The 5S4 is our version of Fender's first generation
Stratocaster pickup.
This design was originally used from 1954 to 1955 with Fender's first
staggering scheme
(with the G string magnet lower than the D string magnet)
and Alnico III magnets.
First, we start out with a pair of our own hand machined
Forbon (vulcanized fiber) black bobbin plates made right
in house.
Then we assemble the
bobbin with the correct size Alnico III magnets with hand
ground bevels, and insulate the bobbin
with a coat of nitrocellulose lacquer to protect the coil
windings. After that, we wind the pickup's coil with
period correct 42 gauge
heavy Formvar coil wire, and pot each pickup in a
proprietary clear wax bath to solidify and protect the
coil and reduce microphonics.
Once the potting wax has cooled, 'vintage style' cloth
covered hookup wire is soldered to the pickup, the pickup
is tone tested
and the actual electrical specifications are documented
for the included data sheet.
This pickup is available in single
pickups and in two different sets - with all pickups the same magnetic
polarity
and coil winding
direction for a 'true' vintage sound for studio
work, or with the center pickup
wound in 'RW/RP'
(reverse coil winding direction and reverse magnetic
polarity) for players who want a 'humcancelling' effect
in the number 2 and 4 switch
positions of a Strat's aftermarket five position selector
switch for live shows.
