Incoming NGD...

ivan H said:
Yes, surprises me that more people aren't using them, really good pickups IMO. What I like with these slightly overwound ones in the bridge is they'll balance up well with a stock T top in the neck. Or on the bridge only, roll the volume back around 8 & they are just like a stock T top in the bridge, with that little extra in reserve. Vineham are really well priced too, & well made. Cheers
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gball said:
Yumm...T-Tops
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I have 2 questions about these pickups

1. How does someone identify T-tops by looking at them (or maybe you don't)
2. Are these made now? Are they like PAFs in that it is not necessarily vintage, just a version of pickup made to sound like vintage PAFs, or do you have to go out and find old ones? I have seen many, many, many PAF style pups for sale, but I never see T-top style pickupos for sale.
 
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RVA said:
So you have this and the rosewood tele next week and the custom build soon after? Wow, this will be dizzying!!
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Right...the Tele and the Artinger are both scheduled to arrive on Wednesday!

I just talked to Ian about the custom build and it will be 2 or 3 more weeks...which with him means August in my experience.
No matter how great the guitar turns out to be the headache and missed completion dates have made it a discouraging ordeal.
He just has a give a poop attitude about keeping his promises and comes up with excuse after excuse why he's behind...
 
RVA said:
I have 2 questions about these pickups

1. How does someone identify T-tops by looking at them (or maybe you don't)
2. Are these made now? Are they like PAFs in that it is not necessarily vintage, just a version of pickup made to sound like vintage PAFs, or do you have to go out and find old ones? I have seen many, many, many PAF style pups for sale, but I never see T-top style pickupos for sale.
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They are identified by looking for T on the bobbin tops. And as far as I know they are vintage Gibson Pup's from the 1970's

Someone will come along and correct me I'm sure...
 
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Sp8ctre said:
Right...the Tele and the Artinger are both scheduled to arrive on Wednesday!

I just talked to Ian about the custom build and it will be 2 or 3 more weeks...which with him means August in my experience.
No matter how great the guitar turns out to be the headache and missed completion dates have made it a discouraging ordeal.
He just has a give a poop attitude about keeping his promises and comes up with excuse after excuse why he's behind...
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That sucks, but it will wash away if it feels good in your hands.
 
T top have a capital T between the middle poles of the coils, which was to identify the top of the coil when winding & assembling the pickup.C__Data_Users_DefApps_AppData_INTERNETEXPLORER_Temp_Saved Images_a132505455_Xyv6b-O.jpg
You can see it clearly here. Thus the name T top. They came immediately after the PAF's & there is a couple of different "eras" of T top. Unfortunately, many were ripped straight out & binned, replaced with dimarzio super distortions, which is a real shame. A covered one may be discernable from the ink stamp or sticker (depending on era) on the back, otherwise you cant tell without removing the cover. Gibson no longer makes them, though a 490r with the magnet changed to a short (I'll get back to with exact length), rough cast A5 is a T top, apparently. A few winders do offer a T top. Manlius Pickups offer stock or overwound to 8.8k, (Manlius Vinyl) though I haven't tried these. Also Vineham Pickups offer a stock T top set (60/70 Classic) or a stock neck & overwound to 8.8k bridge set (60/70), of which I have the bridge pickup. Great pickup at a good price. Hope this helps. Cheers
Edit; magnet length is 2.36". Cheers
 
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ivan H said:
T top have a capital T between the middle poles of the coils, which was to identify the top of the coil when winding & assembling the pickup.View attachment 5188
You can see it clearly here. Thus the name T top. They came immediately after the PAF's & there is a couple of different "eras" of T top. Unfortunately, many were ripped straight out & binned, replaced with dimarzio super distortions, which is a real shame. A covered one may be discernable from the ink stamp or sticker (depending on era) on the back, otherwise you cant tell without removing the cover. Gibson no longer makes them, though a 490r with the magnet changed to a short (I'll get back to with exact length), rough cast A5 is a T top, apparently. A few winders do offer a T top. Manlius Pickups offer stock or overwound to 8.8k, though I haven't tried these. Also Vineham Pickups offer a stock T top set (60/70 Classic) or a stock neck & overwound to 8.8k bridge set (60/70), of which I have the bridge pickup. Great pickup at a good price. Hope this helps. Cheers
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Yes it does. More people should make new copies.

Similar to these, I do not understand why BL Circuit pickups did not get more respect. I think they are awesome
 
While there was a lot of variation in both the winding & magnets used in PAF's, T tops are very consistent, symmetrically wound coils & always the short A5, so they typically sound pretty much the same. I have the Vineham 60/70 bridge wound to 8.8k & also another, off an Australian winder that I've used over the years, also wound to 8.8k. I've A/B'd them in both my SG & LP & there's no discernable difference even though they're from different winders. Cheers
Edit; the Vineham pickups are $160 (Canadian dollars) a pair (humbuckers) & $80 for single, & $10 extra for covers. Canadian $'s makes them a good price. Cheers
 
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Nothing like a nice USA Gibson Les Paul. Copies can be nice, but nothing beats the real thing ;)
 
RVA said:
Cool! I know Chili loves them. Time to do some investigating.

BTW, I think it is so cool to see your guitar on my chair in your avatar. Small world indeed!!
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I have a set of his in my crescent moon faded V.
I just ordered(2 days ago) another set of the same spec for my matching SG.
Though neither set contains a T top, I got just what I asked for from him the first time, and hopefully the second time. He's been very responsive via email, and seems happy to find the right solution for a request.
My latest order came to $203 shipped....1 zebra, and 1 nickel/black.
I believe SGJohn is a fan too, he was the one that I learned about these from.
 
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