I have 2 Am Standards and the stock pickups in both sound great to me, but I put Barden Danny Gattons in my older one just for a change. My Am Original 60s still has the stock Pure Vintage 64 pickups. My 2016 standard has a twisted Tele neck and broadcaster bridge. I used to be all about “upgrading “ pickups but I think after 70+ years Fender has finally figured it out. I’ve experienced swapping pickups only to find I liked my guitar better before the switch. There’s a plethora of great choices in the boutique market, but I’m not so sure it’s a good idea to yank good sounding pickups out and replace them when a lot can be accomplished by raising/lowering the height, experimenting with the volume and tone pots, or simply adjusting the amp settings. BTW, there’s nothing wrong with ceramic pickups, but to each their own. I had a Japanese Strat with ceramics that sounded very clear and “stratty” and hot as could be at the same time. That’s unusual isn’t it? I sold it to a close friend who still has it and still loves it.
I hope they didn't charge you for the "service"....I took my 2003 MIM Telecaster in to the shop, played a few others against it for comparison, and decided we ought to crack mine open and find out what’s actually on board since I bought mine used. The shop said they were “Fender American Standard” pickups. So…
Yes, had an 08 for a while, and thought the pickups were outstanding.
it depends on whose idea it was to open her up, I would think.
