Description
These days any black bobbin pickup found in an early ’80s Fender USA or JV Strat is automatically assumed to be the infamous Fender Fullerton, this is not the case. This article is based on pure hands on experience and a useful guide to determine real from fake based on 2 decades of hands on research from my own collection.
The red and grey bobbins are easy to identify they are dated but the black bobbins are open game for so called experts and forum heroes. There is a good pic of the backs of some Grey Bobbin 1982 dated pickups and it seems the black bobbins came out mid 1982. The pics of the black bobbins in the guard are a complete set with pots dated 26th week of 1982.
Okay all Fullerton Strat pickups are wound clockwise around the bobbins with staggered non beveled poles and north up polarity magnets (No exceptions). They are wound with 42 AWG plain enamel dark purple wire and are lacquer dipped not waxed (No lacquer = No Fullerton. They have a variety of chalk markings on the back from circles to digits and sometimes green on the pole bottoms. 22 is a popular marking as well as a little circle and 14,15 and 17. They have non RWRP middles and all pickups will be around 5.9-6k or a little more. They have black and white leads that can be either cloth or PVC insulated.
Whenever I get a Fullerton I check the magnet polarity if it’s not north up it’s a good chance it’s not a Fullerton which is distinct feature and a salute to pre 1959 pickups which were north up. Modern Fenders and the later 1986 onwards Fender USA reissue pickups are south up polarity and also wax dipped. Fender revived lacquer dipping in the ‘70s for some stupid reason then dropped it after the Fullerton’s. The lacquer makes the coil brittle and doesn’t flex with temp like wax so Fullertons die a lot. Most legit Fullertons will have a ridge of lacquer build up on the edge of the bobbin where it drips off during drying and also some pools either side of the solder joints. There is often yellowed lacquer on the top of the poles, remember the poles will not have a bevelled edge, something to look out for. The loose set in the pics is a good example of the lacquer residue and also the chalk markings.
I will continue to add to the article but remember No lacquer, No north up polarity and No dark purple wire you do not have a Fullerton.
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