Fender 1954 Masterbuilt

1954 specs, hand-fed at the machine by Abigail for the 1994 Masterbuilt series. Black bobbins, raised D-pole, etc. 5.7 to 5.82 ohms.

These went in my lefty put-together Strat: One-piece lightweight swamp-ash body, fatback maple neck with rosewood slab, both from USA Custom Guitars. Grain-filled with clear nitro, see-through blonde nitro finish. Callaham parts, nitro guard from Warmoth. I had Custom Shop '69s in it, then replaced the neck pickup with a real '66, finally put in these Abby's about a month ago with stock 250K CTS lefty pots (reverse audio taper). I had a blender pot before, but wired it stock this time around.

These pickups are as good as any I've ever heard. I have Callaham Fralins in my other Strat and they are very good, but the Abbys are a little more forward than the Fralins without being harsh. The clarity and balance is amazing; puts me in a dreamlike state through a Twin Reverb (straight in, no effects). I won't ever try another pup. I don't think a pup could sound any better. I have had 6 Pre-CBS Strats and still have a '55 and a '66. This guitar with these pickups is the best I've had.

These pups are hard to come by. I bought the whole pickguard assembly and parted it out, keeping only the pickups. Ended up costing me about $125. I'm almost 50 now and have been playing since my early 20's, back when a '64 Strat could be had for $400. Pre-CBS Super Reverbs were $275. I like that Abby wound them, and that they are made like the originals. Fender got it right the first time and there's no improving that sound. These pickups are the last 2% of my sound. The other 98% comes from the fingers. But the 2% does make a difference to me.