FENDER NOISELESS PICKUPS REFERENCE

Identification info and specifications gathered by Bruce Baker Gombrelli

Content (if there is such a thing) -> Copyright by Bruce Baker Gombrelli (I’ve spent a TON of hours researching this stuff!)

Last Updated: 2024.04.03

Fender Noiseless Pickups have been around for a while now, since the late 90s. The early higher end Fenders used Lace Sensor pickups but that split happened when Fender decided to make their own. Here is info on the different versions released by Fender, their specs and when they were released, and on what guitars they were used. Real measurement have been taken by me on some of them and as much detail on their specs as I could gather and confirm. I also noted visual differences and other details.

If you copy contents of the page or use as reference please give Bruce Baker Gombrelli a reference! (thanks!)

WARNING: If you remove the covers of noiseless pickups be ** VERY ** careful. The wires are often loosely connected between the coils and the coil work is fragile so these can easily end up with a broken wire and a worthless pile of wire. I highly suggest NOT removing the cover unless completely dead. 

Overview:

     Fender Noiseless pickups are very similar to humbuckers and that there are two coils. Instead of being horizontally placed, they are vertically stacked.  This is a very space efficient design that also cancels 60Hz hum or does what they call “Common Mode Rejection” and it cancels any signal that is the same but opposite polarity. Many different pole magnetic material have been used with these and even some ceramics and Samarium Cobalt.  I feel these are a VERY successful line of Fender Pickups and are used on American Deluxe models. the “vintage” version is used also on some Made In Mexico but the rest are exclusive to the American lines. (note: Noiseless Plus are an exception and are used with MIM line only at this time and are Alnico 5)

     Noiseless, like a lot of pickup, can inspire love/hate audiences but my experience is that they are amazing, but some of them really come to life when used with a mild boost and light compression.  Others have such a high output that they compress easily.

TIME LINE:

• Pre FENDER Noiseless – Lace Sensors (1987-1997) – Available from Sensor Enterprises with more variations then Fender originally had. Also available as Duallys (two single coils next to each other basically). These have “FENDER LACE SENSOR” printed on them, the later “post Fender” versions only have Lace Sensor printed on them. They are currently going for ridiculously high prices just because they have FENDER printed on them or there is a perception that they are different than the new ones? Crazy. I have 2 silvers, one LOGO FENDER and one Sensor Logo and they sound exactly the same. They were on Strat Plus guitars in the late 80’s-90’s  These have a very different design than the Fender Noiseless pickups.  Silver is my definately favorite. 
• Vintage Noiseless (and Hot Noiseless 1999) – 1998-2003 – Still available for purchase on some MIM Models and in retail packages, common in Retail Package – Freekin Fender Bread and butter, likely will never go away, like Lace Pickups.
• Samarium Cobalt Noiseless – SCN – (2004-2009) – No longer available, used market only, Almost never are NOS version available. Darker sounding. The last one to be “outside collaboration” developed so far. Like Higher K pots and treble Bleed. Love/Hate pickups.
• N3 Noiseless (2010-2015) – No longer available, used NOS market only or used. I’ve never seen these in a Retail Package.  I have a small back stock of used ones, I really like these.
• GEN 4 Noiseless (N4) (2016-2019) – Available in retail packages occasionally, used NOS market very rare and used mildly rare but price wise are in the standard noiseless cost point.
• ULTRA (2020 to Now) – (Just Updated!!) – Available in retail. Middle and Neck are hotter on the HSS version. (Note, early versions of these have N4 and a red sharpie mark through them)
• PLAYER PLUS (2021 to Now) – (Just Updated!) – Available on the Player Plus Guitar Only – Alnico 5 version of the vintage noiseless with slightly more winds.

FAMILY PHOTO

Vintage Noiseless, N3 Noiseless, Ultra Noiseless

Hot Noiseless, Samarium Cobalt Noiseless. N4 Noiseless

(photo copyright by Bruce Baker Gombrelli)

*Not present at the photoshoot: Player Plus Noiseless, Ultra Hot *

Picture of fender noiseless pickups family.

Vintage Noiseless (Version 1) (1998-2003)  and returned later in MIM and retail.

Still available in retail packages. These live on and on and on.

   I think they are decent but there are better noiseless pickups from Fender (for me anyway). That said, if you want noiseless and want to be careful with cash, these are an excellent bang per buck. These pickups invoke a very LOVE/HATE relationship with players. They are lower output but when played through a mild compression or overdrive they have a very nice sparkle to them and a bit of “thunk”. For Vintage lovers they can be in their wheelhouse and have almost no hum. If used with a compressor/booster you might never take them out of your Stratocaster.

The prices recently have been very propped up, almost as much as the Hot Noiseless.

(SISTER PICKUP: see HOT Noiseless at the bottom of this page which is a ceramic version of these, inspired by the wonderful legacy of Jeff Beck)

Available now on some MIM Strats like the Deluxe. See PLAYER PLUS for an upgraded version of them. I have NEVER seen these on Custom Shop guitars ever but it could happen, and may have happened and I just don’t have that info.

This pickup was originally on Fender American Deluxe from Approx. 1998 to 2003 – Originally called noiseless with no term vintage. They are now referred to as Vintage Noiseless. They are still sold by Fender.

Subjective Sound: Some consider these to be darker and “smokier” sounding but somewhat crispy on the top, these are not high output pickups being 3 out of a 5, but not the lowest- (see Hot Ceramic Noiseless for a more aggressive and in your face output)

Defining look: Noiseless in cursive, GOLD letters (HOT NOISELESS are silver)

Wiring: I’m not sure why but the Bridge might have a YELLOW wire instead of a white one. The measurements don’t really vary so I’m not sure why the wire color is different.

• Polysol-coated magnet wire
• Staggered hand-beveled pole pieces for smooth, balanced tone

• Alnico 2 magnets to create complex harmonics with warmer attack and less-aggressive midrange .

• Plastic Bobbin with Vinyl coated output wire.
• Signature bottom looks unlike any other Fender pickup (except hot noiseless).
• Gold Letters (this VERY often gets worn down or even off, but sometimes when it is you can see the slight indentation.
• 250K volume for normal however 500K/1Meg for a little bit brighter output – 1 Meg pots actually came with the original retail packaging.
• Some numbers: 74275, 15767 (Usually they aren’t marked unless they come in a retail package – Early ones are unmarked)
• The measurements seems to be very consistent but are not the same as the stated values.
• A few Real Measurements (Neck) 10.5, (Middle) 10.25K, 10.26K, They to vary around 10.2K
• Bottoms: Pretty much flat cut with a shelf, but don’t always look the same length.
• Bottoms: Have screws in them.
• Bottoms: Poles are mostly flat and cut off.

STATED VALUES: DC Resistance: 9.8K, Inductance: 3.0 Henries

REAL VALUES: Vary from 9.7K to 10.3K, Inductance 2.75H – 2.8H – As bench measured by pickups I’ve used or installed for clients.

The bottoms of vintage noiseless are different than any other pickup (except Hot Noiseless) because the of depth of the 2 coils stacked. If you remove the top you can see there are 2 coils on top of the other. Don’t remove the top unless you want to chance messing up the wiring.

FAKES NOTE: These are Asian imitators of these but they are easy to spot if you look at the bottoms. They have a single bar magnet and their output at least 1/2 but they have noiseless printed on top of their covers, and their covers are non standard sized (smaller in depth). These are considered very low end but they do sort of work but are not noiseless in the least. The “Fakes” are often found on ChinaCaster fakes. So if you buy a low price Strat with noiseless pickups you HAVE to remove the pickguard to check; because looking at the top of it won’t give you the whole story.  Also, if you look very close the tops are not CUT the same as the real Fender noiseless covers.

Note how the bottom is raised and has screws in them. 

Used on: Early 2000’s American Deluxe

Later on: Made in Mexico Deluxe (and other “upper” end MIM Models)

Sold Retail: Still in production in 2024

INSIDE: TWO STACKED COILS

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Fender Noiseless (Gen 2) SCN Samarium Cobalt – (2004 to 2009)

Released on Fender American Deluxe 2004-2009. These are no longer available new and can be found used occasionally. I’ve seen a new boxed set (NOS) likely from a music store gone out of business. A partnership between Fender and Bill Lawrence. They were sold in a retail package also in the late 2000’s.

Guitar: American Deluxe ONLY

Design: They are a Samarium Cobalt magnet dual stacked coil. I haven’t seen other commercial pickups use this magnet from Fender.

Defining Look: TOP: No special markings, just plain, except for the newer ones have SCN on the bottom right and some have SCN embedded in the plastic if you look close. BOTTOM: The bottom of the pickup is very easy to identify from pictures, it’s unique and has ST-NK, ST-MD, ST-BR for neck,middle,bridge.

Subjective Comments: Some say this has less top end and more output. I’d generally agree but also say that later  Fender noiseless pickups sound a bit more versatile in my ear with richer tone likely due to the great presence of top end. However, with the right amp and setup these do sound very good, just different. There’s really not a Fender noiseless that I don’t like, I basically like them all. That said, they are not nearly as bright and it looks like there was an attempt to make the center pickup brighter than the neck and bridge. 

NOTE: Recently I obtained an SSS set of these and the measurements aren’t exactly what’s published on the retail version but that is very common to see a 10% or more variation. The measurement may be different for your set but the Middle and Bridge seems to match close. I recorded the real measurements below and I included the Retail Package values. I suspect that the original version had a 12ishK Neck pickup but they changed it to be 6.5K because they found it too dark and heavy.

• Samarium Cobalt Noiseless (SCN) pickups
• Bridge pickup: 11.6K DC resistance; 3.8 Henries inductance  (Real: 11.4K DCR, 4 Henries)
• Middle pickup: 6.5K DC resistance; 2.4 Henries inductance (Real: 6.6K DCR, 2.3 Henries)
• Neck pickup: 6.5K DC resistance; 2.4 Henries inductance (Real: 12.8K DCR, 7.2 Henries) <— This is likely an early version of them and they changed to 6.5K in later production years because they are very dark in a neck position.
• Uses traditional magnets and samarium cobalt magnetic material and stacked coil arrangement

Other Specs:

• All Green and Black wires are ground (Green goes to the body and white from the windings but they can and are soldered to ground)
• Neck: WHITE Hot
• MIDDLE: YELLOW Hot
• BRIDGE: RED Hot 

Check out this link before it goes dead, it’s a write up about these pickups.http://www.billlawrence.com/Pages/SCNHistory.htm

Note that the original ones did not have SCN on them. This may be worn down quite a bit and is somewhat hard to see because it’s not very deep.

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N3 Noiseless Pickups (2010 – 2015)

Fender hit their stride on this one,N3 this is a pretty solid pickup sonically. Released on American Deluxe Stratocasters 2010-2016 – The American Deluxe was discontinued in 2016 to make way for the Elite Series, then the Ultra series. These are also very unusual is that they use 3 different magnet types!! I’m not sure why they moved away from these because the N4, while good, are any substantial leap.  In my mind this is the start of the “N Series” (what I call it) with N3, N4, and Ultra

I LOVE the sound of these pickups but will suggest they do love a good LIGHT compressor, but depend less on that than vintage noiseless.

Availability: Used only with a very rare NOS box (I’ve seen one of these)

Defining Look: Fender Logo & N3 on them. On the bottom they are a very definitely Red White and Blue with lots of markings on them. Easy to identify. 

• DC Resistance: 6.8K
• 3 Types of Magnets:
• AlNiCo 2 (Middle)
• AlNiCo 3 (Neck)
• AlNiCo 5 (Bridge) – 2.36H (rev C)
• Staggered (mildly) – Beveled pole pieces
• Formvar magnet wire
• Vinyl coasted output wire
• There are multiple revision on this pickup. Two for sure that I’ve seen Rev. A and Rev C – It looks like the circuit board is different on the different revisions.
• Numbers are ALN 3 (25 smaller letters) and the pickup location as in N, M or B
• REAL MEASUREMENTS: Neck (6.58K – 2.5H), Middle (6.64K – 2.54H), Bridge (6.54K – 2.36H)

Reviews: Here’s a nice independent Review  of them. I agree with his statement, less dark than the SCN (in other words, brighter).

Very unusual, A single N3 package!. It is marked as “7” on a scale of 1 to 11

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Noiseless Generation 4 (2016 to 2019ish) “GEN 4 or N4”

Noiseless Generation 4 was released on the American Elite Series.

Defining Look: Has Fender logo and Noiseless in BLOCK letters on it. On the bottom, once again, very easy to identify and no other Fender pickups look like this on the bottom.

NOTE: I like the way the circuit board shows the connection to the output wires in the trace on the bottom.

Subjective sound review: Similar to the N3, maybe with a bit more crispness, others says they are very identical, others say they are much better (with no real description). Personally, I like the N3 a bit better. These are NOT Vintage sounding pickups and are very different than the ULTRA series which have lower K values for the SSS Series. They have a warmer higher output.

Availability: As of 2022 they have been released in a retail package selling for $199 but I don’t see that very often.  

Retail: $115 +/- used.

• Shielded wire for even more noise reduction

• AlNiCo 5

• DC Resistance:
• Bridge: 10.3K
• Middle: 10.3K
• Neck: 10.3K
• Alnico 5
• Mildly Staggered
• Inductance Neck/Middle: 3.2 Henries, Bridge: 3.6 Henries
• The circuit board looks similar to the N3 but there are 2 screws in them and they are all the same color bottoms.
• The seem to come in different revisions as well.
• Part Number 7708080000 on the bottom, 099-2260-000 on a package
• There isn’t any letter on the bottom to tell you which is which, they are all Anico 5, the wire color helps to identify the positions.

ULTRA VINTAGE and ULTRA MODERN “HOT” NOISELESS

The ULTRA Noiseless came out in 2020 and are being sold on Fenders ULTRA guitar. They are now being sold in retail boxes.

My favorite feature: The pole on the E string is raised finally!

There are 2 versions of it (similar to N4) but they now called the Modern one a HOT one.

• VINTAGE (BLUE BOTTOM) – Comes on the SSS version Ultra Strat.
• HOT (RED BOTTOM) – Comes on the HSS version Ultra Strat. (higher output single coils) – AND comes in a HOT SSS Package with a totally hot bridge pickup.

They used the idea of the TWIN HEAD in that there are 2 versions of this also, the HOT is quite a bit hotter to match the power of the bridge humbucker, that’s a good trend.

Wiring. All Black and Green are grounds. The “Hot” leads are Red (Bridge), Blue (Middle), White (Neck). The Stratocasters all use STOCK Stratocaster wiring with 250K Pots and .022uf Caps that have these pickups in them.

The circuit board on the ULTRA’s look VERY much the same layout as even the N3 Rev C – The are a different color bottom.  See Transition N4 Pickup.

Fender FACTORY Spec – The measurements come in a “range” now which is much more representative of different runs.  I’ve added the Inductance values from real pickups I have.

Pole Stagger and pickup top: The pickup looks the same on top as the N4 but the stagger of the poles is different, the E has been raised.

If you look SUPER close to the upper right back side you’ll see a 4 digit silkscreen number. I think that’s the Month/Day/Year  OR Run Number/2 Digit Year.

SSS Version (I noticed a bit of variation with these, they are playing with the formula I think)

1.  Bridge: 9.2-10K  Alnico V – REAL: 9.3K – 3.14H – REAL #2 – 9.45K 3.17H
2.   Middle: 7.9K to 8.7K Alnico V – REAL: 7.8K – 2.35H – REAL #2 – 8.1K 2.4H
3.   Neck: 7.9K to 8.7K Alnico V – REAL: 7.91K – 2.4H – REAL #2 – 8.55K 2.8H

HSS Version (with 2 Hot versions)

1.    Bridge: Humbucker – 14.21K Alnico II  – Number on it is 82
2.    Middle 12.3 – 12.9K Alnico V
3.    Neck: 12.3 – 12.9K Alnico V

SSS HOT Version

• Neck/Middle: 12.3 – 12.9k
• Bridge: 21.6 – 22.2k

SSS MODERN Packaged spec (bridge and neck values verified)

Fender Website (this may disappear at some point)

• Magnet Type: Alnico 5
• Magnet Wire: Polysol-coated
• DC Resistance
  • Neck/Middle: 12.3 – 12.9k, Bridge: 21.6 – 22.2k (SSS)
• Inductance
  • Neck/Middle: 3.75H, Bridge: 6.6H (SSS)
• Lead Wire: Vinyl-covered
• Pole Pieces: Staggered unbeveled
• Tone: Hot
• Output: Hot

RETAIL SPEC

HSS/HOT SSS

These come in SSS and HSS forms. HSS has a lower value humbucker. SSS has a VERY high value Stacked Single coil.

• Type:Single-coil
• Active/Passive:Passive
• Magnet Material:Alnico 5
• Position:Complete Set
• Number of Conductors:2 wire
• DC Resistance:12.3K-12.9K (neck/middle),14.21K HUMBUCKER (bridge)
• Number of Strings:6
• Covering:Cream
• Manufacturer Part Number:0992291000
• Number on the Humbucker Pickup is 82 (there might be others but this one I’m sure of)
• Real Measurements:
  • Neck: 12.0k
  • Middle: 12.0k
  • Bridge: 21.8k
• Polysol coated magnet wire
• Inductance: Neck/Middle: 3.75H, Bridge: 6.6H

VINTAGE SPECS

• Type:Single-coil
• Active/Passive:Passive
• Magnet Material:Alnico 5
• Position:Complete Set
• Number of Conductors:2 wire
• DC Resistance:7.9K-8.7K (neck/middle), 9.2K-10K (bridge)  <— Matches Factory Spec for SSS
• Number of Strings:6
• Covering:Cream
• Manufacturer Part Number:0992290000

Pictures of the bottom of Revision A

ULTRA NOISELESS HOT

No Bevel, Stagged but notice the G is very much lower than the normal stagged pickup, and the E higher.

ULTRA/N4 TRANSITION PICKUPS

During the transition between N4 to Ultra the pickups still have N4 on them but were actually Ultra. This is a REALLY interesting case because it shows how these pickups are different from an N4.

Here’s the info from the representative I chatted with directly:

“Early Ultra’s used the SAME PC and the N4 was marked out with a RED SHARPIE.   The Magnetic Stagger was updated. On the Ultra the D magnet will be roughly at the SAME height as the high string magnet.”

So we know that, in any case, 1 difference between the N4 and Ultra is the heights of the D magnet…hummm

They also raised the pole on the E string. Finally! You can see that in the pics.

Good view of the height difference

HOT NOISELESS

“Jeff Beck” HOT Noiseless (started in 1999 available as purchase since)

Fender Hot Noiseless (Jeff Beck hot version of the original Vintage Noiseless) is basically an over wound version of the original Fender Noiseless pickup. These are very good pickups that sound much like the Texas Special. But they are not quite as “HOT” as the word would make you think. But they do sounds different because of the ceramic instead of Alnico 5 magnets. Otherwise the wind is about the same.

They measure almost the same as the vintage noise but are ceramic.

Defining look: They look just like the vintage noiseless but measure out differently but NOT by much.

• SILVER letters  (vintage is gold)
• Shine: It’s also been said that they are slightly “duller” looking on the end of the pole pieces
• Stagger: FLAT pole pieces (not staggered like the Vintage Noiseless)
• Bottom: Poles are slight beveled, stick up and are not leveled

If you look at the diagram on the new releases these pickups are MID heavy, no surprise since they are ceramic.

They came on Jeff Beck guitars and are still available from Custom Shop

Fender Stats:

• Polysol-coated magnet wire

• Ceramic magnets deliver scorching output

• Flush-mount pole pieces for even string
• Vinyl-coated output wire and plastic bobbin
• Installation hardware included
• Higher Inductance than the Vintage Cousin

Subjective Sound: Worth considering if you are thinking about the Texas Specials. Nice and quiet compared to them and with great spanky output. A nice upgrade from the vintage noiseless.  Downside, the Ceramic punch isn’t for everyone.

• Polysol-coated magnet wire
• DCR: 10.2 to 10.4 K Resistance (all) – Not a LOT different than the vintage noiseless measurement, but check out the inductance
• Inductance 3.5 Henries
• Ceramic
• Flush-mount pole pieces for even string
• Yellow (Bridge) and the other 2 are white wires. All have black grounds.
• Silver Letters instead of gold.
• Flat, Beveled pole pieces.
• Accented Midrange according to Fender Curves.
• Recommend 250K for normal Sound, 500K for a brighter output
• BOTTOM: Pole pieces stick out, on the Vintage they don’t and are cut flat.

It’s a little harder getting date and usage info on these pickups but they are still available and they were first made for Jeff Beck in about 1998 but were never on the Deluxe model. I know, I ordered them in 2002 for my American Deluxe to replace the original vintage noiseless they were referred to as Jeff Becks Hot Noiseless back in 2002. They are still being sold today.

2023 Picture of coils, NICE looking sexy beast!!!

PLAYER PLUS (SSS and HSS)

last update 2024.02.17

They are Alnico 5 which makes them Vintage Noiseless The DCR is higher so I suspect they MIGHT be a higher wound version of the Vintage Noiseless. Surprisingly spanky but not pure vintage.  Another Love/Hate pickup.

These LOVE Quad Stratbucker wiring and it would surprise you, they sound amazingly spanky with an odd freq. notch when run in series. A noticeable gain in lower is comes with it that is quite useful.

General Info:

• Availability: Only on the MIM Player Plus Guitar
• Visual: They look exactly like the Vintage Noiseless on the bottom but have different numbers on them. Wire colors are the same:
• Wire Colors: Black/White NECK – Black/Yellow MIDDLE
• Staggered: Yes

From Fender:

• MACHINE WIDTH: 11
• WINDER DIRECTION: COUNTER CLOCKWISE
• TURNS OF WIRE: 5,300
• POLARITY: NORTH UP
• MAGNETS: ALNICO 5 UNBEVELED
• COIL INDUCTANCE: unknown
• DC RESISTANCE 10.7-10.9 KΩ

Bruce’s MEASURED VALUES

• DCR: 10.3K (single coils)
• INDUCTANCE: 2.8-2.9H

NUMBERS:

  HSS uses the same numbers so they are the same as the SSS.

• BRIDGE: 716
• MIDDLE: 715
• NECK: 714

PLAYER PLUS NOISELESS vs VINTAGE NOISELESS

DIFFERENCES:

      Business Side.

• The screws in the Vintage are black and flush with the surface of the back of the pickup
• The vintage screws are smaller.
• The screw head on the Player Plus is more like a small chrome pickup screw with a larger Phillips head.

      Showcase Side: 

• The poles are NOT Beveled on the Player Plus but are on the Vintage Noiseless
• The pole stagger is much less on the Player Plus

DCR Compared: Values are about 2K Higher on the Player Plus Neck and the 4K higher for the Middle Pickup

FAKE NOISELESS

FAKES: The only fakes of these guys I’ve seen is the “Vintage Noiseless” but they are easily recognized by the business end of them which is a simple bar magnet. My wild guess is the covers of these were manufactured overseas so they just cloned them and slapped the pickup cover on some of their inexpensive pickups without even bothering to build it like a Fender Noiseless.  below is a list of ways you can recognize them (it’s actually easy).

This is hilarious; but you might not think so if you bought a Stratocaster thinking the pickups are noiseless. If you can’t see the back, look at the poles, they are cut flat and have no stagger and the logo is in the wrong spot. Once you look at the business side is VERY easy to realize they are fake. These are SUPER LOW Quality, I mean below the basement low.

• FRONT: Poles are flat
• FRONT: Noiseless is on the left instead of the right (but careful, the font looks correct)
• BACK: Obvious by the picture, it’s a FLAT bottom with a bar magnet
• WIRE: It’s a typical import single covered wire with wires inside of it.

NEW FAKE VERSION FOUND

   It’s a Ceramic with a 2 bar design like the “Standard” MIM with a noiseless cover (don’t have a picture, but you don’t need one)