Brickhouse Toneworks 1963 Strat Pickup Set

Vintage Tone, Perfected

If you’re on a never-ending quest for that holy grail Strat tone, congratulations – you just found it. The Brickhouse 1963 Strat pickups are more than just another set of vintage-style single coils. They’re a meticulously crafted time machine back to the golden era of Stratocaster sound. Then add a few refinements to make them even more playable. Let’s break it down.

Why 1963?

Ask any Strat aficionado, and they’ll tell you – 1963 is a banner year for Stratocaster pickups. Those slightly hotter windings of that era gave them a fatter, juicier tone. You get plenty of chime, clarity, and sustain when pushed. Players and collectors alike have spent decades chasing that unmistakable sound. And now, with Brickhouse, you can have it brand new. Without the vintage price tag (or the risk of a 60-year-old solder losing its mojo in the middle of a solo).

Authenticity Meets Refinement

Instead of mindlessly copying a generic vintage spec, Brickhouse refined the formula. Getting output on all three pickups to be more evenly spaced, refining articulation. And nailing that super-sensitive touch dynamics that the greatest 1963 Strats achieved legendary.

Installation

These Brute Force Strat pickups are in a 1990 American Standard Stratocaster w/ maple neck and 22 frets on a 25-1/2″ maple board. Strings are 09-42 with standard E tuning. 

For the harness, I’m using the Mojotone Solderless Convertible Strat Guitar Wiring Harness, from the mind of their pickup guru David Shepherd. This has CTS custom taper pots, CRL 5-way switch, Switchcraft jack, and a Dijon .022uF capacitor. This harness has dip switches for either standard switching or “blender” switching, which allows blending of the neck and bridge pickups, I have the treble bleed switch ‘on’ for this evaluation.

From Crystal-Clear to Face-Melting

Regardless of whether you’re playing scorching overdrive, raunchy fuzz, or glassy cleans, the Brickhouse 1963 single coils hold their own in any combination. They maintain their clear, assertive voice, even at high gain. These give you the best of vintage character with the dependability of the modern age. And let’s be honest – nobody needs a muddy Strat tone. These pickups make every note cut through with authority, warmth, and that irresistible spank Strat enthusiasts crave.

Features

• Cast Alnico 5 Magnets (Refined Vintage Stagger)
• Fiberboard Bobbin Material (Precision Cut To Spec In-House)
• Vintage Correct Heavy Formvar Coil Wire
• Vintage Cloth Covered Push-Back Lead Wire
• Lightly Potted, Like The Originals
• Made In The USA

Specs

Demo

Final Verdict: Worth Every Penny

If you’re stone dead set on achieving that original ’63 Strat sound – but still crave a pickup set that actually plays nicely with contemporary gear – the Brickhouse 1963 Strat pickups are an easy call. The best of both worlds. Vntage mojo and the sophistication of the modern age. They’ll get you loving your Strat all over again. Your tone is worth it. Upgrade your Strat. Upgrade your sound

The 1963 Strat set is going to be good for country, blues, funk, reggae, pop, classic rock, jazz, surf, and more. They are available as a set or by the singles, in left or right-hand magnet staggers. Cover color options include white, parchment, and black. Contact Brickhouse Toneworks directly for customization options.

For reference, this Brickhouse Toneworks 1963 Strat Pickup set evaluation was conducted with the following: Fractal Axe-Fx II XL+ featuring Celestion Impluse Responses and Fractal MFC-101 MIDI Foot Controller. ADA MP-1 Tube Pre-Amp loaded with Tube Amp Doctor ECC83 Premium Selected tubes, using the ADA MC-1 MIDI Controller. Fryette LX II Stereo Tube Power Amplifier. Physical cabs use are Marshall 1960B, Mojotone British, and Peavey 6505 cabs loaded with Celestion Classic Series Vintage 30s and Classic Series G12M Greenbacks.

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