Our take on the classic Firebird pickup, only sitting in a customised raw nickel Soapbar P90 cover. This rarely seen layout involves some hand finishing work to both the cover and baseplate but is so very worth the time to bring this amazing pickup style to a soapbar route..

Firebird-type pickups are both special and criminally underrated. The internal construction of these mini humbucker-sized beauties is very curious indeed. A classic Humbucker, Mini Humbucker or P90 employ their horizontally loaded bar magnets to “charge” screws or slugs that in turn sit vertically under the strings. The Firebird pickup takes a totally different approach by instead orientating a bar magnet within each of its two coils and orientating them vertically across the full width of the pickup. On top of that oddity there’s also a ferrous plate directly under those magnets in a manner that bears some resemblance to a Tele Bridge pickup! All this is, we hope, very interesting of course but what does it all mean in use? Well, being as succinct as we are able (not very) it creates a really unique magnetic field that leaves these pickups sounding likewise!

Tonally FB pickups can sometimes be rather brash and unruly, with the bridge unit coming off as particularly bright and harsh. However, when done right all those potential issues go away and are instead replaced by just about every superlative we could mention when it comes to great guitar tones. They are clear, bell-like with wonderful string separation and a poised midrange that gets really meaty and expressive as you add drive to your sound. They handle grain really well; maintaining their low noise and sonic-integrity, while the sheer dynamic range on offer means they respond with near peerless versatility from the controls on the guitar itself.

· BRIDGE AV +/- 7.4k: Here we maintain the traditional 42guage Plain Enamel wire but take great care in the wind as to bring the output up to this level. In turn this increased output expels any concerns about excessively shrill top end, instead adding sweetness to the pickups inherent clarity and a full, throaty midrange. The lows are tightly controlled and are a revelation when you start to add drive.

· NECK AV +/- 6.2k: Singlecoil-like clarity, minimal hum and stunning harmonic content are the key features of this crowd pleasing pickup. As said above, these are so often underrated and just a few minutes with a SBFB should prove the point. Musical and responsive across every string, warm and smoky with a soft touch or full and punch with a heavier hand. Dreamy.

This set is offered as standard with two-conductor vintage braid wiring and thin raw nickel covers. If you would prefer aged custom covers, four-conductor wiring or virtually any other tweak please do get in touch; various contact options are available here.

• CURRENT ESTIMATED LEAD TIME FOR WINDING AND ASSEMBLY BEFORE SHIPPING: 45 WORKING (5in7) DAYS.