How To Identify Gibson Pickups?

How to Identify Gibson Pickups

Gibson guitars are known for their iconic sound, and a big part of that sound comes from the pickups. Gibson has used a variety of different pickups over the years, so it can be tricky to identify them just by looking at them. But with a little knowledge, you can easily tell a Gibson pickup from a fake one, and you can also identify the different models of Gibson pickups.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the different types of Gibson pickups, and we’ll discuss how to identify them. We’ll also provide some tips on how to choose the right pickups for your guitar.

So if you’re curious about Gibson pickups, or if you’re looking to upgrade your guitar’s pickups, read on!

Pickup Type	Features	Years Produced
P-90	Single coil, soapbar-shaped	1942-present
Patent Applied For (PAF)	Double coil, with Alnico II magnets	1955-1962
T-Top	Double coil, with Alnico V magnets	1963-1980
490/498	Double coil, with Ceramic magnets	1980-present
57 Classic	Double coil, with Alnico II magnets	1994-present
57 Classic Plus	Double coil, with Alnico II magnets	1994-present
57 Classic Reversed	Double coil, with Alnico II magnets	1994-present
57 Classic Stacked	Double coil, with Alnico II magnets	1994-present
57 Classic Plus Stacked	Double coil, with Alnico II magnets	1994-present
57 Classic Reversed Stacked	Double coil, with Alnico II magnets	1994-present

Gibson is one of the most iconic guitar brands in the world, and their pickups are a big part of what makes their guitars sound so great. But with so many different types of Gibson pickups out there, it can be difficult to know which ones are right for you.

That’s where this guide comes in. In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about Gibson pickups, including how to identify them, what each type of pickup sounds like, and how to choose the right ones for your guitar.

We’ll also cover some of the history of Gibson pickups, and we’ll take a look at some of the most popular Gibson pickup models.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be an expert on Gibson pickups, and you’ll be able to choose the perfect ones for your next guitar build or upgrade.

Pickup Shape and Size (Serial number 1)

One of the easiest ways to identify a Gibson pickup is by its shape and size. Gibson pickups come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but there are a few common ones that you’ll see on most Gibson guitars.

• Single-coil pickups: Single-coil pickups are the most common type of Gibson pickup. They’re typically small and round, and they have a bright, clear sound.
• Humbucking pickups: Humbucking pickups are larger and more rectangular than single-coil pickups. They’re designed to reduce hum, and they have a thicker, warmer sound than single-coil pickups.
• P90 pickups: P90 pickups are a hybrid of single-coil and humbucking pickups. They’re smaller than humbuckers, but they have a thicker sound than single-coil pickups.

Here’s a table that summarizes the different shapes and sizes of Gibson pickups:

| Pickup Type | Shape | Size |
|—|—|—|
| Single-coil | Round | Small |
| Humbucking | Rectangular | Large |
| P90 | Oval | Medium |

Pickup Magnets (Serial number 2)

Another way to identify a Gibson pickup is by its magnets. Gibson pickups use a variety of different magnets, but the most common types are alnico, ceramic, and neodymium.

• Alnico magnets: Alnico magnets are made from a combination of aluminum, nickel, and cobalt. They’re known for their warm, clear sound.
• Ceramic magnets: Ceramic magnets are made from a ceramic material. They’re known for their bright, aggressive sound.
• Neodymium magnets: Neodymium magnets are made from a rare-earth metal. They’re the strongest type of magnet, and they’re known for their high output and tight sound.

Here’s a table that summarizes the different types of magnets used in Gibson pickups:

| Pickup Type | Magnets | Sound |
|—|—|—|
| Single-coil | Alnico | Warm, clear |
| Humbucking | Alnico, ceramic, or neodymium | Warm, thick, or bright, aggressive |
| P90 | Alnico or ceramic | Warm, thick |

In this guide, we’ve taught you everything you need to know about Gibson pickups, including how to identify them, what each type of pickup sounds like, and how to choose the right ones for your guitar.

We hope this guide has been helpful, and we encourage you to experiment with different types of Gibson pickups until you find the ones that sound best for you.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

• [The Gibson Pickup Guide](https://www.gibson.com/en-US/Learn/Guides/The-Gibson-Pickup-Guide)
• [The Ultimate Guide to Gibson Pickups](https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/the-ultimate-guide-to-gibson-pickups)
• [The History of Gibson Pickups](https://www.guitarworld.com/features/history-gibson-pickups)

Pickup covers (Serial number 3)

The pickup covers on a Gibson guitar can help you identify the age and model of the guitar. Gibson has used a variety of different pickup covers over the years, so by knowing what to look for, you can date your guitar with a fair degree of accuracy.

Here is a breakdown of the different types of pickup covers that Gibson has used over the years:

• Nickel covers: Nickel covers were used on Gibson guitars from the 1950s to the early 1960s. They are typically a light silver color, and they have a smooth, polished finish.
• Chrome covers: Chrome covers were used on Gibson guitars from the early 1960s to the early 1970s. They are typically a shiny silver color, and they have a textured finish.
• Gold covers: Gold covers were used on Gibson guitars from the early 1970s to the early 1980s. They are typically a bright gold color, and they have a smooth, polished finish.

In addition to the different colors, Gibson has also used different types of pickup covers over the years. The most common type of pickup cover is the “dog-ear” cover, which has a raised edge around the outside. However, Gibson has also used “bell” covers, which have a smooth, rounded edge, and “soapbar” covers, which are flat and rectangular.

The type of pickup cover can also help you identify the model of your guitar. For example, the Les Paul Standard typically has nickel covers, while the ES-335 typically has chrome covers.

Here is a table that summarizes the different types of pickup covers that Gibson has used over the years:

| Type of cover | Color | Texture | Model |
|—|—|—|—|
| Nickel | Light silver | Smooth | Les Paul Standard, SG Standard, ES-335 |
| Chrome | Shiny silver | Textured | Les Paul Custom, ES-345 |
| Gold | Bright gold | Smooth | Les Paul Deluxe, ES-330 |
| Dog-ear | Raised edge | Smooth | Les Paul Standard, SG Standard, ES-335 |
| Bell | Smooth, rounded edge | Smooth | Les Paul Custom, ES-345 |
| Soapbar | Flat and rectangular | Smooth | Les Paul Deluxe, ES-330 |

Pickup wires (Serial number 4)

The type of pickup wires used in a Gibson guitar can also help you identify the age and model of the guitar. Gibson has used a variety of different pickup wires over the years, so by knowing what to look for, you can date your guitar with a fair degree of accuracy.

Here is a breakdown of the different types of pickup wires that Gibson has used over the years:

• Plain enamel wires: Plain enamel wires were used on Gibson guitars from the 1950s to the early 1960s. They are typically a light brown color, and they have a smooth, shiny finish.
• Formvar wires: Formvar wires were used on Gibson guitars from the early 1960s to the early 1970s. They are typically a dark brown color, and they have a textured finish.
• Tapewound wires: Tapewound wires were used on Gibson guitars from the early 1970s to the present day. They are typically a black color, and they have a smooth, shiny finish.

In addition to the different colors, Gibson has also used different types of pickup wires over the years. The most common type of pickup wire is the “plain” wire, which is made of a single strand of copper. However, Gibson has also used “formvar” wires, which are made of a strand of copper coated in a plastic material, and “tapewound” wires, which are made of a strand of copper wrapped in a tape material.

The type of pickup wire can also help you identify the model of your guitar. For example, the Les Paul Standard typically has plain enamel wires, while the ES-335 typically has formvar wires.

Here is a table that summarizes the different types of pickup wires that Gibson has used over the years:

| Type of wire | Color | Texture | Model |
|—|—|—|—|
| Plain enamel | Light brown | Smooth | Les Paul Standard, SG Standard, ES-335 |
| Formvar | Dark brown | Textured | Les Paul Custom, ES-345 |
| Tapewound | Black | Smooth | Les Paul Deluxe, ES-330 |

By

How can I identify a Gibson pickup?

There are a few ways to identify a Gibson pickup.

• Look for the model number. Gibson pickups are typically stamped with the model number on the back. The model number will be followed by a letter or number that indicates the year of production. For example, a pickup with the model number “490R” was produced in 1949.
• Check the pickup’s appearance. Gibson pickups have a distinctive look that can help you identify them. The most common type of Gibson pickup is the humbucker, which has two coils of wire wrapped around a bar magnet. The coils are typically covered with a metal shield, and the pickup has a metal cover with the Gibson logo.
• Listen to the pickup’s sound. Gibson pickups have a distinctive sound that is often described as warm and full. The sound of a pickup can vary depending on the type of magnet, the number of coils, and the windings.

What are the different types of Gibson pickups?

Gibson produces a wide variety of pickups, each with its own unique sound. The most common types of Gibson pickups are:

• Humbucker pickups: Humbucker pickups have two coils of wire that are wound in opposite directions. This design cancels out the hum that is typically produced by single-coil pickups. Humbucker pickups are typically used for electric guitars, and they are known for their warm, full sound.
• Single-coil pickups: Single-coil pickups have one coil of wire. This design produces a brighter, more articulate sound than humbucker pickups. Single-coil pickups are typically used for electric guitars, and they are popular for genres such as blues, rock, and country.
• P90 pickups: P90 pickups are a type of single-coil pickup that is characterized by its distinctive sound. P90 pickups are typically used for electric guitars, and they are popular for genres such as blues, rock, and country.
• Telecaster pickups: Telecaster pickups are a type of single-coil pickup that is characterized by its bright, twangy sound. Telecaster pickups are typically used for electric guitars, and they are popular for genres such as blues, rock, and country.
• Stratocaster pickups: Stratocaster pickups are a type of single-coil pickup that is characterized by its warm, balanced sound. Stratocaster pickups are typically used for electric guitars, and they are popular for genres such as blues, rock, and country.

**How do I choose the right Gibson pickup for my guitar?

The right Gibson pickup for your guitar depends on a number of factors, including your playing style, the type of music you play, and the tone you are looking for.

If you are a beginner, it is a good idea to start with a humbucker pickup. Humbucker pickups are more versatile than single-coil pickups, and they can produce a wider range of sounds. If you are a more experienced player, you may want to experiment with different types of pickups to find the one that best suits your style of playing.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing a Gibson pickup:

• Your playing style: If you play a lot of heavy metal or hard rock, you may want a pickup with a lot of output and a strong midrange. If you play a lot of blues or jazz, you may want a pickup with a more mellow sound.
• The type of music you play: If you play a lot of genres, you may want a pickup that can produce a variety of sounds. If you only play one genre, you may want a pickup that is specifically designed for that genre.
• The tone you are looking for: Do you want a bright, twangy sound? A warm, full sound? A dark, muddy sound? The tone you are looking for will help you narrow down your choices.

Where can I buy Gibson pickups?

Gibson pickups are available from a variety of retailers, both online and offline. You can also purchase Gibson pickups directly from the Gibson website.

Here are a few retailers that sell Gibson pickups:

• Sweetwater: Sweetwater is one of the largest online retailers of music gear. They carry a wide selection of Gibson pickups, including both new and used models.
• Musicians Friend: Musicians Friend is another large online retailer of music gear. They carry a wide selection of Gibson pickups, including both new and used models.
• Guitar Center: Guitar Center is a chain of brick-and-mortar music stores. They carry a wide selection of Gibson pickups, including both new and used models.
• Gibson: Gibson sells its own pickups

  In this comprehensive guide, we have discussed how to identify Gibson pickups. We started by discussing the different types of Gibson pickups, including the PAF humbuckers, the P-90 single coils, and the mini-humbuckers. We then discussed the different ways to identify Gibson pickups, including by their appearance, their sound, and their serial numbers. Finally, we provided some tips on how to choose the right Gibson pickup for your guitar.

We hope that this guide has been helpful in identifying Gibson pickups. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Here are some key takeaways from this guide:

• There are three main types of Gibson pickups: PAF humbuckers, P-90 single coils, and mini-humbuckers.
• Gibson pickups can be identified by their appearance, their sound, and their serial numbers.
• The best way to choose the right Gibson pickup for your guitar is to experiment with different types and models.