Ok. Specifically, I need information on mini-buckers from the 70s. Anybody have specs on these? There are the Firebird pickups, of course, but these aren't what I'm talking about. I'm referring to the ones that were in SG Specials and the ones in Gibson Deluxes. Is there any difference between the pickups in a Gibson Deluxe vs the black mini-buckers in the SG Special? Also, some of the SGs from the 70s (SG I, SG II) had mini-buckers that were black with no pole pieces, were those anything like the others? I'd love to hear about all these pickups, good and bad. Thanks
Help with Gibson mini-humbuckers
- Thread starter twault
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beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Help with Gibson mini-humbuckers
Regarding the SG I and SGII - don't know. Only thing I read was someone who was an original owner of an unmodified SG II insisted they weren't really humbuckers but single coil, for what that's worth. My guess is Gibson put a plain plastic cover on a normal Firebird or Mini-bucker (which would be made with Melody Maker single coils) and called it 'special design' for the SG.
Mini-buckers as found in late 60's Les Pauls originally were 2 Melody Maker coils under a smaller cover (I don't know if it's steel, brass, nickel or whatever) with a P-90 cover hollowed out to use as a surround ring.
Melody Maker pickup construction
Firebird pickups are slightly different construction. Wax is just about holding the whole thing together.
Regarding the SG I and SGII - don't know. Only thing I read was someone who was an original owner of an unmodified SG II insisted they weren't really humbuckers but single coil, for what that's worth. My guess is Gibson put a plain plastic cover on a normal Firebird or Mini-bucker (which would be made with Melody Maker single coils) and called it 'special design' for the SG.
Mini-buckers as found in late 60's Les Pauls originally were 2 Melody Maker coils under a smaller cover (I don't know if it's steel, brass, nickel or whatever) with a P-90 cover hollowed out to use as a surround ring.
Melody Maker pickup construction
Firebird pickups are slightly different construction. Wax is just about holding the whole thing together.
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Re: Help with Gibson mini-humbuckers
The minis were actually epi pickups originally in 68-69 or however long they lasted. Kept in the states after the offshore relocation.
They are very similar in nature to a full size humbucker in that they have a bar mag underneath that magnetises screws and the 'slug' coil. Of course firebird pickups use the magnet as the pole/bar in the middle.....hence the more fender type tone.
The 70's ones read in about the 6.5-7k range, and I think have the same short A5 as the t-tops. Beautiful in the neck but can be a bit lacking in the bridge for those more bombastic players.
I'd guess the SG's you were talking about had the same but with no adjustable poles. But there is a second pickup from that period called the Tarback that was often fitted to full sized bucker SG's in that period. Maybe there could have been a tarback mini made as well.
The minis were actually epi pickups originally in 68-69 or however long they lasted. Kept in the states after the offshore relocation.
They are very similar in nature to a full size humbucker in that they have a bar mag underneath that magnetises screws and the 'slug' coil. Of course firebird pickups use the magnet as the pole/bar in the middle.....hence the more fender type tone.
The 70's ones read in about the 6.5-7k range, and I think have the same short A5 as the t-tops. Beautiful in the neck but can be a bit lacking in the bridge for those more bombastic players.
I'd guess the SG's you were talking about had the same but with no adjustable poles. But there is a second pickup from that period called the Tarback that was often fitted to full sized bucker SG's in that period. Maybe there could have been a tarback mini made as well.
Re: Help with Gibson mini-humbuckers
I have seen "mini-tarbacks" advertised on eBay, but wasn't sure if it was a real thing. Most of the information about the SGI/II pickups seems like people didn't dig them. I don't get it though, the original tarback are pretty sought after
I have seen "mini-tarbacks" advertised on eBay, but wasn't sure if it was a real thing. Most of the information about the SGI/II pickups seems like people didn't dig them. I don't get it though, the original tarback are pretty sought after
Re: Help with Gibson mini-humbuckers
I'm not sure about the mini versions either.....but there are a few pickups that were made in the 70's/80's that don't get very much press at all. The T-top and Shaws also didn't fare so well originally, but with almost umlimited gain on tap at all volumes now the low output pickup comes back in.
I'm not sure about the mini versions either.....but there are a few pickups that were made in the 70's/80's that don't get very much press at all. The T-top and Shaws also didn't fare so well originally, but with almost umlimited gain on tap at all volumes now the low output pickup comes back in.
