The REVEREND humbucker set was initially developed as a custom order for a valued high profile customer who needed a little bit more drive from the pickups in his vintage ES-335.
Semi acoustic guitars like ES-335s are kind of particular when it comes to pickups, as they sometimes require a little boost in the lower mids compared to e.g. Les Paul style guitars. We love the sound of our LOVERS™ in our own '68 ES-345, but, same as our customer in his old Gibson, in our Heritage H535, we needed a little "push".
When we installed our final prototypes in a Les Paul, we liked what we heard, too. The REVERENDs add a hair more mids compared to the LOVERS™, making them great pickups for blues, crunch, rock, hard rock.
Each individual part of the REVEREND set has been optimized for material and performance and sourced exclusively in the USA or Germany. Other than the HONEYBUCKER or the LOVERS™, the REVEREND set uses an AlNiCo 2 magnet at the bridge, and an AlNiCo 4 magnet at the neck. The coils are wound with hand-guided 42 AWG copper wire (Made in USA) and mismatched for both pickups.
Our unique cryo-tuning process (pat. pending) distinguishes us from all other pickup winders. It allows us to put relatively low winds on the bobbins, reducing the resistance without compromising on overall output of the pickup. Even better, the treatment results in a more transparent and dynamic sound than many other contemporary PAF models - more akin to a great set of vintage PAF humbuckers.
And since we're using non-customized bobbins and wire, we can keep the costs of a set significantly lower than many other comparable boutique handwound sets.
THE REVEREND
VIP ANNIVERSARY SET
To celebrate Vintage Inspired Pickups' two year anniversary, we have something very special for you!
The VIP Anniversary humbucker set is limited to only 5 sets!
I was able to hunt down a spool of NOS 43 AWG plain enamel wire from the early 50s on a trip to the East Coast a few weeks ago. One coil of each pickup is wound with this super rare wire, while the other coil is wound with our exclusive 42 AWG plain enamel wire, which we're using for our LOVERS set.
The Anniversary set is using cryo-tuned AlNiCo 2 and 4 magnets, our in-house-made butyrate PAF replica bobbins, and braided wire leads.
Output is a little higher than our LOVERS set, just enough to drive your preamp, but still transparent and very dynamic. Both pickups clean up exceptionally well when you turn down the volume pot, with all the tone you could wish for.
Designed and hand wound by VIP in Seattle, USA, our pickups are made of highest quality components, sourced in the USA and Europe. Cryo-tuning, a technique unique to VIP (patent-pending), enhances the performance and longevity of your new pickups.
TESTMONIALS
"Oh my Ef’n GOD man! ... after running these PU’s for a while I got to say, they have a response that is totally different in some way I have not ever experienced in any other PU. For one: The guitar ... is totally and fully present in the sound structure! ... I notice the PU acts as if it isn’t there at all. Like a mic in front of an acoustic. ... Nothing blocking the nature of the guitar in any way. The bridge is always been weird with harsh notes - not anymore! It is actually as acoustic sounding as the neck. I have never heard that. Not even in a 70000 dollar 57 gold top! No kidding!" -Angelo B.
wilderbeast Set
The Vintage Inspired Pickups “Wilderbeast” humbuckers are loud, aggressive, and will make your axe rock, without compromising on clarity, musicality, and transparency of a good vintage PAF humbucker.
Designed and handwound by Vintage Inspired Pickups in Seattle, USA, these pickups are made of highest quality components that were specifically sourced mostly in the USA for this run. Cryo-tuning – a technique unique to Vintage Inspired Pickups (patent-pending) - and light wax potting guarantee optimal performance and longevity.