Gibson Mini Humbuckers pair

Offered for sale:

Used pair of 2015 Gibson Mini Humbucker pickups in excellent condition.

Much has been said of the impact and differences of the mini vs. PAF.

Here are some excerpts from an article published Oct 11, 2018 written by Jamie Wolfert:

Gear History

So, what accounts for this difference in tone? Well, as it turns out, size really is important when it comes to magnetic pickups. The mini-humbucker has almost everything in common with its iconic Seth Lover-designed counterpart, the PAF, except for size. Because of its smaller physical area though, there are major implications for tone: The mini picks up a shorter length of the vibrating guitar string, which directly correlates to less overall low-end content, slightly lower output, and a clearer tone with an abundance of high-end sparkle.

The mini also has lower iron content in its core (due to its size), which further contributes to these characteristics. Fans of this somewhat underutilized transducer love it for its clarity and jangle, as well as its tendency to retain string definition even under the heaviest distortion. A good mini will also grind and sing like nobody's business when pushed hard.

The basic construction of a mini-humbucker is essentially the same as a regular humbucker, only miniaturized. Each coil has a bar magnet underneath of it, with the familiar adjustable pole pieces that most of us would recognize from a PAF-style pickup, each made of a magnetic, iron-based alloy (the technical term for this kind of metal alloy is "ferrous").

The other coil in the pickup also contains a similar ferrous bar magnet, but without the adjustable pole pieces. The only difference in a standard PAF-style design is that, rather than a second, non-adjustable bar magnet, there are typically several metal slugs arranged in series.

In modern times the mini-humbucker has steadily gained respect, as well as a strong cult following among guitarists with a taste for less common tonal flavors. High-profile players like Gorham and Pete Townshend have cemented its legacy as a legitimate tone tool and an iconic pickup design. (Meanwhile, the different mini-humbuckers found in Firebirds were famously used by the likes of Johnny Winter. And a particularly hot Firebird mini-humbucker holds a revered spot in the bridge position of Neil Young's main Les Paul.) It has also experienced something of a renaissance as part of the boutique pickup boom of the last decade.

Celebrated custom winders…have done much to elevate its profile in recent years, [and] bigger mainstream builders like Seymour Duncan and Dimarzio also offer several stock models…The legacy of the mini-humbucker is stronger than ever, ensuring that these pickups and the guitars designed around them will be with us for a long time.

Imperial Guitar says:

We love mini humbuckers. Wish they were on more guitars. Single coil clarity with a character of their own and not like the other famous mini humbucker, the Filter’Tron

Lead LP Deluxe: 860-13395-L (08/07/2015)
DC ohms: ?.??K

Rhythm LP Deluxe: 860-13394-L (08/11/2015)
DC ohms: ?.??K

*Please note: we do our best giving descriptions of used pieces. We have found it impossible to describe every mark on an instrument or amp that is not in the "mint" category. Also, what's important to you may not be important to someone else. For example, you may say, "I don't care what it looks like as long as it plays or sounds well." Another person may say, "Body cosmetics are very important to me so tell me about every scratch, nick and blemish." So, please ask the questions that are most important to you. If you ask they will be answered. They are free and there's no limit. Additional photos can also be made available.

This is a specific item that is also being offered for sale in our brick & mortar location. It is possible that it has just been sold. Please ask if it is still available before purchasing.

*It is our policy to require a signature on delivery of all musical instruments. Please let us know if you prefer no signature required when ordering or we will automatically require a signature.

If you prefer your item to be sent without a required signature Imperial Guitar and the selected carrier can no longer be responsible for the security of the package once it has been delivered.