Metropoulos Forum

Hi guy's, just wondering about these late 60's to late 70's Gibson Pick ups. Are they paf type. Does anyone clone these ? Thanks.

Tone Slinger wrote:Hi guy's, just wondering about these late 60's to late 70's Gibson Pick ups. Are they paf type. Does anyone clone these ? Thanks.

Hey, TS. Those "T" top pickups are really not too big of a deal. A (good) PAF would smoke it. An actual PAF (or a good clone) has a slightly bigger magnet, and is usually wound hotter, and with somewhat of an unbalanced coil pairing... its what gives them "that" tone. I dont think anybody clones "T" tops cause I think most players would rather have a PAF, or an overwound PAF clone instead. IMO, the only reason to spend some money on those pups, would be to restore a late '60's-'70's guitar to spec if the original pups had been changed. Think about it: not too many '70's Gibsons sound all that great, compared to a late '50's~early '60's Gibson!! /

So there isnt anything 'special' about them huh ? I'll just get a couple '59's then.

SD '59s are close.
highorder made me a pair of t top style pups. I love them

Tone Slinger wrote:So there isnt anything 'special' about them huh ? I'll just get a couple '59's then.

Im not really nuts about the SD '59's. A little "flat" sounding, IMO. One of the closest pups to an actual PAF that Ive heard, that is still within reason price wise is the Duncan Seth Lover, and also the Antiquity. I think the WCR crossroads is even better, but they're a little pricey. IMO, one of the best pups from ANYBODY is the WCR Fillmore neck/bridge set (NOT just cause its my handle on this forum ). They sound REALLY close to Duane Allmans tone (thru the right amp of course) on the live Fillmore East recordings. According to WCR, he did not follow any formula at all to replicate that tone--he just did whatever it took to get that exact tone. They read higher on a DVM than a regular PAF, but they're not significantly hotter in output. Look 'em up on Harmony Central. The Fillmores are killer.

here's a clip of my highorder t tops:
http://snotpope.com/downloads/20_Bones/Track%2002.mp3

Fill, are these pu's you mentioned alnico 5 ? I got alnico 2's in my custom custom, and they seem a little 'softer' than I would like, as well as that particular pick up being WAY too hot.

Great sound there Roe ! How much for the High order pu's ?

Tone Slinger wrote:Fill, are these pu's you mentioned alnico 5 ? I got alnico 2's in my custom custom, and they seem a little 'softer' than I would like, as well as that particular pick up being WAY too hot.
Great sound there Roe ! How much for the High order pu's ?

Im not sure of the magnet he uses in the Fillmore's, but Im sure if you call Jim Wagner, he would tell you. The Fillmore is NOT a soft sounding pickup, but it is also not at all harsh. It has a great top end sizzle that is never annoying, and it is also very warm, harmonic and musical. The Crossroads set is a real close replica of Claptons tone from the Cream era. Its supposed to be WCR's version of a PAF, and its very close. The Goodwood set is basically a slightly pumped up PAF. They're all great, but to me, the Fillmore's are just the shit, at least thru my amps, which are all Marshall-esq. Here's a link to his site: http://www.wcrguitar.com/

Thanks bro !

Roe wrote:here's a clip of my highorder t tops:
http://snotpope.com/downloads/20_Bones/Track%2002.mp3

I think that sounds great.

Tone Slinger wrote:...
Great sound there Roe ! How much for the High order pu's ?

thanks! I don't remember the exact price - it was the standard price 55$+.
I got degaussed magnets

What do the degaussing do to the tone ?

Tone Slinger wrote:What do the degaussing do to the tone ?

It sort of softens the tone up, but not in a bad, or weak kinda way. It simulates aged mags, like old PAF's.

Love 'em ! In LP's or SG's
Yes... and because they have "that" sound.
A very good run of pickups they were...

I went for the angus and EC SG sound. both have used 1964 patent # pups and angus has been using t tops