Fender Pure Vintage 59 VS Texas Special Pickups

[@alessandrotorrescampos522]

Amazing demo. The way you did it made it possible to distinguish the tones. Also props for playing such a good songs selection - because of that it is possible to perceive the different Stratocaster sounds.

[@michaelcraig9449]

59 a little bit more of that clang and bang of that awesome Strat bell, every Strat player is looking for something like this.

[@SeemsLikeSomething]

They both sound distinctly good. In their own way.

[@silviolutti1522]

59. Real strat sound.

[@maxhenry9724]

😂 there are many “real” Strat sounds and the 59s are your personal favorite would be a more educated and experienced remark.

[@southernrocker4903]

Texas Specials sound exactly like they are supposed to bright, punchy and in your face. 59's sound sweeter and rounder. Great demo. Thank you!

[@donkerker8935]

Man w/o head, playing beatiful red strat, with awesome tones

[@AlexImmordino]

This one killed me hahaha. Thank you!

[@ericcartman8354]

lol

[@ItsKyleMan]

Lmfao.. He so perfectly doesn't have a head. This year's Superbowl halftime show should be played virtually by Man w/o head

[@michaelcraig9449]

@@AlexImmordino Horseless Headman!

[@reverendjetstream]

he must be a fan of Decapitated (band) 😀

[@nicvortec]

Thank you, in crunch mode I preferred the Texas specials

[@iagobroxado]

Texas Specials on the Cleans and 59's for the crunch settings. The weaker output and lesser mids seemed to balance better with that midrangey overdrive.

[@ptrisonic]

I took a set of Texas Special;s off one of my Strats. Your video just confirms I made the right decision. Best, Pete.

[@lespauldisciple3349]

I bought a metallic red Squier Contemporary HH Strat for modding... I don't dig humbuggerers on Strats so I was shopping for a good set of vintage voiced single coil pups when I found a set of new Fender Vintage 59's on sale for $92 w/free shipping. I browsed KZbin for a good demo of them and I saw this excellent demonstration. #SOLD I love the sound of these pups. Thanks for an awesome demo!

[@lespauldisciple3349]

Postscript: I love the sound of Tommy Bolin's Strat on the 'Teaser' album and the Vintage 59's do a great job of catching that sound. (I just wish I was that good!)

[@BMWBikes-i7n]

Faaantastic played, very good choice of music to compare, the different is directly to hear. Thank you!

[@AlexImmordino]

Thank you Marc!

[@Tstdycgyr]

Just when I thought the Specials were so so I see this video and realise they are terrific, brilliant playing, thank you

[@mloiaco]

Those 59’s sound larger than life

[@ksmksm3759]

59 all the way for me.

[@diffrent_somk6120]

Sound like the pure 65 especially with crunch. Have the 65 will try the 59in a mij jippi!!!

[@christophebismuth]

Big thank you, I didn't know which ones to buy, I'll go for the Texas Special, thanks again.

[@billydiaz806]

Why pick let’s have two guitars with both! 🔥

[@eriklundstrum4656]

They both sound great! I would definitely go for the Texas special in the bridge and ‘59 in the middle. It’s a toss up for me in the neck tho.

[@mariomessina1147]

Erik Lundstrum u would be buying two sets of pickups in that case and a neck pickup would make a third that would cost like $600 - too bad fender doesn’t sell single pickups like Duncan does

[@x00p3]

@@mariomessina1147 Sometimes you can find used single pickups online.

[@jessepearson5579]

Texas Specials hands down...What a difference on Sweet home and Texas Flood...The 59's didn't have the tonal or timbre range that the Texas Specials have...Your Strat with the Texas Specials sounds expensive...Good demo...sold me on the Texas Specials...Texas...where men are men and women still eat their young...

[@davidpetersonharvey]

Man, that's a hard one. I like both for different reasons. I'm looking at TS for mine because I get a really chimey tone from my Tele for clean work. Thanks for a great showcase of both. They're both fabulous pups.

[@philipcorrigan6050]

Thanks for this superb video. Helped me make my decision towards the '59s.

[@ShadDennis]

Awesome video! I definitely prefer the 59, the TS are a little midrangey for me although they absolutely do a blues rock tone better than most. The 59 to me has more chime, makes for a better sound in a variety of genres from blues to funk to rock.

[@VeryTutos]

Agree

[@ptitpierre1]

Would be nice to compare 57-62 pickups vs these pure vintage 59 pickups, because they supposedly reproduce a similar sound

[@ladygadava1]

Those pure vintage 59s sound sweet!!!

[@wiganlad2006]

Thanks for uploading this. Really helped me choose if to replace my Texas Specials for some Pure 59's. Now got some 59's on way :-)

[@AlexImmordino]

You won't regret it! What guitar are they going to be put in? :)

[@wiganlad2006]

2005 Crafted In Japan ST-62TX.

[@Kozmo260]

Pure Vintage 59 for me. Clear, cleaner less compressed more bell like chime. Nice shootout!

[@michael_caz_nyc]

I Agree. 59 for me. Lower output pickups allow you to get more from your amp. pedals & effects.

[@ccruedas]

wow! amazing comparison. I like to my ears pure vintage for neck and middle and Texas Special for Bridge

[@WindOnMyWings]

Awesome playing and choice of riffs

[@AlexImmordino]

Thank you :)

[@massimos6863]

Awesome playing Awesome Demo 🎸 ❤ 🔥 I think I prefer the 59

[@gilwe]

The 59s sound awesome.

[@kungpuk5186]

Played my strat-99 Amvi-62 with texas specials for 18 years now, and they will never come of my huitar. Nice playing!

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

Texas specials has more 'muscles'. Vintage 59 sounded thinner but more jangly.

[@johnc3403]

I've put some Pure Vintage '59's in an old Yamaha Pacifica and hardtailed it too, and it has transformed the guitar. Beautiful pickups into a fender blues Jr. Anyway, I just wanted to say that your old Dire Straits playing is perfect, really sounds awesome fella! :D

[@robertquentin319]

im doing the same, with a new electronic in it, handmade. i hope to sound a little like on the early albums.

[@tommynoble3428]

I liked the '59s clean and the Texas Specials dirty.

[@spypengyn]

hmm im the exact opposite haha

[@tommynoble3428]

@@spypengyn that's what's so great about tone - it's all in the ears of the beholder! Except for anything The Tone King plays - he sounds horrible regardless of what he's playing through.

[@APaclin]

Agreed

[@dennismusic9837]

I changed the wiring and added a set of Texas Specials in my Fender Player Strat. Sounds great.

[@poncris1ify]

Thanks for the demo. Its very hard to choose. Maybe PV59 for a clean and balanced sound. But both sound very cool.

[@willistaylor4077]

I think I like the pure vintage 59's just a lil better for clean. Just a tad crisper (?)

[@7Roeth]

Great video. I like the harshness of the specials. It's the right kind of harshness lol.

[@NealGiannone]

Would love to hear a version of this demo with the 59s played first, then the Specials.

[@andy_J_11]

Amazing demo man, thanks a lot. Really helpful

[@shawnmartin4701]

It depends on what type of music that you play and what you like as far as tone. I play mostly blues and I was dead set on having the vintage wind of the 59's and played them for a while until I realized I really wanted the fuller tone of the ts pup's. I prefer the older sets with the higher wound bridge pickup. If you play country or music that needs a bright glassy sound then the 59's are for you, but if you want more body and punch go for the texas specials. Set them low in your pickguard and adjust until you hit your sweet spot. By the way, that was a fantastic demo.

[@andreadichiara1280]

'59 absolutely the BEST!

[@vladicaradojevic4453]

Agree!!!!

[@jackillin]

I just bought an American Special 'cause I fell in love with Texas Special pickups. They just have an oomph that I love. I went to the guitar store to try the Am Pro and I liked it, then picked up the Am Special because it was on sale - didn't know anything about it & after a min of playing I was asking the sales man why it sounded so much better than the pro that cost 2x more. I guess it all comes down to the sound u like in the end.

[@cale583]

you were fooled because you were comparing shit to shit. Texas specials are pure garbage, no mid end what so every, sound like a tinny ibanez i paid a hundred bucks for. They are clear with a terrible high end scoop

[@Ironworthstriking]

@@cale583 texas specials literally have EXTRA mids, genius.

[@cale583]

@@Ironworthstriking No they dont, genius. Literally?? Is literally supposed to mean you're very serious, or did you think we were talking figuratively or spiritually?

[@Ironworthstriking]

@@cale583 No. I mean that's the design of the pickup. A strat pickup with more mids.

[@cale583]

@@Ironworthstriking They dont have more mids like i said. Its not even formvar wire used in them. Nobody famous uses them because they actually have less mid range, are nothing like vintage strat pickups with formvar. They are crap, there are plenty of youtube videos that back up my statements if you need, or just buy some and see for yourself

[@andylfreespace]

Great demo - one of the better ones I’ve seen that shows the nuisances through the deciding and playing. Good job. I’ve surprised myself and landed w the 59’s.

[@andylfreespace]

Through the recording*

[@stevenm2699]

@@andylfreespace *nuances

[@donarmando916]

Both are great sounding pickups. Personally i have chosen the Texas Specials because they have a bit more bite and clarity.

[@Acristisnoir]

Exactly. And if you roll the volume and tone back just a little, sounds just like a 59. Imo

[@juanbendezuvaldez]

what is the name of the song that is heard in the seconds 0:00 to 0:10 ? Please

[@marcospintor1333]

The ‘59s sounded delicious. Clean and dirty

[@spiltmilk1252]

I have had both sets on several guitars and like both for different reasons. I have an SRV and have left the Texas Specials on the guitar. The added output and mid range allows a greater range of response: I finger pick many of my leads and also tend to roll back the volume to 8 when playing behind the vocals. I feel that I am able to clean up the Texas Specials but often have to play with more ferocity to get an edgier tone out of the '59s. However, I have used the 59's on my Fender Eric Johnson 2005 Strat and find that the '59s are more of what I could never get out of the 57-62 pickups. They are amazing for the EC Slowhand/ 461 Ocean Blvd sound (Willie and the Hand dive, I Shot the Sheriff, The Core, etc) and D and Ds studio album tones (Bell Bottom Blues) with the EJ Strat. I heartily endorse the The Texas Specials and the '59s for different reasons. Thank you for an excellent comparison video. Great quality on all levels.

[@Acristisnoir]

Well put. The TS is just overwound 59s anyway, so rolling the volume and tone would make sense

[@tinomendoza9372]

texas all the way for my porpuses, I got them on one guitar and really was impress on how versatile they are! ,)

[@bjornchristiansson2827]

Oh well done demo 🙏 I'm love both of them. Just my preference is the 59 for the crunchy part and Tex for the clean tone! For my clean tone I'm use Dan Electro Lipstick tube pickups. For my regular blues play I'm use my 55. And for harder rock I'm use my 59. Can't go whit one giutar. Best regards /Bjorn

[@moimeme7839]

Texas specials for the win!😀 nice playin’ vintage 59 are really nice too

[@BrewerShettles]

Great Playing!!! Texas Specials - What strings are you using?

[@tomasvento]

Its on the beggining of the video

[@BrewerShettles]

@@tomasvento - 0:20 In from beginning - Right / Thanks!!

[@06armzful]

Useful demo. Thanks for helping me find what I was looking for.

[@user-cq3oh8eq3n]

Extra points for playing Axis, Bold as Love! You don't hear that often.

[@andersonaguiar9818]

Awesome! Both are really pretty good. I guess Texas Special has more agressive treble, like SRV and Buddy Guy tones, but Vintage 59 is very interesting too, it's balanced and smooth. Félicitations!

[@AlexImmordino]

Thank you :D Yes I agree, the TS had way more treble in the sound than the PV59, which are a lot more smooth. Not saying they were bad but, I guess that is just up to personal preferences.

[@andersonaguiar9818]

C'est super!

[@Musicsports]

I have heard 59’s get you closest to the SRV el mecombo soundset

[@hendrixhendrix9368]

@@Musicsports Amen Lord Jesus Christ amen bless u guys!

[@howietianjamz6649]

Wrong, 59 pups are the real srv pickups, Texas special was never the real srv sound

[@richardwhitehead4684]

Both sound amazingly like a typical Stratocaster to me. Differences were pretty slight to this Strat player’s ears. Just like 59 vs 65 pups. Too similar to bother swapping out one for the other, IMO, of course. Fwiw, my fav Strat pups are the ceramics of 80’s vintage Japan strats. So I must be crazy.

[@pupmusic2281]

I noticed that also with a Japan 80’s with ceramic pick ups. It’s well balanced and clear. I wonder why

[@josephbelcher2568]

@@pupmusic2281 Flat pole pieces?

[@edgarsvartins2727]

I have American Special Strat with Texas Specials and also American Original 50s Stratocaster with pure vintage '59s set and i'm in love with both of guitars. They both are my favourite guitars. It's awesome you could choose between more vintage sound and feel with american original 50s or maybe want some dirty dirty blues or some rock' n roll craziness with Jumbo frets and texas specials then i have american special strat. Could not be happier. Fender makes fantastic pickups. I see no reason to go super expensive way and buy pickups for a lot of money and hope they'll be "better" sounding. Fender have nailed the right sound already. And we have a lot of options to choose, just like this video shows. Thank you :)

[@chriswinchester6268]

I also have both guitars. Texas Special Strat 2002 with perloid in black and American Original 50s. ☺️☺️☺️

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

Texas pups have more 'body' and muscles. 59 pups are a lot brighter and has more chime. Both sound different...and to me you cant go wrong with either.

[@Seanmyers2000]

I’d say the vintage 59 are a better value, since they sound very similar and are a little sweeter on cleans. If you play more overdriven though and want a bluesy tone Texas special

[@robertquentin319]

i ve just receive my 59 set. thanks for the video it helps me to choose !

[@simondalle2623]

Should I swap my stock PU's for the 59's ya think? Happy with your purchase?

[@elproff007]

Both sound amazing. The Texas Specials a touch thicker and the Vintage a touch more articulate. Great song choices and tones! 🔥🙏💙

[@pilgrim9392]

The 59 hands down... Been playing 40 years and the mellow bell tones of those 59s on a Strat are tones from heaven...TS sounded good but to thin for my taste...Great demo !!!

[@chrisv924]

The ‘59s had more clarity and tone. TS are excellent for sure, but i like these ‘59 more. Great video!

[@fnkyboi6912]

I prefer the texas for dirty, 59 was so crispy for clean it's beautiful

[@jacobkaufman2619]

I love the vintage 59s! I bet they would sound great going into my Marshall origin

[@RollingMoose]

Loved the Axis bold as love

[@dominiquebaudoin2389]

Pure Vintage 59 is better for Clean sound and not the same but egal for Crunch, Thanh you, very good comparison !

[@HiHello-ku1fl]

The 59's just sound right. Thats the sound! You could really hear how much better they were than the Texas specials when you played the Johnny B Goode riff.

[@andrewkashevarof7325]

That's because he's barely hitting the strings witch makes them sound thin

[@hg7240]

Excellent demo,very helpful. cheers

[@douglasdobson8110]

Awesome comparison, Thanks man

[@aapddd]

Love the On Every Street intro !!!

[@paultinajero9733]

Texas Specials for me

[@Xxmeca421xX]

Im going to put 59s in my strat and and TMs in my cyclone but Probably keep the hot rail in the bridge.

[@richardshank7659]

Did not find a clear winner for me lol I love that the 59s have more high end sparkle on some parts including distorted but I also love the oomph of the Texas specials all around they don’t get lost they jump right out.

[@Halliday7895]

i like that rosewood neck with darker tinted headstock! too bad the truss rod opposite ! ive been shopping around for a dark headstock with rosewood .

[@MDLinzee]

Curious as to how you set a reference for both pickups. Looking at your Strat vol control settings, they are inconsistent between the comparison clips. No idea whether you are going direct to the interface and what those settings are. I admire any attempt to compare pickups, but it seems that there are often audible differences in output in pickups that alone could cause someone to prefer one to the other.

[@RenoLaringo]

Excellent comparison brother. I don't know for you but for me thé 59's sounded the best. Be safe, be happy and blues on! 👍

[@coldcuts1924]

The grey Tee shirt def adds a lighter tone!

[@bugsycline3798]

yea Im with texas specials on this one. Sounds more strat like to me. Glassy and classy with the punch... GIMME

[@johnmirabile3535]

HARD TO CHOOSE BUT MY GUTS GOING WITH THE TEX!

[@jrentie]

Think I’ll stick with my 59s. Thank you! Just sounded a bit more open and not as “stuffy” as the TS.

[@craftyg2761]

Is that 60s custom original? Beautiful guitar. What color is that?

[@HasyirIbrahim]

Are the 59s RWRP?

[@sober-southoftheborderever3591]

IMO the texas special is more suitable for blues, classic rock, and warmer! Both are great!

[@dsholt]

I thought the Texas Specials shined with the overdrive tones. Great comparison.

[@davidthomas3725]

Great video and playing. I'd really like to hear the comparison using a Deluxe Reverb or a Super Reverb.

[@romanpodlavcik7147]

Please WHATS THE INTRO AND OUTRO SONG? And thank you for wonderful comparison 😊

[@glbu4468]

On Every Street_Dire Straits

[@buddhistpriest1357]

Wouldn’t the Axe FX change the sound of the pickups?

[@bartlettpsj]

Not sure what is happening - on sultans of swing country bend lick there seems a harsh clipping with the texas specials - on the hendrix bit there is more clipping for the 59s., on johny B goode the A chord is too muddy on both , at 3:00 the 59's too much clipping, money for nothing (well played by the way) was too harsh on both (hurt my ears) --- was this how it sounded in the room.

[@Tonetwisters]

Were I to change any pickups in my Strats, I would try a set of Klein '56s ... those are spectacular from the sample sounds, anyway.

[@pcollenyt3683]

59's clean, and they both sounded about the same with crunch. So 59's would be my choice.

[@anthonysantiago8668]

I'm in a bit of a rut hear, I just like them both. I prefer the Texas special for the clean tones, the pure vintage 59 for the dirty tones is what I'm looking for. Great comparison video, and wicked playing!!

[@nicolamontoro]

To me they sound very similar, the Texas specials are just a smidge punchier

[@gonzaklez]

nicolamontoro man, in loco they are soooo diferent!!

[@christophersanchez7130]

Just received an email today from Fender. They will be discontinuing the Vintage 59’ pickups from their site, so grab them while you can. 😕 It’s unfortunate that I guess I’ll never be able to get a set after all. 😒

[@spoonsmith9506]

Seymour Duncans antiquity 2 are just as good or better.

[@unitoftemp]

If you want the cheaper route you can go with the pure vintage set from dragonfire, 39 bucks for those.

[@toddwilliamson8557]

Musicians Friend is selling the PV sets for 109$ right now.

[@davecooper360]

They both sound great to me I love Texas specials.

[@carlosadams678]

Hi, Which one for glass tones? SRV thin pan alley tone let's say?

[@jonljacobi]

Tough choice. Bright versus mid-range meat. Nice material and renditions.

[@edenspace3837]

Very nice, which amp dirty channel or overdrive pedal emulation did u use form 1:49 to 2:18? Thx!

[@AlexImmordino]

Eden Space I think it was a BB preamp into a JMP style amp. No longer have the AXE Fx though!

[@robertw1871]

I’m surprised how muddy the 59s are compared… it’s so hard to really tell without having them in my hands… I could live with either…

[@JaySims]

Loved this shootout- what riff is at the 0:58 mark? Having a hard time remembering right now. Really want some Texas Specials now though! Thanks for posting!

[@AlexImmordino]

Jay.S Bold As Love by the mighty John Mayer man!

[@DariusHairston-x2i]

That’s Hendrix bro!

[@AlexImmordino]

Darius Hairston it is the Mayer version that I play.

[@raceface_m2579]

Did they have the same pickup height? The 59s were lacking bass, but still sounded good.

[@AlexImmordino]

Nope, you can't set them at the same height because one set is more powerful than the other one. Plus, the more underwound the pickups the more I like space, air between strings and pole pieces. It adds articulation and sparkles.