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.
Absolutely incredible. Clear as a bell, articulate, great range and easily the quietest single coils I’ve ever used. For anyone looking for the Jerry Garcia 71-74 Alligator and Wolf tone, these pickups and a Spud ‘72 buffer from Waldotronics will get you just about there (just add some clean Fender tube with a JBL K-120). Best money I’ve spent on anything for an electric guitar. Thank you!
Very nice pickup with authentic sound.
This is the 4th set of Fralin pickups I have bought. It was in fact a loaded pickguard with “real ’54’s”, I have 2 other guitars with “vintage hots” , and a custom made Trevor Binford short-scale bass with a Fralin P -bass PU.
I was surprised how different the ’54s are, they are Fat, articulate, and loud. Not so “scooped” as the vintage hots, and less sparkle / shimmer.
Very happy, the quality is undeniable – Fralins are the best available without doubt.
Lindy Frailin…. Thank you for the authentic pickups you put on my 57 Strat 40 years ago…. love them. I spent the last 10 years as a road tech. Did not get to lay much. Now I am not touring anymore and have rekindled my love affair with the Strat.We spoke years ago and I was blown away on the genuine love for doing a job well done. Thank you again. Ignacio Aizcorbe
Bought the Real 54’s probably the better part of 20 years ago, so the honeymoon is long over. It’s hard for me to describe just how magical these pickups sound in my favorite Strat. When I pick this one up after noodling on the others it’s as if I’m suddenly having an intimate conversation with no clunky misunderstandings or lack of clarity. The 2 and 4 positions provide such vowel-like articulation it’s as if there’s another component at work here beyond the visible list of ingredients. It’s probably one of those “sum of all parts”, but I’ll enthusiastically call the Real 54’s my favorite Strat pickup by a light year.
The Real 54’s are far superior to the Fender vintage pickups I had in my strat.
Customer added no additional comments
I just got a 25 year old Mex Strat back from my tech who installed these for me, along with changing out the pots and capacitors. It’s a new guitar! Open, with wonderful overtones, brilliant in a tube amp with a bit of reverb. Sounds like a vintage Strat without the vintage price tag. Five stars!
These are my third set of Fralins. I have his Jazzmasters in my ’65 reissue and his single coil in my ’51 Precision Bass reissue. You cannot go wrong with Fralin single coils in my opinion!
Super Clean
I built a 7/8 1 piece Cherry Stratocaster with a 24″ scale and I wanted pickups that would sound clean and bright to compensate for the lack of sting that a shorter scale tends to have. These pickups did just that. This is the 3rd guitar build that I have put Fralin’s in and I have another in progress with the “Sun Buckers” already purchased and awaiting installation upon completion. Obviously, I am pleased with Lindy Fralin’s pickups and I highly recommend them to anyone interested in high-quality sound from their electric guitar.
This is a living thing!
I’ve installed dozens of Stratocaster pickups, and although I can get long sustain and compression, there are pickups with poor stereoscopic effect or opposite characteristics, but they are all trade-offs. There was nothing that deviated from.
The only exception was lindyfralin.
Once again, it’s like a living thing!
I bought a baseball bat-like thick neck and real54 from lindyfralin.
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I am japanese.
Also in Japan
There are many technicians who have the sensibility to feel a particular sound wonderful.
But
How to embody the sound that you feel is
The most difficult
I would like to express my deepest respect for lindyfralin’s constant efforts!