These are hands down the best sounding single coils I've ever heard. Their sound is warm and smooth, yet articulate and glassy at the same time. I put a set in my mexican strat and it's taken it to new levels. I bought these because I wanted that buzzsaw SRV sound, but I haven't even turned up the gain yet because I'm enjoying the clean sounds so much. I don't think I'll ever own a strat again without these pickups in it.

I bought these and installed them in a 2000 model Fender Classic Series 60's Strat. These pickups sound very much like the stock pickups, which I believe are wound to sound like a traditional vintage Strat. The main difference in sound is the superb string to string balance in volume. These pickups will have a varying effect in tone depending on what kind of strat you are putting them in. If you have a classic series, or similar strat, then you will not notice that much of a difference from stock pickups. However, if placing these in an American Standard or the Standard strat, you will be welcomed with much more midrange punch and some of the sweetest clean sounds you can imagine. I gave an average value rating because I feel these pickups are too expensive, being right up there with the most expensive pickups Fender offers, and the pickup covers do not fit the bobbins well at all. You can't notice this after installed though, and it doesn't effect adjustment of pickup height. Just consider the type of strat you have before ordering these, because if you have an American Vintage series or Classic Series strat, then your stock pickups already sound very much like Texas Specials.

Not much to add to the other reviews, basically a vintage pickup over-wound to get a hotter sound. They will sound a lot different depending on what guitar they are in, a Strat with a nice fat neck and Jumbo frets will sound best, I tried these in a number of different guitars and it makes a big difference.

I have these pickups in a G&L Legacy. Never liked the bridge p-up and was looking for more of a Strat sound. While I agree that the sustain was slightly disappointing, the tone I get through my Kustom tube amp is outstanding. And with a Guv'nor overdrive I get a really cool Jimi vibe. Doesn't get any better than SRV and Jimi

I put these in my American Highway One Stratocaster, bit of difference, They do tend to scream a bit more than the stock pickups I had. It just takes sometime for your ears to hear the difference in them. More SRV tonality, midrange punch and highs as well. If you like Stevie, these are for you :)