The most historically accurate Patent Applied For pickup replicas ever made

The Gibson Pickup Shop is very proud to introduce the 1957-1960 P.A.F. Reissue Sets. Each pickup set in this series has a unique tone profile from different wire turn counts and different grade, long, rough-cast magnets. The new 1957 P.A.F. Reissue Set is crafted to the same exacting standards as our 1959 Collector’s Edition Humbucker™ Sets, but without the Lifton™ cases, individual serialization, and mounting rings.

Using a combination of 3D scanning, scientific analysis, reverse engineering of original examples from the late 1950s, and specifications from the Gibson archives, the new Gibson 1957 P.A.F. Reissue Set accurately reproduces the vintage Patent Applied For humbucker dimensions, appearance, and most crucially, sound. They use 42 AWG plain enamel wire, wound on our vintage coil winders using Double Vintage Black butyrate bobbins, long, rough cast Alnico 5 magnets, maple spacers, vintage-correct steel slugs and keeper bars, and True Historic nickel covers. They’re vintage-correct, right down to the Patent Applied For decals and even the tooling marks on the baseplate feet. Their unbalanced coils and Alnico 5 magnets give them a tight, punchy low end, bright, clear top end, and slightly scooped midrange. Alnico 5 has a fast attack and is very articulate, with strong note separation. This is the most aggressive and modern-feeling of the P.A.F. Reissue Sets; clear and powerful, and great for cutting through a mix.

After debuting on Gibson lap steels in late 1956, the Patent Applied For humbucker first appeared on Gibson electric guitars in early 1957. Although they were not present on the very first units, it was the Patent Applied For decals affixed to the undersides of the pickups that earned P.A.F.s their nickname. First featuring in the electric guitar catalog on the ES-175™, the humbucker became the primary pickup for high-end Gibson instruments, including the Les Paul™ Goldtop, Les Paul Custom, and Les Paul Standard, while the more student-oriented models, like Les Paul Juniors and Specials, retained the single-coil P-90.

Gibson used a variety of different Alnico magnet types throughout the Patent Applied For era. No matter which magnet type they have within them, vintage P.A.F. pickups are some of the most highly valued pickups on the used market, when you can find someone willing to part with theirs. Now, you don’t have to hunt for pickups that deliver that vintage tone. Packaged in sets of two for treble and rhythm position use, the 1957 P.A.F. Reissue Set delivers vintage Patent Applied For pickup sound without the vintage price tag. Order a set today and see why so many players have praised the P.A.F. tone for decades.

• Position: Both (Set of Two)
• Magnets: Alnico 5
• Wiring: 2-Conductor
• Cover: True Historic Nickel
• Double Vintage Black Butyrate Bobbins
• Unpotted
• Average DC Resistance: 8.1k (Treble), 7.5k (Rhythm)
• 42 AWG plain enamel wire
• Details: Historically accurate P.A.F. pickup replicas with Double Vintage Black butyrate bobbins and unbalanced coils, with tight, punchy lows, bright, clear top, and slightly scooped mids.