Five-Two™ Strat

$99.00

available

This staggered single-coil (SSL-52) uses a mix of Alnico 2 and 5 rod magnets specifically positioned for sweet highs and tight lows. The result is a super-musical twist on the classic Stratocaster pickup.

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STRINGS

POSITION

color

Clear

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TECH SPECS

DCR – Short for DC Resistance, is measured in Ohms and is the total resistance of the copper wire wound around a coil form. The length of the coil form, the number of turns and the gauge of wire all affect the DCR reading. DCR is often used as a gauge of output because as the turns increase, so does the output, though magnet type and the coil geometry also influence output.
Magnet – We use several different magnet formulations: Alnico 2, Alnico 3, Alnico 4, Alnico 5, Alnico 6, Alnico 8 and Ceramic 5/8. In the case of pickups, the most significant characteristic is the gauss strength, which is a measure of the density of the magnetic field. Of the magnets we use, Alnico 3 has the lowest gauss strength. From there in order of ascending strength you have A2, A4, A5, A6, Ceramic and A8. As the gauss strength goes up, so does the output. The magnets at the lower end of the scale tend to produce a softer attack and a degree of “bloom” to the envelope of the note. Ceramic magnets should be considered as an individual case because they do not contain any nickel or iron. This has the effect of decreasing the inductance of the pickup and significantly raising the resonant frequency. It is for this reason that many consider ceramic magnets to have a brittle sound, not their gauss strength. Looking at this from another point of view, ceramic magnets can be said to produce increased clarity, better note definition and faster response to picking.
Output – The overall output of a passive pickup is influenced by several design factors: number of turns of wire on the coil(s), strength of the magnet, coil geometry and magnetic circuit geometry.The output of an active pickup is influenced by the same factors but is predominantly determined by the design of the onboard preamp.

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DCR: (Choose dropdowns to display)

Magnet: Hybrid

Product Details

Please use the amp to the right to select which position, tone and mix you'd like to hear sample of.

Description

The Five-Two classic Stratocaster pickup was originally designed for Nashville studio players who wanted to soften the treble attack on their high strings while retaining all of the articulate snap on the low strings. The solution was a mixture of Alnico 5 and Alnico 2 rod magnets that delivers the best of both worlds. The Alnico 5s under the low E, A, and D strings keep them sounding clear and crisp while the Alnico 2 rods under the G, B, and E strings provide a sweetened treble response.

The custom-wound bridge pickup is slightly hotter—exactly what a bridge single-coil needs—and is calibrated for full-bodied sustain and a stronger attack. Add to it the Five-Two neck pickup and Five-Two custom RWRP middle pickup and the complete set produces glorious Strat tone with hum-free operation in positions 2 and 4. Like all of our vintage Fender-style single-coil pickups, we start with the right color and thickness of Forbon flatwork.

Along with the period-correct magnet stagger, this pickup comes complete with waxed and tinned cloth push-back hook-up wires and traditional keyed bottom plate. We hand file the flatwork, assemble, and lacquer the bobbin just as it was done during Fender’s Golden Age of classic Stratocaster pickups.

Middle RwRP position (reverse wind/reverse polarity) – choose this to have a pickup that will be hum-cancelling with one of our neck or bridge models.

Wiring & Dimensions

Dimensions specs: Five-Two Strat

For wiring diagrams, click here.

The E.Q. chart gives you a general idea as to the bass, mids and treble of each pickup position

Neck

Middle

Bridge

Customer Reviews

4.8

★★★★★

Based on 12 reviews

Alex R.

★★★★★

Big Improvement on Strat Tone

I bought this neck pickup for my 2004 MiM Player Strat. Also a SSL-1 and Lil 59’ HB for the middle and bridge. The sound is so much improved, if you’re on the fence about which Duncan to put in your Strat, I’d say it’s hard to go wrong. Most stock fender Strat pickups sort of suck anyway, so it’s only up from here!

Published date

04/03/25

Ehrin A.

★★★★★

I put this into the

I put this into the center position of a Nashville Tele. It's very balanced and sounds great both on it's own and with the Five-Two Tele pickups I paired it with.

Published date

01/22/25

Dwayne H.

★★★★★

Great Pickups, fuller bodied sound

Great Pickups, fuller bodied sound than my Originals but still retains some of the characteristics of what you'd expect out of single coils.

Published date

06/05/24

Frank

★★★★★

Wow! It features the smooth rich crystal-like tone....

Wow! It features the crystalline tone of some classic Strats, it blows away my 3K custom shop Strat. I put these in my old MIM Strat, it came alive. Best $200 ever spent.

Published date

12/26/23

Jim H.

★★★★★

Well balanced! Jim H.

Well balanced! Jim H.

Published date

06/04/23

Christopher C.

★★★★★

I've done Five Twos on

I've done Five Twos on my Warmoth Tele, and it sounds exactly like a classic tele should. Can't wait to put them on a Strat

Published date

04/23/23

Stephen H.

★★★★★

The top review states it's not for solos...

The top review on this page (from someone who doesn't own the pickups) claims it's more for chords and less for lead playing, solos and fills. The irony is that this pickup set is mainly used by lead guitarists of Math Rock bands such as Yvette Young from Covet and Tim Henson from Polyphia. Funny, huh? 😉 Anyways, this is probably the clearest set I've ever heard and I have heard a lot of different sets. You'll need to EQ your amp a bit differently than with other sets but this set has some great sounding sweet spots!!! This set came stock on my Ibanez YY10 Signature Talman, I love the sounds I'm getting!

Published date

12/24/22

Shannon H.

★★★★★

Excellent tone, exactly how SD

Excellent tone, exactly how SD described it. Smooth top end and bright bottom. Perfect for my neck pickup.

Published date

08/11/22

O.Z. H.

★★★★★

Venerating the past has a

Venerating the past has a lot of value, but moving on from what someone designed 70 years ago should have a place in guitar as well. The Five-Two pickups aren’t just modern, they’re needed.

Published date

08/11/22

Philip E.

★★★★★

Great Sound for my Glaser

Great Sound for my Glaser Tele B & G Bender.

Published date

02/10/22

Justin L.

★★★★★

This pickup sounds beautiful. I

This pickup sounds beautiful. I love the clarity all around!

Published date

04/26/21

Harry H.

★★★☆☆

Balanced for bar cords and such but not so much for soloing.

Purchased the Neck and Middle RwRp pickups for an HSS Strat. In those Neck & Mid positions, bar type chords up the neck seem fairly balanced but there definitely is a drop off of sound coming from the B & E strings, which have the Alicino 2 magnets, when soloing from the low strings to the high ones. Depending on your style of playing and your amp this may not be an issue. I tried to raise the high side of the pickups a bit more than normal but did not seem to help that much. The tone is fairly balanced and the low strings have a nice punch. The ice pick thing is reduced on the B & E strings albeit at a lower volume level mentioned. All in all not bad and depending on your style of playing could be a good choice choose from. Would give it 3 1/2 stars.

Published date

03/31/21

Showing 3 of 12 reviews

Neck	L H
Middle	L H
Bridge	L H
Neck	L H
Middle	L H
Bridge	L H
DCR: Neck: 6.5k, Middle: 6.6k, Bridge: 6.6k, Neck 6.5k, Middle RwRp 6.6k, Bridge 6.6k

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Five-Two Strat
Classic Stratocaster Pickups