Fender Delta Tone

Single coil passive

Factory data for new pickup when it came out.

American Std. Delta Tone Strat Bridge
DC Resistance 7.3K
Inductance 3.9Henries

American Std. Delta Tone Strat Middle
DC Resistance 5.9K
Inductance 2.4Henries

American Std. Delta Tone Strat Neck
DC Resistance 5.9K
Inductance 2.4Henries


Measured today
neck : 5.7K
middle:5.7K
bridge:7.0K

Came stock in Fender American standard stratocaster 2000.
They are in all positions.

Only reason to change them out of the guitar would be a G.A.S attack.

Excellent sound. Especially in neck neck/middle and middle position.
I just wish the bridge pickup couldn't have this high at 10khz with the 250k volume pot. But it sound really hot with OD and Dist.

If it was destroyed or stolen, would you buy it again or get something else?
It would be difficult to find them again as they are now, time altered them. The lost some DC resitance, and this will go on for the better.

It is hard to find by this day so I will have to get the closest, in sound, and I believe it would be custom shop 54'.

Pickup features: Single Coil / Passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender American Standard Telecaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: N/A
Other pickups on guitar: N/A
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock, Country
Reason for pickup change: N/A

Perceived output level: Medium to Hot
Tone: Balanced -- with a bit more treble on the bridge
Sonic evaluation: I use a Fender Silverface Champ Amp, Fender Blues Jr., and PODXT.
Don't let anyone kid you, these pickups are great. They come standard on the American Standard Telecaster and I can see why Fender chose them. These pickups are great for a variety of music and playing styles. I bought my guitar used, and initially, it didn't sound too good. However, folks have to remember that pickups are only a part of the sound. You also have to properly setup your guitar. After a complete setup -- the pickups sounded great. I briefly entertained the thought of swapping these Deltatones out -- but to what? There is nothing out there that can give you the clarity and tonal variety that these can. On the neck pickup -- I have perfect blues tone. On the bridge I have country. Using both pups at once renders extremely useful tones that can be used a variety of ways. If you want to sound like SRV -- these aren't your pickups (then again, trying "coaxing" any kind of "acoustic" sound out of a Texas Special -- good luck). If you want to sound like Brent Mason -- these aren't your pickups (then again, try to "coax" any kind of a rock sound out of his pups -- good luck). If you want to be able to play "Sweet Home Alabama" then "Let It Be" then "Badge" (by Eric Clapton) -- back to back without changing guitars -- then these are your pickups. Like I said, they are just awesome for variety.
By the way -- Neck and Bridge at the same time -- with clean amp settings -- gives a beautiful, and quite usuable acoustic type tone. It's even better if you kick in a chorus pedal when doing this!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play ALL kinds of music except PUNK, HIP HOP, and METAL. This pup is good for ALL positions on a Tele.

Comments: If broken, I would replace these pups with the same -- Deltatone. I like being able to handle a variety of music with one axe -- these pups do that. I have other guitars to "specialize" my tone on. I have a strat that's strictly for blues playing, and a Les Paul that is tweaked for loud 70's style leads.
Just because these pickups are "stock" doesn't mean they aren't killers! Remember, Jimmi Hendrix played STOCK pickups!

Pickup features: single coil
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: american series strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: same
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): bluesy hard rock
Reason for pickup change: none

Perceived output level:
Tone: neck is full sounding, deep and bright, middle is my least used seperately I only use it in combination with neck and bridge when cancelling hum. bridge is hot ,sometimes harsh but versatile
Sonic evaluation: I use fender bullets .010 -.046. I play only at home with a Behringer GM110 and a zoom ps02. I`m not going to sit here and tell you that these are the best thing yet but I will say that the Delta tone control of the bridge pickup can yeild some nice growling tones. In high gain distortion modes on the bridge pickup setting I have observed that when the tone is rolled all theway back the tone actually opens up to a nice throaty growl that is neither noisy or harsh but yet very clear depending on how your amp/processer/pedal is set. I love it. In cleaner modes you need to roll the tone backjust a bit or just open it up and switch over to position 4 (combo with middle) and it is just fine. There is no need to change these out IMHO.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: The strat is the most versatile electric guitar ever. If you can`t do it wih a strat hen you`re doing it wrong.

Comments: I`m not going to give it a ten because of my amatuer status but to me they are fine. To me the weak link here is the middle pickup. I find myself not using it on it`s own at all.Again the Delta tone control of the bridge can yeild a wide variety of tones but you have to work with it and really get to know it.

Pickup features: Single Coil Passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: American Standard Stratocaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: N/A
Other pickups on guitar: N/A
Artists using this pickup: Anyone who plays a standard strat/tele
You musical style(s): blues, rock
Reason for pickup change: I haven't changed these out yet

Perceived output level: The neck and middle pickups are weak, the bridge is overly hot
Tone: Bland, lifeless, weak.
Sonic evaluation: I've ran these pickups through several different Fender tube amps (Hot Rod De Ville, Cybertwin) and several solid-state electric and acoustic amps, and the pickups just sound... lifeless. The output is strange in that the bridge and middle pickups are a bit weak, but the bridge pickup is shrill and ear-piercing. For those not familiar with the Delta Tone system, Fender includes a "no-load" tone controller that, when turned to 10, clicks out of circuit and allows you to plug straight into the pickup. I loved the idea, and that was this guitar's main selling point, but the bridge pickup behaved terribly when the tone pot was bypassed. Shrill, noisey, obnoxious. Anyway, none of the pickups really did anything for me. They all sound bland, not sweet or soulful. They don't sing, they're not gritty, there just... there.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play mostly blues and rock.

Comments: If they were lost or stolen, so be it, just gives me a reason to buy lace sensors. I've been playing for about 9 years, and I lovde Fender stratocasters... but the pups on this sweet guitar were just pathetic...

Pickup features: Single coil bridge
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: J/B Player Sledge hammer
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: OEM STock
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change: Attempt to upgrade

Perceived output level: A bit hotter than stock,
Tone: Superficialy bright
Sonic evaluation: J/b player through a Vox Cambridge 30.I couldn't get this pick-up off faster if they were shitted up underware.Cheap sounding compared to the OEM(I was getting good clean sound and was just hoping for a bit more presence)I should have known that when I pulled the OEM off it was superior,magnet and brass plate on bottom,separate grounding.I was getting a beautiful vintage "Ventures" sound and went to a Squire with that piece of shit and it was noisier to boot.I even wired according to the Muddy Waters schematic and still bad.Mabe on a dog shit guitar it would help,but buy a J/B,take the pick-ups,and I don't care if you use the rest for firewood(which I don't think you will) and upgrade with that .It may take a notch more volumebut worth it

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: General 60's,Beatle ,Rolling St etc primarily for self amusement these days

Comments: If it were stolen ,lost destroyed etc, good riddence,been playing on and off alot of years,went through Jags,360's and a Tennessean to name a few,and a Strat as well.Im sticking with the stock and not going to try and beat it,Ill take it over a Fender any day,or a new one at least.

Pickup features: passive single coil system, no load tone pot #2.
Impedence or other specs: Neck 6.14K Middle 6.2K Bridge 7.7K

Model of guitar or bass: American series Strat
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Who knows for sure probably thousands
You musical style(s): Vintage rock,heavy,jazz,latino rock(santana) blues,fuk, no C & W
Reason for pickup change: No change made stock pups to stay for awhile! Surprised me!

Perceived output level: Expected a low weak ouput like most fender strats. Wow was I got off gurad. These actually sounder Like Lindy Frahlins or better stil like David Gilmours. I am positive this is a fluke. I have another American series and i had to change them out immediatley with Frahlins. What can I say I got one of the good sets. Take an ohm reading if you buy some if they are 6.1 or better than get ready for some smooth as silk sounds.
Tone: Smooth silky cutting and powerful. I had to lower these a tad because they were coming in a little to hot or bold. When I did they started singing like a canary. Man I was so happy to hear a stock pup sound this good. They are so well balance that its hard to hear the change from one pickup to the next from switch 1-5. Sure 5 is hotter, but its a smooth transition.
Sonic evaluation: I made out like a bandit this one time in m life with this guitar. It has some of the sweetest Fender sounds you could every ask for. Very nice quack smooth position transition, quieter than my other strat, great singing quality in the neck position. the 2,3,4 position have good quality fender sounds and makes you want to play.
My rig is pretty flexible and superb sounding. I use a 120 watt tech-21 w 2-12's, VF-1 BOSS effects unit xr-15 foot pedal controller and the tech-21 footswitch.
Just Dial in the right EQ settings for this pickup system and your off to SRV wonderland or taking that journey down Pink floyd's ultimate blues sound. I am still shaking my head in disbelief! I will rate these pups very high from here on out. They are a new reference guide for me.
Been playing about 10 year plus. Not all consecutive but total yes. I started in 1972.
I have had fenders, gibsons, and a cheap MIM or Hondo guitar here or there. I usually stick to the main stream name brands. Love this guitar. MAN, still can't believe it.
I wrote another review very similar but had not quite tested the pups against Frahlins to get an updated comparison. Well I did and these have as much or more output, the same quality tone, and I have them set lower than in my strat with the Frahlins. Don't interpret what I am saying here as these beat Frahlins. NOPE, I didn't say that. What I will say is that these sound just like Frahlin's. That's enough said.
You will be happy if you get one of these American series Strats by Fender and its got the delta tone .
This has proven to me that the American guitars are good value good sound, worth every dollar. Paid about 800. april 2002.
I don't care if some did better I got Gimour,SRV,Robin,Eric, Eric Clapton, and Z.Z.Top sounds for about 800. If You beat that then flap your wings.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play blues, and rock and other styles and this guitar is able to all of them. I can't do creed or that type sound very well but that's for another guitar. This guitars pups are suitable for almost all styles. Use a Boss MT-2 to overdrive it and you will be able to come close to humbucker sound.

Comments: I would cry if they stole my strat, but i know now that the American series with the delta tone no load pot, will scream,cry and kick if your fingers can make it do that effectively. So I would definitley purchase another. i would have liked rting this a 8.5 but I can not give it a nine. Thats for the ultimate sound. Still 8.5 is pretty damm good!

Pickup features: Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: 7.3k 5,9k 5.9k

Model of guitar or bass: Fender American Standard
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: All Deltas
Artists using this pickup: Me
You musical style(s): Blues ,Jazz blues,Rock
Reason for pickup change: Whatever

Perceived output level: Normal
Tone: Middy, good
Sonic evaluation: I'm using Marshall and Orange amps I don't like this pick-ups wery mutch not bad not very good either.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I mostly play blues. this pickups aren't so good for blues

Comments: If they were destroyed I would not buy them again.
I'm gonna replace them for the Lindy Fralin Blues Specials.