t-bucker Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 Hi everybody! I'm brand new on this site and was wondering if you could help me determine whether I've been skinned on my latest purchase: an early t-bucker, allegedly from a 1968 SG. It has the patent number stamped into the steel base, but no date-stamp as the newer t-tops have. It measures 7.79K, as opposed to the lower numbers of the newer t-tops. Does a stamped-in patent number (the "wrong" number, ending in 842) automatically mean 1975 or newer? Could this be a real '68? I'd appreciate any help you could offer. Yours in Tone, Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lous1952 Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 First, let me say that no patent stamp pickups were used in 1968. The stamped versions came out in 1975. There are some things that you need to know about Gibson pickups before you buy them. Lots of sellers on ebay say "vintage '60s" when it's not true. There are several variations of Gibson pickups that have the patent number on the bottom. The dates that Gibson pickups were used are always approximate, but these are generally true. 1- Patent number label on the bottom, no T on the bobbins. Used from 1962-1965. Usually nickel or gold screws and covers. These are by far the most valuable non-PAF Gibson pickups. They are essentially the same as the last version of the PAFs but have a different label on them. A set will cost you from $1000-$1500. 2- Patent number label on the bottom, T on the bobbins. Used from 1965-1975. Can be any finish, but chrome or gold is most common. The wire, bobbins, and magnet were changed from the previous version. If you look on top of the bobbins you will see a T on each bobbin. Some times the T is reversed on the bobbin, makes no difference. A set will usually cost from $450-$600. NOTE: YOU CANNOT BE ABSOLUTELY SURE IF YOU HAVE #1 OR #2 WITHOUT REMOVING THE COVERS! IT'S VERY EASY TO CHANGE THE SCREWS AND COVERS AND STILL LOOK ORIGINAL. YOU MUST REMOVE THE COVERS TO BE SURE IF IT'S A PRE T-TOP OR A T-TOP. 3- Patent number stamp on the bottom, T on the bobbins. Used from 1975-1980. Same as #2, but with the patent number stamped on the bottom, no label. From 1977-1980 there was an ink stamp on the bottom with the date and other numbers. Both #2 and #3 can have plastic shielded wire or braided wire, and can have Phillips or slotted screws on the bottom. A set usually goes for $250-$450. 4- Patent number stamp on bottom, no T on bobbins. Used from 1980-1992. The earlier type used in the '80s has the same baseplate as #3 but have different bobbins/wire/magnets. The later '80s-'90s type has a different baseplate too. Go from $150-$250 per set, except for the "Tim Shaw" version, which can go for as high as $600 per set. From your description, if you have T-tops, patent stamp, and no ink date then it's likely a 1975-1977 T-top, #3 above. The descriptions that I gave are condensed versions, but generally accurate as to date. For info on Gibson humbuckers from 1957-1975 go to this site: http://www.provide.net/~cfh/paf.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lous1952 Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 I'm so glad that I went out of my way to give you all of this information. It doesn't even merit a thank you, and that's why I hardly come here anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baxter Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Your knowledge is nothing to me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lous1952 Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Your knowledge is nothing to me... There used to be a lot of knowledgeable people on the old forums. Most of them are gone now because of the crap that went on in the old forums. All it takes is some common courtesy. If someone helps you, then thank them for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjay777 Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Your knowledge is nothing to me... Trust me, Lous knows his Gibsons. You don't have to accept his knowledge, but no need for a sly reply either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibis Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 I'd like to thank lous1959 at least! Just stumbled across this thread, most enlightening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t-bucker Posted March 23, 2008 Author Share Posted March 23, 2008 Geez, I spend a few days away from the forum and everybody thinks I'm an ingrate! First off, I am very grateful for your wise words. It may be bad news, but I needed to hear it. Now I know that Vintage Advertising Ink sold me a $100 pickup for $200 (plus my luthier says it needs $40 for restoration... this thing was in **** shape. Gawd, I feel like such an idiot!!!!!!!!! Again, thanks. ~Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lous1952 Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 This guy Tim sent me an e-mail and explained why he hadn't responded, and thanked me for the information posted. He's a good guy, and his pickup situation should turn out okay. Maybe I'm getting too cynical, there are still some decent people out there. Common courtesy always makes a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t-bucker Posted March 24, 2008 Author Share Posted March 24, 2008 Thanks for posting the happy ending, mi amigo. And did I mention that your SGs totally kick a**? Amazing guitars, and with Vibrolas intact????? As for the aforementioned vendor, he finally e-mailed me back, apologizing for taking so long to answer: something about a sick father (something I know a thing or two about). If he actually does fix the situation to my satisfaction, I will let you all know, and maybe I will ask the administrator to strike any mean things I said about this vendor. But not until I see the refund in my PayPal account. (LOL) I think the vendor just made an honest screwball mistake. Maybe I'm being naive again, but I find that thinking the best of people is better for my dodgy digestion than my usual "mad-at-the-world" mode. ;-) Cheers, Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t-bucker Posted March 30, 2008 Author Share Posted March 30, 2008 Another happy ending: the vendor has tonight made a partial refund with which I am satisfied. The matter is resolved, and a barely-alive t-top is getting some loving care at the hands of a master luthier whom I have trusted for over 20 years. If this forum's moderator chooses to redact the vendor's name from my vitriolic statements, I do nothave a problem with it. I see no reason to drag the business's name through the mud. Once again, I thank you all. Play strong, play happy. ~Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lous1952 Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 It's always nice to get a good resolution. Put that T-top to good use. Good luck- Lou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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