Z-Core™ 5

For players who prefer traditional single coil tones.

The Z-Core 5 family

Our Z-Core 5 family of pickups utilize Tone Tuning Technology™ to mimic the frequency response of AlNiCo 5, the magnet alloy that is most closely associated with the classic Strat® tone. The 5 voicing is the most open and transparent, giving that signature, glassy Strat quack in the in between positions and a nice, open, “woody” response in the neck and that classic Strat snap in the bridge. 5 voiced pickups at various output levels are featured across our line and are our primary choice for a classically Stratty tone.

Of course this is why we chose the 5 voicing as our first product family in the Z-Core line. We’ve also reworked our output levels to provide more options in the vintage output range than we’ve ever had before. And as a result of our re-engineered Z-Series platform, these lower output models match conventional vintage pickup specs almost exactly, making them 100% compatible with conventional Strat controls. They drop right in! Our Z-Core 5 vintage output models include the mid-scooped low output feel of the Vintage Underwound, the Vintage with a few more winds like they did in the early/mid 60s and the Vintage Hot with more of a "boutique" take on the vintage feel, with that little bit of extra juice that a lot of players crave.

Then we have Z-Core 5 analogs of our Legacy Series SV5 and SV5O with the Modern and Overwound models, respectively. These pickups are excellent to pair with our higher output humbucker-voiced models, and in higher output single voiced sets like our Z-Series Texas Blues Set.

Click on product names below for a more detailed description.