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Vintage  Electric  Guitar  Transducers

I’m extensively traveling the world at the moment, and since the pandemic I have found no one who can build sets to my quality standards except me. So … please Contact ME prior to placing any order to ensure I can build your set in a time-frame that fits your needs! Email: Vaughn@VaughnSkow.com       

For custom orders, questions, or buy direct, click on "contact"

1954 Historic Stratocaster®

 

This was the year that Leo Fender and Freddie Tavares's iconic design would shape generations of musicians to come.  Producing tones that are bright and sparkly as well as warm and woody, many consider these early AlNiCo III pickups to be the true Holy-Grail of Strat tone.

Dead-on vintage specs include: 

  • Vintage correct black vulcanized fiber work (bottom flatwork 0.093", top flatwork 0.062")

  • 0.195" Alnico III vintage staggered sand cast polepiece magnets E: 0.671  A: 0.671  D: 0.710  G: 0.671  B: 0.630  E: 0.650

  • Vintage pickup height tension conical spring

  • Vintage Nickel Pickup height adjustment screws

  • Pickup covers - your choice of white or cream

  • Vintage cloth  push-back pre-tinned wireleads

  • Vintage Heavy Formvar 42ga copper magnet wire.

  • Available ONLY with Historic ageing treatment, except by request.

  • With historic Formvar Lacquer potting.

  • Available in Vintage-spec all NORTH-up orientation or with Reverse-Wound/Reverse Polarity middle pickup for hum cancellation in combination positions 2 and 4 on modern 5-way Stratocaster pickup switches. . (Please note that original 1954 pickups were all wound in the same direction and same polarity, but those guitars only had 3-way Switches! If you want hum-cancelation in positions 2 and 4, don't choose all-north polarity.)

 

1959 Historic Stratocaster®

 

A pivotal year of Stratocaster production, with the emergence of AlNiCo V magnets as standard fare, the Strats of 1959 spoke with a firmer, more authoritative voice, but retained the bell-like chime of the AlNiCo III pickups.  This is a very classic straight-up vintage Strat tone.

 

Dead-on vintage specs include:

  • Vintage correct black vulcanized fiber work (bottom flatwork 0.093", top flatwork 0.062")

  • 0.195" Alnico V vintage staggered sand cast magnets E: 0.671 A: 0.671 D: 0.710 G: 0.710 B: 0.630 E: 0.650

  • Vintage pickup height tension conical spring

  • Vintage Nickel Pickup height adjustment screws

  • Pickup covers - your choice of black, white or cream

  • Vintage cloth push-back pre-tinned wireleads

  • Vintage Heavy Formvar 42ga copper magnet wire.

  • Available with or without Historic aging treatment.

  • Lightly potted with historic wax potting.

  • Available in Vintage-spec all SOUTH-up orientation or with Reverse-Wound/Reverse Polarity middle pickup for hum cancellation in combination positions 2 and four on modern 5-way Stratocaster pickup switches. (Please note that original 1959 pickups were all wound in the same direction and same polarity, but those guitars only had 3-way Switches! If you want hum cancellation in positions 2 and four, don't choose all-south polarity.)

 

1964 Historic Stratocaster®

 

The pinnacle of pre-CBS fender production, the pickups from this era are considered by many true aficionados to be the best ever produced. I tend to agree.  Want true Stevie Ray Vaughn or Eric Clapton tone?  Look no further; this is it.  Calibrated to excel in ALL FIVE positions on a strat pickup selector; the bridge will be full with just enough bite, the neck will sing like a tubular bell, and the in-between positions will drip with complex harmonic content.

 

Dead-on vintage specs include:

  • Vintage correct vulcanized fiber work (bottom flatwork 0.093", top flatwork 0.062")

  • 0.195" Alnico V vintage staggered sand cast beveled top polepiece magnets. E: 0.671 A: 0.671 D: 0.710 G: 0.710 B: 0.630 E: 0.650

  • Vintage pickup height tension conical spring

  • Vintage Nickel Pickup height adjustment screws

  • Pickup covers - your choice of black, white or cream

  • Vintage cloth push-back pre-tinned wireleads

  • Vintage plain Enamel 42ga copper magnet wire.

  • Available with or without Historic ageing treatment.

  • Lightly potted with historic wax potting.

 

1969 Historic Stratocaster®

 

While not pre-CBS, 1969 year heralded the "new" sound of the Strat, the sound of Jimi Hendrix. Very similar to the 1964-65, but wound just a bit hotter and meatier, and with single-build poly enamel magnet wire. I'm not a CBS fan, but I LOVE these pickups.

 

Dead-on vintage specs include:

  • Vintage correct vulcanized fiber work (grey bottom flatwork 0.093",black top flatwork 0.062")

  • 0.187" Alnico V vintage staggered sand cast polepice magnets with flat or vintage bevel top E: 0.671 A: 0.671 D: 0.710 G: 0.710 B: 0.630 E: 0.650

  • Vintage pickup height tension conical spring

  • Vintage Nickel Pickup height adjustment screws

  • Pickup covers - your choice of black, white or cream

  • Vintage cloth push-back pre-tinned wireleads

  • Vintage single-build poly enamel 42ga copper magnet wire.

  • Available with or without Historic aging treatment.

  • Historic wax potting.

  • Reverse-Wound/Reverse Polarity middle pickup for hum cancellation in combination positions 2 and four on modern 5-way Stratocaster pickup switches

 

59 Fullerton-White Custom Stratocaster® Set

 

In honor of Leo's top two men, George Fullerton and Forrest White! This is a version of the Historic '59 with customized internal visual apeal ... a Rockin' 50's RED bottom and vintage WHITE top fiber. Hey, it may be that nobody will ever see the cool colors, but YOU'LL know ...

 

Custom specs include:

  • Vintage correct RED bottom and WHITE top vulcanized fiber work (bottom flatwork 0.093", top flatwork 0.062")

  • 0.187" Alnico V vintage staggered sand cast beveled top polepiece magnets E: 0.671 A: 0.671 D: 0.710 G: 0.710 B: 0.630 E: 0.650

  • Vintage pickup height tension conical spring

  • Vintage Nickel Pickup height adjustment screws

  • Pickup covers - your choice of black, white or cream

  • Vintage cloth push-back pre-tinned wireleads

  • Vintage P.E. 42ga copper magnet wire.

  • Available with or without Historic ageing treatment.

  • Historic wax potting.

  • Reverse-Wound/Reverse Polarity middle pickup for hum cancellation in combination positions 2 and four on modern 5-way Stratocaster pickup switches

 

1954-64 A-2-V Custom Stratocaster®

 

A Vaughn Skow Custom original; the three high strings receive 1952 AlNiCo 2 magnets for warm and sweet bell-like tone! The three low strings receive '64 spec AlNiCo 5 magnets for defined and never muddy lows!

 

Custom specs include:

  • Vintage correct black vulcanized fiber work (grey bottom flatwork 0.093",black top flatwork 0.062")

  • 0.187" Alnico V sand cast polepiece magnets on the low E, A, D strings

  • 0.187" Alnico II sand cast polepiece magnets on the high G, B, E strings E: 0.671 A: 0.671 D: 0.710 G: 0.710 B: 0.630 E: 0.650

  • Vintage pickup height tension conical spring

  • Vintage Nickel Pickup height adjustment screws

  • Pickup covers - your choice of black, white or cream

  • Vintage cloth push-back pre-tinned wireleads

  • Vintage plain Enamel 42ga copper magnet wire.

  • Available with or without Historic ageing treatment.

  • Historic wax potting.

  • Reverse-Wound/Reverse Polarity middle pickup for hum cancellation in combination positions 2 and four on modern 5-way Stratocaster pickup switches

 

1952 Historic Telecaster® set

 

1952 - The year of the Telecaster! After a year of transition from the "Nocaster", '52 was the historic year that saw the "tele" come into full fruition ... what a year. The Bridge pickup is bright & lively, and the covered neck pickup is warm & smoky. This is the ultimate "blackguard" Tele tone, period.

 

Dead-on vintage specs include:

 

Bridge Pickup:

  • Vintage correct black vulcanized fiber flat-work. (bottom flatwork 0.093", top flatwork 0.062")

  • Vintage 42ga copper magnet wire.

  • Historic Lacquer Potting

  • 0.195" Flush mounted Vintage-spec Alnico III sand cast pole piece magnets.

  • E: 0.630 A: 0.630 D: 0.630 G: 0.630 B: 0.630 E: 0.630

  • Copper clad vintage-correct thick steel bridge pickup plate

  • Vintage cotton string coil protection layer

Neck Pickup:

  • Vintage correct black vulcanized fiber flat-work.(bottom flat work 0.093", top flat work 0.062)

  • 0.187" Flush mounted vintage-spec Alnico V sand cast pole piece magnets.

  • E: 0.671 A: 0.671 D: 0.671 G: 0.671 B: 0.671 E: 0.671

  • Original early 50's metal cover, deep drawn out of thin brass material with chrome plating.

  • Vintage 43ga copper magnet wire.

  • Vintage pickup height tension conical spring

  • Vintage Nickel Pickup height adjustment screws

  • Vintage cloth push-back pre-tinned wireleads

  • Available with or without Historic aging treatment.

  • Historic Lacquer potting.

  • Reverse-Wound/Reverse Polarity for hum cancellation in middle position

 

1957 Historic Telecaster® Set

 

By this time Fender had shifted to AlNiCo V magnets and slightly lower wind counts. 1957 was a bit of a anomaly, as some Telecaster pickups were wound a little hotter that year. There is only speculation as to exactly why it happened, but no one disputes the results: pure magic. Re-live 1957; re-live that magic.  The bridge pickup has all the Tele spank & twang true Tele players demand and the covered neck pickup retains the organic warm & woody tone of a vintage Tele; but both positions speak with an extra helping of authoritative muscle.

 

Dead-on vintage specs include:

 

Bridge Pickup:

  • Vintage correct black vulcanized fiber flat-work. (bottom flatwork 0.093", top flatwork 0.062")

  • Vintage 42ga Formvar copper magnet wire.

  • Historic Lacquer Potting

  • 0.187" Flush mounted Alnico V sand cast pole piece magnets.

  • E: 0.630 A: 0.630 D: 0.630 G: 0.630 B: 0.630 E: 0.630

  • Copper clad vintage-correct thick steel bridge pickup plate

  • Vintage cotton string coil protection layer

 
Neck Pickup:

  • Vintage correct black vulcanized fiber flat-work.(bottom flat work 0.093", top flat work 0.062)

  • 0.187" Flush mounted Alnico V sand cast pole piece magnets.

  • E: 0.671 A: 0.671 D: 0.671 G: 0.671 B: 0.671 E: 0.671

  • Vintage metal cover

  • Vintage 43ga copper magnet wire.

  • Vintage Nickel Pickup height adjustment screws

  • Vintage cloth push-back pre-tinned wireleads

  • Available with or without Historic aging treatment.

  • With historic lacquer potting.

  • Reverse-Wound/Reverse Polarity for hum cancellation in middle position

 

1952/57 A-2-V Custom Telecaster®

 

This Vaughn Skow Custom original features the best of the 1952 and 1957 Historic models ... for the best of both.

The three high strings receive 1952 AlNiCo 2 magnets for warm and sweet tone with absolutely no icepick!  The three low strings receive '57 spec AlNiCo 5 magnets for defined and never muddy lows!

 

Custom specs include:

  • Bridge Pickup:

  • Vintage correct black vulcanized fiber flat-work. (bottom flatwork 0.093", top flatwork 0.062")

  • Vintage plain Enamel 42ga copper magnet wire.

  • 0.187" Flush mounted Alnico III vintage sand cast polepiece magnets (Unique to 1952).

  • E: 0.630  A: 0.630  D: 0.630  G: 0.630  B: 0.630  E: 0.630

  • Copper clad vintage-correct thick steel bridge pickup plate

  • Vintage cotton string coil protection layer

  •  Neck Pickup:

  • Vintage correct black vulcanized fiber flat-work.(bottom flat work 0.093", top flat work 0.062)

  • 0.187" Flush mounted Alnico V vintage sand cast polepiece magnets.

  • E: 0.671 A: 0.671  D: 0.671  G: 0.671  B: 0.671  E: 0.671

  • Dead-on Vintage C-O-B metal cover

  • Vintage plain Enamel 43ga copper magnet wire.

  • Vintage pickup height tension conical spring

  • Vintage Nickel Pickup height adjustment screws

  • Vintage cloth  push-back pre-tinned wireleads

  • Available with or without Historic ageing treatment.

  • With historic Wax potting.

  • Reverse-Wound/Reverse Polarity for hum cancellation in middle position

1957 Historic PAF Humbucker Set
 

The holy-grail humbucker. This is, beyond question the tone that launched the sound of Rock-n-Roll electric guitar as we know it. While original PAF specs and tone varied significantly, I've chosen the best of the best, for impeccable PAF tone. Warm & sweet, yet clear and defined, that's the 1957 Historic PAF.

 

Dead-on vintage specs include:
 

  • Vintage correct size 1 15/16" (49.2mm) bobbins (all black)

  • Vintage plain Enamel 42ga copper magnet wire, wound to historic 1957 specs.

  • Vintage correct 2.5’’ x 0.5’’ x 0.13’’ sand cast AlNiCo II bar magnets.

  • Vintage correct 1.5" x 2.75" covers, available in bare nickle with or without historic aging treatment, polished nickle-silver (chrome), or without covers

  • Vintage pickup height tension conical springs

  • Vintage Nickel Pickup height adjustment screws

  • Vintage cloth push-back pre-tinned wireleads

  • Light historic wax potting, for true-1957 tone without microphonics.

 

Vaughn's Custom 1960 PAF Set

 

My PERSONAL Holy-grail humbucker set! Ever so slightly over-wound and employing AlNiCo V magnets, this set remains true to the vintage PAF tone, but has just a touch more hair and splits into single coil in a most impressive manner! Proprietary unbalanced coil winds lead to true PAF Nirvana, and exceptional single-coil abilities as well.

 

Only available uncovered except by special order, the set is wound and calibrated specifically to excel in the bridge & neck positions respectively. 4-wire with separate ground for unlimited possibilities: Humbucker, Single Coil, parallel coils, series coils, it's all there ... and all sounds impeccable.

 

Custom specs include:

 

  • Precise calibration for optimum performance in bridge and Neck positions

  • Vintage single-build 42ga copper magnet wire, wound to slightly above 1960 specs.

  • Vintage correct 2.37’’ x 0.5’’ x 0.125’’sand cast AlNiCo V bar magnets.

  • Without covers, modern Nickel-Silver covers available by request.

  • Vintage pickup height tension conical springs

  • Vintage Nickel Pickup height adjustment screws

  • 4-wire with separate ground for unlimited possibilities, Humbucker, Single Coil, parallel coils, series coils, it's all there.

 

Vaughn's Personal HSS Strat Set

 

If I had to have just ONE electric guitar to gig with, these would be the pickups in it.  Super-versatile with everything just right for killer humbucker bridge pickup OR single coil bridge tones, plus the best neck and "in-between" tones you've ever heard.  If I made just ONE set, this would be it.

 
Custom specs include:

Bridge Pickup (Custom '65 PAF):

  • 52mm spacing, correct for precise string alignment in the bridge position.

  • Vintage single-build poly Enamel 42ga copper magnet wire, Uneven coil wind to ENSURE a great single-coil sound when coil split/tapped.

  • 4-wire w/ground wiring.

  • Vintage correct 2.37’’ x 0.5’’ x 0.125’’sand cast AlNiCo V bar magnets.

  • Without cover

Middle Pickup (Custom '64 Strat):

  • Vintage correct black vulcanized fiber work (bottom flatwork 0.093", top flatwork 0.062")

  • 0.195" Alnico V vintage staggered sand cast flat or vintage bevel top polepiece magnets 
    E: 0.671  A: 0.671  D: 0.710  G: 0.671  B: 0.630  E: 0.650

  • RW/RP for hum cancelling in positions 2 & 4 of a modern 5-way strat switch.

Neck Pickup (Custom '64 Strat):

  • Vintage correct black vulcanized fiber work (bottom flatwork 0.093", top flatwork 0.062")

  • 0.195" Alnico V vintage staggered sand cast beveled top polepiece magnets with flat, vintage or modern bevel top
    E: 0.671  A: 0.671  D: 0.710  G: 0.710  B: 0.630  E: 0.650

  • Vintage Nickel Pickup height adjustment screws

  • Vintage cloth  push-back pre-tinned wireleads

  • Available with or without Historic ageing treatment.

  • Light Wax potting.

Vaughn's Velvet Custom Telecaster® Set
Price: $269      Your Direct Price: $229
 
 
 
 
 

When I started making pickups I was of the mind that the best pickups had already been made ... from about 1952-1965. I wasn't out to re-make the wheel, and so I did not plan to introduce any totally new designs. My philosophy was to stick to the recipes that have already proven over many decades to be unbeatable, and to follow the recipe to perfection with only the worlds best ingredients. Whenever I talk to "Strat guys" about tone, they say that if money were no object, they'd be playing vintage pickups from the 50s-60s. Same goes for Les Paul people, their "if money were no object" pickup would be a vintage 57-60 PAF. But Tele guys are different. I keep hearing "I LOVE the sound of 50's Tele BRIDGE pickups ... but some can be kinda ice-picky, and I've never really heard a Tele neck pickup that blows me away.

Tele guys, prepare to be blown away.

On the bridge, you'll have absolutely NO ice-pick and a good heaping helping of smooth-as-velvet warmth and natural compression. The uncovered Neck pickup (yea, the cover is a part of the Tele problem) will have Strat players envying YOUR neck tone for once! Bottom line, this Alnico II set will wash over you like fat, sweet warm butter.

The uncovered neck pickup is available two ways:

1.With the same Vintage bare black bobbin with cotton string coil protection layer as the bridge position (and I think it looks sooo vintage-cool), or

2. A bare bobin with an "open top" nickel-silver cover.  Either way, there will NOT be any tone-robbing metal between the pole-pieces and strings!

Custom specs include:

  • Vintage correct black vulcanized fiber flat-work. (bottom flatwork 0.093", top flatwork 0.062")

  • Vintage single-build 42(Bridge) & 43(Neck) copper magnet wire.

  • 0.187" Flush mounted Alnico II sand cast polepiece magnets.

  • Copper clad vintage-correct thick steel bridge pickup plate

  • Vintage cotton string coil protection layer

  • No cover on neck pickup. Vintage cotton string coil protection layer, or open-top cover.

  • Vintage Nickel Pickup height adjustment screws

  • Vintage cloth push-back pre-tinned wireleads

  • Available with or without Historic aging treatment.

  • Historic wax potting.

  • Reverse-Wound/Reverse Polarity for hum cancellation in middle position

 

1959/60 Historic PAF Humbucker Set

 

Holy-grail humbucker v2.0! By late 1959 and into 1960 the switch over to AlNiCo V magnets had begun to be consistent, this gave the pickup a somewhat bigger and more aggressive sound which once again has been wholeheartedly accepted by rock guitarists the world over. With covers on, this is pure 1960 bliss. Uncovered, these pickups become a bit louder, bigger, and brighter.

 

Dead-on vintage specs include:

 

  • Vintage correct size 1 15/16" (49.2mm) bobbins Black/Cream

  • Vintage plain Enamel 42ga copper magnet wire, wound to historic 1960 specs.

  • Vintage correct 2.37’’ x 0.5’’ x 0.125’’sand cast AlNiCo V bar magnets.

  • Vintage correct 1.5" x 2.75" covers, available in bare nickle with or without historic aging treatment, polished nickle-silver (chrome), or without covers.

  • Vintage pickup height tension conical springs

  • Vintage Nickel Pickup height adjustment screws

  • Vintage cloth push-back pre-tinned wireleads

  • Light historic wax potting, for true-1960 PAF tone without microphonics.

 

Historic Mustang®, Duo-sonic® Set

 

There are many huge, huge, huge fan of these guitars. Folks simply LOVE them! Problem is, they have always seemed to receive less than optimum pickups; what a shame! And so, I've done something about it. These pickups will rock your world with huge ballsy bell-like tone and make you fall in love with your Mustang, Duo-sonic, Bronco, or Musicmaster's TONE as much as you love the guitar itself!

 
Vintage specs include:
 

  • Vintage correct vulcanized fiber work (grey bottom flatwork 0.093",black top flatwork 0.062")

  • 0.187" Alnico V vintage flush mount sand cast polepiece magnets with vintage bevel (inversed) E: 0.630 A: 0.630 D: 0.630 G: 0.630 B: 0.630 E: 0.630

  • Vintage correct no-hole covers in white, black, or cream

  • Vintage pickup height tension conical springs

  • Vintage Nickel Pickup height adjustment screws

  • Vintage cloth push-back pre-tinned wireleads

  • Available with or without Historic aging treatment.

  • Reverse-Wound / Reverse Polarity for hum-cancelling operation with both pickups on.

  • With historic wax potting.

 

(The terms “Stratocaster”,  "Telecaster",  "Mustang",  "Musicmaster",  and "Duosonic" are registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Incorporated. Vaughn Skow is in no way affiliated with Fender Musical Instruments.)

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