Not every great Stratocaster pickup is built to push an amp harder. The Fender Custom Shop Tomatillo Stratocaster pickup set takes the opposite approach, favoring openness, clarity and dynamic expression over raw output. Sharing the same Custom Shop lineage as Fender's acclaimed Ancho Poblano pickups, the Tomatillos feature a subtle underwind, Alnico 2 magnets and shellac potting to deliver sparkling chime, warm mids and exceptional touch sensitivity. The result is a remarkably responsive Strat voice that rewards every nuance of your playing, from delicate clean passages to expressive edge-of-breakup tones.

Underwound Design for Open, Dynamic Response

Rather than chasing higher output, the Tomatillo pickups are carefully underwound to preserve exceptional note definition and a lively, expressive feel that responds naturally to changes in picking attack and playing dynamics. Alnico 2 magnets provide a smooth, warm attack, while shellac potting helps resist unwanted feedback without sacrificing the airy high-frequency response that gives these pickups their unmistakable openness. Formvar magnet wire enhances clarity and top-end detail, and staggered pole pieces keep output balanced across every string. A reverse-wound, reverse-polarity middle pickup eliminates hum in positions 2 and 4. Traditional fiber bobbins and period-correct cloth-covered lead wire complete the vintage-inspired Tomatillo pickup set's construction, reflecting the meticulous craftsmanship expected from the Fender Custom Shop.