New Fender CuNiFe Wide Ranger Humbuckers

[mastermorya]

They sound really good!

When I found out about the new American Original 70's Telecaster Custom for 2020, and that it would have actual CuNiFe WRHBs in it, I was excited. Came close to maybe getting one, but instead ended up buying a used EC JM, which is amazing and probably should be its own thread. So, when Fender started selling the pickups individually, I decided on a cheaper compromise. The MIM Classic Player 72 Custom actually has more vintage specs than the American Original 70's model (7.25 radius, vintage frets vs 9.5 and "narrow tall"), except for the crappy humbucker. So I got one of those used for $500 and just put one of the new Fender CuNiFe WRHBs in it. I also put in 1 meg volume pots, because I called Fender and they said that's what the American Original model has. Kept the 250k tone pots for both pickups, also consistent with the American Original specs.

Holy cow, its amazing. I never tried a Telenator or Novak or Lollar WRHB re-creations, but they do sound good. These new Fender CuNiFe pickups are excellent--clear, loud, the ideal humbucker as far as I am concerned. I know this isn't offset content, but if you are thinking about putting a WRHB in your guitar, you cannot go wrong with these new Fender ones.

There seems to be an absolute dearth of information and recordings of these new pickups, so I recorded an extensive audio track of the "before" set up and will merge it with an "after" recording and put it up on youtube.

[ryland]

I agree. I got a set and put them in my LR Jazzblaster. They replaced a set of Novaks that I liked, but the Fender CuNiFe sound amazing. More clear and articulate, where the Novaks tended to be a bit more muddy (even with a 1M pot).

I may have gotten a second set for my Starcaster...

[mastermorya]

Very cool. Does the LR JM have a 1 meg pot standard?

[ryland]

Mine had a 500k pot. Which seems weird, but more of a standard value for Fender to use, I’m sure.

[solfege]

Oh shit, I've been waiting for these to become available individually.

[mastermorya]

Here's a demo I finally made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak_3nB5 ... e=youtu.be

[blimpage]

I have no experience with WHRBs so nothing to compare it to, but that sounds beautiful. Thanks for the demo!

[rhythmjones]

They've also started making some Custom Shop guitars with these pickups. I've had the pleasure of playing some at work. Amazing sounding!

[blunderbuss]

I’m waiting for an American Original Telecaster Deluxe to roll out with these. Barring that find something to stick them in. Currently sold out on Fender’s website I hope they come back in.

I have a Modern Player Starcaster I could even in but honestly I like the stock pickups. All good problems.