Real ’54s
Achieve era-authentic ’50s tone with our Real ’54s. This pickup’s output and magnet structure is the same magnet material Fender™ used in their ‘54 Stratocasters! If you’re looking for a glassy, articulate tone, our Real ’54s will certainly provide that for you. Our Real 54’s are brighter and snappier than our Vintage Hot pickups. If you are looking for the most authentic vintage Strat tone you can get, look no further.
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Capture the sound of the '50s.
Want to learn more about our Real '54s? Here's all the information you'll need:
Real ’54s FEATURES:
Real ’54s are accurate to the original 50’s specifications of Fender Stratocaster pickups. If you’re looking for an authentic ’54 Strat sound, these pickups are for you. Real ’54s are likeVintage Hots in the way we wind them, but we use AlNiCo III magnets instead of AlNiCo V’s. This gives Real ’54s a brighter, more delicate tone. Also, players can get the pickup close to the strings without the pickup pulling strings out of tune. Furthermore, if you have a dark-sounding guitar, these pickups will provide a nice balance and bring your guitar out of the darkness, instantly.
- Vintage 50’s Fender specifications
- Clean, clear, bright, and glassy, with dynamic mids
- Compensated Bridge output for even volume across all pickups
- USA-made Alnico 3 Magnets for optimal tonal balance and output
- RW/RP Middle Pickup for Hum-Cancelling in positions 2 & 4
- Two magnet staggers available for different fingerboard radiuses
- 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
- 6K Neck and Middle, 6.6K Bridge
Sound
Do you have a dark-sounding guitar, or are you a purist seeking the most authentic ’50s Strat sound on the market? Either way, we have your answer right here. Our Real ’54s feature a glassy top-end clarity reminiscent of the original Fender Strat Pickups. Producing a lot of top-end sparkle, Real ’54s have a lot of clarity, whether you’re playing single notes or chords. From clean to high-gain, you can expect your tone to cut through. This set is also great for you if you use many effects pedals, as the pickup also cuts through.
These pickups offer a transparent tone and won’t color the sound of your guitar too much. We recommend adding a Baseplate to the bridge position for added thickness. Finally, these Vintage Strat Pickups are for you if you’re happy with the tone from your stock pickups. If you’re seeking a sweeter-sounding, less-aggressive, and more dynamic tone than what you already have, check out our Real ’54s – you’ll be happy you did.
Are you looking for a Hum Cancelling Strat pickup that actually sounds like a Strat? Check out the Vintage Output of our Split Blade Strat Pickups
It all starts with the love and care we put into our pickups. Our manufacturing process allows us to achieve unparalleled quality control.
Our Real ’54s consist of local fiberboard and USA-Made Alnico 3 Magnets. We wind each pickup by hand, one at a time. We wind each pickup using our proprietary “Sectioning” technique. Winding the pickups this way gives each pickup a sweet, clear tone. Finally, we wax-pot the pickup to prevent microphonics and preserve the pickup for years to come.
Tech Specs
See below for the estimated DCR and Polarity Information for our Real '54s.
| SPECIFICATION | VALUE |
|---|---|
| Neck Ohm Reading: | 6K |
| Middle Ohm Reading: | 6K |
| Bridge Ohm Reading: | 6.6K |
| 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 3, Hand-Beveled |
| 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
Real '54s Questions And Answers:
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Have a question about our Real '54s? 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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I have. Suhr Classic S. I would like to install Real 54’s in this guitar. Can I get a prewired set with hybrid stagger - 5 way switch with traditional volume, tone neck. Tone bridge & hum canceling? Do you have pickguards that will fit this guitar? Thanks
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Q I have. Suhr Classic S. I would like to install Real 54’s in this guitar. Can I get a prewired se...... Read moreA
Hey Chuck, we can pre-wire our Real 54's in a Prewired Pickguard, and we believe our Pickguard will fit just fine - you look like you have an 11-hole pickguard and it looks like a traditional Strat pickguard. We don't do harnesses without the pickguard.
What kind of wire is used for the Real 54 strat pickups?
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Q What kind of wire is used for the Real 54 strat pickups?A
USA-Made 42 Gauge Heavy FormVar.
Hello,which one can sounds like Eric Johnson?
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Q Hello,which one can sounds like Eric Johnson?A
The Real '54's will certainly give you a scooped midrange and extra chime, much like Eric Johnson.
Is it possible to have the middle pickup NOT wound in reverse? It'd be nice to have the vintage correct winding and sound in positions 2 and 4.
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Q Is it possible to have the middle pickup NOT wound in reverse? It'd be nice to have the vintage c...... Read moreA Absolutely! Just request that in the "Notes" field on the checkout screen.
What's the difference between Real '54s and Vintage Hots?
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Q What's the difference between Real '54s and Vintage Hots?A Real '54s use Alnico 3 Magnets instead of Alnico 5, giving them a little more midrange bounce and top-end glassiness.
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Featured Reviews
Reviews we worked hard for, and are proud of.
Love these pickups! I was lucky enough to play a 1954 Stratocaster last year and have been searching for a similar tone. Played many Stratocasters in between and once my guitar came back with these it was the closest I got to that actual 54 tone! Keep up the great work!
The Real 54s are one of the finest PU´s I´ve ever had in one of my Strats ! They are wondeful, they geive me all I want ,when I play silent with a soft attack they sound so sweet. And they also give it to me the hard way, Sound ,Sound ,Sound. “Funtastic”- playin my Strat with that sound ! Thank you LIndy !
These are my personal favorite Stratocaster pickups. I have bought 4 sets over the years for personal guitars, and recommend them for custom builds for clients who want perfect Strat tone. Worth singling out, the Real 54 neck pickup gives a big fat and clean tone that epitomizes the unmistakable classic Strat tone – the way that Leo meant.
Just as described on the website, the Real 54’s deliver all the detail, air and quack as expected without being harsh.
These pickups are very even sounding from low to high E. Sound wonderful clean or driven and positions 2 & 4 have that quack we all love.
For anyone looking for old school Strat tones this is a great place to begin (and likely end) your search.
I used two Real 54’s to make a custom Hohner Madcat/Prince/Telecaster inspired guitar, and I had no idea what it was going to sound like. I wanted bright, percussive pickups for rhythm and funk playing, and that’s exactly what I got. I am beyond pleased that I went with Fralin for the pickups.
I just installed the pre wired pickguard with the 54 Pups. INCREDIBLE! Got the tone I’ve been searching for! Thanks Lindy. Excellent work!
I decided to make a time-travel Strat, with an 80’s Texas Special in the Bridge, a ’65 in the middle, and your Real ’54 in the neck for some genre-busting variety. I realize this is unusual but it’s given me a lot of sonic choices…this ’54 is pure old school Strat…quacky and honky but clear and true…I’m diggin’ it.
I’ve used your vintage hot strat pickups for decades. Both those and the Real 54s are outstanding. The main difference to my aging ears is that the Real 54 bridge pickup is more balanced across the frequency range than the vintage hot or any other strat pickup I’ve played. As such, it sounds more like what I would expect from a 50s era strat even though I’ve never had the opportunity to play a true vintage strat.