Fender Texas Special Strat Pickups vs Fender Fat 50's

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  • Опубліковано 29 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 137

  • @JasonGraystone
    @JasonGraystone Рік тому +5

    Great video. LOVE the middle pick up on a strat. Probably my fave

  • @ChipLeach
    @ChipLeach Рік тому +38

    I suspect if the fat 50’s were named “Thin 70’s” they would sound thinner.

  • @lomoholga
    @lomoholga Рік тому +35

    The scary truth most guitarists don’t want to experience is the results of actual blind auditory testing- I’m guessing there would be be indistinguishable differences between similar classes of pickups.
    But marketing always wins- as well as hearing with our eyes

    • @ChipLeach
      @ChipLeach Рік тому +3

      Same goes for amps. Modelers vs tubes. So much is psychological

    • @martin-1965
      @martin-1965 Рік тому +4

      As a 4,800 year old vampire, I've only been playing electric guitars since they were invented (you might know my younger brother Keith from the Stones?). My take on pups, guitars and amps/modellers is... they ALL sounds bloody brilliant these days. You cannot - within reason - go wrong and it's all about personal taste and enjoying each guitar you own. I've swapped pups, nuts, bridges and even necks all in the pursuit of the perfect guitar. Still not found it lol. I reckon a set of decent Toneriders, quality Wilkinsons (not the new cheaper models) plus many others you can get for around £100 a set are generally pretty brilliant. I've also got a set of custom wound Radioshop pickups costing £300 in my strat which, when I compare to an old 1996 Korean Squier strat, I'll be damned if I can spot much difference. Sometimes the ceramic pups in the Squier work great in a mix, sometimes I love the Radioshop... or toneriders or wilkos. It's just a brilliant hobby playing, and messing around with guitars. I do miss the cocaine, whisky and hookers from the 1970s so a guy has to distract himself from hunting humans for blood somehow 😂😂😂😂

    • @lomoholga
      @lomoholga Рік тому +1

      @@martin-1965 cringe

    • @Nightingale1887
      @Nightingale1887 Рік тому +5

      I never got the whole pickup pricing thing. It is just copper wire at a certain gauge with a certain amount of winding at a pattern. The magnets have a certain compound and gaussian strength, stagger form and coating of wax, lacquer, formvar or unpotted totally option. It is not rocket science but people pay a lot for them. Antiquities most notably.

    • @bobdillon1138
      @bobdillon1138 6 місяців тому

      With quality pickups the differences tone wise between manufacturers
      is subtle at best.

  • @HansOellerich
    @HansOellerich Рік тому +13

    I feel like the middle pickup sounds identical on those sets. However, I felt that the bridge, and neck pick up on the fat 50s was a little brighter, and bigger.

  • @kellywoodward9074
    @kellywoodward9074 14 днів тому +1

    Great editing. Well done, Mate!

  • @cropcircle5693
    @cropcircle5693 Рік тому +11

    I could tell that the Fat 50's had better definition/clarity throughout. The Bareknuckles sounded great as well, very distinctive. Probably due to that gorgeous red finish!

  • @MrBoze-TicoCR
    @MrBoze-TicoCR Рік тому +4

    Im on the same trip now looking for my SSS set to install. I can offer that if you're expecting 1 set to have more or less treble than any other....I would state that if the pick-guard material: metal vs plastic, has been known to alter the highs. What you're expecting from the Texas to sound brighter than the Fat 50's, the pick-guard could be adding the highs back in. Just something to add to the rabbit-hole.

  • @conordyer2307
    @conordyer2307 Рік тому +3

    Apparently the gold anodised pickguard (than a plastic one) can add a slight bit of bass in some test videos and even rabea when he did the strat tone journey showed this just changing the pickguard. I dont understand why it does it though.
    But if it was plastic all 3 sets would sound even closer in tone....
    Theres alot of snake oil going on with pickups, small adjustments on an eq pedal would account for all the variance between pickup brands easily.

  • @JheridanSoe
    @JheridanSoe 2 місяці тому

    Are the pickup heights different on each guitar though ?
    I have texas specials on a 2008 standard. I think there more mid range in them

  • @leonardorohr9261
    @leonardorohr9261 6 місяців тому

    Hi what reverb pedal / effect are you using in this test, please I'm a reverb freak so that info will be very usefull, I can tell tou like reverb too, reverb levels are high in your vid, please let me know. Thanks

  • @deadstarcowboy
    @deadstarcowboy 4 місяці тому +1

    Wow. Great playing. I have to know. What is that red strat you’re playing? It’s magical.

  • @DogFoodTunes
    @DogFoodTunes Рік тому +25

    pickup heights very different. that alone can make a huge difference in tone.

    • @karnbroad8504
      @karnbroad8504 9 місяців тому +1

      I thought that, then he mentioned he measured between strings and pole pieces to match, not plastic covers.

    • @officialWWM
      @officialWWM 5 місяців тому +3

      Nope, he set them the same!

  • @MaxRadin
    @MaxRadin Місяць тому

    I think they both sound great - maybe the Texas Specials. Are they equally noisy? Do you need to run a noise gate? Thanks!

  • @derekjohnson5720
    @derekjohnson5720 Рік тому +3

    My favourite was your red strat, looks epic, is it a fender or a custom build?

  • @lasombra_br
    @lasombra_br Рік тому +10

    The Texas Specials seem to have less treble or maybe mids to me. The Fat 50's sound more open, brighter (?), and incredibly similar to the Bareknuckles. And the bridge with drive the Fat 50's seem to keep its characteristic compared to the Bareknuckles and Texas Specials which sound more muffled. Again, to me :)

    • @etherlords88
      @etherlords88 Рік тому

      It’s the opposite!

    • @bonk2II
      @bonk2II Місяць тому

      I have Texas specials on my Strat and noticed they are actually voiced to have a huge boost in the midrange along with the output. As a result, in comparison to other vintage style Strat pickups, the Tex specials have a considerable loss of brilliance in the top end, and sound a bit darker than the vintage ones, making the Tex specials midrange really harsh when playing through midrange focused amps like Vox

  • @Old_Sailor85
    @Old_Sailor85 Місяць тому +1

    I also thought the Fat 50s were brighter.
    My strat came with Texas Specials. One of the few guitars that has had nothing changed on it. I like them.

  • @adyuriar
    @adyuriar Рік тому +2

    They’re different. Fat 50s sound more like 50s style but a little bit fatter with highs mostly intact. TS sound beefier through the whole spectrum less sparkle.
    Both sound great but you sold me on the fat 50s. Great video. Always enjoy your content!

  • @davidmarks5400
    @davidmarks5400 3 місяці тому

    I've heard a lot of people complain about the top end being too high with Texas Specials. I have them in one of my strats,but I also have a tone knob to roll off the highs a little and they sound good.

  • @peskypesky
    @peskypesky 4 місяці тому +1

    On my speakers, the Texas Specials have a bit more bass when played clean. But they're pretty close.

  •  22 дні тому

    What most people don't understand about pickups is that the tone itself is not much different between pickups, the big difference is the balance of volumes that affect each string, which in consequence will affect the way you play the guitar. The Texas have higher gain in the 2nd and 3rd string hence if you want to sound fatter you'll have to adjust your playing and your amp EQ so it doesn't sound so bright. It's not what's best or worse it's what adapts better to your way of playing or vice versa.
    The fat 50s are smoother across the strings.
    You're welcome.

  • @sundrenched6248
    @sundrenched6248 Рік тому +1

    I ordered some pickups from Slider's Vintage about 10 years ago, among which an SRV set. From memory, he told me it's basically an overwound 1959 pickup. In that sense it's not surprising the "hot 50s" don't sound that different. I'm sure they've voiced them a bit differently, but both are basically overwound 1950s pickups. For me, the Bare Knuckles have a nice fresh-sounding top end to them that the Texas Specials completely lack. the Hot 50s are a little better in this regard, but by far the BKP for me, and I'm surprised the difference is that big because usually I find it subtle.

  • @colinparks619
    @colinparks619 Рік тому +4

    Deff a more rounded musical timbre To the fat 50

  • @ralphbenitez4407
    @ralphbenitez4407 Рік тому +3

    They all sound similar to me but the Fat 50’s appear to sound louder.

  • @amadigidigaula771
    @amadigidigaula771 3 місяці тому

    The Fat 50s sounding much nicer to me here. A very different sound between the two coming thru - excellent demos

  • @JoesMusicStudio
    @JoesMusicStudio 2 місяці тому

    Great review. Sound can be such a personal thing. It's like saying the color blue is better than the color green. For me, I love the fat 50s. They are smoother and have great frequency response from lows to highs. Other players may like the bite of the Texas Specials. There is no WRONG answer.

  • @edwardlopez5457
    @edwardlopez5457 Місяць тому

    I can’t tell but you just gained a listener.

  • @barrylawrynowicz5629
    @barrylawrynowicz5629 10 місяців тому +1

    I noticed you have different body woods and ash and alder have very different sound characteristics…I find alder always brings out high end Robert cray kinda thing… ash tames it down kinda makes single coils more warm sounding . Teles are best known for ash ,in reference takes some of the high end off …. Either way you have amazing tone with all your pickups combos with slight differences….in tone

  • @officialWWM
    @officialWWM 5 місяців тому

    If you want a “different” sound, try the Fender Cunefe set. Apart from being really expensive, they sound completely different to anything else!

  • @AnnoDomini-l3u
    @AnnoDomini-l3u 3 місяці тому

    Texas specials faved
    Thumbs up Great video

  • @powerhouse1981
    @powerhouse1981 9 місяців тому +1

    Fat 50's got the Tex specials beat. Can hear it on the growl on those slides toward end of the vid. Thiccer sounding, better quality. Clear winner for me. As far as fat 50 vs 60, I haven't made my mind up yet.

  • @DougMen1
    @DougMen1 Рік тому

    They're both slightly overwound alnico 5 sets, so why would you expect them to be very different? Plus, you can't judge a pickup just by the DCR, because the magnet strength will affect the tone too, and the inductance is more an indicator of tone than just the DCR, which is more an indicator of output. Higher inductance will be warmer and lower inductance will be brighter. Looking at the specs of both sets, the Texas Special neck is slightly lower DCR than the Fat 50s, but the inductance is the same, so the neck pickups will sound almost the same, with the Fat 50s maybe having slightly more output. However, the DCR and inductance of the middle and bridge Texas Specials are higher than on the Fat 50s, so the Texas Specials will be higher output, but the Fat 50s will be brighter in those 2 positions.

  • @boshaznip
    @boshaznip 28 днів тому

    The Fat 50's most likely sound brighter because of the different wire coating. Resistance is just that, resistance. It doesn't tell how 'hot' or bright a pickup will sound on its own, more important parameters are also inductance and capacitance. The formvar coating is slightly thicker, meaning there is a bigger distance between adjacent windings, and hence less capacitance. Capacitance will bleed off treble, so less capacitance will generally sound brighter, assuming everything else is equal.

  • @oldasrocks9121
    @oldasrocks9121 Рік тому

    Both of these are super close to the Fat 60s too. Im searching for a set that nails the initial CBS w/red enameled wire, 67? Those are the breakaways.
    Put steel plates on the Fat 50s, that'll get you some darkness and keep the clarity

  • @edwardlopez5457
    @edwardlopez5457 Місяць тому

    Ok, that Harley Benton was actually my favorite. In appearance and sound.

  • @peterczaplejewicz1653
    @peterczaplejewicz1653 8 місяців тому

    Texas Special sound like special Fat 50s, there is a little difference, thanks for the video as I used to have Texas Special and I really missed them. I got Fat 50s now but always wanted to go back to Texas Special but now I am a bit over it.....

  • @arnolddealiii4259
    @arnolddealiii4259 Рік тому

    Personally I thought they sounded the same. Some were louder but tonally I’m with you, they sound so close only at the component level is it going to make a difference. Btw coming from a strat guy like myself I’ve tried all the off the shelf fender brand pickups and Fat 50’s are my favorite.

  • @stratcat3216
    @stratcat3216 9 місяців тому

    They sound different. Texas specials seem a bit more compressed sounding. Other than that if the volume was matched I'd be hard pressed to tell the diff.

  • @mrtonysantos
    @mrtonysantos 3 місяці тому

    all sound great

  • @markmullins2756
    @markmullins2756 Рік тому +1

    Iv owned probably about 12 strats ....2 American specials and they are my favorite ,but at the sme time i dont change anything on my guitars ....i buy them for the a they are.

  • @FingersOnAFretboard
    @FingersOnAFretboard Рік тому +2

    (tried visualizing a graphic equalizer in my mind's eye) The Texas specials seemed more bumped in midrange, treble rolled off a tad, seemed more aggressive(Like they were pre-determined to be pushing like a tubescreamer in frequency) The F Fifities more traditionally treble-enhanced ,slightly more scoopy and Bass bloomy snappy strat bouncy. Adding a mid boost and they'd probably be pretty balanced AND dynamic. Clean or gainy i'd prefer the Fat Fifties for a more 'traditionally' strat frequency palette. then again, the whole point to the texas specials is probably wanting MORE (hotter /denser tone)than what a vintage e.q. P.U. can do? Your red guitar killed them both in the looks department, and preferably close to Fat Fifites ...simply delicious!

    • @DanDjurdjevicplus
      @DanDjurdjevicplus Рік тому

      You’d need a graphic equaliser to see a difference. Because if you heard them one after the other but 30s apart, you wouldn’t know it wasn’t the same guitar. In a mix? No one would know.

    • @FingersOnAFretboard
      @FingersOnAFretboard Рік тому

      @@DanDjurdjevicplus

  • @bmrbca3658
    @bmrbca3658 Рік тому +4

    They all sounded about the same. All good, but so close

  • @kensolo6793
    @kensolo6793 Рік тому +1

    they all sound great; however, I prefer the Texas Specials, followed by the barenuckles and then the fat 50's. That being said, it is only when played back to back.

  • @karnbroad8504
    @karnbroad8504 9 місяців тому

    The Texas Specials have less very high frequencies, sound a little thicker when driving the distortion. Less 'slap' when hitting a chord. Texas Specials for me out of those three, knowing the amp and pedals I play through. I have a Nashville B-Bender with overwound Tele pickups and a Texas Special middle - tuned (modded) my amp and a couple of pedals to suit. Sounds like I need the Texas Specials in my Strat too having heard this. It'll then match my Tele better.

  • @sEaNoYeAh
    @sEaNoYeAh Рік тому

    All very similar. The BK was the best sounding individual sound here to my ears. The 50s is a little louder, perhaps a touch clearer than the Texas, but really, really close.

  • @lassehaugen57
    @lassehaugen57 3 місяці тому

    I love the Bare Knuckles. 🥰

  • @leonardorohr9261
    @leonardorohr9261 6 місяців тому +2

    Hi Fat 50's in person sounds way warmer than Texas Specials, VERY different mid frecuency responsd, dynamics , just veey different beasts, the only silaritty is in the output level, rhey are both louder and middier than a vintage set or IE Fender 57/62 pickups (made in usa ones) don't firget Fender has two different sets off 57/72 during rhe years, you can telk by the box, I have rhe first ones thet came out in early 2000's thats my regeferenfe, later Fdnder issued a new ser off 57/62 with a different pakaging, in 2010 ish, they don't state where those were made, I didnt have the chanxe to test rhem, but specs are not rhe same impedance, they are rhe same in eveey position....wuth Texas Specials happened amost the samw but they change the name , Texas Spwcials (USA) AND Tex-Mex (Mexican) again don't have any off those so I cant say whitch sounds better

  • @srennielsen4545
    @srennielsen4545 10 місяців тому

    This is like testing two cars by only driving round the parkinglot with a max of 15miles an hour and never reving the engine or turning hard/braking hard. Surely that feels about the same in similar cars.

  • @LizardKing513
    @LizardKing513 7 місяців тому

    I think the fat 50’s are brighter but just the right amound of brightness.

  • @quintonholley5923
    @quintonholley5923 Рік тому

    Maybe do this with Telecasters?

  • @ltaylor2238
    @ltaylor2238 6 місяців тому +1

    I say the Fat 50's for the win!

  • @gscgold
    @gscgold 9 місяців тому

    I think the bare knuckles, and the fat 50s sounds almost identical, but the Texas specials are different

  • @MPNNag
    @MPNNag 2 місяці тому

    Texas special sound spiker vs Fat 50s smoother!

  • @christophervincent8420
    @christophervincent8420 Рік тому

    Texas Special in Neck and Bridge with the Fat 50s in the bridge

  • @Joshuaalan21
    @Joshuaalan21 6 місяців тому

    I hear the difference. Fat 50’s sound slightly stronger, brighter but also smoother. They sound just like a Strat should sound clean

  • @francophillips1552
    @francophillips1552 Місяць тому

    Fat 50s for the win. Sounded different enough to me.

  • @Nizodizo
    @Nizodizo Рік тому +2

    I just use whatever came in the guitar. Cereamics sound better to my ear.

    • @artamussumatra6286
      @artamussumatra6286 Рік тому +1

      Me too. My #1 go to Guitar is a 2013 Mexican Standard Strat with the stock pickups. I originally wanted to get an American Standard, and I spent three months trying every one I could get my hands on. I also tried other Strat models for comparison, and was surprised to find I preferred the MIM Ceramics over the CS Fat 50’s.
      I also like the feel of the MIM better. I never thought I’d be persuaded by a Guitar that cost half as much as I was prepared to pay.
      I guess it’s like The Beatles sang : “Money cant buy me Love” - and I definitely Love my Strat!

  • @bradcarter5403
    @bradcarter5403 3 місяці тому

    Idk why people try comparing pickups in Strats with different fretboards. The rosewood is always going to be why it’s sounding different and you are never going to get the pickup tones bc the other guitar has a maple fretboard/neck lol. If you are going to compare pickups then it needs to be done using the same guitar. Maple strats are always brighter sounding no matter the pickup.

  • @user-ev2qo1hj1g
    @user-ev2qo1hj1g 3 місяці тому

    Fat 50s are bigger sounding and more 3D in sound quality. Hard to compare the red Strat with the bare knuckle as now you changed the sound dynamic with the rosewood board. Naturally it will be warmer with less highs.

  • @tideslider664
    @tideslider664 8 місяців тому

    It’s the pick up height you can clearly see it

  • @Aries_Alpha
    @Aries_Alpha 7 місяців тому

    I shut my eyes and I like the fat 50's about 5% better but they all sounded great.

  • @JacClifton-nf4fe
    @JacClifton-nf4fe 2 місяці тому

    Fat 50s seem a little more compressed at the top end

  • @miketaylor6053
    @miketaylor6053 24 дні тому

    Fat 50s have a cleaner top end in my opinion.

  • @MDN1505
    @MDN1505 11 місяців тому

    Fat 50s are sweet spot of 3 compared. 🥰

  • @SO-bp2uc
    @SO-bp2uc 4 місяці тому

    They are so close that almost no one would be able to tell you’re switching pickups if they listened to the audio without the talking. Maybe only those with really good ears for tone I certainly wouldn’t be able to tell.

  • @macauley70
    @macauley70 Рік тому +1

    Texas special are more midrange...in band they cut better than f50 and better for gain..

  • @Robertkelly_5150
    @Robertkelly_5150 4 місяці тому

    I think the fat 50’s sound significantly better. More depth and clarity.

  • @petersouthwell5971
    @petersouthwell5971 Рік тому

    I think the red guitar is a wee bit more treble ring. barely more. I sorta like it better. Custom is cool though no doubt. Guess Im just a sucker for red.

  • @juankang
    @juankang 10 місяців тому

    I think that my fav is the fat 50s

  • @Matt_Holcomb
    @Matt_Holcomb 3 місяці тому

    The 50s sound brighter to me

  • @michaelnowak3570
    @michaelnowak3570 10 місяців тому +1

    I agree with you I have the fat 50's and was considering going to the Texas specials now I will save the money

  • @giulioluzzardi7632
    @giulioluzzardi7632 2 місяці тому

    Fat 50's don't give ear-ache at this end.

  • @MAX96MENDES
    @MAX96MENDES Рік тому

    the diference is in ... the Price !

  • @maxwellbowden9961
    @maxwellbowden9961 Рік тому +1

    I thought the fat 50 sounded sweeter, undoubtedly due to said fatness

  • @maxs.5163
    @maxs.5163 Місяць тому

    You have 3 different guitars...

  • @joshuajohnston8452
    @joshuajohnston8452 5 місяців тому

    50s sound a tad brighter to my ear

  • @zodiacbluesbaby
    @zodiacbluesbaby Рік тому

    If I hadn't been watching, I couldn't tell any difference

  • @muli99
    @muli99 9 місяців тому

    Pickup height is different and hard to give any opinion!

  • @ΤεσταροΤηφαση
    @ΤεσταροΤηφαση 9 місяців тому

    very very different

  • @Beaudoinam
    @Beaudoinam Рік тому

    The fat 50's sound more brighter here on UA-cam

  • @oudaram1
    @oudaram1 5 місяців тому

    can't tell, different guitars

  • @millight1
    @millight1 Рік тому

    50's for me more clarity

  • @timb7257
    @timb7257 3 місяці тому

    The 50's are brighter.

  • @svetoslavslavov7215
    @svetoslavslavov7215 Рік тому

    The are different,and the best sound pickups are Texas special

  • @johnnyguitar-uu3zr
    @johnnyguitar-uu3zr 4 місяці тому

    Fat 50's are definitely are darker tone ...

  • @AnnoDomini-l3u
    @AnnoDomini-l3u 3 місяці тому

    The 50's are a little Brighter

  • @philliprollman7421
    @philliprollman7421 24 дні тому

    I like the fat 50

  • @chadujardino5871
    @chadujardino5871 10 місяців тому +1

    Consider also the wood of the guitar.

  • @madade27
    @madade27 6 місяців тому

    I put a set of Texas Specials in a 1996 Stratocaster, a bad decision in my view, I simply didn't like them, they were just nothing special at all..."Generic" is the best description in the sound for me.

  • @kaekayyy2554
    @kaekayyy2554 Рік тому

    hotter treble on the 50s relative to the specials fs

  • @RickDanner
    @RickDanner 7 місяців тому

    sounds the same . I have 2 american strats a 2000 and a 2012 the 2000 tone is 1 million times better . But not changing out PUs i think whatever the guitar the pickups dont really matter

  • @mikemcdaniel8746
    @mikemcdaniel8746 9 місяців тому

    They so similarly voice, I dont think theres really much difference in the 3

  • @Narrowboat.and.offgrid.living
    @Narrowboat.and.offgrid.living День тому

    I would be quite disappointed if I wanted somthing different

  • @aarontkacheve4595
    @aarontkacheve4595 8 місяців тому

    Fat 50s definitely more articulate

  • @marionunz5395
    @marionunz5395 Рік тому

    50’s have more of a chime to them

  • @giulioluzzardi7632
    @giulioluzzardi7632 6 місяців тому

    Fat 50's have a little more mid. If you play at drum volume those Texas specials really sing.

  • @Steve-wz5pz
    @Steve-wz5pz 10 місяців тому

    At the end of the day -- it's copper wire wrapped around magnets.

    • @leonardorohr9261
      @leonardorohr9261 6 місяців тому

      Yeah and Strats are just pieces off wood bolted togerher.... Don't you think you are over simplifying things. I know copper arround magnets that wounds way different IMHO

    • @Steve-wz5pz
      @Steve-wz5pz 6 місяців тому

      @@leonardorohr9261 "Don't you think you are over simplifying things(?)".
      Nope. But you do you.

  • @rv3789
    @rv3789 8 місяців тому

    Custom shop fat 50s have more clarity

  • @DiosJaguarNegro
    @DiosJaguarNegro 25 днів тому

    50 ataque agudo y texas clean pero muy delgádo

  • @markmullins2756
    @markmullins2756 Рік тому

    The height are different so.,...

  • @svetoslavslavov7215
    @svetoslavslavov7215 Рік тому

    For better comparison you need real tube amp,not this preamps, wich a very digital sounding pedals