Your favorite humbucker pickup?

[Funster]

I'm no expert but I replaced the 490s in my Gibson SG Faded with Gibson 57 classic/classic + bridge along with replacing pots with 500Ks. Tone heaven and very versatile.

[kris]

Duncans HotRails neck and bridge...in my Tele.

[newsense]

Bearing in mind what the acronym PAF implies, does anybody know whether Gibson were ever awarded the patent ?

I have always assumed, from the fact that virtually every other manufacturer has copied the original design, that the patent was not awarded. That is, unless the copies only appeared after the patent expired. What's the story ?

As the whole world has seemingly copied the orignal Fender and Lover designs (with one or two notable exceptions), what effect has this had on the evolution ofthe guitar ? The fact that all humbuckers appear to be only minor variations on the original seems to imply that Gibson got it completely right almost at their first attempt. Can that be true ?

What I find even more disturbing is that we appear to slavishly cling to the notion that 50's buckers are "by right" much better than new technology can produce (hence the success of companies such as Bareknuckle that get most of their sales from highly accurate copies of 50s tech).

OK there are new concepts out there, e.g. the VOX Three 90 system - but these are only a combination of single coil and humbucker. Plus, I don't hear exclamations of how great these are on this forum.

As a physicist it bugs me that pickup design concepts were apparently frozen over 50 years ago. Maybe its time for a new concept the utilizes Quantum Electrodynamics to its full potential. The HiggsBucker, perhaps ?

Now, finally, to answer the OP's question: I have an SD Jazz (neck) and JB (bridge) in my Godin Flat Five. Are they my favourites ? - No idea, I have never had enough funds to waste on A/Bing lots of other options in the same guitar with the same amp - however I can certainly say they are more articulate and have a more pleasing blend of harmonics than the stock Godins.

[SamBooka]

patent was issued in the late 50s.. but they continued to use the PAF sticker until they ran out.. (early 60).. the later pickups are refered to as Pat No with may or may not be the same as original PAFs depending on whom you ask.

EDIT: Something in my brain says that even when they did put the patent number on there they put the wrong one just to make it difficult for people to find info on the pickup (this was before google)

I might be mistaken with the patent numbers fender used on their headstocks..

[Help!I'maRock!]

patent was issued in the late 50s.. but they continued to use the PAF sticker until they ran out.. (early 60).. the later pickups are refered to as Pat No with may or may not be the same as original PAFs depending on whom you ask.

EDIT: Something in my brain says that even when they did put the patent number on there they put the wrong one just to make it difficult for people to find info on the pickup (this was before google)

I might be mistaken with the patent numbers fender used on their headstocks..

also, Gretsch was awarded a patent for their humbucker at around the same time. but patents only lasted 17 years, and it's no surprise that both Larry DiMarzio and Seymour Duncan both came to prominence in the late 70s.

[Modern Saint]

Duncan Jazz or Duncan '59 Neck

[newsense]

Mr Saint

Duncan Jazz or Duncan '59 Neck

Why ? - and how do they compare ?

Should I swap my Jazz for a '59 ? (rhetorical question).

[Modern Saint]

I would not swap the 59 for the jazz. I use both pickups in various guitars for different apps. Because I play different styles of music, I have found the jazz more to my taste with a '59 bridge in the tail. As for a '59 in the neck, very responsive and great sounding for more rock oriented tones but by rolling off the tone control and tame the volume, you can get a great jazz tone. If I were to purchase between the two at this moment, I would go with the jazz. Not as hot as '59 but very, very smooth.