
Custom Shop Texas Specials are guitar pickups known for their bright and twangy sound. They have a unique EQ curve, with a slightly lower peak resonance and a higher peak amplitude, resulting in a less balanced EQ profile. While some users appreciate their ability to remain upfront even with light pick attacks, others find them lacking in versatility. Texas Specials are particularly well-suited for trashy blues and Texas Blues/Rock, but may require amp adjustments and a light touch to prevent their tone from becoming overbearing in other genres. Guitarists interested in chicken pickin' or modern metal might find Custom Shop Texas Specials worth considering, as they offer more high-end balls than stock strat single coils.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tone | Bright and twangy |
| Hotter than the bridge pickup | |
| More high-end balls than stock strat single coils | |
| Less balanced EQ profile | |
| Reward light pick attack | |
| Become harsh with aggressive play | |
| Remain up-front with light picking | |
| Not versatile | |
| Require amp tweaking to deal with spiky peak | |
| Need a light touch to prevent tone from becoming overbearing |
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What You'll Learn
- Custom Shop Texas Specials are characterised by a hot and bright tone
- They are well-suited for chicken pickin' and modern metal
- They have a peculiar EQ curve, with a lower peak resonance and higher peak amplitude
- They require a light touch when playing to prevent the tone from becoming overbearing
- While versatile, they excel in trashy blues and may not translate well to other genres

Custom Shop Texas Specials are characterised by a hot and bright tone
The Custom Shop Texas Specials are characterised by a hot and bright tone. They are known for their peculiar EQ curve, which is characterised by a slightly lower peak resonance and a slightly higher peak amplitude compared to most Strat pickups, resulting in a less balanced EQ profile. This unique EQ curve means that they respond well to a light pick attack and can handle heavier picking without becoming harsh or overbearing.
The Texas Specials are well-suited for a range of genres, including country, blues rock, and classic metal. They are particularly good for chicken pickin', a style of country guitar playing that emphasises fast, intricate picking. Their bright and twangy sound adds a unique character to this style of playing.
Compared to normal pickups, the Texas Specials deliver a more upfront and pronounced sound, even with light picking. This quality makes them ideal for trashy blues, where their aggressive tone shines. However, this same characteristic can be a drawback for players who are not careful with their picking dynamics, as the tone can become too harsh or overbearing in the wrong hands.
While the Texas Specials are versatile, they may not be the best choice for every genre. Some players may find that they need to tweak their amp settings or playing technique to prevent the tone from becoming spiky or harsh, especially when playing outside of the blues or rock genres. Nonetheless, with the right approach, the Custom Shop Texas Specials can deliver a unique and distinctive sound that can enhance various musical styles, including chicken pickin'.
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They are well-suited for chicken pickin' and modern metal
Custom Shop Texas Specials are well-suited for chicken pickin' and modern metal. They have a unique sound that is characterised by a hot and bright tone. This is due to their slightly lower peak resonance at a slightly higher peak amplitude, resulting in a less balanced EQ profile compared to most Strat pickups.
Texas Specials respond well to a light pick attack, rewarding a gentle touch with a bright and twangy sound. They remain upfront even with light picking, which gives them a bold character that suits trashy blues, country, and classic metal. With the right amp and pedals, they can also be used for more modern-sounding metal.
While they can be used for a variety of genres, they may require some adjustments to the amp settings to prevent their tone from becoming overbearing. This is because they have a peculiar EQ curve, which can result in a spiky peak that may need to be smoothed out with tweaks to the amp.
Overall, Custom Shop Texas Specials are a great choice for guitarists who want a bright and bold sound that is well-suited for chicken pickin' and modern metal, as well as a range of other genres with the right adjustments.
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They have a peculiar EQ curve, with a lower peak resonance and higher peak amplitude
The Custom Shop Texas Specials have a unique EQ curve, characterised by a lower peak resonance and a higher peak amplitude compared to most Strat pickups. This results in a less balanced EQ profile, which can be challenging to work with. The pickups respond well to a light pick attack, producing a bright and twangy sound. However, they can become harsh if played aggressively, as one would with normal pickups. This dynamic range gives them a distinctive character that suits certain genres more than others.
The Texas Specials' EQ curve rewards a gentle touch, and they can be well-suited for trashy blues or classic metal, providing a bright and hot sound. However, their unique EQ characteristics might not translate well to other genres, where their tone can become overbearing.
When using the Texas Specials, guitarists need to adjust their playing style and equipment to accommodate their peculiar EQ curve. A light touch is recommended to prevent the sound from becoming harsh. Additionally, tweaking the amp settings and using pedals can help mitigate the spikiness of the peak resonance, making the pickups more versatile and adaptable to different musical styles.
The Texas Specials' lower peak resonance and higher peak amplitude contribute to their distinctive sound and dynamic range. While they excel in certain genres, such as blues and classic metal, their less balanced EQ profile might require adjustments in playing style and equipment to achieve the desired sound in other musical contexts.
In summary, the Custom Shop Texas Specials' peculiar EQ curve, characterised by its lower peak resonance and higher peak amplitude, offers a unique sound that can be harnessed and shaped through playing style and equipment adjustments to suit a range of musical genres.
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They require a light touch when playing to prevent the tone from becoming overbearing
Custom Shop Texas Specials are guitar pickups that are characterised by a bright and hot tone. They are well-suited for various genres, including country, blues rock, and classic metal. When it comes to chicken pickin', a playing style that involves fast, alternating picking, Custom Shop Texas Specials can be a great choice due to their bright and twangy sound.
However, one of the unique characteristics of these pickups is their EQ curve. They have a slightly lower peak resonance at a slightly higher peak amplitude compared to most Strat pickups, resulting in a less balanced EQ profile. This peculiar EQ curve requires a different playing approach to prevent the tone from becoming overbearing.
When playing with Custom Shop Texas Specials, a light touch is essential. With normal pickups, light picking typically results in a more understated tone. However, with Texas Specials, even a gentle pick attack will produce a prominent and upfront sound. This quality makes them well-suited for certain genres, such as trashy blues, where their aggressive tone can add character.
However, if played too aggressively, Texas Specials can become harsh and overpowering. Their unique EQ curve can make them less versatile for genres other than Texas Blues or Rock. Guitarists who play other styles and expect the same dynamics as normal pickups may find themselves disappointed. Therefore, it is crucial to adjust your playing style accordingly when using Texas Specials, especially if you are used to different pickups.
Additionally, some guitarists may need to tweak their amp settings or use pedals to shape the tone and prevent it from becoming too spiky or harsh. The D Allen Austin Blues pickups are often recommended as an alternative, as they provide a similar Texas Special sound without the harshness under heavy picking, offering a sweeter and sparklier tone.
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$48.09

While versatile, they excel in trashy blues and may not translate well to other genres
Custom Shop Texas Specials are versatile guitar pickups that can be used across various genres. However, they are particularly well-suited for trashy blues and may not translate as effectively to other musical styles.
Texas Specials have a unique EQ curve, characterised by a slightly lower peak resonance and a slightly higher peak amplitude compared to standard Strat pickups. This results in a less balanced EQ profile, which can be challenging to manage for those unfamiliar with the pickups. When used with a light pick attack, Texas Specials deliver a bright and twangy sound that is ideal for trashy blues. However, when played aggressively, they can become harsh and overbearing, making them less suitable for genres outside of Texas blues and rock.
The distinct sound of Texas Specials is well-suited for chicken pickin', a style of country guitar playing that emphasises fast, staccato picking and crisp, twangy tones. The bright and hot output of Texas Specials can enhance the playful and energetic nature of chicken pickin'. Additionally, the pickups' ability to remain upfront, even with light picking, can add to the dynamic and rhythmic nature of this style.
While Texas Specials can be used for a range of genres, from country to blues rock and even classic metal, they may require adjustments to the amp settings and playing technique to prevent the tone from becoming overpowering. Some users suggest that the D Allen Austin Blues pickups offer a similar sound to Texas Specials while providing a smoother response to heavy picking, making them more adaptable to a broader range of musical genres.
Ultimately, while Custom Shop Texas Specials are versatile pickups, they excel in trashy blues due to their unique EQ characteristics and dynamic response to light picking. When venturing into other genres, careful tweaking and a delicate touch may be necessary to prevent the sound from becoming too harsh or overwhelming.
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Frequently asked questions
Custom Shop Texas Specials are good for chicken pickin' and modern metal. They have a hot and bright tone and more high-end balls than stock strat single coils.
Custom Shop Texas Specials have a peculiar EQ curve with a slightly lower peak resonance and a slightly higher peak amplitude, resulting in a less balanced EQ profile. They are well-suited for light pick attack and become harsh with aggressive playing.
Custom Shop Texas Specials are commonly used for Texas Blues and Rock. While they can be used for various genres, they may require adjustments to the amp and playing technique to prevent the tone from becoming overbearing.
Yes, the D Allen Austin Blues pickups are a popular alternative. They provide a similar sound without becoming harsh under heavy picking and have a sweet, sparkly tone.
Some users have shared that they love the Custom Shop Texas Specials, especially for their bright and twangy sound. They are versatile and can be used for various genres, from country to blues rock to classic metal, with the right amp and pedals.











































