Parsons Street Humbuckers: pickups with real P.A.F. specs

V-5408

These pickups are true to Gibson's original 1950s P.A.F. pickup specs. Great sound at a low price!

Video Transcription

Erick Coleman: It seems like every time I open up a magazine these days, there's a new custom pickup maker selling his high priced version of the classic PAF Humbucker. PAF stands for patent applied for, the name most people use when referring to Gibson's original Humbuckers. These are the pickups that are found in the coveted late fifties Les Paul's, and they are responsible for some of the best tones on the record.

StewMac Parsons Street Humbucker Pickups

The definitive PAF tone is tough to nail down because of the variables that went into making them. A variety of different magnet types were used. Some bobbins had more turns of wire on them than others, and a few diehards even believe that the color of the bobbin in itself plays a role in the overall tone of the pickup. Here's our entry into the PAF game, the StewMac Parsons Street Humbucker.

These new pickups feature plain enamel coil wire wound unevenly onto the bobbins. We also use a wood spacer and single conductor lead wire, just like the originals. They are not wax potted like modern pickups are and the narrow spaced covers are solid nickel silver. We also give you the choice of Alnico two or Alnico five magnets. In a nutshell, Alnico two gives you a smoother tone with less pronounced highs and Alnico five gives you a brighter, clearer tone overall.

Personally, I like the sound of an Alnico five in the neck and an Alnico two in the bridge, but the choice is really up to you. Before you go spending big bucks on a custom made replica, try out one of our Parson Street Humbuckers, I think you'll be glad you did.

[on-screen text reads: Parsons Street 1959 Humbuckers / Back to the Source - stewmac.com]