Definitive Gibson humbucker info needed...

WoodyTone

WoodyTone

New member
...if it exists!

I recently scored a 1980 Les Paul Standard, and this guitar sounds (through my rig) amazing -- to my ears, anyway. I checked the pickups -- could not photograph the bottoms because the wires were cut tight. But here's what they say: stamped (into the baseplates) PAT NO 2737842 (naturally). The bridge was ink-stamped "Feb 5 1980" and the neck "Feb 6 1980."

Any way to tell what these pickups are without taking the covers off?

I read on the gear page that all '80 Standards were alleged to have Shaw PAFs. Otherwise I assume they are T-Tops? Could they be anything else?

I actually was nervous as hell even taking the pickups out for a look in case I somehow screwed up this guitar's mojo. I've built guitars (bolt-ons) and have no problems messing with guitars -- but this one is different!

Any help appreciated.
 
Re: Definitive Gibson humbucker info needed...

DC resistance readings might help. Also, is there any sign of wax or epoxy potting?

It is a little bit suspect that the wires have been shortened so much.
 
Re: Definitive Gibson humbucker info needed...

I'm guessing a great set of T-tops. Why does this matter? You are in Earvana, love it and play it.

What if they are a pair of bootleg Hondo Made In Taiwan Turdbuckers. Will you change them?

This is a Les Paul forum question...
 
Re: Definitive Gibson humbucker info needed...

I bet they are very late T-Tops. There are definitely transitional pups until the 'complete with all markings'- Shaws came in June 1980.
 
Re: Definitive Gibson humbucker info needed...

They weren't all filled up with Black Epoxy, right?
 
Re: Definitive Gibson humbucker info needed...

Most likely T-Tops. Early Shaws would be stamped in black ink 137mmyy for the neck, 138mmyy for the bridge.
 
Re: Definitive Gibson humbucker info needed...

uOpt -- Right, no epoxy.

Funk -- Why are the short leads suspect?

I wasn't aware that T-Tops are some magical pickup? What mags are in T-Tops?

Don, I've read that some Shaws did not have that inked date?

Can anyone describe T-Tops and Shaws beyond just PAF-like character -- sonically, specs, whatever?

Ace, I'm curious -- no intention of changing a thing, as I hoped was clear in the op. I posted on mylespaul (no can do on lpf)....


If it helps on the deciphering, here's what I'm hearing:

With the bridge pickup, if I pick softly or pluck with my fingers, it's softer and cleaner, but still threatening in an AC/DC sort of way. Hit the strings harder and wow! There's the overdrive I've always wanted, very natural.

The neck pickup is possibly the sweetest "woman tone" I've heard. The only bummer is I don't really like that tone -- I like a glassier, single-coil-like tone at the neck. But I'm not changing a thing.
 
Last edited:
Re: Definitive Gibson humbucker info needed...

WoodyTone said:
Funk -- Why are the short leads suspect?

I wasn't aware that T-Tops are some magical pickup? What mags are in T-Tops?
Click to expand...

The lack of slack in the pickup cables of your guitar made me wonder whether they could have been changed over from whatever was in there originally.

I wasn't aware that T-Tops were magical either. They were just what Gibson was manufacturing at the time. (Somebody out there will probably post the explanation of why the T was embossed on the bobbins for a time.) There was another period when Gibson was embossing the logo into the metal covers of its humbuckers.

To me, the T-Top phenomenon is simply because 1970s hardware now qualifies as "vintage". Just like my 1978/9 Fender bass was once considered a piece o' CBS dogbreath and is now "collectable" (allegedly).
 
Re: Definitive Gibson humbucker info needed...

Because they were the only decent guitar maker's pickups during that time?
 
Re: Definitive Gibson humbucker info needed...

T-Tops happen to be my favorite PUs.
They respond to the players touch very well. The perfect blend of punch, clarity & distortion.
 
Re: Definitive Gibson humbucker info needed...

WoodyTone said:
...if it exists!

I recently scored a 1980 Les Paul Standard, and this guitar sounds (through my rig) amazing -- to my ears, anyway. I checked the pickups -- could not photograph the bottoms because the wires were cut tight. But here's what they say: stamped (into the baseplates) PAT NO 2737842 (naturally). The bridge was ink-stamped "Feb 5 1980" and the neck "Feb 6 1980."

Any way to tell what these pickups are without taking the covers off?

I read on the gear page that all '80 Standards were alleged to have Shaw PAFs. Otherwise I assume they are T-Tops? Could they be anything else?

I actually was nervous as hell even taking the pickups out for a look in case I somehow screwed up this guitar's mojo. I've built guitars (bolt-ons) and have no problems messing with guitars -- but this one is different!

Any help appreciated.
Click to expand...

Take an Ohm reading of those with a digital multimeter and I'm certain I'll be able to help you.
 
Re: Definitive Gibson humbucker info needed...

I recently played an early 70's LP Custom with T-Tops and the tone was great, they sounded like an A2 Pro with slightly higher output.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top