62 Archive SBPAT# Humbucker

A detailed replication of one of the finest vintage humbucker sets I’ve ever heard. So much so, the originals live in my own favourite guitar! Turns per layer, coil tensions, steel part compositions, magnet spec etc, all dutifully reproduced.

When it comes to this set, we can certainly get deep into the proverbial weeds about this brief era of 1960 PAF Spec Patent Numbers! To keep things tidy here, you can head to the pictures on this page to read considerably more detail about this from a Guitarist Magazine interview I did with Jamie Dickson, the mag’s charming and talented editor (make sure to check out his music).

In short, for a brief period after Gibson swapped from the now mythical “PATENT APPLIED FOR” decal on their humbucker baseplates to the Patent Number decal, that was the only difference in the pickups construction and build process. These late PAFs tend to feature short length magnets and have a certain magic all their own. The set being replicated here remain untouched and original but with an unusually low wind neck unit and a particularly sweet balance.

Output and Character

Bridge Alnico V (“short”) +/- 7.7k: The classic late stage PAF character; clear, open with some extra directness and lower midrange cut in comparison to what you might find in 57/58 examples. All this but yet the highs have enough body and all around the tonality remains pleasing, without excess stridency. Responds beautifully to volume and tone pot adjustments.

Neck Alnico V (“short”) +/- 6.8k: Mellow and so sweetly vocal in the top end with a very classic PAF low end richness. The spec of the original pickup here are quite unique for the time period and result in a beautiful chime when combined with the bridge and an addictive character in isolation.

A set ideal for keeping the character of a naturally mellow or midrange rich guitar intact, without excessive accentuation of certain frequencies through your amp.

Options

This set is offered as standard with two-conductor vintage braid wiring and thin nickel plated covers that are missing the copper plating layer so often found in modern pickups. If you would prefer four-conductor wiring or virtually any other tweak please do get in touch; various contact options are available here.