As popular music roared with the fatter tones of humbuckers at the dawn of the 1970s, Fender hired acclaimed pickup designer Seth Lover to create a distinctly Fender-flavored take on a higher-output dual-coil pickup. The resulting Wide Range pickup used large bobbins and threaded CuNiFe-rod (Cu = Copper, Ni = Nickel, and Fe = Iron) magnets to achieve its distinctively brilliant sound, as heard on that era’s Telecaster Custom, Thinline and Deluxe guitars. Fender also experimented with FeCrCo / Cobalt Chrome pickups (Fe= Iron, Cr = Chromium, Co = Cobalt), which created a similarly pleasing Hi-Fi tone in situations where CuNiFe was not appropriate. Sought after by musicians of all genres for decades, the original-era real CuNiFe-magnet pickups disappeared when the Telecaster Custom was discontinued in 1979.
Now they're back and better than ever - with a much Wider Range of pickup options, including single-coil Strat and Tele, single-coil and wide range Jazzmaster, and Wide Range Tele options. Designed by Tim Shaw, Fender CuNiFe and Cobalt Chrome pickups exhibit hi-fi clarity without sacrificing attack and definition, even under heavy playing. Their distinct chrome-ringed covers not only exude retro charm but also act as shields against unwanted 60-cycle hum. Pick up your favourite set of CuNiFe and Cobalt Chrome pickups from RIffs & Licks Music today, to add a unique tonal fingerprint to your favourite guitar.
