Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 9 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (13)
$314.99
Guitar Center
4.5 (6)
$314.99
Amazon
4.4 (92)
$314.99 New
$196.24 Used (Like New)
Reverb
5.0 (11)
$119.99 New
$227.78 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (29)
$314.99
zZounds
4.0 (1)
$269.99
Thomann
4.8 (78)
$195.00
Gear4Music
£219.00

Average Price: $265

High-end/Boutique

$99

$200+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Fender Custom Shop Fat 50's Stratocaster Pickups". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Step back into the golden age of rock with the Fat '50s Stratocaster Pickups, designed to deliver the iconic sound of the '50s with a modern twist. These pickups combine vintage warmth with a touch of contemporary power, making them a must-have for any Strat enthusiast seeking that perfect blend of nostalgia and performance. Constructed with precision using hand-beveled, staggered Alnico V magnets and Formvar-coated wire, these pickups promise a rich bass response without overshadowing the clarity of mids and highs.

The Fat '50s pickups excel in creating a balanced tone that is both clear and sweet, with a bass that is rich and round, and heights that are soft yet defined. Whether you're diving into soulful blues or ripping through rock riffs, the hot-rodded wiring ensures you're getting a higher output with enhanced dynamics. The reverse-wound middle pickup offers hum canceling in positions 2 and 4, ensuring your sound is as clean as it is powerful.

Join the ranks of guitarists who have revitalized their sound with these classic yet fiery pickups. Perfect for those who desire a vintage Strat vibe with a little extra kick, the Fat '50s Stratocaster Pickups are your ticket to timeless tone.

Key Features:

  • Hand-beveled, staggered Alnico V magnets
  • Formvar-coated magnet wire for bright, glassy tone
  • Hot-rodded wiring for higher output and enhanced bass response
  • Reverse-wound middle pickup for hum canceling in positions 2 and 4
  • Vintage-style cloth-covered wiring and fiber bobbins
  • Includes installation hardware

Product specs

Type Set: Single-coil
Active/Passive Passive
Configuration SSS Set
Magnet Material Alnico V
Number of Conductors 2 wire
DC Resistance 6.43K (bridge), 6.34K (middle), 6.26K (neck)
Connectivity Soldered
Number of Strings 6
Covering Covered
Format Strat-sized
Features Staggered Pole Pieces

FAQs

What kind of tone can I expect from the Fender Custom Shop Fat 50's Stratocaster Pickups?

These pickups deliver a bright, glassy tone with enhanced bass response, thanks to their Formvar-coated magnet wire and Alnico V magnets. They are designed to capture the classic 1950s Stratocaster sound.

Are the Fender Fat 50's Stratocaster Pickups suitable for blues and rock music?

Yes, these pickups are well-suited for blues and rock genres. Their vintage-style output and warm, punchy sound make them ideal for achieving classic tones associated with these styles.

How do the Fender Custom Shop Fat 50's pickups differ from standard Stratocaster pickups?

The Fat 50's pickups feature staggered pole pieces and hot-rodded wiring for higher output and enhanced bass response, offering a fuller, more dynamic sound compared to standard Stratocaster pickups.

Are these pickups compatible with a standard Stratocaster guitar?

Yes, the Fender Custom Shop Fat 50's Stratocaster Pickups are designed to fit standard Stratocaster guitars, providing a direct replacement option for upgrading your instrument's sound.

What is the installation process for the Fender Fat 50's Stratocaster Pickups?

These pickups require soldering for installation. It's recommended to have basic soldering skills or consult a professional technician to ensure proper installation and optimal performance.

Chrissy Swan

Chrissy Swan

Ultimate Fender Pickup Comparison: Texas Specials vs Custom '69 vs Fat 50's

Video thumbnail for Ultimate Fender Pickup Comparison: Texas Specials vs Custom '69 vs Fat 50's by Chrissy Swan

Ultimate Fender Pickup Comparison: Texas Specials vs Custom '69 vs Fat 50's

Chrissy Swan

Chrissy Swan

Video thumbnail for Fat '50s Pickups | Fender Custom Shop | Fender by Fender

Fat '50s Pickups | Fender Custom Shop | Fender

Fender

Fender

Video thumbnail for Fat '50s VS Fat '60s Pickups | Fender Custom Shop | Fender | A / B  and Review | 2021 by Marcelo Durham BR

Fat '50s VS Fat '60s Pickups | Fender Custom Shop | Fender | A / B and Review | 2021

Marcelo Durham BR

Marcelo Durham BR

Video thumbnail for Fender 57 / 62 Vs Fender Fat 50s | A New Challenger?! by Pauly's Guitars & Gear

Fender 57 / 62 Vs Fender Fat 50s | A New Challenger?!

Pauly's Guitars & Gear

Pauly's Guitars & Gear

Video thumbnail for Fender Custom Shop Fat '50s Strat Pickup Set | Fender by Fender

Fender Custom Shop Fat '50s Strat Pickup Set | Fender

Fender

Fender

Reviews

PROS

  • Provides a classic Stratocaster sound with enhanced low-end definition

  • Versatile tone suitable for blues, rock, and country

  • Delivers clear and glassy clean tones

  • Strong midrange presence without harshness

  • Jangly and responsive in positions 2 and 4

  • Attractive vintage-style packaging with wax-covered cloth wire

  • Enhances tonal quality of both American and Mexican Strat models

  • Maintains clarity and punch even at higher volumes

  • Reverse wound middle pickup reduces hum

  • Easy installation with clear wiring instructions

CONS

  • Potential issues with pickup screws not fitting properly

  • Some units may arrive with manufacturing defects

  • Pole piece alignment may not match all Strat models

  • Can be noisy at high gain or volume

  • Bright and low output may not suit heavy distortion needs

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Custom Shop Fat 50's Stratocaster Pickups.

Use cases and applications

  • The Fat 60's are praised for their woody, organic sound with plenty of quack and dynamics, suitable for Hendrix and Knopfler fingerstyle tones.

    Source
  • Fat 50s excel with clean tones and mild overdrive, particularly with effects like Klon and odr-1 drives.

    Source
  • Fat 50's pickups excel in clean tones with a dynamic response but struggle with higher gain settings due to a mid-scoop characteristic common in vintage Strat pickups.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Noiseless pickups, often considered mini humbuckers, require swapping pots to 250k for proper vintage single-coil sound when switching to Fat 50s.

    Source
  • The Fat 60's Alnico II magnets are noted for their hollow, responsive snap, making them ideal for vintage Strat characteristics.

    Source
  • The bridge pickup's tone control, when set to 10, removes the pot from the signal, which can tame its harshness when slightly adjusted.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Fat 50s are favored by some over Fender Noiseless pickups, which can sound flat and lack the traditional 'Strat' sound.

    Source
  • Fat 50's are considered more balanced and chimey, providing amazing cleans and working well with fuzz and overdrive, compared to the duller CS69's.

    Source
  • The Fat 50's are described as having more body and note clarity compared to the 57/62 set, which some feel lacks heft despite its excellent glassy tones.

    Source
  • Fat 50's pickups provide a hollow, woody tone with single notes, differing from 60's style pickups, which are often compared for their tonal characteristics.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Swapping the wiring to Fat 50s wiring with a blender knob is recommended for enhanced tonal versatility.

    Source
  • Swapping to a loaded pickguard with Fat 50s allows easy changes without resoldering, useful for those who frequently switch setups.

    Source
  • Users recommend GFS Warmtone S Slick pickups as a budget alternative to the Fat 60's, claiming 99% similarity in tone at a fraction of the cost.

    Source
  • Consider mixing pickup sets or adding a mini humbucker or hot rails in the bridge for improved performance with dirt and higher gain settings.

    Source

User experience

  • Multiple users have tried various pickups but consistently return to Fat 50's for their killer tone and cost-effectiveness over other custom shop options.

    Source
  • Owners frequently prefer the Fat 50's for their life and response across frequencies, maintaining classic Strat tones while providing more dynamic range than stock pickups.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Raising pickups to Fender specifications is recommended to significantly improve sound quality, addressing issues like muddiness and lack of bite.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Fender Custom Shop Fat 50s Pickups Review - The Best Set!

cigilovic.com

The Fender Custom Shop Fat 50s Stratocaster pickups impress with their authentic, balanced sound and solid bass response. Ideal for genres like blues and rock, these pickups deliver a classic Stratocaster tone without the harsh midrange typical of some single-coils. While bridge position harshness is noted, it’s less of an issue compared to other models like the Texas Specials. These pickups shine in diverse setups, offering versatility and clarity. However, their cost may not justify an upgrade for cheaper guitar models. Overall, a top-notch choice for those seeking premium Stratocaster sound.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
M

The best I ever tried

They do what they're told to: iconic Stratocaster sound, with more output than original vintage pups

Artist usage

Add artist
See how David Gilmour uses Fender Custom Shop Fat 50's Stratocaster Pickups

David Gilmour

Guitarist

Pink Floyd

...
Verified via Kytary

His signature model has Fender Custom Shop Fat 50s single coil in the neck position

See how The Edge uses Fender Custom Shop Fat 50's Stratocaster Pickups

The Edge

Guitarist

U2

...
Verified via Fender

Edge's new signature Fender Stratocaster has Fender Fat 50s single coil pickups in the neck and middle positions. The Fat 50s in his signature strat are unique because both have flat non staggered pole pieces (as does the DiMarzio FS-1 he has in the bridge position).

See how Michael Landau uses Fender Custom Shop Fat 50's Stratocaster Pickups

Michael Landau

Guitarist

Steve Gadd Band

...
Verified via Musicstore

His signature model has three Fender Custom Shop Fat 50s single coils .

See how Ian Fowles uses Fender Custom Shop Fat 50's Stratocaster Pickups

Ian Fowles

Guitarist

The Aquabats

...
Verified via Photo

"Can’t wait to drop these Fender Custom Shop Fat 50’s pickups into my Strat. Thanks so much @mschulz83 !!!"

See how Ty Meyers uses Fender Custom Shop Fat 50's Stratocaster Pickups

Ty Meyers

Guitarist

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

According to Premier Guitar's "Ty Myers Rig Rundown" by John Bohlinger, Ty Meyers uses Fender Custom Shop Fat ’50s Stratocaster Pickups in his guitar. These pickups were installed in the Fender Stratocaster that Myers purchased from an individual in a Home Depot parking lot in San Antonio, Texas. Additionally, he strings this guitar with Stringjoy .010s.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Custom Shop Fat 50's Stratocaster Pickups, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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