Fender pickups have been the sound of rock and roll since 1965, with their American Vintage ’65 pickups being among the most popular.
But the reason why guitarists like these pickups is that they provide a classic vintage sound that’s hard to achieve with modern pickups.
American Vintage ’65 pickups are a type of single-coil electric guitar pickup manufactured by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. These pickups offer a classic warm tone that is perfect for blues, rock, jazz, and classic rock styles of playing.
In this article, I’ll explain why the Fender American Vintage ’65 pickups (see prices here) are still sought after and how they differ from other pickups, and I’ll also describe their sound.
What are American Vintage ’65 pickups?
The American Vintage ’65 pickups, or Fender Pure Vintage ’65s as they’re called, are single-coil electric guitar pickups that feature hand-wound Alnico V magnets and a vintage bobbin construction.
The fiber bobbin construction helps to create a more open, vintage sound, and the Alnico V magnets help to give the pickups a warm, articulate tone.
The shape of the pickups is also important, as it helps to produce an even frequency response across all strings.
As I just mentioned, these pickups use magnets and coils to generate an electric current, which is sent through an amplifier to produce a specific sound.
The Vintage ’65 pickups are well-known for their single-coil tone, providing clarity and punch in the low and mid frequencies that is perfect for soloing or rhythm playing.
The American Vintage ’65 pickups are usually equipped on Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars. But the pickups are available as ‘Strat,’ ‘Jazzmaster’, or ‘Jaguar.’
The pickups offer a classic, vintage tone that is reminiscent of the sound of the 1960s.
The tone produced by these pickups have a bright, clear attack with warm mid-range tones and a slightly compressed sustain.
These pickups offer the perfect balance between output and tonal clarity, providing the player with a wealth of sounds to choose from.
Not only are these pickups great for creating classic rock and blues tones, but they can also be used to create unique sounds as well.
The American Vintage ’65 pickups offer players a uniquely vintage tone that cannot be replicated by modern pickups.
Fender is known for its attention to detail, and the American Vintage ’65 pickups are no exception.
They’re hand-wound with Alnico V magnets which offer a warm, vintage sound and provide superior sustain.
The pickups are also available in two different versions: the American Vintage ’65 and the American Vintage ’65 Hot.
The former offers a more traditional tone, and the latter provides much higher output for players who need more power.
These pickups are available in both the Tele and Strat versions, allowing guitarists to further customize their instrument’s sound.
Whether you’re looking for classic single-coil tones or a unique, vintage-inspired sound, the American Vintage ’65 pickups offer something for everyone.
What makes the American Vintage ’65 pickups special?
The American Vintage ’65 pickups are one of the most sought-after vintage-style pickups on the market due to their ability to produce a wide range of tones.
The pickups feature hand-wound Alnico V magnets and enamel-coated coils, which provide the pickups with a warm and vintage tone.
The pickups also offer superior sustain, allowing players to play longer with more clarity.
The pickups also provide players with a unique blend of brightness, warmth, and power that cannot be achieved with modern pickups.
Purposefully built and sonically meaty, the Pure Vintage ’65 Strat pickups are your only option for achieving the mighty, clean, and clear surf rock tones of mid-’60s Stratocaster guitars.
Who makes American Vintage 65 pickups?
American Vintage 65 pickups are made by Fender, the legendary guitar company that has been around since the 1950s.
Fender is known for their high-quality pickups that give you the classic, vintage sound you’re looking for.
Their American Vintage 65 pickups are no exception – they’re made with enamel-coated magnet wire, Alnico 5 magnets, and wax-potted for extra protection.
Fender brand pickups are some of the most sought-after pickups on the market, as they are reliable and provide a wide variety of tones.
Plus, they use period-correct cloth wire and fiber bobbin construction for an authentic, traditional Fender tone and performance.
So if you’re looking for a powerful, clean, and clear surf rock tone from a mid-’60s Stratocaster, Fender’s American Vintage 65 pickups are the way to go.
See my review of the Fender Vintera ’60s Pau Ferro Fingerboard for an excellent example
Types of American Vintage ’65 pickups
There are two types of American Vintage ’65 pickups available – the American Vintage ’65 Jazzmaster and the American Vintage ’65 Jaguar.
Jaguar pickups
Fender’s American Vintage ’65 Jaguar Pickups are the perfect way to get that classic ’60s sound.
They feature vintage-correct bobbin construction, genuine original-era cloth wiring, and alnico 5 magnets for more focus and enhanced dynamics.
Plus, their flush-mount polepieces provide even string response, and their wax-potted design helps to reduce feedback.
With these pickups, you can expect a clean and clear sound that oozes liquid-hot tone and a snarling angular attitude.
Jazzmaster pickups
The American Vintage ’65 Jazzmaster Pickups are designed to deliver a powerful, full-bodied tone.
They feature flush-mount polepieces that offer a balanced response across all strings, and their alnico 5 magnets give you increased sustain and dynamics.
Additionally, their wax-potted design eliminates feedback and provides a classic, vintage tone that is perfect for classic surf rock tones and even jazzy sounds.
Overall, the American Vintage ’65 pickups are perfect for players who want a vintage-inspired sound.
With the various models available, you can find the perfect pickup for your electric guitar.
Stratocaster pickups
Stratocaster pickups are specially designed for the original Fender Stratocaster guitars.
And when it comes to Stratocaster pickups, Fender American Vintage 65 pickups are a great choice.
They offer a classic, vintage Strat sound that’s perfect for blues, rock, and even jazz. These pickups are made with Alnico 5 magnets, which provide a warm, smooth tone.
They also feature staggered pole pieces, which help to even out the output across all six strings.
The result is a balanced, articulate sound that’s perfect for any style of music.
Plus, these pickups are designed to be low-noise, so you won’t have to worry about any unwanted hum or buzz.
The pickups also have a higher output than traditional single-coil pickups, so you can get a bit more punch and power from your guitar.
The reason why Stratocasters and the Pure Vintage ’65 pickups from Fender are so popular is because of their versatility.
Stratocaster guitars are known for their bright, chiming tones, and Fender’s Pure Vintage ’65 pickups can give you those classic Strat sounds with added warmth and power.
Plus, they’re low-noise and have a higher output than traditional single-coil pickups, so you can get a bit more punch and power from your guitar.
So, for those looking for a classic Strat sound, these pickups are definitely worth checking out.
I’ve reviewed the Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster featuring three tradition reverse-mount custom single-coil vintage 65′ pickups here
How much do American Vintage ’65 pickups cost?
Fender’s American Vintage ’65 pickups are slightly pricier than some of the other pickup models available.
However, they are worth the extra cost due to their superior tone and performance.
Typically, you can expect to pay around $200 for a set of American Vintage ’65 pickups.
Overall, the American Vintage ’65 pickups are a great choice for those looking to get an authentic Fender tone and pickups that will actually stand the test of time.
History of American Vintage ’65 pickups
The American Vintage ’65 pickup series was released in 1965 as a way to capture the classic sounds of vintage Stratocaster and Jazzmaster guitars.
Of course, the Fender pickups of the ’60s had a unique sound that could only be achieved with vintage parts and winding techniques.
In order to replicate these vintage pickups, Fender used the same materials and construction methods to create the American Vintage ’65 series.
They were manufactured in Corona, California, and featured flush-mount polepieces, Alnico 5 magnets, wax-potted design, staggered pole pieces, and of course, that classic vintage-style tone.
The American Vintage ’65 pickups are still in production today and remain a popular choice for those seeking vintage sounds.
Today’s pickups are designed to be faithful recreations of the originals while still providing modern players with increased sustain, dynamics, and output.
Fender American Vintage 65 Pickups vs 57/62
When it comes to Fender pickups, the American Vintage 65 and the 57/62 are two of the most popular models.
The 65 has a slightly brighter sound than the 57/62, making it great for those who like a bit of extra sparkle in their tone. It also has a higher output, which gives it a bit more punch.
The 57/62, on the other hand, has a warmer, more vintage-style sound, making it a great choice for those who prefer a more classic tone.
The 65 is also known for its clarity and articulation, making it great for those who want to be able to hear every note they play.
The 57/62, on the other hand, has a bit more of a ‘muddy’ sound, which is great for those who want a more laid-back, bluesy tone.
Fender American Vintage 65 Pickups vs 69
When it comes to Fender American Vintage pickups, there’s a big difference between the 65 and 69 models.
The 65 pickups have a bright, twangy sound that’s perfect for classic rock, blues, and country.
They have a higher output and more clarity than the 69 pickups, which have a warmer, smoother tone that’s great for jazz and funk.
The 65 pickups are great for players who want a bright, punchy sound that cuts through the mix. They have a higher output and more clarity, so they’re great for solos and leads.
On the other hand, the 69 pickups are perfect for players who want a mellower, more laid-back tone.
They have a lower output and a warmer, smoother sound that’s great for jazz and funk.
So if you’re looking for a classic Fender sound, the 65 pickups are the way to go. But if you’re looking for something a bit more mellow, the 69 pickups are a perfect choice.
Final thoughts
The Fender American Vintage 65 pickups are a real gem and a must-have for any guitar player. With their great sound and versatile use, you can’t go wrong with these babies.
The pickups are best suited for classic rock and blues tones, but they can also be used to create unique sounds as well.
Their output and tonal clarity provide a wealth of sounds to choose from, while their warm, vintage tone is reminiscent of the 1960s.
So, if you’re looking for that perfect pickup sound, don’t be afraid to take a trip to the 65 section of the store and pick yourself up a pair of these pickups.
Read next: my full guitar buying guide (what actually makes a quality guitar?)
I'm Joost Nusselder, the founder of Neaera and a content marketer, dad, and love trying out new equipment with guitar at the heart of my passion, and together with my team, I've been creating in-depth blog articles since 2020 to help loyal readers with recording and guitar tips.
