Gibson Pickup Shop Introduces Year-Specific 1957–1960 P.A.F. Reissue Humbuckers

The Gibson Pickup Shop has introduced the 1957-1960 P.A.F. Reissue Sets, a new collection of historically accurate humbucker pickups designed to reproduce the dimensions, materials, appearance, and distinctive tonal characteristics of original Gibson Patent Applied For pickups.

Four new pickup sets capture the full tonal spectrum of the Patent Applied For humbucker, the most sought-after electric guitar pickup in music history.

The collection includes four pickup sets, each with a unique tonal profile shaped by its wire turn count and specific grade of long, rough-cast Alnico magnet. From the tight, articulate response of the 1957 set to the smooth warmth and natural compression of the 1960 set, the collection gives guitarists four distinct interpretations of the celebrated P.A.F. sound. The Gibson Pickup Shop 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1960 P.A.F. Reissue Sets—available at a street price of $799 each—are available worldwide through authorized Gibson dealers, at Gibson Garage locations in Nashville, London and Miami, and on Gibson.com.

After the humbucker debuted on Gibson pedal steels in late 1956, the Patent Applied For pickup first appeared on Gibson electric guitars in early 1957. Although they were not present on the very first units, it was the Patent Applied For decals affixed to the undersides of the pickups that earned P.A.F.s their nickname. First featuring in the electric guitar catalog on the ES-175, the humbucker became the primary pickup for high-end Gibson instruments, including the Les Paul Goldtop, Les Paul Custom, and Les Paul Standard.

Developed through extensive historical research, 3D scanning, scientific analysis, reverse engineering of vintage examples, and original specifications from the Gibson archives, each P.A.F. Reissue Set is built to the same exacting standards as the Gibson 1959 Collector’s Edition Humbucker Sets. The new sets are offered without the Lifton cases, individual serialization, and mounting rings included with the Collector’s Edition sets.

“The original P.A.F. humbuckers have inspired generations of players because they do more than reproduce sound. They respond to the player,” says Jared Brandon, Pickup Product Manager at Gibson. “With the 1957-1960 P.A.F. Reissue Sets, we have recreated four distinct voices from that historic era, giving guitarists the clarity, harmonic complexity, and dynamic feel that made these pickups legendary.”

Each pickup is wound on vintage Gibson coil-winding machines using 42 AWG plain enamel wire and vintage-correct butyrate bobbins. Period-accurate details include maple spacers, steel slugs and keeper bars, two-conductor wiring, True Historic nickel covers, Patent Applied For decals, and authentic tooling marks on the baseplate feet. All four sets feature unbalanced coils and unpotted construction, enhancing harmonic richness, openness, responsiveness, and note definition while preserving the individual tonal identity of each set.

Gibson Pickup Shop 1957 P.A.F. Reissue Set

• The 1957 P.A.F. Reissue Set is the most aggressive and modern-feeling set in the collection. Its long, rough-cast Alnico 5 magnets and unbalanced coils deliver tight, punchy lows, a bright and clear top end, and a slightly scooped midrange. With a fast attack, strong note separation, and articulate response, the 1957 set is designed for players who want vintage P.A.F. character with the power and clarity to cut through a mix. The set features Double Vintage Black butyrate bobbins, True Historic nickel covers, two-conductor wiring, unpotted construction, and average DC resistance readings of 8.1 k ohms for the treble pickup and 7.5 k ohms for the rhythm pickup.

Gibson Pickup Shop 1958 P.A.F. Reissue Set

• The 1958 P.A.F. Reissue Set is the most balanced and versatile set in the collection. Its long, rough-cast Alnico 4 magnets produce even bass and treble, a smooth midrange, and a slightly softer attack than the Alnico 5-equipped 1957 set. Dynamic and responsive, the 1958 set combines warmth with clarity, making it well suited to guitarists who want an expressive P.A.F. voice that performs across a wide range of musical styles. The set features Double Vintage Black butyrate bobbins, True Historic nickel covers, two-conductor wiring, unpotted construction, and average DC resistance readings of 8.3 k ohms for the treble pickup and 7.6 k ohms for the rhythm pickup.

Gibson Pickup Shop 1959 P.A.F. Reissue Set

• The 1959 P.A.F. Reissue Set captures the open, woody, and harmonically rich character associated with classic Burst tone. Its long, rough-cast Alnico 3 magnets and unbalanced coils create a softer bass response, sweet and airy highs, and a pronounced, musical midrange. A looser, more yielding attack provides a highly touch-sensitive feel, while the vocal midrange gives notes and chords an expressive, three-dimensional quality. The 1959 set features Double Vintage White butyrate bobbins, True Historic nickel covers, two-conductor wiring, unpotted construction, and average DC resistance readings of 8.1 k ohms for the treble pickup and 7.7 k ohms for the rhythm pickup.

Gibson Pickup Shop 1960 P.A.F. Reissue Set

• The 1960 P.A.F. Reissue Set is the smoothest and warmest set in the collection. Its long, rough-cast Alnico 2 magnets and unbalanced coils produce warm, rounded lows, gently rolled-off highs, and a strong, sweet midrange. With the softest attack of the four sets and slight natural compression, it is suited to singing lead tones, expressive bends, and vintage blues character. The set features Double Vintage Black butyrate bobbins, True Historic nickel covers, two-conductor wiring, unpotted construction, and average DC resistance readings of 8.6 k ohms for the treble pickup and 8.0 k ohms for the rhythm pickup.

Developed using 3D scanning, scientific analysis, reverse engineering of original late-1950s examples, and specifications from the Gibson archives, the 1960 set reproduces the dimensions, appearance, and sound of the vintage Patent Applied For humbucker. It uses 42 AWG plain enamel wire wound on vintage Gibson coil winders, maple spacers, and vintage-correct steel slugs and keeper bars, with period details extending to the Patent Applied For decals and tooling marks on the baseplate feet.

Gibson used different grades of Alnico magnets and varying wire turn counts during the original Patent Applied For era. Those variations helped give individual vintage pickups their distinctive tonal personalities and contributed to the enduring fascination surrounding them. Original P.A.F. pickups remain among the most sought-after vintage guitar components, prized for their openness, harmonic complexity, dynamic response, and connection to many of the most influential electric guitar sounds ever recorded.

Packaged as sets of two for the treble and rhythm positions, the Gibson Pickup Shop 1957-1960 P.A.F. Reissue Sets bring the celebrated sound of original Patent Applied For pickups to modern guitarists without the search for scarce vintage examples. Different wire turn counts and grades of long, rough-cast Alnico magnets give each set its own tonal profile, offering four distinct ways to experience the feel, character, and musical expressiveness of the original Gibson humbucker.

The Gibson Pickup Shop continues Gibson’s tradition of pickup design and manufacturing, drawing on decades of innovation, archival specifications, and hands-on craftsmanship. From historically accurate recreations to modern high-performance designs, Gibson pickups are developed to give musicians distinctive voices, dynamic response, and an authentic connection between player and instrument.