My top choice for almost 30 years, Fralin Strat Pickups

[@andybown68]

I must have watched this six times over the last few months. Great playing!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Well, given the wealth of fine players on KZbin, I appreciate that. Thanks so much for watching.

[@RyanFixesCars]

Same here 😂 his style is just like mine but 30+ years better than mine too haha I keep coming back to hear his playing. Goosebumps everytime. Just excellent!

[@Gern5838]

I bought this pickup combination because of this video and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. They’re amazing! Thanks.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

That’s just great. They are unbeatable. You can do different, but would be hard pressed to do “better”. Thanks for watching.

[@bobbyglass7214]

What set up did you buy. I have just purchased the hot set but just saw this video. So what setup did u get?

[@fralininfo5588]

Nice playing, and thanks for making this video!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you. My pleasure and thanks so much for watching.

[@fredmoss9451]

Excellent demo of pickups and might I say quite exquisite playing. Kudos man ! Thanks for keeping the blues alive.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you so much for watching. Folks like you are why the effort is worth it.

[@tp5776]

Sounds so good. I still have my fathers 69 strat he bought new. One pickup didn't work, one was weak and I was in a delima of getting rewinds on the originals. I wasn't going to let just anybody do it. I'd read Fralin was going to stop doing rewinds and referred rewinds elsewhere, I didn't Get a reply......so took a shot and told my needs about my fathers 69 strat on a Fralin you tube video. Surprisingly Jenny Fralin replied and told me to send them but the wait would be 6 to 8 weeks (I didn't mind). So I sent them with a check for probably double what rewinds cost, with a note saying keep the change and if owed more send me a bill. I got the pickups back in less than three weeks. Results are amazing! I put the Fralin paperwork in the guitar case. I'm grateful they did the rewinds. Great Top Notch People!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

That’s a great story. Funny my very first Strat was a 69 or a 70 (I’ll never know, I bought it new in early 1970 and we didn’t much pay attention to that sort of thing back then). It was white with the maple board exactly like the one I saw Jimi play at the Forum in LA. You can pay a lot more but I don’t believe anyone winds better single coils than Lindy Fralin. Thanks for watching.

[@jefffree3053]

Is that guitar for sale by chance ?

[@tp5776]

@@jefffree3053 Not at this time, but my children have no real interest. And what interest they do have are other guitars I bought new decades ago. No family are great lead players. So eventually I'll probably sale it, but just not there yet. But thanks for asking.

[@jefffree3053]

@@tp5776 Your welcome, I could only imagine the wonderful collection your family is blessed with. Please keep me mind if you ever decide to part ways with it! Best wishes to you and your family. Take care friend ✌️

[@bluesman815]

The Ronnie Earl tone! I recently put Fralin pickups in my strat. I got the blues special in the bridge, real 54s in the middle and vintage hot in the neck. I dig them very much. Great playing man. Great tone.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. And thanks for checking it out.

[@stringtheoryx]

I agree about Fralins. Lindy has superlative ears. Evidently, so do you. 🙂 That's very fluent and relaxed playing, really spot-on lines for demoing each pickup combo.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. Yes, Lindy remains one of the very best.

[@portsideguitar1981]

Wow, that’s THE sound! Awesome playing man. Can’t believe that’s out of the Tonemaster…great!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much.

[@shawnmartin4701]

That is some fantastic playing my friend. Keep on keeping on.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. And thanks for watching.

[@druwk]

Great tone! Agreed…Lindy Fralin Strat pickups are amazing! Vintage Hot neck, middle with Blues special is magic. I have a parts-caster that I was thinking of converting to a PAF loaded machine, but this post is doing a lot to keeping my Strat right where it is!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

They are wonderful pickups. All you’d ever need unless you want something non-traditional. Thanks so much for watching.

[@jimkostan9932]

​@@leonardgriffieblues5845you said the word traditional. I own a 1962 and a 1963 original Fender Stratocaster. Is the guitarist of 55 years plus playing, I put vintage hot in my 63 STRAT. To me they're to crisp they're too harsh they're not warm or soulful. But I'm glad you like em. These are not for every GUITAR player.

[@RyanFixesCars]

I searched long and hard for the perfect pickups for a sweet exotic wood strat I'm building. This video locked it in. Lindy Fralin for the win!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Couldn’t agree more. Thanks for watching.

[@mortonwilson795]

OK - just found this after watching your Vintera II vid . . . I can see why you went for these, noted! Articulation and distinct personality on each position is just impeccable! Thanks.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Well thanks. Yep, Lindy’s pickups are really unbeatable if you’re after the classic sounds. I’m glad you’ve found my channel.

[@MiguelBraz]

Great tone out of those Fralins and blues your playing excels. Well done !

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you, and thanks for watching. 😎

[@waynemitchell-jv1cf]

Awesome playing. Amazing tone!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you so much, and thanks for checking out my channel.

[@lazvt8469]

Ordered a lefty loaded pickguard with that exact combo a few days ago...can't wait to get them ...and hear them here.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Nice, I hope you love em. Thanks for watching.

[@TheMadStrater]

Man, simply put, your tone is enviable! I agree - Fralins are great, but you're fingers are layin it down friend!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you so much for watching.

[@italoop7850]

Love THE tone and soul in your blues playing, Leonard! Pickups are fantastic, always well balanced, never harsh or muddy, always true to a great Strat! Getting my Vintage Hots deliverd while writing here... can't wait! Fralins rule!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you my friend. Those vintage hots will satisfy. 😎

[@jimkostan9932]

I'm just the opposite of your opinion I'm not a fan of Lindy Fralin vintage hots pickups. As a guitarist who's been playing guitar since 1966. I own several vintage pre-cbs Fender stratocasters which tone wise blows Lindy fralin pickups out of the water. Depending on what kind of music you're into, I just know the crisp sound w/ harsh treble sounding pickups isnt for me.

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

The Fralins sound great. You’re getting me thinking about putting three of those in my old Strat. I’ve never even seen the backs of mine after almost 30 years of playing it! Great playing man!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. Pretty hard to go wrong with Lindy Fralin.

[@bilparker6830]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video. I have a new Squire CV 60’s strat and I could not decide which set I like. But this, this is the answer. Blues on the bridge and Vintage on the neck ad middle. To my ears, this is a great setup. I also have a Squier thinline semi hollow cv 60’s which I put Fralin Blues Special pups. Wow! Amazing tone. Love Fralin p/u’s! Thank also for sharing your wonderful blues. Rock on!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Many thanks for the kind comments. And yes, as I say, Fralins are unbeatable as far as I’m concerned. Not that there aren’t many, many impressive pickups. But they’re a little different, not superior.

[@Marshall12AX7]

Love the vibe and tone. Had been searching different Fralin pickups and found your video. Chose this setup for a Schecter strat copy and are amazing in it. The combo did not disappoint. Thanks for sharing this!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Well I'm very happy you found the video useful. Thanks so much.

[@bobbyglass7214]

The sound is awesome

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you my friend.

[@thomasd9237]

Yep. Known of Lindy since the mid '80s (late?) Extremely cool guy. He also makes The Best pickups for a Tele and the added bonus that he'll help you if you want a custom wind is amazing. 👍👍

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Yeah, one of the good ones for sure. And as you say, always willing to help. Thanks so much for watching.

[@RedBaron33131]

Awesome playing Leonard! You are such a good guy. That sounds so good just plugged straight in! Definitely Ronnie Earl sounding, which I just love. Thank you my friend…….

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you so much. I’m sure Ronnie and I listened to all the same people.

[@guitarzan0515]

Those do sound AWSOME! Great playing as usual!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks. 😊

[@cantstartafire]

Thanks man! I was on the website but I couldn't decide on what pick up combo would be best. Totally trying the vintage hots and the blues. Sounds great man!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

That’s great. I hope you love em. Thanks for watching.

[@blazeofglory1982]

Longtime fralin user. Their noiseless P90’s are incredible.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Yes, Lindy and company does a great job. Thanks so much for watching.

[@rosslunato8111]

Beautiful playing and tone! I hear a little Coco Montoya in your playing and I mean that in the highest of praise.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Well thank you my friend. Yes, I’ve seen Coco, though he is one I’ve never shared a bill with. He is a terrific player and while I’d never thought of any similarity, of course, at the end of the day, we all listened to the same guys. Thanks for watching.

[@Gilyslas]

Great blues chops, coming from the soul. Love the pups, going to order some for my old American 1988 Strar. She needs a wake up call and these pups might be the answer. Thanks for post. :)

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks. I appreciate the view and the comment. Can’t go wrong with Fralins.

[@robbo4858]

stopped by to give a thumbs up on your great blues playing ! regardless of which guitar/pickups you play :)

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Well thanks. Always welcome.

[@say_when5988]

🤯🤯🤯 Love that tone!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

That’s great. Thanks for watching.

[@djcurtis9547]

Leonard Great tone and Vibrato and Awesome Playing Those Pickups sound so Beautiful Yes Now I see why you have them on that Gorgeous Stratocaster Thanks for this Awesome INFORMATIVE video If I decide to change out the Fender Mexican Stratocaster I will put these in but I just purchased a Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton Stratocaster my favorite Ultimate Supreme Stratocaster Thanks Leonard Always learning something new

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks. Happy you found it useful.

[@dukeravenshadow5532]

Snap that was a heck of a bend, almost to the top! Whew!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

😁Thanks so much for watching.

[@visonstj]

Feel so good ❤

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

That’s great. Thanks for watching.

[@davidb0064]

Nice playing!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you my friend.

[@simoneric8183]

There's something you said that gave me the feeling that it would be interesting to get to know you more : it's when you said in the intro "now it's time to recalibrate my ears". And that's also what I feel I have to answer to : what do I want finally ? I want those pickups give clarity, depth, balance, character and beauty (musicality) The more I listen to the blues, the more I love it. That's because of players like you. So I owe you an immense thank you ! I'm fond of blues because I love music, I play guitar mainly because of the tones. I bought a cheap chinese Strat copy and saw a used set of Fullertone vintage pickups that I tried to put in the Strat but I'll have to find some replacement for the bridge which is not working any longer... Would you say that I can replace it with some Fralin pickup (leaving the neck and middle as is) and would you have any advice on which model (64 or Special) to choose to come as close as possible to this 50s' Fullertone sound ? (Special or 64). Thank you for your infos. I subscribe !

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. That I can be helpful is very gratifying. There’s no reason you couldn’t use a Fralin in the bridge. While DC resistance doesn’t tell the whole story, if you’re able to measure the output of your current pickups that would help you decide which model. But if not, it really doesn’t hurt to err on the hot side for the bridge. Something like a vintage hot or blues should work fine. There is a possibility, when mixing brands, of encountering phase issues. But with these simple two conductor pickups all you’d have to do is swap leads if it’s out of phase with the existing set (ie: hot becomes ground). Email or call Lindy if you have questions or concerns. He’s incredibly helpful.

[@TheNemorosa]

I just looked those Fralin pickups up - not cheap! I have an 86 Japanese Stratocaster, but no idea what pickups are in as I bought second hand back in the mid 90's, but it always sounded good to me. Oh and great playing as usual!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks. And sounding good is all that matters, however you get there.

[@pawekorzeniewski4510]

Great playing. What’s your opinion about Franlin’s Blues Special on neck and middle?

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Fralin pickups are all good. Which ones work best depends a lot on the guitar, and of course, what you’re going for. They’re great in a naturally bright guitar. Also very good for pushing the front end of a blackface style amp. But maybe not the very best choice if you’re going for a sparkly or chimey sound. Thanks so much for watching.

[@rowanmurphy5239]

Please do an A/B comparison to Ron Ellis 50/60s in the same guitar! They're both excellent!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

I’m aware of Ron Ellis and I’m sure they’re great. I’d love to compare them but at $750 a set, someone would have to send me a set to review. My channel’s still young and I’m not making any money at this, so I don’t have that kind of budget. Thanks for watching.

[@digipeet2866]

wowww..the best strat sound ever..are these hum cancelling with overdrive?.. noisless?

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks. No, not hum cancelling. Standard singles. Thanks for watching.

[@LivioC]

Wow, excellent

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much.

[@Nightryder7]

Is this best combination of fralin pick up? Or all blues special or vintage .

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

It’s going to depend on how you play and the guitar itself. There’s really no best. In general I like a little hotter bridge pickup so that position doesn’t sound too thin, otherwise it’s just personal taste. You can phone or email Fralin and tell ‘em what you’re after. They’re very helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@76standard]

I'm curious to know what tone capacitor value is being used in Leonard's Strat. And, is it wired for standard Strat wiring per Fender. I have these pickups in my Fender MIJ '54 reissue Strat. It's core tone is a bit on the bright side, which is okay, but I prefer slightly more emphasis on mid or bass. The Blues Specials are 5% overwound which thickens up your tone. The wiring is the Premier Guitar Tone Split Mod. This gives the flexibility of using two controls. One tone control (closest to the volume knob) is for the neck and middle pickup using a 0.047 paper in oil capacitor. The second tone control is for the bridge pickup. It can be used in combination with the first tone control, thus blending the two. The second tone control has a 0.033 paper in oil capacitor to tame some of the brightness of this guitar. All pots are CTS 250k.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

It’s been awhile but I think the cap is probably .022. It could be .047 because I’ve used those too. In any case pots are the standard 250K and the only mod is same as I always do, move the second tone control to the bridge. I’ll know soon because the volume pot is cutting out so I need to take it apart.

[@76standard]

@@leonardgriffieblues5845 Thanks for responding. OBTW, love your playing on the video. I too have wired my Strat to use the second tone control for the bridge pickup. Very nice mod that tames the highs on the bridge pickup. I went to Lindy Fralin's website and he recommends using a 0.022 cap in the wiring. That seems to make sense because he is seeking tonal clarity especially with the neck pickup. I think it will also help with the in between position when combining the neck and middle pickup. Sorry to hear that your volume pot is cutting out. When I have been "under the hood" doing wiring changes (blender pot, caps, etc.) I spray a bit of Deoxit in the pots to keep them in good working order. Mind you, that is not always a solution to a worn or malfunctioning pot, but its kind of like preventive maintenance for a vehicle.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks. Yeah, I thought of trying the spray first but honestly, that pot’s been in there since the 80s and I have a few in the parts cupboard so I’ll just replace it. No big deal.

[@bluerfoot]

Hot playing

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you my friend.

[@Phantomphlyer1]

I have a Tonemaster DR too, just curious what your settings are for this (attenuator, volume, bass, treble, reverb). Thanks!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Let’s see. The volume’s between 6 and 7, treble on 7, bass on 5 reverb on 4, and I record with the power on the lowest setting. Keep in mind I’ve brought my black one up to blond specs by doing the firmware update and installing a Celestion Neo-Creamback.

[@michaelogden5093]

Very nice and I'm in the market for replacements. What strings you use's?

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks. Nothing fancy for the strings. I use GHS Boomers, 10-46.

[@philnewton2011]

Holy modal, Strat Man!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

😆

[@eltimbalerdelbruc1414]

You win comments, well played Mr Newton, chapeau to you.

[@Ingeborg323]

Kloppmann-pickups are the best!!!!!!!!! Kloppmann-Germany! Also the MiMarzio Blue Velvet ist very good, to!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Ah, so many choices. Thanks for watching.

[@ToniViasetti]

have you tried the split blade ones? i want to reduce hum but still want clarity

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

I’ve not tried the split blades yet. Hopefully I will before too long. Thanks so much for watching.

[@angusorvid8840]

Nice tone and playing. Do you use anything like the Ilich silent strat system to negate 60 cycle hum?

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you. No, I don’t use any sort of noise cancelling system. Good shielding is enough for most real world situations. I achieve very little hum when recording just by positioning myself for the least amount and live it’s rarely heard above the band and the crowd. If the room is particularly problematic I may have to stick with hum cancelling positions, but that doesn’t happen often. Proper shielding really does cut it way down. Thanks for watching.

[@yachinyphotography]

Great frasing, 👍. Avg cost for those pickups?

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks. New, they run about $297. But a little patience and you can always find them used for less than $200.

[@rjo8500]

Nice playing. Bridge sounds overwound?

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks. Yes, the Fralin Blues model is hotter and darker than the Vintage Hots, which makes it a nice choice for the bridge. Of course Vintage Hots in all positions is nice as well, if you want a slightly more traditionally bright bridge, or you could maintain a similar relationship with lower overall output by using, say, the regular vintage wind neck and middle, and a Vintage Hot in the bridge. Also a great sounding set. Hard to go wrong. Thanks for watching.

[@MikeBlackMKB]

Got 54s in my strat smoking pups

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Nice. Thanks for watching.

[@joergsander2022]

Danke!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you so much!😎

[@finoroverato7640]

Hi When you say vintage hot neck and middle is it the standard 6kohm ones?

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

That’s correct.

[@Lordofmrak]

Hm, is it possible to put those pickups on PRS Silver Sky SE?

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

I nearly did that when I had a SE Silver Sky and did some research. Apparently you have to slightly open up the pickup openings in the guard. It’s not hard. Just wrap sandpaper around something cylindrical like a pencil and go around each pickup opening until the standard Strat pickups fit. I decided not to modify the guitar because I can’t afford to keep them all and keep the channel going. Thanks for watching and I hope this helps.

[@Lordofmrak]

Thanks for your detailed answer and for sharing the knowledge, appreciate it!@@leonardgriffieblues5845

[@Lordofmrak]

Do you have some hum-cancelling system on guitar? Fralin used to sell those. If not, how do you deal with hum?

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Nothing other than copper foil shielding, which helps, but doesn’t eliminate hum. I don’t have a lot of hum issues here in my studio though. Pretty electrically quiet environment. But to answer your question, I deal with him the same way everyone always has. Just quick with the volume knob. If the venue is so electrically noisy that the hum comes through even in a full band mix, then I may have to resort to the hum cancelling positions for everything. Not ideal, but the quality of the show is the first priority.

[@Lordofmrak]

@@leonardgriffieblues5845 Fralin Split Blades would not be a good enough solution?

[@dukeravenshadow5532]

Just curious, what’s your wiring diagram look like?

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Standard vintage style wiring except I’ve moved the wire for the second tone control to the bridge pickup rather than the middle. I believe the tone cap is the standard .022uf.

[@dukeravenshadow5532]

@@leonardgriffieblues5845 Awesome, thank you.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Any time.

[@jeffborges7575]

Which capacitor did you use?

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Probably a .022, but it’s been awhile and that pickguard has been wired a long time. Doesn’t much matter for what you’re hearing in the demo, since the tone is mostly wide open to demo the pickups.

[@lindamcguigan5989]

Mr Wonderful superb

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much.

[@jimkostan9932]

As a guitarist of 55+ years I put Lindy Fralin, VINTAGE Hots in my 62 ORIGINAL FENDER STRATOCASTER,& FRANKLY I AM NOT A FAN OF THESE.MY ORIGINAL 62 PUPS ARE WARMER & SMOOTHER SOUNDING tone wise,& HANDS DOWN I prefer Fender original pickups that came with the 1962 Fender.BUT FoR MEXICAN STRATS WELL, probably a huge upgrade ,,, I'm guessing because I NEVER OWNED Anything MIM, but I know there a step down from real vintage USA PICKUPS.Sorry but I am not a fan of these,Lindy Fralin pups, too crisp sounding pickups & no warmth. Lindy fralin pickups are louder than my original 62 strat but the tone isn't anywhere close.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Well if they’re not for you then I would say avoid them. Thanks for watching.

[@christophervincent8420]

That is definitely hard to beat

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks

[@MrTele57]

Your playing is So tasty.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. 👍🏼😎