{"product_id":"fender-deluxe-drive-stratocaster-pickups-locking-tuners-high","title":"Fender Deluxe Drive Stratocaster Pickups \u0026 Locking Tuners - High","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review the Fender Deluxe Drive Stratocaster pickups paired with Fender Deluxe locking staggered tuners are evaluated as a practical upgrade package for modern Strat players. The biggest reason to consider this combo is the pickups' high output and overwound voice that push amps into rich, saturated tones while the staggered locking tuners stabilize tuning and improve string break angle over the nut. Together they offer a clear tonal shift toward midrange bite and reliable hardware fit for most contemporary Fender-style guitars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHigh output pickups:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Deluxe Drive pickups use an overwound design and Alnico 3 magnets to deliver increased output and focused dynamics for high-gain and cleaner settings alike.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBalanced response:\u003c\/strong\u003e Staggered pole pieces provide smooth, balanced tone across every string so chords and leads sit evenly in a mix.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNoise control:\u003c\/strong\u003e The middle pickup is reverse-wound\/reverse-polarity to reduce hum in common two- and four- pickup positions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDurable construction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Polysol-coated magnet wire, vinyl-coated output wire, and plastic bobbins help ensure long-term reliability and consistent performance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLocking staggered tuners:\u003c\/strong\u003e The set of six tuners includes three long posts and three short posts with dual guide pin mounting to fit most modern Fender-style guitars and improve tuning stability.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComplete hardware kit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tuners include bushings and washers and a 18:1 gear ratio for precise tuning adjustments and secure string locking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis package is best for Stratocaster owners who want more aggressive, focused single-coil tone without swapping to humbuckers, and for players who gig or record and value tuning stability. The pickups suit someone chasing thicker midrange and classic 70s Clapton-style textures as well as players who push tube amps into more saturation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlayers who prefer vintage-voiced, low-output single coils or those seeking active electronics should look elsewhere, since these are the highest-output Fender single-coils and tilt toward a hotter, more dynamic response rather than a strictly delicate vintage sparkle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eExcellent \u003cstrong\u003etone\u003c\/strong\u003e and increased output that works well at high gain and clean settings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eStaggered pole pieces and Alnico 3 magnets give a focused, balanced string response and strong dynamics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eLocking staggered tuners improve tuning stability and make restringing faster and neater.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eGood overall \u003cstrong\u003evalue for money\u003c\/strong\u003e when buying pickups and tuners together as a practical upgrade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSome players report mixed results with \u003cstrong\u003ehum level\u003c\/strong\u003e, so noise may be more noticeable in certain setups.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe hotter pickups may not satisfy purists seeking an ultra-vintage, low-output Strat sound.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProduct\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeluxe Drive Stratocaster pickups and Deluxe locking staggered tuners\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePickup magnet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlnico 3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoil wire\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePolysol-coated magnet wire, vinyl-coated output wire\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePole pieces\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStaggered pole pieces; middle is reverse-wound\/reverse-polarity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTuner set\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSix staggered locking tuners (3 long post, 3 short post)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTuner gear ratio\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18:1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHardware included\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDual guide pin mounting, bushings and washers included\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Fender combo is a sensible upgrade for Strat players who want hotter single-coil tone with improved tuning reliability. The pickups deliver a fuller, more driven voice while the staggered locking tuners add practical stability and easier string changes, making the package strong value for gigging and recording players who want a bolder Strat sound without major routing or modification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill these pickups fit a standard Stratocaster?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, the Deluxe Drive pickups are designed for Stratocaster routs and use standard pickup dimensions for most modern Strats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo the tuners require modification to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe tuners use dual guide pin mounting and include bushings and washers, so they fit most modern Fender-style guitars without modificiation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre these pickups noisy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey are higher output single coils and the middle pickup is RWRP to cancel hum in positions two and four, but customers report mixed hum levels depending on setup and shielding.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fender","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48196275503323,"sku":"B0BNKZYBFV","price":173.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51uyvsEVMJL._AC_SL1001.jpg?v=1770309777","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/fender-deluxe-drive-stratocaster-pickups-locking-tuners-high","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}