T-TOP TIME

We’re all PAF-fixated but what’s wrong with the Gibson humbucker that followed it?

The original PAF era gradually ended over the early years of the 60s, as new winding machines gave more consistent turns that were also equally consistent from coil to coil. The plain enamel coil wire was changed around 1964 to a less expensive type with a polyurethane coating, suggest Mario Milan and James Finnerty in their 2018 book, The Gibson “P.A.F.” Humbucking Pickup: From Myth To Reality. Then, around 1965, we’re told the moulding of the bobbins was altered, still of the same butyrate (which changed around ’67 to ABS plastic) but with no square holes and a large ‘T’ embossed on each bobbin hence the T-top nickname. Along with the 42-gauge poly wire, most sources state the early T-tops used short Alnico V magnets (although ThroBak uses Alnico II), which is one reason they’re perceived as sounding brighter than the earlier PAF. As the years progressed there were other changes before the T logo bobbins were dropped (by 1980), the key period being the late 60s/early 70s. The T-top was standard on pretty much any humbucker-spec Gibson electric during a rich time for music and guitar playing. It powered many a guitar great: BB King to Mick Ronson, Jimmy Page to James Williamson, oh, and Angus Young – just the tip of the T-berg. With the combination of the different components and more consistent winding (which typically gives an average DCR of around 7.5kohms), the unpotted pickups sound “different to PAFs, but not as different as some people would have you believe”, reckons Ash Scott-Lockyer at Oil City Pickups. “The chief difference is that both coils were wound with the same number of turns, unlike the rather erratically wound PAF. This, combined with the bright A5 magnet that most use, makes for a biting and aggressive-sounding pickup. True, low in output by modern standards – especially in the bridge position – but [they’re] quite happy when used under heavy drive.”