the noiseless pickups now referred to as vintage noiseless™ were original equipment on the fender american deluxe series stratocaster instruments made between 1998 and 2003. they are now widely used on many fender guitars made in their ensenada, mexico facility (so-called "made in mexico", or "mim" guitars) which are referred to as just deluxe or deluxe strat, and fender custom shop guitars, and have been the stock pickups on the eric clapton stratocaster signature model since 2001. vintage noiseless™ pickups use alnico 2 magnets. the stratocaster version is identified by the word "noiseless" in gold cursive on the aged white or black pickup covers and the staggered pole pieces. vintage noiseless™ pickup sets are also available for the telecaster and jazz bass.