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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What is the correct thread size and length for the pickup screws? I have a set of fralin strat pickups that I'm missing the machine screws and springs for, unfortunately...not sure if it's a standard size or if the fralin bobbins are threaded differently...thank you!
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Q What is the correct thread size and length for the pickup screws? I have a set of fralin strat pi...... Read moreThere are no answers for this question yet.
I want to get a set of Strat 54s. Can I get the bridge built with metal baseplate and +10% wind on the bridge?
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Q I want to get a set of Strat 54s. Can I get the bridge built with metal baseplate and +10% wind o...... Read moreA
Hey Philip, we might not be able to accomodate the +10% in the Bridge, as the Bridge's coil wire will fill the bobbin up. We can definitely install a Baseplate, and you can use the "notes" field on the checkout screen to request a higher output Bridge. We'll do what we can.
Can you order these under wound to get a scooped mid sound or is this how they come "stock"? Thanks :)
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Q Can you order these under wound to get a scooped mid sound or is this how they come "stock"? Than...... Read moreA
Hey Scott, thanks for your question. These pickups come "stock" with a scooped midrange. I wouldn't recommend ordering these with a underwind. Instead, I recommend ordering them stock, and if you still need less midrange, you can exchange them within 30 days. - Tyler
Hi, I was wondering how the neck pickup would sound with really high gain, as in Hendrix or 90's alternative, possibly with a lot of effects. The clean and crunch tones seem absolutely perfect for what I need. I play a large variety of music, and couldn't really find any demos with any of these tones. Thanks!
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Q Hi, I was wondering how the neck pickup would sound with really high gain, as in Hendrix or 90's ...... Read moreA
Hey Aadit, the Real '54s sound fantastic with high gain as this pickup has more high frequencies than most of our other Strat line, giving it the ability to cut through in the mix. - Tyler
Is it possible to order this set with the 5% overwind?
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Q Is it possible to order this set with the 5% overwind?A
Hey Shannon, yes you can. Please use the "notes" field on the checkout screen to request it. Keep in mind that overwinding our stock pickup will prevent you from exchanging them.
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Featured Reviews
Reviews we worked hard for, and are proud of.
I used the Real ’54 along with two vintage Fender pickups on a strat. The output and clarity of the Fralin is much better than the Fender PUs. I think I need the whole set of Fralins to max the performance.
Just what I expected!
I knew I would love these pickups, as I purchased a fair number of Fralin Pickups in my 26 years doing guitar repair for Music Villa, in Bozeman, Montana. I put these in a re-issue 57 Mary Kay stratocaster that I have been playing for about 15 years, even though our band is not playing public shows at this time I wanted to get the reverse wound, reverse polarity on the middle pickup on this guitar as it is my main strat and the original pickups did not have that. My 1958 strat is a RW/RP middle from the factory. There is an improvement in the whole guitar with this set! Thank You Lindy!
I put these pickups in one of my stratocasters and they are hands down the best pickups I have ever had in any of my guitars. They definitely exceeded my expectations by a mile!
Customer added no additional comments
Real 54’s for recording
I went with the real 54 in the neck for recording. Of all the listening tests I did, I thought the transient of the 54 wasn’t quite as hard or sharp or something like that. I think it sounds great. I don’t have a vintage hot neck to a/b against in my room but I feel the vintage hot might be better in a live situation. Just theories, no data. Lindy was quick to get them to me and I couldn’t be happier
Customer added no additional comments
Was after a different bridge pup for my performer Strat and bought the Real 54 bridge with baseplate. I was impressed with how clean and balanced it sounded however I had a new problem it was a different phase than my stocks so pos.2 sounded odd.(BTW, all Fralin pickups are in phase with each other something I didn’t know but the staff told me) So I went and bought the middle and neck Real 54 and am so glad I did. I’m still a beginner so I don’t have lots of strat hearing experience but for me these Real 54’s made my Strat sound like what I’ve always imagined and wanted my Strat to sound like. Beautiful sound.
Having owned and played a vintage ‘56 for years, I can say that these ‘54s embody everything you could want in a ‘true vintage’ set of pickups. Clear, clean with tremendous harmonic overtones, rich low end on the neck and treble that is never too sharp or brittle. All five positions just sound very authentic and true to a great set of ‘50s Strat pickups (and they weren’t all great by any means…)
David Wilson
The ToneQuest Report
ToneQuest.com
Customer added no additional comments
Real 54s – Real Good-Sounding
These sound like what I think of when I think “Strat.” On point. Worth the money.