying 3rd party prewired pickguards with Fralin’s in them for years but limited to what pickups and wiring the 3rd party was offering in their prewired pickguard. FINALLY, Fralin is offering prewired pickguards. Tyler at Fralin was awesome suggesting the right pickups for the tone I wanted. I immediately ordered a prewired pickguard with a Neck Vintage Hot, Middle Blues Special, and Steel Pole 42 for bridge in my Custom Shop Strat’. I was also able to get custom wiring (no mid p/u tone pot, a’ la’ EJ). This is the exact tone palette I’ve been trying to get with this Stratocaster! Not sure, but sounds RWRP since the 2 & 4 positions seem extremely quiet? Regardless, I can’t say enough about the tone, chime and fullness of these pickups. Love ’em! Thanks again all at Fralin…I know it takes a team!
Wil Hodge –
I’ve had seven Gibson Les Pauls over the years. I liked them all, but sold my last one, a 1975 Custom, a few years back and went to Strats, Teles and big hollow bodies for my Humbuckers. Anyone who’s ever owned an LP knows darn well that if they sell it, they will get another one sooner or later. When the LP jones hit, I realized new LPs came with a California zip code hanging on the price tag. Too rich for me. So, I opted to try what I was optioned, a new Epiphone Custom LP (500.00) and trying some better pickups. I play every Sunday at a big church in Atlanta. Lotta folks. Me up there playing an Epiphone really bothered the guitar snob in me because I gotta look like, as well as sound like I got good gear. I put a set of Fralins in that Epiphone with CTS 500 pots. (It was fun gutting the Epiphone, by the way) Holy Lord! What a difference! I now play the little and lighter Epiphone almost every Sunday now. And I play it proudly! Killer tone that doesn’t leave me when I turn the volume down from the guitar! That is huge!! I’m trying the Fralin Strat pickups on a build project I’m doing now. Can’t wait! These pickups are for real!!
kgjgtrplyr (verified owner) –
I’ve been very happy with the pickups in my Strats but I’m always looking for something better, if it exists. After years of Fender, Seymour Duncan, Dimarzio etc. pickups and since I had heard so much about Fralin I decided to give them a try. This turned to be the best move I could’ve made. I don’t know how to explain what makes these pickups better but they are. Well worth the money. The prewired pickguard is the best way to go because of the options available (master tone control, magic cap for the bridge pickup, Fralin volume kit to keep your tone consistent when lowering the volume). Tyler was a big help with all the options so the Customer Service was amazing. Give these guys a try because I don’t see how anybody else could be better.
Matthew Koutz (verified owner) –
First point, having a presided pickguard made installing it myself so simple, no need for a tech. But that doesn’t even scratch the surface about how great these pickups are. I ordered the Blues special in all positions, with the baseplate, blender pot, and volume control added onto the pickguard. The result is a level of tone control I had not experienced in this guitar before (93′ American Strat Plus), giving it new life, and giving me more desire to play it. The lows are resonant without being muddy, and the highs have that wonderful bright Fender tone without the almost “tinny” sounds I was hearing before. I have had them for a few months and it has become my go to guitar for everyday playing.
Frederick T. Benoit –
Great stuff loved lace but these are better!!!!!!!!!!!
Jonathan Woods (verified owner) –
The absolute in tone. This pre-wired pick gaurd was installed in a tired old 90’s strat (someone had swapped original pickups at some point).
Holy. Cow.
What a difference. The setup I have is as follows:
-Bridge: Vintage ’54
-Middle: Vintage Hot
-Neck: Blues Special
Considered this setup for quite a long time, and now that I have it, I wish I would have picked it up all long time ago.
Just spectacular. Couldn’t ask for more, and worth every dollar. Thanks!
Lloyd Warren (verified owner) –
I have several boutique Strats and Strat-style guitars, most of them with rail/hum-cancelling pickups that I’ve used for years. I’ve loved them and the tone, but needed something different. I’ve read about Fralin’s for years and thought I’d give them a try. I ordered the pre-wired pickguard with the Vintage Hot in the neck, Real ’54 in the middle, and Blues Special in the bridge. Also, the Volume Kit and the Magic cap for the bridge position. I was surprised when I got a call from Tyler asking questions to make sure he wired it just the way I wanted it and offering suggestions…nice! When I got this everything was wired beautifully. 30 minutes to get it in. Another 10 to set it up and get the height just right and…my LORD! The TONE!!! My guitar came alive! Nuances and richness I hadn’t heard in years. And…no spike…chime, but not harsh. Surprisingly, for single coils, they are pretty quiet, as well…I won’t say there isn’t some hum…but nothing like other single coils I’ve played in the past. These pickups are amazing. PERIOD. I’m configuring the layout for my next set for another one of my guitars as I write this.
Michael Cain (verified owner) –
I ordered the custom pickguard with real 54 neck, vintage hot middle, and blues special bridge with base plate. They sound incredible. Huge improvement over the fender cs Texas specials that came with my Strat. Highly recommend. I highly advise speaking with a rep at Fralin to understand exactly what your ordering. The rep I spoke with helped me tremendously. Thanks!
Aaron Sylvia (verified owner) –
Mojo and magic
I am not a great guitar player, but these pickups make even my sloppy playing sound good. I got a mixed set with a blues special in the neck and real 54s in the middle and bridge. It all works together for a real versatile sound. Made a couple of calls to the company as well and everyone was super friendly and willing to answer my questions and help out. Will buy again!
Trey Tate (verified owner) –
Customer added no additional comments
Harold Vance (verified owner) –
In December, I bought the Strat pickguard pre-wired with three Vintage Hots and a Blender pot and installed it on my Warmoth partscaster Strat. They sound gorgeous on this rig, which has an unfinished roasted alder body and an unfinished goncalo alves neck and bocote fret board. I also had the neck PLEK’ed at Straight Frets in Austin, Texas last month. This guitar plays and sounds like a dream. The tone is unreal — it’s like some sort of super Strat. Thanks to Tyler for helping me select the pickups and other options. The blender pot is a lot of fun and I’m glad I got it.
Donald Willson (verified owner) –
A dream! Simply put, I now have the guitar of my dreams, incredible tone, awesome response, this pickguard turned my strat into my dream guitar.
Robert Ecker (verified owner) –
What Strat pickups should be.
These pickups are what I’ve decided to use. They are perfectly voiced for Fender black faced amplifiers. The blend knob is fantastic. The tonal options are near endless. The workmanship was perfect. I will be looking into the tele pickups, I suspect I’d be just as pleased.
Ned Elzo (verified owner) –
Great sound.
After Seth Lee Jones installed the pickups I noticed a very good tone, which is very adjustable. They have that special quality of having a special tone, without turning to too much overload, which causes your guitar to sound muddy. Thank you for the quality job!
Ron Whitehead (verified owner) –
Customer added no additional comments.
Kim Mitchell (verified owner) –
I couldn’t be more pleased with the sound of these Fralin Vintage Hots. I love the glassy sound without being abrasive. All positions sound just fantastic with the bridge pickup having just a bit of extra grease. I ordered a pre-wired pick guard that arrived at my door in Canada in literally one week! Thanks! Their sound inspires me every time…expressive!
Tom Graves (verified owner) –
I am still dialing in the sound I want. The pickups are fantastic. I am very pleased with the customer service and getting it to me in such good time.
Matt Malec (verified owner) –
Real 54’s bring new life to my strat! I am writing to tell all at the Fralin site and anyone thinking about a complete 54 package that the Real 54’s are beyond great and brought a new vibrance to my 96 Strat. Easy install and the tone was instant. Thanks Lindy and everyone for a great product, service and super price. Regards, Matt
Edwin Colvin (verified owner) –
Awesome Sounds! I cannot believe all the tone plus the blender knob great tone.
Robert Gonzales (verified owner) –
Beyond Belief!
Bought these to replace my American standard Strat pups. Was not expecting the amazing sound and tone I got from these. They blew away the originals ten fold!
Gary Bonadio (verified owner) –
Easiest Upgrade ever! This is my 3rd purchase of Fralin Pickups. Tele/ Blues Specials…Epi 339/ Pure PAFs and now your Prewired Strat Pickguard with Vintage Hots and Blender Pot. The whole operation took less than a 1/2 hour and took my MIM Strat to another level.Clean Bell-like tones with plenty of articulation at every setting. And with the Blender Pot the Tone Settings are infinite. I’ve been spoiled….but I’m loving every minute of it.
David Wolfe (verified owner) –
Real ’54 Prewired Strat Pickguard. I love the sounds I’m getting out of these pick-ups. I just can’t believe how good they sound. Classic Strat tones now at my finger tips. Ordering and shipping was fast and easy. The wiring options really sealed the deal for me.
Aron Long (verified owner) –
Awesome! I ordered a prewired pickguard with the Split Steel Pole in the bridge and Blues Specials in the neck and middle because I wanted to recreate the sound of my SRV strat but with P90 tone in the bridge for a new build. I was not disappointed, the pickups sound great. I get traditional strat tones in the neck and middle positions and get gnarly P90 goodness in the bridge when I want to scare the kids. I placed my order online and Lindy himself phoned me at home to confirm what I wanted. I can’t say enough good things about my experience.
Frank Accurso (verified owner) –
What Fender Should Have Placed in Their 72 Strat!
For 40+ years I’ve been looking for that right combination of Strat, box, amp, etc., that allows for the sweet, ringing chime of Strat, with the sustain of Gilmour, and the impending explosion of Hendrix. And, just a little hair and crunch for a chord or 2. Until now, the bass response has been flabby and loose. I had to revert to Series wiring.
I can go on about some of your competitors offerings; too humbucky; too much like a Tele; not much difference at all from the originals.
Now, for the Lindy’s. I’m glad I ordered the “High Output” Strats. Your scale might be a bit conservative, but no matter. They are precisely what I was looking for. Sweet clean, sweet with a little bit of crunch, with the ability to fully take advantage of a Fender amp at the sweet spot.
My only complaint has more to do with your web site (and the gentleman who answered the phone when I questioned him about some of choices when ordering). Primarily the Bright Switch push/pull Volume and Tone pot selection. I opted for the volume. All this does is bypass the volume – in effect setting it to 10 – when pulled out. I find it easier to roll the volume up and down with my pinky. I was about to rip the damn thing out – cleaner signal, you know. Then i figured i didn’t have to use it, kind of like an appendix. This is the reason I didn’t give this product a 5.
Thanks for an excellent product.
Tim Julian (verified owner) –
Great tone and simple plug and play
Even though I could do all of the soldering and assembly myself, I am very happy to pay someone else to do it for me. My time is precious and it saved me a bunch. The quality of the work was fantastic. Also introduced me to a blend pot on a strat which I never would’ve thought to do myself. By the way, the steel pole 42 in the bridge is a revelation of awesomeness. Bravo!
James Nuckols (verified owner) –
Wonderful Tone! I got these to complete my new fiesta red build. I have used just about every pickup imaginable and these are top notch in every way. They bring all the personality you could ever expect from these style of pickups. Superb!
Karl Ross Berdimurat (verified owner) –
Smoking!!! I got a SSS loaded pick guard with all high outputs. They sound killer, super fat, super dark, and in just the right balanced way. I even stuck with 250k pots and they still have highs that sing, just without some of the harsh frequencies that are present in most Strat pickups. I play a lot of trio gigs where we cross from jazz standards to blues, funk, and rock fusion and these are just the right sound. I also play in a R&B/classic rock group and these pickups can do it all. They just have a huge rich clean sound that will sound great for anything. The Fralin company also makes the pick guard wiring as pro as can be, and super easy to install. Damn, I am stoked.
Robert Noyes (verified owner) –
Fantastic as usual! Blues Special w lefty middle and a bridge baseplate. Easy peezy and sounds incredible
Daniel Roberts (verified owner) –
Amazing Strat tone! The prewired pick guard was incredibly easy to install and sounds amazing. I’m so glad I made this upgrade and wish I did it years ago.
Chris Long (verified owner) –
Finally, the sound I’ve always wanted!
I’ve had my Strat for 22 years now, been through two other sets of pickups (Lace Sensors and Texas Specials) and never got the sound I wanted exactly. This pickguard has solved that problem finally. Love the Vintage Hot pickups and especially what the base plate does to the bridge pickup, adds that little bit of needed oomph to that position that always seemed missing before. It’s also the first time I’ve felt the pickups output was nicely balanced in all positions. Best decision I made to freshen up my old Strat.