I tried finding some info on this site and haven't had much luck. Am wanting info regarding the Tex-Mex PUs. Why are they called Tex-Mex, what do they comprise of and why are they usually standard PUs found on many Strats especially those MIMs.

They are called Tex Mex - in my opinion - because they are in the same tonal family of Fender CS "Texas Specials". And they are made in Mexico. Hence, the popular term "Tex Mex" is only natural for them.


They use Alnico 5 magnets.


They are widely used by Fender because they are relatively inexpensive (compared to CS pups, especially), and people have been very fond of them. They sound very good - providing nice tonal variations, making them suitable for almost every application except metal. I put them in my MIM Std and have been extremely happy with them.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

spend the extra $ and get the texas specials!

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

I disagree StratGib. I tired Strats with both the CS Texas Specials and the Tex-Mex and I liked the Tex-Mex pups much better. I say play a guitar with both pickups (Lonestar has Texas Specials, Jimmie Vaughan has Tex-Mex) and see which ones you like best. Both are good, for sure, but IMO the Tex-Mex are just as good if not better than the Specials.

Greggo

This is what I love most about this forum... Everone has an opinion and gregs' is no more or less valid than my own. The best service you can do yourself is take gregs advice and try them both and then form your own opinion. Best of luck!

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

I could be wrong, but I thought the texas Specials were alninco and the tex-mex were ceramic magnet pickups.

No - Tex Mex are Alnico 5s. The MIM Std pups are ceramic.

"These overwound vintage style Strat pickups offer increased output, sparkling highs and a very nice warm tone while retaining your favorite vintage Strat characteristics. Constructed with Alnico 5 magnets and polysol magnet wire and featuring a reverse wound/reverse polarity middle pickup for hum canceling in positions 2 & 4, these pickups scorch."

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

I own a Deluxe Roadhouse with Texas Specials and a Jimmie Vaughan with Tex Mex pickups and love 'em both. They're close to my ears. I'd give the Specials the edge for Texas Blues tones with a bit more thump on the low end but the Tex Mex pickups get the nod for classic Strat tones with slightly sharper highs.

John

Thanks for ll your replies. I had no idea Tex-Mex were of the same quality as CS PUs, anohter example, I suppose, of how MIM Strats are high quality instruments. I replaced one of the Tex-Mex humbuckers with a Seymour Duncan JB and to be honest, though the JB has higher output, compared to the original Tex-Mex humbucker I had, there's not much difference. Aren't Alnico 5 suppose to be the bees kness of PUs, I notice a lot of manufacturers of high end guitars tend to prefer these. Or am I wrong? Thanks for the input from all.