Gibson Launches P.A.F. Reissue Pickup Sets
Gibson Pickup Shop has introduced four historically accurate humbucker sets spanning 1957 to 1960 at $799 each.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Medieval and Renaissance
Gibson Pickup Shop introduced the 1957-1960 P.A.F. Reissue Sets, four historically accurate humbucker pickup sets priced at $799 each. The sets are available through authorized Gibson dealers, Gibson Garage locations in Nashville, London and Miami, and Gibson.com.
Why it matters
The Patent Applied For humbucker first appeared on Gibson electric guitars in early 1957, and the reissue sets aim to replicate that original design for players seeking vintage tone. Each set is built to match a specific model year's magnet and winding characteristics.
Each set is priced at $799 and wound with 42 AWG plain enamel wire on vintage Gibson coil-winding machines. DC resistance for the treble pickups runs from 8.1 k ohms in 1957 to 8.6 k ohms in 1960, while public sales volume has not been disclosed.
The players
Gibson
Gibson is a major American guitar manufacturer known for models such as the Les Paul and for its historic humbucker pickup designs.
The details
The four sets use Alnico 5 magnets in 1957, Alnico 4 in 1958, Alnico 3 in 1959, and Alnico 2 in 1960. Each was developed through historical research, 3D scanning, scientific analysis, reverse engineering of vintage examples, and Gibson archive specifications, and is built with butyrate bobbins, maple spacers, steel slugs, and nickel covers.
Timeline
Late 1956: Humbucker debuted on Gibson pedal steels.
Early 1957: Patent Applied For pickup first appeared on Gibson electric guitars.
November 4, 2026: Gibson Pickup Shop introduced the P.A.F. Reissue Sets.
Medieval and Renaissance
The launch revisits the original Patent Applied For humbucker that Gibson first put on electric guitars in early 1957. Each reissue set tracks the magnet alloy that changed from Alnico 5 in 1957 to Alnico 2 in 1960.
Guitarists can purchase the P.A.F. Reissue Sets at $799 each through authorized Gibson dealers, the Gibson Garage locations in Nashville, London and Miami, or Gibson.com. The sets are sold without Lifton cases, individual serialization, or mounting rings.
The takeaway
Players who want the tone of a 1957 to 1960 Gibson humbucker can now choose a set matched to a specific year's magnet and winding specifications rather than relying on a single generic reissue.
Further reading
Explore more on Medieval and Renaissance music and instrument history.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Premier Guitar.
