Fender Custom Shop ’51 Nocaster Telecaster® Pickups - What To Know & Where To Buy

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Fender Custom Shop ’51 Nocaster Telecaster® Pickups

Fender Custom Shop ’51 Nocaster Telecaster® Pickups main image

Fender Custom Shop ’51 Nocaster Telecaster® Pickups

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 9 stores. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (20)

$262.99

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5.0 (2)

$262.99

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$262.99

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3.8 (137)

Used

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5.0 (19)

$129.99 29 available New

$125.48 8 available Used

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5.0 (15)

$262.99 $236.69 $26.30 · All time low

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$262.99

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4.8 (325)

$175.00

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£159.00

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Average Price: $220

High-end/Boutique

$99

$200+

Price Tier

In the Electric Guitar Pickups category, Fender Custom Shop ’51 Nocaster Telecaster® Pickups is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Fender Custom Shop ’51 Nocaster Telecaster® Pickups". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Unlock the iconic tones of the early '50s with the Fender Custom Shop ’51 Nocaster Telecaster® Pickups. Revered by guitarists for their authentic, vintage Telecaster twang, these pickups are crafted to capture the essence of the legendary Nocaster sound. Each pickup is meticulously hand-wound and features period-correct Alnico III magnets, ensuring a robust low-end and a sparkling midrange that will make your guitar sing. The enamel-coated magnet wire and flat pole piece configuration further enhance the tonal purity, while the zinc shielding plate and tin-plated copper base plate deliver a classic, noise-free performance.

This set includes both the neck and bridge pickups, allowing you to customize your Telecaster with the true essence of its vintage forebears. Whether you're chasing the classic rockabilly twang or the smooth, articulate tones of early blues, these pickups are designed to provide the versatility and clarity you crave. Complete with all necessary mounting hardware, the Fender Custom Shop ’51 Nocaster Telecaster® Pickups offer a perfect blend of tradition and craftsmanship for the serious musician.

Key Features:

Faithful re-creation of the original 1951 Nocaster pickups
Hand-wound with Alnico III magnets for authentic tone
Enamel-coated magnet wire for a warm, vintage sound
Flat pole pieces for enhanced twang and clarity
Includes both neck and bridge pickups with all mounting hardware
Zinc shielding plate and tin-plated copper base plate for reduced noise

Product specs

Type	Set: Single-coil
Active/Passive	Passive
Configuration	SS Set
Magnet Material	Alnico III
Number of Conductors	2 wire
DC Resistance	7.18K (bridge), 7.1K (neck)
Connectivity	Soldered
Number of Strings	6
Covering	Uncovered (bridge), Covered (neck)
Format	Tele-sized

FAQs

What type of tone can I expect from the Fender Custom Shop '51 Nocaster Telecaster Pickups?: The Fender Custom Shop '51 Nocaster Pickups offer a vintage tone with a tight low end, clear midrange, and classic Telecaster twang, perfect for capturing the essence of the early '50s Fender sound.
Are the Fender Custom Shop '51 Nocaster Pickups suitable for all playing styles?: These pickups are ideal for players seeking a classic Telecaster sound, particularly suited for country, rock, and blues genres, but they can adapt well to various styles due to their balanced tone.
What is the magnet material used in the Fender Custom Shop '51 Nocaster Pickups?: The Fender Custom Shop '51 Nocaster Pickups use Alnico III magnets, which contribute to their warm, vintage sound and dynamic response.
How are the Fender Custom Shop '51 Nocaster Pickups configured?: These pickups are a single-coil set designed for a Telecaster, featuring a bridge and neck pickup configuration, with the bridge pickup uncovered and the neck pickup covered.
Are the Fender Custom Shop '51 Nocaster Pickups passive or active?: The Fender Custom Shop '51 Nocaster Pickups are passive, providing a traditional and authentic vintage sound without the need for an onboard power source.

Reviews

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PROS

Incredible spank and pop on clean and driven tones
Transforms average guitars into tone monsters
Excellent string separation and warm, defined neck tones
Bridge pickup free from harsh treble, offering honk and sparkle
Almost noiseless, even at high gain
Retains traditional Tele twang with a modern twist
Versatile for country, blues, and rock styles
Comparable to high-end boutique pickups at a lower price
Great for achieving classic Telecaster sounds
Easy installation and noticeable improvement in sound quality

CONS

Occasional issues with non-functional pickups on delivery
Requires careful adjustment for optimal tone
Lacks sparkle for specific sounds like "castles made of sand"

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Custom Shop ’51 Nocaster Telecaster® Pickups.

Features and functionality

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The 51 Nocaster pickups provide clear and present tones with lower output, enhancing the classic Telecaster sound.
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Nocaster pickups are praised for their ability to maintain warmth while cutting through the mix, highlighting their capability to produce both chugging and shimmering tones.
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User experience

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Owners find the neck pickup surprisingly satisfying, offering a usable and round sound often overlooked in typical Telecaster setups.
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Some owners prefer adjusting pickup height by ear, ensuring the bridge pickup is louder than the neck, avoiding too close proximity to strings.
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Several owners who replaced stock pickups with Nocasters in their American Professional Telecasters reported significant improvements in tone, with no regrets after the swap.
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Comparisons

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Nocaster pickups are preferred over Texas Specials by some for their less "ice picky" and more balanced output, especially in the bridge position.
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While Nocaster pickups are versatile, some users suggest they may not be ideal for exclusive high-gain applications, recommending alternatives like Seymour Duncan Hot Rails for such needs.
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Use cases and applications

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While suitable for general use, Nocaster pickups may not be the top choice for blues enthusiasts seeking higher output and breakup, suggesting Texas Specials as an alternative.
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Owners report that Nocaster pickups excel in diverse genres, effectively handling everything from country and blues to high-gain rock and roll.
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Mods and upgrades

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Some users integrate the 51 Nocaster pickups with blend wiring in partscaster projects, enhancing tonal versatility.
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Users have successfully paired Nocaster pickups with blend wiring in partscaster projects for enhanced tonal versatility, notably improving the guitar's range.
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Setup and maintenance

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Bridge pickup can be set high due to flat pole pieces, with adjustments continuing until wolf tones are heard on open strings for optimal positioning.
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Bridge pickup height recommendation: 3.6mm bass, 2.4mm treble, measured from the bottom of the string to the top of the pole piece.
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