How to tell what year my Gibson paf nickel pickups are?

[KLINKDETROIT]

I bought a 1994 Gibson classic and it had nickel or chrome PAF pickups in it. I called Gibson and they said it was not the original pickups. Does anyone know how to tell how old these are? I would hate to sell pickups worth hundres or even thousands for $80. I checked out ebay and some vary that much in price? Thanx

 

[Robert S.]

Re: How to tell what year my Gibson paf nickel pickups are?

There are indicators like baseplate stickers (Patient Applied For - Patient Number), bobbin shape/holes and DC resistance that can give you a ballpark idea of what they are but there is no way to tell the exact year.

 

[KLINKDETROIT]

Re: How to tell what year my Gibson paf nickel pickups are?

Waz up Robert? I will be headed up to the Bullfrog later if your not doin nothin. There should be alot of people. My old drummer and Singers band is playin. Pretty damn good band with a Gibson playin guitar picker. The pickups say patent applied for on a black sticker. Nickel or chrome covered? Braided 2 conductor cable.No holes on the bottom unlike the 498t. Definately wax potted well. Not as much solder on the bottom of the pickup as the 498T Does not have solder on the part where the cable leaves the pickup unlike the 498T Same length mounting handles as my 498t. Has black screws on the bottom as opposed to the chrome screws on my 498t. Smaller spacing than my 2004 498t. I guess thats it. I will bring it with me to the bar in case you decide on going up there. See ya, Rob Oh yeah I just got the tonepros locking bridge and it rocks. Also just picked up a Krank amps endorsement and will be getting my new Krank cab soon.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: How to tell what year my Gibson paf nickel pickups are?

These smell like Classic 57's or perhaps Burtbucker's. My money would be on the '57's. They have the paf sticker on the baseplate. Don't know about the Burtbuckers but I doubt they have that.

I don't see someone dropping thousands of dollars of pup's into a 94 classic so I doubt you have original PAF's there.

 

[bryvincent]

Re: How to tell what year my Gibson paf nickel pickups are?

definitely 57 classics, i think burstbuckers have additional sticker(s) at the backplate (BB type, initials of the person who wound it) other than the PAF sticker. and also the real deal 50's PAFs are not wax potted.

 

[KLINKDETROIT]

Re: How to tell what year my Gibson paf nickel pickups are?

Aha. Thanx. Hey what so bad about a 94 classic? It is actually heavier and thicker by the width of the binding than my buddies standard and 1970 deluxe. Just kidding I know its no deluxe but what are the inferiorities of the classic in your oppinion? I just bought it about 3 weeks ago. I also have a studio I just bought. Any thoughts on that one?

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: How to tell what year my Gibson paf nickel pickups are?

They aren't inferior but it doesn't make sense to put in pickups that cost more than the guitar. The guys buying real PAF's are usually paying that premium price for originals to restore a vintage piece to stock because they will get their money back and then some if the piece is correct.