What does 'underwound' mean for this Gibson pickup?

Underwound means the bobbins have fewer turns of copper wire than a standard specification pickup. This results in lower output, increased treble clarity, and a more articulate response.

What type of magnets are used in the Custombucker Underwound?

This pickup uses Alnico III magnets. These are known for providing a lower magnetic pull compared to Alnico V, resulting in a warmer, sweeter tone with more sustain.

Is the Gibson Custombucker Underwound wax potted?

No, these pickups are left unpotted to maintain historical accuracy. This allows for a more open and harmonically rich sound, though it may be more susceptible to feedback at very high gain levels.

What kind of wiring does this pickup use?

It features a vintage-correct shielded single conductor braided pushback wire. This design is faithful to the original 1950s Gibson specifications.

What is the benefit of unbalanced coils in this design?

Unbalanced coils mean the two bobbins have slightly different numbers of windings. This creates a broader frequency response and more overtones compared to perfectly matched coils.

What gauge of wire is used in the construction?

The pickup is crafted using 42 AWG wire, which is the historically accurate gauge used for original PAF humbuckers.

Does this pickup include maple spacers?

Yes, it is built with maple spacers. These are used to help reduce unwanted vibrations within the pickup housing, contributing to a cleaner signal.

What is the purpose of the long leg base plate?

The long leg base plate is a vintage-style mounting bracket. It ensures the pickup sits at the correct height and orientation in traditional Gibson guitar bodies.

What genre of music is this pickup best suited for?

It is ideal for blues, jazz, and classic rock. Its focus on clarity and vintage 'PAF' character makes it perfect for players who value nuanced tonal textures.

How does this compare to a standard Custombucker?

The underwound version has less output and a brighter, more defined high-end. The standard Custombucker has a slightly fuller midrange and more drive.

What finish is available for this specific model?

This specific model features a gold cover, making it suitable for high-end Gibson models like the Les Paul Custom or ES-355.

Is this pickup compatible with modern 4-conductor wiring setups?

No, it uses a single conductor braided wire. This means it is designed for traditional humbucking operation and is not natively set up for coil-splitting without modification.

Gear article

Gibson Custombucker Underwound Alnico III Humbucker

The Gibson Custombucker Underwound is a vintage-inspired humbucking pickup designed to replicate the articulation and clarity of original 1950s 'Patent Applied For' units. Featuring Alnico III magnets and fewer coil windings, it emphasizes high-end overtones and harmonic complexity for a traditional blues and rock aesthetic.

Gibson Custombucker Underwound Alnico III PAF Style Humbucker Pickup Gold

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Background and Design

The Gibson Custombucker Underwound represents a specialized evolution of the standard Custombucker, which is widely regarded as Gibson's most accurate PAF recreation. This specific version is engineered for guitarists who find standard humbuckers too compressed or dark. By intentionally reducing the number of windings on the bobbins, Gibson has created a pickup that operates at a lower output, allowing the natural resonance of the guitar's wood to be more prominent in the signal chain.

Technical Specifications

Constructed with historical accuracy in mind, the pickup utilizes 42 AWG wire and unbalanced coils. The use of unbalanced coils is a critical design choice that mimics the slight inconsistencies found in original vintage pickups, resulting in a more open and complex frequency response. The unit features maple spacers to dampen unwanted vibrations and a long leg base plate for traditional mounting in Gibson-style instruments. For signal integrity, it is equipped with a shielded single conductor braided pushback wire.

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Tonal Character

The combination of an Alnico III magnet and an underwound coil structure produces a sound characterized by sweetness and warmth. Unlike higher-output pickups that may distort the preamp stage quickly, the Custombucker Underwound maintains exceptional clarity and note definition even when played through overdriven amplifiers. It is particularly noted for its 'chime' and the prominence of upper-register harmonics, making it a suitable choice for players who rely on touch sensitivity and volume knob manipulation to control their dynamics.

Historical Accuracy

To satisfy the requirements of purists and vintage restorers, these pickups are left unpotted. The absence of wax potting allows the coils to be more microphonically active, which many players believe contributes to a 'breathier' and more three-dimensional sound. The gold plating and vintage-spec materials ensure that the pickup integrates seamlessly into high-end Custom Shop instruments or vintage restorations.

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Frequently asked questions

What does 'underwound' mean for this Gibson pickup?: Underwound means the bobbins have fewer turns of copper wire than a standard specification pickup. This results in lower output, increased treble clarity, and a more articulate response.
What type of magnets are used in the Custombucker Underwound?: This pickup uses Alnico III magnets. These are known for providing a lower magnetic pull compared to Alnico V, resulting in a warmer, sweeter tone with more sustain.
Is the Gibson Custombucker Underwound wax potted?: No, these pickups are left unpotted to maintain historical accuracy. This allows for a more open and harmonically rich sound, though it may be more susceptible to feedback at very high gain levels.
What kind of wiring does this pickup use?: It features a vintage-correct shielded single conductor braided pushback wire. This design is faithful to the original 1950s Gibson specifications.
What is the benefit of unbalanced coils in this design?: Unbalanced coils mean the two bobbins have slightly different numbers of windings. This creates a broader frequency response and more overtones compared to perfectly matched coils.
What gauge of wire is used in the construction?: The pickup is crafted using 42 AWG wire, which is the historically accurate gauge used for original PAF humbuckers.
Does this pickup include maple spacers?: Yes, it is built with maple spacers. These are used to help reduce unwanted vibrations within the pickup housing, contributing to a cleaner signal.
What is the purpose of the long leg base plate?: The long leg base plate is a vintage-style mounting bracket. It ensures the pickup sits at the correct height and orientation in traditional Gibson guitar bodies.
What genre of music is this pickup best suited for?: It is ideal for blues, jazz, and classic rock. Its focus on clarity and vintage 'PAF' character makes it perfect for players who value nuanced tonal textures.
How does this compare to a standard Custombucker?: The underwound version has less output and a brighter, more defined high-end. The standard Custombucker has a slightly fuller midrange and more drive.
What finish is available for this specific model?: This specific model features a gold cover, making it suitable for high-end Gibson models like the Les Paul Custom or ES-355.
Is this pickup compatible with modern 4-conductor wiring setups?: No, it uses a single conductor braided wire. This means it is designed for traditional humbucking operation and is not natively set up for coil-splitting without modification.