Fender Made In Mexico and Squier Pickup Identification

All the information was gathered by Bruce Baker Gombrelli of Gombrelli Guitars USA. Please give reference if put it on your website or a wiki

Updated: 2024.04.06

This page contains MIM and SQUIER Pickups.  Expand Single Pickup Links to search for other pickups like USA or Custom Shop, Humbuckers, etc.

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Fender Player Stratocaster (2018ish+)

This is Fenders Made in Mexico (MIM) replacement for the older Fender Standard Stratocaster (MIM version). These were Alnico 5 instead of the Ceramics with 2 magnets that had been the bread and butter of the Mexico series for years.

These pickups are just different than the standards. Not worse, maybe a bit better overall in terms on sonically, but ceramics have their place and are great rockers..

The bottoms of these pickups look a LOT like an American Standard they lost the old “2 magnet” ceramic look and use Alnico 5 pole pieces and they are rather hot (and heavily wound). One EASY way to spot difference is the red marks on ALL of the pole pieces (which they stopped doing in 2022)

They are very good pickups overall.  Hot but slightly smoother than the older Ceramic version.

NOTE:POLARITY IS THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE OF AMERICAN PICKUPS

Published Specs

Specs, Real Measurements with Inductances (SSS)

• Bridge 8.55K, 2.8H  (2021) — First Version 8.3K
• Middle: 8.1K, 2.55H (2021) — First Version 7.6K
• Neck: 7.5K – 2.25H (2021) — First Version 7.35K
• Bevel: Yes
• Stagger: Yes
• Magnet: Alnico 5
• RWRP Middle pickup
• Red Mark on the bottom of each pole piece make them easier to identify (2021+ and newer ones likely not)
• Numbers typical: 131, 132, 133 (neck to bridge)
• Numbers version 2: 145, 144, 143 (Neck to Bridge) – Don’t ask me why they are backwards order (number wise).
  • NOTE: The DCR is slightly less for this set.  7.35, 7.6K 8.3K
• Wire colors: White (neck), Yellow (Middle RWRP), Red (Bridge) with Black as the ground (Start)

TECHNICAL SPECS (GG USA Measured Values)

• Output by stimulator Coil: Average
• Capacitance: 212pf
• Inductance: 2.4H
  • Q: .221
• Resistance: 8.3K (pretty close to this all the time)
• Resonance Peak: Approx 6.8 Khz (higher than Ceramic)

HSS Version

• Measured: Neck: 7.55K – 2.32H  Middle 8.2K – 2.56H  Humbucker 7.5 – 3.3H (Can be split)
• They use the SAME Neck and Middle pickups for this HSS version as they do the SSS version.

HSS VERSION

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Fender Player PLUS

Released in roughly 2020. This are the top of the tier of Mexico Made Stratocasters

This SSS version (there is a HSS version) used a “special” Noiseless Version. It’s basically a take off of the Vintage Noiseless just wound a bit heavier..

See FENDER NOISELESS PICKUPS for more detail

 

 

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Lead II Pickups

Why did I include these? They are single coil and I have a special place in my heart for the LEAD series so I was naturally curious and pickup up a set of these.

These are basically just the PLAYER Anico 5 pickups.They correspond to the Middle and Neck pickups on a player Stratocaster.

• DCR: BRIDGE (8K) – NECK (7.6K)
• Numbers: 542 (Bridge)  543 (Neck)
• The have red marks on the bottom across the poles by a marker
• Tops are Beveled
• VERY mild stagger
• Yellow Black is the Bridge/ White Black is the Neck

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Lead III Pickups

Similar to the player pickups but use Alnico 2

• Material: AlNiCo 2

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Fender Standard Stratocaster (MIM) – late 90s to about 2018

Updated: 2023.06.20

Overview: Fender Standard Stratocaster (MIM) which are Ceramic (2 bar magnets on the bottom and steel poles) – They have been manufactured for a LONG time and their values have change a lot over time but generally fall into a range. Around 7K to 7.4K DCR is common.The older ones are less.

Visuals: They are very easy to recognize by their two ceramic bar magnets on the end and some other features, but you have to measure them to be sure because the Squier ceramics look similar but have a MUCH lower DCR.

Remagnetizable? These puppies are not re magnetizable like the “pole” magnets of the American Standard or player because it uses Steel pole pieces and the magnets supply the field. Another thing to note is that SQUIER has pickups that look VERY Similar to these pickups and have 2 magnets on them also. However, they measure in about 1/2 the DCR of these MIM versions and have flat “pole” pieces with a swirl on top. They almost sound Vintage where the MIM ones are much hotter and “raw” sounding. They are have lower output. See Squire Ceramics

MEASUREMENT NOTE:  Most early versions of these were NOT as high output as the later versions so I found that interesting. The older ones are slightly less shrill and with a more vintage output.  However, these pickups can have DCR values through the years that is all over the place. Also I found that some sets contain “Matched” Neck and Middle pickups which I found interesting, and with a pretty consistent value of 7.0K

Sound: These don’t sound that bad but don’t have the definition of Alnico pickups for fingering players. They tend to have a lot of punch and some artist even use them (Like Buddy Guy, Albert Hammond) – Blues Artists — They take wiring mods very well. I don’t have a curve to share but intend of getting that. They have a lower resonance peak then Vintage with a tighter Q value and a significant Inductance.

Overall: The basics are there with these pickups but there are some minor variations from “run” to run. Some mildly beveled, some not, One of the mildest staggers I’ve ever seen.

• Typical 7K to 7.4K DCR  – More for later ones, less for earlier ones
• SPECIAL: Often they are quite matched in DCR between Neck and Middle which is really awesome.
• Stagger: Mild to None – Typically the stagger is symmetrical (same for each E, and B is the same as the A and the D and G are the same)
• Bevel: Mild to None
• Steel pole pieces with Ceramic Magnets (2)
• Wire Colors: White/Black wires except for middle which is Yellow/Black
• Early ones are slightly lower output (and DCR) than the later ones.
• Interesting enough the Neck and Middle are often Matched (exact in measurement with each other)
• Middle one is RWRP
• Cover Color: All of them

TECHNICAL SPECS (GG USA Measured Values)

• Output by stimulator Coil: VERY HIGH
• Capacitance: 165pf
• Inductance: 4.35 H
  • Q: .459
• Resistance: 7K (pretty close to this all the time)
• Resonance Peak: Approx 5.3 Khz

 

OTHER REAL MEASUREMENTS

• 2001: Bridge 7K (4.3H) – Middle 6.9K (4.4H)  – Neck 6.9K (4.4H)
• Another Year Unknown: Bridge 7.0K (3.8H) – Middle 7.4K (3.9H) – Neck 7.3K (3.8H)

Look for the Yellow reverse wound pickups for the center pickup (bucks hum on position 2 and 4)

Squier Lookalikes: They have a very distinguishable top swirl on their non staggered poles. They are lower output vintage sounding (see below) and not nearly as hot as the MIM versions. They respond super well to series wiring and become vintage humbuckers.

Wires: White/Black (neck) – Yellow/Black (Middle) – White/Black(Bridge) MIMs

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Squier Ceramics

Update: 2024.04.06

Fender Squier guitars have many pickups but there are a few I really want to comment on. The first is their Ceramic. These guys ok but their output is low unless in series. They have a reading about a little over 1/2 DCR of the MIM ceramics but they sound like ok vintage pickups because they are ceramic. With a value of roughly HALF of the value of the MIM counterpart (about 3.7K) they can be a decent cheaper bang per buck (but better choice is Vibe series). With a series arrangement they sound good.  Note the the middle one has a yellow lead, and it is reverse wound to cancel hum in positions 2 and 4.

• Some have a sticky number label on them
• They measure around 3.7K (1/2 of the MIM Counterpart)
• 2 Ceramic Magnets with Steel pole pieces (looks like an MIM)
• Swirls on top of the pole pieces
• Bevel: Slight Bevel
• Stagger: Mild Stagger
• Ok for Vintage sounds and BEST when used with a boost pedal (or mild compressor) they are very good
• Lower output is definitely not for everyone (These don’t meet my bar for my lowest price loaded pickguards)
• They are similar to ceramic MIM pickups but have less windings.
• They REALLY want to be in series to create a acceptable Humbucker (around 7.5k)

They are easy to identify because the top of the poles are NOT staggered and they have a swirl on the top unlike the MIM versions have no swirl and are slightly beveled.

Finally some of them have a sticker with a number of them, I haven’t researched that. But since they are so easy to identify with DCR that it really doesn’t matter. Import pickups usually use a SINGLE bar magnet so it easy to identify this as a Squier pickup.
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How to tell the difference between MIM and SQUIER Ceramics

From the bottom they look very similar but there are some definite differences.

• The E’s pole tops are slightly lower on the MIM ceramic
• The wire connection on the bottom of the pickup is different. The Squier are very small and hard to tell, on the MIM they are more like standard larger blobs of solder.
• The bottoms of the poles are slightly beveled on the MIM and just cut off on the Squier
• The Squiers often come with a sticker on them, the MIM never has that.
• OF COURSE they measure different but you may not have a ohm meter on line 😉
• The bottom of the pickup has slight RAISED part where the screw mounts in, the Squier is flat
• There are notches in the bottom where the wires solder to the wires with a Squier
• Overall the build is better on the MIM.

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Bar Magnet Squier Pickups

Summary: These are sometimes VERY hard to tell apart from all the millions of generic asian made pickups out there. In general their output is lower but they respond ok to a series arrangement making them into vintage humbuckers. The middle pickup is typically RWRP.  (Vibe series is a better choice)

NOTE: There are 2 wire versions of these, they are usually higher quality than the “One Wire” versions.

I generally avoid these pickups now. Not well received and bad resale value.  I had a few hot rod pickguards using them to give a “low end” option but ultimately decided it just wasn’t worth my time and I didn’t like the quality, so I discontinued them and Squier guitars in general.

Last Updated: 20240.04.06

Single Magnet Squier Pickups.

The BEST way to examine these is with their DCR values because there are different models that look exactly the same except the wires are different.

• There are many varieties of these, some better than others.
• Generally they are all Alnico 5
• Don’t set these too close to the strings
• They ALL tend to have the same value in any given set
• Generally not as in demand as the ceramic versions
• Fender does not say anything about what they are for a given model because they may change at any time depending on back stock.
• There are versions that are 2 wire (and not the single shielded wire). These tend to be slightly better pickups.

Values and Spec (haha):

• 6.1K – Pretty Decent but some say they sound harsh, Good in dual coil arrangements – SINGLE wire with ground and wires inside.
• Alnico 5

Squier Electronics

• Pots: Squiers use Alpha Pots (small guys)
• Switches: There is more than 1 type of switch. Not sure which is best. They aren’t as smooth as a Oak Grigsby and cost less if you want to buy them new on Amazon and are cheaply made with tiny little terminals. I never use them.

Pickguards: 

Pay attention to if it’s 11 hole or 8 hole. The patterns on later Squier are very standard, some of the older ones are goofy but the bodies are drillable. Hard Tail pickguards don’t fit anything.

Below is a few pictures of some of them. The bottom ones I was able to get measurements on and I produced a real nice Dual Stratbucker arrangement with them with a very decent sound. As with other pickups like they, they tend to like a light compression.

• 6.1K ALL 3 – 3.1K in positions 2 and 4 (hum cancelling)
• Different wiring arrangements
• Smaller Alpha Pots
• Wires are usually in a single shielded wire, not the usual 2 wire arrangement (which I do prefer)
• Screws are super cheap with sharp ended on the real pickguards.
• The pickguard quality seems ok on the true Squier versions. Older ones are more iffy
• HARD TAIL Squier pickguard are NOT Standard hole positions or cut.
• Some older SQUIERs have a shallow route and don’t fit push/pull switches.

These have single cables that have a wire and a “shield/ground” in it. I actually don’t like dealing with these as much and I prefer single wires by far, and it tends to be a sign of quality.

 

These are 5K values. They have separate wires so they are much easier to deal with.  The discontinued line.

CLASSIC VIBE 50s/60s/70s – WHICH ONE?

Update 2024.04.06

This is rather a mess but the new pickups are pretty solid.

The info below is to the BEST of my current knowledge. The pictures on the internet can be very wrong as to if a person has a 50s, 60s or 70s classic vibe pickguard so this is a helpful guide

One the plus side, these guys are GREAT Bang per buck pickups and sound quite good!!

Essentially you can get any pickup on any version or any switch, the only thing that is consistent is that there are only a few varieties of pickups being produced for these. The PTP version are the newer ones that are made in Indonesia, the STA versions were made in China and are the older version. They were also sourced through ToneRider.. The classic vibe moved from This changed China to Indonesia in 2019 (as the rumor goes) – And this made them more consistent.

All these have black grounds and are 2 wire pickups

Indonesian Version

• Stickers: strange numbering scheme, but oh well.  the WH standard for white.
• MOST of the 50s, 60s and 70s use these pickups.- They are Alnico 5 and sound just fine.
  • PTP1011-1-EG5-ADWH-F (front aka neck) – White
  • PTP1014-1 EG5-ADWH-M – (Middle) Yellow
  • PTP1049    EG5-ADWH-R – (rear aka bridge) – White
  • Measurements: (All inductances measured at 120Hz
    • Vibe 60’s (verified)
      • Bridge: 6.58K — 2.85H
      • Middle: 6.6K — 2.63H
      • Neck: 5.8K — 2.38H

China Version (prior to 2019 the rumor goes) – These Are Classic Vibe 60’s – Not a bad set of pickups, sound decent, good output.

• • STA3B (fender) PW-1 (Bridge) – Red
  • STA3M (fender) PW-1 (Middle) – White
  • STA3N (fender) PW-1 (Neck) – Blue
  • Measurements (real) – 
    • DCR: (neck) 5.8K  (Middle) 6.1K  (Bridge) 6.5K
    • Inductance (Neck) 2.7H (Middle) 3.0H  (Bridge) 3.3H

I’ve seen these on the 50’s

• • STA5B (fender) PW-1 – Red
  • STA5M (fender) PW-1 – White
  • STA5NB (fender) PW-1 – Blue

These pickup are made in Indonesia or China, there’s no way of knowing where for sure at this point however, I think Indonesia are the more newer ones.with the PTP num numbers. They put the PTP on all versions 50s, 60s and 70s.

Other:

• Bottom: Paper, Poles cut even on bottom
• Top: Mild Stagger, pretty much flat cut, some have more stagger
• Wire covering: Plastic Insulated wire, individuals

Switches

• Type 1 Switch (I called it type 1)
  • This is the “Classic” rectangle asian strat switch
• Type 2 Switch
  • This one is a Asian Clone of the Oak-Grigsby

1. Picture Problems: Part of the hassle I’ve seen is the “MIS-LABELING” of the pickgaurds and pickups by sales.  For example: some vendors reselling these (LIKE STRATOSPHERE) are MISLABELING the pickguards and are using EXACTLY the same pictures for both 50s and 60s Classic Vibe. Posting error no doubt, or laziness.

Here is some info I found on the Internet. I have no idea how true this is:

Tonerider note : The factory that made the CVs also makes pickups for Tonerider and they have made Fender branded pickups to similar specifications to Tonerider sets:

Strat CV 50 has Alnico iii pickups marked STA5 which are very similar to the Tonerider Surfari TRS5 set
Strat CV 60 has Alnico v pickups marked STA3 which are very similar to Tonerider Classic Blues TRS3 set

MORE INFO:

Further Update and The Move to Indonesia is Complete (Bruce – This definitely looks valid to me)
The Fender USA web site in July 2019 shows the new range it shows that all models are now made in Indonesia some changes are evident throughout all models.
Pickups are no longer the tonerider types but Fender designed Alnico Vs
The pickups on all the strats are the same as follows
Neck PTP 10149 Middle PTP 1014-1 Bridge PTP 1011-1

CLASS VINTAGE 60’s PHOTO