T-Tops

[Chistopher]

Anyone here tried real T-Tops? I've always gotten the feel that they were originally under respected because they kinda lagged behind modern tastes, and the Super D and other aftermarket pickups were seen as the key to unlocking sounds hitherto unattainable.

In the modern era, they are still a black sheep. Very hard to find pickups that advertise as T-Tops. But then again, some people like them, and the real ones are getting expensive

 

[zionstrat]

I've replaced a whole bunch of them over the years and never had a customer ask for one

But like anything else, in the right guitar with the right rig and right circumstances I'm sure they could be great.

 

[hamerfan]

I am a sucker for Pagey’s 70ies sound. A PAF in the neck and T-Top in the bridge makes it.

 

[freefrog]

I love Patent Sticker T-Tops (late 60's) like in my Flying V or in a SG from the late 60's that I've periodically in maintenance (and whose bridge pickup has been repaired by the old freefrog, BTW): instant early Schenker or Angus Young tones but also gorgeous BB King vibes or clean sounds... Later iterations with engraved baseplates can be less exciting but gave me what I wanted during the early and mid 80's, in a Norlin "fretless wonder" 3PU's Custom with ebony fretboard.

For the record, Duncan Jazz / SH2's are really not far to be T-Tops with long magnets, neck/bridge variations and wax potting. Reminder about a topic that I have devoted to this question here: https://forum.seymourduncan.com/thr...utes-to-gibson-patent-sticker-t-tops.6255977/

Last but not least, I don't think T-Tops are "black sheeps". Gibson has released a "T-Type" supposed to clone them and various boutique winders had/have T-Tops style PU's in their catalog : see the multiple Jimi Page sets containing a bridge T-Top copy + a P.A.F. clone for neck position (by ReWind Electric, for instance) but also Manlius or the humbuckers sold by "Solodallas"...

 

[Mincer]

What years were the T-Tops around?

 

[hamerfan]

The T-Tops started in mid 1967 to 1975. Then decals with the Pat. No. changed to an impressed Pat. No. in 1976. From 1977 on they carried a rubber stamped date. In 1981 Shaw took over and brought his PAF like bobbins. Some rare examples had one T-Top bobbin and one new in mid 1981. From June 1981 they became Shaws with the new boobins, new magnet, new rubberstamp system and plain enamel wire. Just the baseplate, the slugs and the screws remained unchanged.