Take a Tonal Trip Back to the Tele’s Mid-1950s Heyday
When the Tele swapped its black pickguard for a white one in the mid-1950s, it marked more than a mere aesthetic swap. These so-called “Whiteguard” Telecasters sported subtly shifted sonics to match their visuals, which these Fender Accessories Custom Shop ’55–’56 Whiteguard Telecaster pickups replicate with full vintage authenticity. What sets these pickups apart from Leo Fender’s earliest single-coil creations? Instead of the flat pole pieces found on the Tele’s early models, Custom Shop ’55–’56 Whiteguard Telecaster pickups feature hand-beveled and staggered Alnico V magnets in the bridge position — a spec that many of Sweetwater’s vintage Tele fanatics often favor over the original design, as it results in improved string-to-string output and articulation. You’ll still get all the bark and twang required of a vintage-style Telecaster, only with a slightly crisper character. To complement the bite of the bridge pickup, the Custom Shop ’55–’56 Whiteguard Telecaster’s neck pickup boasts period-correct Alnico III magnets to sing with a tight low-end punch, sweet-sounding midrange, and lush warmth. From classic country tones to all-out rock ’n’ roll, the Fender Accessories Custom Shop ’55–’56 Whiteguard Telecaster pickup set takes your tone back to the heights of Leo Fender’s solidbody golden age.
Fender Accessories Custom Shop ’55–’56 Whiteguard Telecaster Pickup Set Features:
- A period-correct re-creation of the pickups found on Fender’s 1950s “Whiteguard” Telecasters
- Hand-beveled, staggered Alnico V magnets on the single-coil bridge pickup offer enhanced articulation and exemplary string-to-string output
- Single-coil neck pickup features Alnico III magnets to dish out a warm, rich, and dynamic character
