The Eternal PAF Replica Humbucker Set is the result of years of research, hands-on experience with vintage Gibsons, and obsessive dedication to recreating the open, articulate magic of the original late-‘50s PAF pickups. Revered as the Holy Grail of electric guitar tone, original Patent Applied For pickups from Gibson’s golden era have become legendary for their unique blend of warmth, clarity, and touch sensitivity — a tone that’s remarkably open, transparent, and far brighter than many modern players expect.
Our PAF Replicas capture that rare voice, delivering the woody, dynamic chime that lets the natural character of the guitar shine through, all while retaining the singing, microphonic edge that allows your amp to breathe and bloom with musical feedback — just as the originals did.
True to the Original PAF Design
When Seth Lover first designed the humbucker, his goal was simple — to create a pickup with the warmth and clarity of a P90, but without the hum. The very earliest PAFs stayed true to that goal, offering rich, open tones with moderate output and the kind of blooming dynamics that respond beautifully to touch, picking attack, and volume changes.
Modern overwound humbuckers often sacrifice this openness for power — but the Eternal PAF Replicas faithfully preserve that clear, three-dimensional voice, ensuring every note retains its depth, detail, and harmonic complexity.
Painstakingly Crafted — Inside & Out
To recreate these iconic pickups, we sourced the finest components available, each selected to match original 1950s specifications. From the butyrate bobbins to the sandcast magnets, every detail has been meticulously recreated. Even the nickel silver baseplates, maple spacers, and unpotted nickel covers — all contribute to the airiness, clarity, and touch sensitivity that define a great PAF.
The coils are wound with Plain Enamel 42 AWG copper wire, following our own refined winding patterns, developed through years of hands-on work with genuine vintage PAFs. The result is a pickup that nails the DC resistance and tonal subtleties found in the best original examples.
Key Features
- Authentic recreation of late-‘50s Gibson PAF pickups
- Butyrate bobbins, true to vintage construction
- Sandcast magnets, just like the originals
- Correct fillister pole screws for accurate aesthetics and performance
- Nickel silver baseplates — lightweight and true to spec
- Un-potted nickel covers for open tone and natural microphonics
- Maple spacers — an often-overlooked detail crucial to authentic response
- Plain Enamel 42 AWG copper coil wire for vintage-correct clarity and dynamics
- Scatter-wound by hand for organic harmonic complexity and touch sensitivity
- Matched pair available aged or unaged to suit your guitar
Tonal Profile
- Lows: Warm, round, and articulate — never muddy
- Mids: Open, airy, and rich in harmonic detail
- Highs: Clear and singing, with natural presence and edge
- Overall: Woody, dynamic, and alive, with exceptional touch sensitivity and a subtle microphonic quality that brings your amp to life.
Specifications
- DC Resistance: ~7k - 7.5k
- Magnets: Sandcast Alnico 2 or Alnico 4 (custom options available)
- Wire: 42 AWG Plain Enamel
- Covers: Un-potted nickel
- Baseplates: Nickel silver
- Spacers: Maple
- Pole Screws: Fillister head
- Bobbin Material: Butyrate
The Ultimate Vintage Humbucker Experience
Few players ever get the chance to play a real ‘50s Burst, but with the Eternal PAF Replicas, you can experience the same open, dynamic, beautifully musical voice that helped define rock, blues, and jazz for generations. Whether you’re restoring a vintage instrument or upgrading your favourite modern guitar, the Eternal PAF Replicas offer the closest possible connection to the golden era of tone — all handcrafted with boutique precision and passion.
