Mahogany Explorer pickup ques: 500T replacement

[SGplayer]

How can you identify Gibson pickups? Mine just have a Patent # on them.

Then you have Gibson pat. number PAF's.

[maxboost]

hmmm...thanks. mine are black with no cover the Pat # ended in ...842 I think, and they both were the same.

[SGplayer]

Yes ending 842. You can solder or glue in some Gibson covers if you like that look. <p>

[straycat]

Real PAFs have just the PAF sticker as do the 57s.The Shaw(gibson) pickups will have 137 and 138 stamped on the base plate.Shaws were used in the customs and studios from 82-84.

[SGplayer]

Should have said pat. number Gibson pickups.

[442w30]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Looking into the pots/capacitor first.

I tend to like duncans so far, but I am sceptical that the custom is the "magic" pickup for me. I really like them in Alder/Basswood bolt on strats, but you never know.

I would be willing to check on a dimarzio SD or Duncan JB since I didn't like them in the stratty guitars, the difference in wood makes sense to me.

The miracle man is tempting too.

I am surprised that no one mentioned a dirty fingers or seconded my Gibson Alnico Pro II thought.