Texas Special pickups

[showerofsparks]

Does anyone know when Fender started making 'Texas Special' pickups?

I have seen a 1987 Std Strat for sale, that is advertised as having TS installed by the factory when new. Have the TS been around that long?

Thanks.

 

[Kmaz]

Not for sure, but I'm guessing they've been around since about 1990.

 

[GCDEF]

I don't think they go that far back. Early 90s would be my guess.

 

[Kmaz]

But weren't they in the Fender Signature Series Strat that was to be presented to Stevie at "The Tonight Show" in 1990?

 

[gkoelling]

The SRV Strat was introduced in Jan. '92. The pickups weren't available separately until later, so the seller is either misinformed or full of it.

 

[Kmaz]

Over the years, Stevie replaced the pickguard (several times) with a black pickguard and added his "SRV" initials in iridescent lettering of several styles. Rene Martinez remarked that he would prowl truck stops to obtain letters to replace the ones that wore away. Eventually the iridescent "SRV" was replaced by Letraset script-style lettering, first seen during his appearance on the "Tonight Show" in 1989. This show introduced the SRV Signature Strat prototype. Stevie was to play this prototype, but it did not sport his trademark initials. The "Tonight Show" art department came up with this new lettering style at the last minute. These script letters are what is engraved in outline form on the SRV Sig Strat

So, Stevie did play a Signature Series prototype in 1989?

 

[vds5000]

I thought they came out in around '91-92. I didn't think Fender modified American Standard Strats before leaving the factory, unless they came out of the Custom Shop.

 

[Trebor Renkluaf]

The SRV Strat was introduced in Jan. '92. The pickups weren't available separately until later, so the seller is either misinformed or full of it.

That's the way I remember it as well - they were introduced in the SRV strat.

It's possible, however since the release of the SRV strat was delayed due to Stevies untimely death, the Texas Speciales may have been released earlier?

 

[Joe Perry]

I also believe the p/u's weren't available aftermarket until around ~'94-95. A couple of years after the release of the sig strat in '92. I doubt they are original to the guitar if it is an '87.

 

[mistercoffee1]

They came stock in the SRV strat in early 92, and I remember buying some aftermarket in 93.

 

[VA_siCkBoy]

I remember buying a set when they first came out and I think it was 1994. I may be wrong but I really don't think they were available alone as a set before 1994.

 

[GrooveSlinger]

They came stock in the SRV strat in early 92, and I remember buying some aftermarket in 93.

I'm with you. I put a set in my frankenstrat in '93.

 

[showerofsparks]

Thanks everyone.

1987 sounded too early to me too.

Cheers

 

[Amp360]

The SRV Strat in the early 90s had them first. After that the Roadhouse series in the later 90s had them.

I have an 87 Standard and the pickups are fantastic - but they sound like normal strat pickups, not the gain of the TS pickups (which I also own and like).

 

[Kelly]

That's the way I remember it as well - they were introduced in the SRV strat.

It's possible, however since the release of the SRV strat was delayed due to Stevies untimely death, the Texas Speciales may have been released earlier?

No. They were released with the SRV Strat.

 

[trisonic]

No. They were released with the SRV Strat.

That's my understanding. Some of the early SRV's had serial numbers that implied the guitar was made earlier than the final release date and were held back.

Best, Pete.

 

[Kelly]

That's my understanding. Some of the early SRV's had serial numbers that implied the guitar was made earlier than the final release date and were held back.

Best, Pete.

SRV Strats serial numbers are not sequential, and you cannot date one by the SN.