Gibson Pickups: Which One is Right for You?

Gibson pickups have shaped the sound of rock, blues, jazz, and beyond for decades. From the sweet warmth of a ’57 Classic to the right-on-the-limit aggression of Dirty Fingers, these pickups run the gamut on tone range, and each one comes with its own unique flavour and history. But with so many different options, knowing which Gibson pickups are the right ones for you could be a little tricky!

That’s where this guide comes in. We’ll walk you through all the most popular Gibson pickups, explore their sound profiles, and ultimately, help you figure out which ones could best suit your playing style.

Pickups We’ll Be Covering:

CustomBucker
’57 Classic
Burstbucker 1 & 2
Greenybucker
490R & 490T
T-Type
‘70s Tribute Pickups
Dirty Fingers

A Brief History of Gibson Pickups

Before humbuckers came along, single coil pickups were the industry standard. They offered plenty of clarity, but they were also prone to producing a persistent electrical hum. And as guitarists began playing through louder, more powerful amps, this soon became a problem. But in the mid-1950s, Gibson engineer Seth Lover invented the perfect solution: the humbucking pickup.

By placing two coils side by side with opposite polarity and reverse windings, the simple humbucker cancelled out any unwanted noise, getting rid of that dreaded “60-cycle hum”. But just as importantly, it also gave rise to a whole new tonal character: thicker, fuller, warmer, and perfectly suited to the emerging sounds of rock and roll.

Following the breakthrough of the humbucker, 1957 witnessed the creation of the now-legendary PAF (Patent Applied For) pickup. Originally simply a practical innovation, the PAF would go on to define what many consider to be the ultimate vintage guitar tone. With its smooth highs, creamy mids, and just the right amount of output, the PAF has been an endless source of inspiration for pickup design over the years.

Since the 50s, just about every Gibson humbucker has been a variation of this foundational design, refined and tailored to meet the demands of different playing styles and musical genres. Able to tackle everything from the warm, expressive tones of jazz to the unabashed aggression of modern metal and hard rock, Gibson pickups continue to evolve, keeping up with the zeitgeist while still respecting that old school PAF magic.

Why Gibson Pickups Matter

Ever since guitars turned electric, the components that affect the tone you produce have become a much more complicated cocktail. Tonewoods definitely still play a part, but then there are factors like the string gauge you use, the amp and speaker cab you play through, and the electronic components in your instrument. And when it comes to the electronics, the chief proponent at play is, of course, the pickups. They capture the magnetic vibrations you produce when you attack your strings, turning them into the electronic signal that gets sent to your amplifier and speaker, where they’re converted into sound waves. That’s why high-quality pickups are so important: to capture the best quality signal at the source, so you can get the cleanest possible sounds out of your speaker.

If you’re at all familiar with guitars, you’ve heard the name Gibson – and with good reason. Operating out of their factory in Nashville, Tennessee, the company has become nothing short of synonymous with legendary electric guitars. And just as crucially for this article, they’ve also developed a wide variety of pickups over the years, each with its own voice, feel, and vibe. So, no matter whether you’re chasing vintage clarity, modern crunch, or something to really stand out from the pack, you can’t go wrong with Gibson pickups.

Gibson Pickups: The Basics

Today, Gibson offers both humbuckers and P-90s, with humbuckers being arguably their most iconic creation, at least in the world of pups! As the name suggests, humbuckers cancel out (or buck!) the hum and deliver a thicker, fuller sound than single coils can typically manage. But that doesn’t mean single coil pickups don’t have their place. In fact, the company’s P-90 pickups pack a raw, punchy midrange that’s just perfect for blues and garage rock players who need a little bite and clarity.

Within the humbucker family, you’ll find a surprisingly wide range of pickups, all tailored to meet the demands of different eras and styles – 1950s-style PAF replicas to modern high-output screamers.

Gibson’s Most Popular Pickups

CustomBucker

For many, the Gibson CustomBucker is the holy grail pickup in modern instruments. It’s the closest Gibson has come to recreating their original ‘50s PAF pickups, with a mellower sounding Alnico III magnet and smooth, rounded tones on offer. It’s quite simply ‘that’ Gibson sound that you probably have in your head, made famous by legendary players like Jimmy Page, Slash, and so many others.

Warm, airy, and with a touch of vintage sparkle, the CustomBuckers are hard to beat. Unfortunately, they’re just as hard to find – they’re only available in certain Gibson Custom Shop guitars – you can’t purchase them separately.

’57 Classic

The 57 Classic pickup is Gibson’s flagship vintage-style humbucker. Inspired by the PAFs, they’ve got very similar specs to the original; however, the coils are evenly wound to give them a rich, balanced tonal output that the original winding machines could not achieve. They still have that vintage sweetness that you might expect, but with a bit more balance and even distribution over the EQ spectrum.

You’ll often see the 57 Classic pickups in SGs and Les Pauls, as well as some hollow body guitars. They’re versatile and simple, delivering smooth sustain, clear highs, and a robust low end for consistently great guitar tones.

Burstbucker 1 & 2

The Burstbuckers offer a bit more grit and unpredictability than the ‘57 Classics. Purposefully designed to replicate some of the inconsistencies of early PAFs, Burstbuckers feature unbalanced coil windings, giving them a slightly edgier tone.

The Burstbucker 1 is slightly underwound and usually sits in the neck position, while Burstbucker 2 is a touch hotter, perfect for the bridge. Put them together, and you’ve got all the makings for a dynamic, vintage tone with plenty of personality.

Greenybucker

The Greenybucker is inspired by guitarist Peter Green’s legendary out-of-phase Les Paul tone, made famous during his time with Fleetwood Mac. An unpotted pickup, it replicates the reversed-magnet mod that created the hauntingly nasal, almost quacky middle position sound of the near-mythical “Greeny” Les Paul, which over the years has been owned and played by the likes of Green, Gary Moore, and Kirk Hammett.

If you’re looking to explore unique, leftfield, bluesy textures, the Greenybucker is a great choice, quickly becoming a cult favourite since its 2023 release.

490R & 490T

These pickups have become modern-day standards for Gibson’s USA-made instruments. Using Alnico II magnets and slightly hotter windings than vintage models, the 490R (neck) and 490T (bridge) offer more midrange push and output while still maintaining that all-important vintage warmth.

These incredibly versatile pickups have a sweet mid-range with a beautiful singing overdrive tone that works well in everything from rock to pop to blues. You’ll find them in modern Gibson guitars like the SG Special or Les Paul Studio and Tribute models.

T-Type

A throwback to the 1970s, the T-Type pickup was originally made to replace ageing PAFs with a more consistent and slightly brighter tone. Today’s reissues bring that same mid-scooped, articulate sound – great news for players looking for something a little more open and jangly than the typical humbucker.

If you like crisp note separation and vintage warmth, the T-Type is definitely worth thinking about.

‘70s Tribute Pickups

If you want to capture the bold, aggressive tones of 1970s hard rock, these pickups are worthy of investigation! Overwound for higher output, they’re a great choice for crunchy rhythm playing and searing solos, with a definite focus on upper mids and tight lows.

The 70s Tributes pack high-output ceramic magnets that deliver a punchy, in-your-face tone that eats high-gain settings. So, if you’re chasing Thin Lizzy or early Judas Priest tones, these are a solid choice for heavy riff-driven shenanigans.

Dirty Fingers

If heavier genres like metal or hardcore are more your bag, then don’t worry; Gibson has you suitably covered with the Dirty Fingers pickups. With ceramic magnets and an extremely high output, these pickups are made to drive amps to within an inch of their lives and slice through any mix.

Expect nothing but aggressive attack, scooped mids, and massive sustain. They’re not for the faint-hearted, but if you need power and precision in your playing, you can’t go far wrong with these.

How to Buy Gibson Pickups

The easiest way to get your hands on a set of Gibson pickups is the way you’d most expect – buy a Gibson guitar! Whether you go for a Les Paul, SG, an ES Guitar, or even something special from the Gibson Custom Shop, you’re going to get Gibson pickups as standard, installed in the company’s Nashville factory.

But what if you already have your dream guitar? Fear not! Many of these pickups are available as aftermarket options too. As long as your guitar is compatible and you know your way around a soldering iron, you can pick up a set and upgrade your guitar with some Gibson goodness. Swapping pickups isn’t as daunting a task as it sounds, but if you aren’t completely comfortable, don’t take any risks – get in touch with a nearby guitar tech who can complete the work for you.

When buying aftermarket, make sure you check your guitar’s pickup cavity size, wiring configuration, and magnet type preferences. If you’re upgrading from lower-end stock pickups, even a mid-range Gibson pickup could make a real difference to your tone. Don’t forget, you can also experiment with mixing different models. For example, why not try pairing a 490R in the neck with a Dirty Fingers in the bridge for a best-of-both-worlds setup?

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Gibson Pickups: Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between Alnico II and Alnico V magnets in pickups?

Alnico II magnets tend to produce a warmer, softer sound with smoother highs and rounded lows, which is great for vintage-style tones. Alnico V magnets are stronger and provide more output, brighter highs, and tighter lows – just what you need for more aggressive or modern styles.

Are Gibson pickups compatible with non-Gibson guitars?

For the most part, yes – Gibson humbuckers can generally be installed in any guitar with standard humbucker routing and electronics. Just make sure to check things like cavity size, mounting style, and wiring compatibility before you make any changes.

Can I mix different Gibson pickups in the same guitar?

Absolutely! Mixing different pickups is a fantastic way to unlock a really unique sound. Pairing a warmer neck pickup with a hotter bridge pickup is a popular way to broaden your tone options – just make sure they’re matched in output to avoid any very drastic volume differences.

What are ‘unpotted’ pickups?

Unpotted pickups aren’t sealed in wax, giving them more natural resonance and microphonic feedback, which helps you get that vintage tone. However, unpotted pickups can be more susceptible to unwanted squeal at high volumes.

How do I know if I need high-output pickups like Dirty Fingers?

If you play heavy genres, use a lot of distortion, or want your pickups to push your amp hard, high-output models are the way to go. If you prefer clean dynamics and vintage breakup, lower-output pickups might be a better fit.

Are Burstbuckers better than ’57 Classics?

Not necessarily better, just different. Because of their unbalanced coils, Burstbuckers are a bit hotter and more raw, while ’57 Classics are smoother and more refined. It all depends on the sound you’re after.

Does changing pickups affect my guitar’s resale value?

It can. Vintage-correct pickups can increase value for collectors, while there’s a chance that aftermarket swaps might decrease your guitar’s value. But if tone is your biggest priority, the right pickup upgrade could be worth its weight in gold!

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