Is this a genuine 80’s 59 sd pickup

[Lewguitar]

I put the pickups in one of my guitars, still working fine after all tinkering

Which begs the question: How does it sound? Are you happy with it?

 

[Tally_Ho]

pretty decent, more usable than the t-top that i plan to replace

 

[Lewguitar]

pretty decent, more usable than the t-top that i plan to replace

Can you describe the difference? When I've compared real 50's pafs and real 60's T-Tops, the T-Top seemed clearer and had a more "open" voice. I had a real '60 ES-355 that the previous owner had put a T-Top in as the neck pickup. I had a real 50's paf and when I replaced the T-Top with the paf I preferred the clearer sound of the T-Top and put it back in again. What a hassle! :9:

 

[Tally_Ho]

The T-Top was from an 1980's les paul (dated Jan 25 1980) and reistance measured 7.4k ohms, i found it very muddy unless i dial down the volume below 5, and squealed with high gain, whereas the 59 imposter pickup has a more usable clean range with the volume knob, it also sounds pretty thick when playing leads....

 

[Adieu]

There's an even simpler test, use the continuity test buzzer mode on your tester.

AlNiCo buzzes, Ceramic is silent

 

[Lewguitar]

The T-Top was from an 1980's les paul (dated Jan 25 1980) and reistance measured 7.4k ohms, i found it very muddy unless i dial down the volume below 5, and squealed with high gain, whereas the 59 imposter pickup has a more usable clean range with the volume knob, it also sounds pretty thick when playing leads....

So you have decided it's an imposter? Why?

 

[Tally_Ho]

So you have decided it's an imposter? Why?

Imposter in the fact that we cant 100% be certain its a real 59

as for the multimeter test, the test buzzer one is a good one, it does buzz on the 59 pickup, and another alnico 4 one that i have (ASL blackbird)

i have a cheapo jackson js32 with ceramic and no buzz.... very good tip