JGravelin Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 A month ago I was contacted by a small, boutique guitar maker about building an 8 set run of my best PAF replica humbuckers: 49.2mm USA-made long leg frames, solid core butyrate bobbins, 42 gauge Plain Enamel wire, unplated PAF correct spec slugs, screws, and keeper bar, Alnico 2 neck and Alnico 5 bridge, and a mix of single braided and 4 conductor lead wires. Half with unplated raw nickel-silver covers, half without, and lightly wax potted. We spent about 7 hours total in discussion via phone and email - I sent a prototype set which he received and glowingly approved of, and then I went ahead and ordered everything I needed as he indicated he was ready to move forward and would be sending the payment immediately. Sounds great right? After I acquired all the parts I let him know I was ready to begin winding and building his pickups - and he stopped returning emails and phonecalls, essentially 'ghosting' me and leaving me with a considerable debt. I'll admit that I was mad for a few days but have opted to take a lesson from this and move forward. The upside is that thankfully I didn't start winding anything, otherwise I really would have been screwed. When life hands you lemons, make lemonade! I'd normally sell these for $200 ea./ $400 for the covered set - $180 ea./ $360 for the uncovered set ... but I'd rather make a bunch of my guitar playing HFC brethren happy and turn this bitter experience into something positive. These are the absolute best and most authentic PAF replicas I've been able to come up with, right down to the manually threaded screw pole side with 100% solid contact with the frames just Gibson used to do. The prototype set I built for him with his magnet choice (A2 neck, A5 bridge) was 7.6k and 8.6k respectively. I'll put these up against anyones best of the same build with full confidence. If you want different magnets or a different wind, let me know and I'll wind to suit your needs. - HFC Supporting Member pricing - Uncovered, your choice of bobbin colors and output lead wire (Single, 2, or 4 conductor): $230.00/set + $11.00 shipping/insurance/tracking = $241.00 Raw unplated nickel silver covers with your choice of bobbin colors underneath, your choice for lead wire: $250.00/set + $11.00 shipping/insurance/tracking = $261.00 If you're not an HFC Supporting Member, get in touch and we'll work something out. Should you have questions, again please get in touch. I'm always glad to help in any way I can. Thank you!
veatch Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 I'll take a nickel covered pair. I'll hit you with an email later tonight. To everyone else, this is a smoking deal...
mrjamiam Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 Another covered set for me, please. Email coming. Josh's pickups rule!
Frogburger Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 Great timing! If you will ship to Japan, I'd like an uncovered set.
JGravelin Posted October 23, 2016 Author Posted October 23, 2016 I will ship to Japan but the shipping fee will obviously be higher. I will check on this and will contact you within 24 hours with the exact cost and we can move forward from there. Thank you for your interest - you'll be hearing from me soon!
ptm1diver Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 Josh if you will ship to Arnold Maryland I'll take some. Let's talk. Paul
tomteriffic Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 Josh: Uncovered, black/zebra 4 conductor?
tomteriffic Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 By the way, your inbox is full. PS, can PP immediately. Although you've heard that before, quite recently.
cmatthes Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 This is an unreal deal, guys. Josh is THE MAN!!
Dave Scepter Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 Hi Josh, I will also take a Covered/zebra/single braided conductor set with a slightly overwound Bridge please~ Please PM me with your PayPal address~ Thanks, Dave
JGravelin Posted October 24, 2016 Author Posted October 24, 2016 My inbox has been cleared up so fire away! Sorry about that fellas - apparently things got away from me there. mrjamiam: working on your set now! veatch: fire when ready, amigo. frogburger: as i mentioned, you'll be hearing from me shortly on shipping. ptm1diver: you're a superstar. tomterrific: thanks for the heads up, yes yes yes, and check your box! cmatthes: thank you! hi5 dave scepter: yup! let's do this. check your box. The HFC is such a great place and you guys are turning a sour deal into something really cool! I love building pickups, but love it even more when I know they are going to great people. Thank you again. 2 more sets left ...but heck, if you guys want 'em I'll keep this rolling until the wheels fall off.
LucSulla Posted October 24, 2016 Posted October 24, 2016 I feel like these would make a very nice 2013 LP Traditional even better.
geoff_hartwell Posted October 24, 2016 Posted October 24, 2016 Josh, you are the man. And are a shining example of the greatness of the HFC, thank you. ill def take a set if you have one left, and I'd love to talk to you about coil splitting options for more. please email me at thegeoffhartwellband@yahoo.com and you Rock.
Jakeboy Posted October 24, 2016 Posted October 24, 2016 I don't have a need for more PAFs right now and the Shlabotnik sisters ain't going anywhere in my Ultimate.....but damn. This makes me wanna buy a guitar just so I have a need. Thanks for doing this,
ptm1diver Posted October 24, 2016 Posted October 24, 2016 Wan Chin Dung said, Youza HFCers can neva haves too many humzbuckers.
hamerhead Posted October 24, 2016 Posted October 24, 2016 A screaming deal for sure. And try the Cowpie Customs™. They will amaze.
JGravelin Posted October 24, 2016 Author Posted October 24, 2016 Seriously and no foolin': the HFC is the coolest guitar forum out there and it's the people that make it, so THANK YOU! All 8 sets have been spoken for, but as I said: I'll keep this deal going for a bit longer. LucSulla: Burstbuckers in that guitar? Or are they Custom Buckers? Either way, in the right guitar either of those pickups can be stellar! I'm usually of the mind that if it sounds good, then that's all I need. But then also, I get curious about things and like to try stuff out! If I can help you, please get in touch. Geoff: Email sent! Jake and PTM: There's nothing at all wrong with having more guitars...and more guitars...and more... Hamerhead: I'm glad to hear you're still digging that custom pickup I built for you! Nice trademark ...do I need to license it from you? One more thing: With those raw nickel silver covers, because they are raw and have no plating on them there's small scratches from manufacture which bothers my eyes a little to see. So I decided to take things a step further and buff out each cover by hand. Sure it takes time and is an extra step but the end result is pretty sweet. Check it out:
ptm1diver Posted October 24, 2016 Posted October 24, 2016 Josh you can never have too many guitars. Please no superstar talk. You will ruin my image. AH, SH, .... ok?
LucSulla Posted October 25, 2016 Posted October 25, 2016 5 hours ago, hertzsogud said: LucSulla: Burstbuckers in that guitar? Or are they Custom Buckers? Either way, in the right guitar either of those pickups can be stellar! I'm usually of the mind that if it sounds good, then that's all I need. But then also, I get curious about things and like to try stuff out! If I can help you, please get in touch. I believe it is a 57 Classic in the neck and 57 Classic Plus in the bridge. I was definitely tempted even though I like them.
JGravelin Posted October 25, 2016 Author Posted October 25, 2016 Luc, the Classic and Classic + are fine sounding, well-made pickups and in the right guitar with the right player- pure gold. Don't fix it if it ain't broke! I am the absolute worst at self-promotion and chest thumping braggery. I disagree with the psychology behind those that feel the need to do it and it doesn't jibe with who I am or how I want to put myself out there. That said, if you want 'more' ...collectively, you HFC peeps have me in your backpocket.
Ting Ho Dung Posted October 26, 2016 Posted October 26, 2016 On 10/24/2016 at 8:53 AM, Jakeboy said: This makes me wanna buy a guitar just so I have a need. Thanks for doing this, I can help you out there.
JGravelin Posted November 12, 2016 Author Posted November 12, 2016 Hi!! Almost everyones sets will be shipping on Monday, with the remainder going out on Tuesday. I'll be sending tracking numbers in that time so keep an eye peeled! I hope everyones having a great weekend! I'll post pictures later on - right now I can't be bothered with it because I'm finishing up on all your pickups. Rock forth, amigos!
cmatthes Posted November 13, 2016 Posted November 13, 2016 I have seriously been trying to figure out which guitar needs these...so far, I'm down to my '81 LPCustom...
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