I’ve been using my pre-wired Fralin HSS pickguard for almost a month now and absolutely love it. I’ve been playing guitar for like 35 years, most of that time using the same two SGs. A few years ago, I bought a limited edition Fender American Professional Stratocaster with a lightweight ash body. The guitar plays great and sounds amazing unplugged—very alive. The problem I had was that every time I played it through an amp, I just wasn’t happy with the sound; it felt uninspiring. I thought I hated Strat pickups because of this and decided to try new ones. I originally planned to get two humbuckers, but then decided to go with HSS to see if the stock pickups were the problem. I went back and forth with the friendly Fralin staff, asking many questions. I told them the type of music I like to play (70s riff rock, psych, early metal, and punk), and they recommended a Pure PAF humbucker in the bridge and two Blues Specials in the middle and neck. I don’t really play traditional blues, so I was a bit put off by the name, but I liked the idea of higher output and a thicker tone. I ordered the loaded pickguard and received it in the mail after a few weeks. The pickguard was wired beautifully—truly a piece of art. Installation was easy, thanks to their clear instructions. I was actually stunned at how much I loved the Blues Specials! They were like night and day compared to the stock Fender pickups. It turns out I actually love Strat pickups; I just needed to get a good set. The Pure PAF humbucker is amazing, too! The pickguard was expensive, but you definitely get what you pay for—100% American-made pieces of art. I’ll be ordering more in the future for my other guitars and basses. Thank you, Fralin—you’re the best!
