Old Timer 'Top Hat' humbuckers

Regular price: £28.35
Sale price: £28.35
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These are PAF-a-likes, wound to a typical 7.1k in the neck and 8.2k in the bridge. In the 50s, the original PAFs were not made to a specific wind count as all pickups are today, so anything between 7-8.5k can be considered to be a PAF output.

PAFs were made indiscriminately with whichever grade of alnico could be found at the time, probably whichever was cheapest to buy at any given time. These pickups are made with alnico 2, which was commonly found in PAFs, this gives these pickups a more middy, smooth and singing tone.

PAFs were usually made with braided single conductor output leads. These are made with 4 conductor leads. The problem with braided single conductor is that it does not give access to split or parallel modes. With 4 conductor leads, these pickups have access to series, parallel and split and there's no significant tonal difference.

Pole spacings are 50mm neck and 52mm bridge for universal fitting on guitars of all types (that use humbuckers).

Supplied with screws & springs.

Wiring scheme -

Green = hot

Red/white = pickup coil connection (split)

Black = ground

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review Write a review

Gave new life to an old Epi

I have an old Korean Epi which I loved playing but hated the sound of. It had the old "Alnico Classic" pickups and they had a very muddy scooped sound. These Top Hats are a superb replacement and have brought the guitar to life. I can hear every string, dynamics matter, and they clean up considerably when rolled off. The black covers helping with the Jonesy was a bonus!

Good cheap HB not much else to say, well worth the money

Smooth and clear

I ordered a set of Top Hat humbuckers and I am using the neck one in my ash Telecaster custom build. In humbucker mode, it's fat but articulate, lush vintage tones. In split mode it is bright and clear, still round, not piercing.

Cream vintage PAF at this price? It's a steal!

They set looks good, the wires are solid and are cut at the right length, longer for the neck for obvious reasons, installing them was a breeze. The only thing on the cheaper side is the backplate + ears, they are quite filmsy, but they do the job with no issues.