Custom Replacement Humbucker Pickups - VINTAGE, MODERN UPGRADES
Creamery Custom Handwound Replacement Humbucker Pickups & Upgrades
From vintage sounding humbuckers to modern & custom design replacements I've designed my humbucker range for a variety of sounds & styles - from classic PAF style Humbuckers through modern alterntive designs to higher output ceramic & Alnico 8 pickups, created to really push your amp.
My replacement humbuckers are all handwound here in my workshop. Each pickup is wound at slowish speed with 42 AWG (46 SWG), 43 AWG (46.5 SWG) plain enamel or vintage formvar copper wire before being wax-potted in a measured combination of beeswax and paraffin (though you can order my covered humbuckers unpotted for that classic 'honkier' sound).
I wind all replacement humbuckers with a small, specific coil offset for each design to open up more frequencies, giving a richer sound. A humbucker by nature cancels some of the buzz you get with 60 cycle hum but in doing so other frequencies are shut out too which can lead to a somewhat sterile sound. I claw some of these frequencies back through custom, offset, patterned winding.
Handwound at my workshop here in Manchester
You can buy a complete set of Creamery Classic Replacement Humbuckers (Bridge & Neck) in the shop. You can even mix and match the Alnico magnets to create your own set.
If you're after a custom set of replacement Humbuckers, just get in touch with details of the kind of voice/sound/output you're after and we can work on the best design for you. I don't have pickusp all boxed up ready to send out, each order is custom made so I can tweak the specifications to suit your own guitar & playing.
NOTE: I do offer an 'Aged Nickel' cover. I don't use chemicals to artificially 'age' the cover as the waste chemicals are very difficult to dispose of here in my area. With this in mind my 'aged' covers are more of a 'brushed' nickel where I take the sheen off the cover by hand giving an older look. They do have that lived-in look to them. They just don't have the artificial track marks achieved through chemicals.
Handwound in my workshop here in Manchester
Use the tab menu below to view the full range of Creamery Replacement Humbucker Pickups
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Classic/Vintage Humbucker Pickups
Creamery '57
Magnets Alnico 2, 3, 4 or 5 Coil Wire 42AWG Lead Wire Three-Way or Modern 4-Way Bridge Output 7.8k Neck Output 7.0k 
The Classic Clean Humbucker Sound
Clear, clean humbucker sound / more snarl when overdriven
A classic humbucker sound, rich and full of warmth with great harmonics. A real creamier humbucker sound when overdriven.
Brighter than the Alnico 2 Humbucker but warmer than the Alnico 5, the Alnico 4 humbucker pickup has a darker low, more clarity in the mids and a wider extended range than the 2.
The Alnico 5 Humbucker. Balanced mids, snappy lows and a top-end with room to breath. The Alnico magnet is brighter sounding than the Alnico 2 or 4, giving this humbucker pickup more of a snappier tone.As with all my humbucker pickups, the coils are asymmetrically wound giving more dynamics, clarity & string definition. A rich, vintage tone.
Available in Chrome, Nickel covers or open with black or zebra bobbins.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup UpgradesCreamery '59
Magnets Alnico 2, 3, 4 or 5 Coil Wire 42AWG Lead Wire Three-Way or Modern 4-Way Bridge Output 8.3k Neck Output 7.3k
The Classic Bluesier, Rockier Humbucker Sound
Classic Rich, Fat PAF/Humbucker Sounds
A slightly higher output than the Creamery '57 with a little more in the mids and slightly smoother in the highs but still with that classic rich warm tone with great harmonics. A real creamier humbucker sound when overdriven.
Brighter than the Alnico 2 Humbucker but warmer than the Alnico 5, the Alnico 4 humbucker pickup has a darker low, more clarity in the mids and a wider extended range than the 2.
The Alnico 5 Humbucker. Balanced mids, snappy lows and a top-end with room to breath. The Alnico magnet is brighter sounding than the Alnico 2 or 4, giving this humbucker pickup more of a snappier tone.As with all my humbucker pickups, the coils are asymmetrically wound giving more dynamics, clarity & string definition. A rich, vintage tone.
Available in Chrome, Nickel covers or open with black or zebra bobbins.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup UpgradesCreamery '76
Magnets Alnico 5 or Ceramic Coil Wire 42AWG Lead Wire Three-Way or Modern 4-Way Bridge Output 7.7k Neck Output 6.8k The Classic '70s brighter, attacking sound
Classic T-Top punk, sizzle & attack
A lower output than the Creamery '59 with custom offset windings and custom sized, strong Alnico 5 or Ceramic magnets.
Partly based on the '70s Gibson T-Top humbuckers and the bright, aggressive punk sounds of the era, its a real brighter, more focussed, punkier humbucker sound for those looking for that brighter, muscular attack and crunch that cuts through the mix a little more.
As with all my humbucker pickups, the coils are asymmetrically wound giving more dynamics, clarity & string definition. A rich, vintage tone.
Available in Chrome, Nickel covers or open with black or zebra bobbins.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup UpgradesCreamery '87
Magnets Custom Sized Alnico 2 or your choice Coil Wire 42AWG Lead Wire Three-Way or Modern 4-Way Bridge Output 7.9k Neck Output 7.6k Creamery Custom '87 Replacement Humbucker Pickup
The Classic 'Appetite' Sound
You can guess the inspiration behind my '87 Humbuckers and although you can order them with different magnets, the custom Alnico 2 set will give you that rich sound, full of warmth with great harmonics. A real creamier humbucker sound when overdriven, rounder, a little softer in the bass response.
Partly based on the '70s Gibson T-Top humbuckers and the bright, aggressive punk sounds of the era, its a real brighter, more focussed, punkier humbucker sound for those looking for that brighter, muscular attack and crunch that cuts through the mix a little more.
The Alnico 2 magnets and moderate outputs help give a warm, sweeter sound allowing the strings to vibrate that bit more naturally, that bit more freely for great sustain - giving great rounded cleans. The moderate output and custom magnets let the amp & pedals take care of the overdrive - giving you that classic, sweeter humbucker sound synonimous with the inspiration behind it.
As with all my humbucker pickups, the coils are asymmetrically wound to custom specifications giving more dynamics, clarity & string definition and a richer overall sound. With my '87 Humbucker I experimented with a number of different coil offsets, along with different Alnico 2 magnet specs & sizes to get the final design I was after - It took me a good while but I'm really happy with the final results.
Available in Chrome, Nickel covers or open with black or zebra bobbins.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup Upgrades -
Lower Output Humbucker Pickups
Hollow Body Humbucker
Magnets Alnico 5 Coil Wire 42AWG Lead Wire Three-Way or Modern 4-Way Bridge Output 7.3k Neck Output 6.4k Classic, Woody Clean Sounds
A Brighter Humbucker for Semi & Hollow Body Guitars
A humbucker pickup specifically designed for hollow & semi-hollowbody guitars. Slightly brighter with less distortion and a tighter bass than the Creamery classic humbuckers.
Partly based on the '70s Gibson T-Top humbuckers and the bright, aggressive punk sounds of the era, its a real brighter, more focussed, punkier humbucker sound for those looking for that brighter, muscular attack and crunch that cuts through the mix a little more.
The lower number of windings and offset coils give these pickups more air in the tone, real room to breath giving great string definition in chord work. A great pickup that sweetens up when you roll off the tone.
As with all my humbucker pickups, the coils are asymmetrically wound to custom specifications giving more dynamics, clarity & string definition and a richer overall sound.
Available in Chrome, Nickel covers or open with black or zebra bobbins.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup UpgradesMono '79
Magnets Double Thickness / Double Strength Alnico 5 Coil Wire 42AWG Lead Wire Three-Way or Modern 4-Way Bridge Output 7.0k Neck Output 6.1k Bright Humbucker Sizzle
A Powerful, Bright Attacking Humbucker
Almost a fusion between my Black Cat style pickups and a lower output humbucker - Making a bright, powerful humbucker that belies its seemingly lower output.
The thicker/ stronger Alnico 5 Magnet is the ame as used in my Black Cat Filtertron style humbucker pickups, which have the effect of rasing the perceived volume even though the output is seemingly lower, giving a great attacking pickup that keeps its clarity & brightness. NOTE: If Black & White Mono isn't your thing, the pickups can be ordered in the usual chrome and open bobbin configurations.
As with all my humbucker pickups, the coils are asymmetrically wound to custom specifications giving more dynamics, clarity & string definition and a richer overall sound.
Also available in Chrome, Nickel covers or open with black or zebra bobbins.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup Upgrades -
Higher Output Replacement Humbucker Pickups
Classic '83 "Hair Metal" Humbucker
Magnets Alnico 5, 8 or Ceramic Coil Wire 43AWG Lead Wire Three-Way or Modern 4-Way Bridge Output 13.6k Neck Output 11.7k The Classic Hair Metal Humbucker
A hotter, Bright, Attacking Humbucker
Similar in output to the Dirty Shirt Humbucker but with a tighter focus, the Classic '83 has thicker mids, a little more in the bass whilst keeping those fatter higher frequencies.
Choose from Alnico 5, 8 or ceramic magnets - The 5 will give you a more rounded, vintage high output tone. The Alnico 8 is a great balance between the the 5 & Ceramic option, giving more treble but with a smoother roll-off to the mids whereas the Ceramic option works to emphasise those biting higher frequencies at gain.
Great clarity & definition for a higher output humbucker.
As with all my humbucker pickups, the coils are asymmetrically wound to custom specifications giving more dynamics, clarity & string definition and a richer overall sound.
Also available in Chrome, Nickel covers or open with black or zebra bobbins.
Avaialble in chrome or Gold H-Cover.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup Upgrades"Dirty Shirt" Alnico 8 Humbucker
Magnets Alnico 8 Coil Wire 43AWG Lead Wire Three-Way or Modern 4-Way Bridge Output 13.6k Neck Output 9.7k Hotter, Higher Output Humbucker
A hotter, Bright, Attacking Alnico 8 Humbucker
A hot, overwound humbucker pickup that sounds neither muddy or shrill - The custom Alnico 8 magnet helps to give the pickup great bottom-end, punch in the mids while the high end is smoother than the harshness often associated with ceramics.
Great clarity & definition for a higher output humbucker.
As with all my humbucker pickups, the coils are asymmetrically wound to custom specifications giving more dynamics, clarity & string definition and a richer overall sound.
Also available in Chrome, Nickel covers or open with black or zebra bobbins.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup Upgrades"Double Six" Alnico 8 Humbucker
Magnets 2 x Alnico 5 & 1 x Alnico 8 Coil Wire 43AWG Lead Wire Three-Way or Modern 4-Way Bridge Output 14.5k Neck Output 11.7k Hotter, Powerful Pickup with great String Definition
Clarity & definition in a higher output Humbucker
An even hotter, overwound humbucker pickup that sounds neither muddy or shrill
A trio of custom Alnico 5 & Alnico 8 magnets help to give the pickup great bottom-end & punch in the mids while the high end is smoother, still articulate for higher output playing
As with all my humbucker pickups, the coils are asymmetrically wound to custom specifications giving more dynamics, clarity & string definition and a richer overall sound.
Also available in Chrome, Nickel covers or open with black or zebra bobbins.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup Upgrades -
Creamery Custom, Modern & Alternative Design, Replacement Humbucker Pickups
"Baby '71 - Standard Humbucker Sized
Magnets Individual Threaded Magnets Coil Wire 42AWG Lead Wire Three-Way Bridge Output 8.7k Neck Output 7.6k
Clarity, Definition, Sparkle and Versatility
The True Wide Range sound in a standard Humbucker size
Classic fat single coil sound - Great clarity and string definition with a bright chime & warmth.
Individual threaded pole magnets charged to around 2/3rds capacity allow you to dial in each string. A warmer mid-range than standard single coils and with a higher output, they're great for breaking up an amp. With a great fat bridge tone sounding akin to a "doubled-up" Tele and a neck with a warm, sweet brightness, these Wide Range / Thinline Humbucker style pickups are a great if you're looking for something more to replace a standard humbucker.
As with all my humbucker pickups, the coils are asymmetrically wound to custom specifications giving more dynamics, clarity & string definition and a richer overall sound.
Slightly brighter with a tighter bass response that my full-size Classic '71 Wide Range / Thinline Humbucker repros due to the slightly narrower coil and lower output.
Available with either Three-Way or 4-Way wiring, the cover options are Chrome, Chrome H-Cover, Black, White, Cream or uncovered with black, zebra or B&W bobbins. You can also purchase the pickup with a Gold cover though please remember that the magnets will remain the same colour.>PLEASE NOTE: These pickups are a direct drop-in to fit a standard humbucker size cavity/scratchplate.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup UpgradesTravis Bean® Humbucker Design
Magnets Alnico 2 or 5 Coil Wire 43AWG Lead Wire Three-Way or Modern 4-Way Bridge Output 11.9k Neck Output 10.2k Travis Bean® Gibson / PAF Size
Fat Full clarity & crunch with great String Definition
The Classic Travis Bean® Design in the Gibson/PAF Humbucker Size
Classic fat single coil tones - Great clarity and string definition with a bright chime & warmth.
I spent a good while working on these trying to get the design just right, balancing the original with a modern voice. Not your standard humbucker sound but more of a fat, crunchy "doubled-up" single coil tone - like a doubled-up tele Bridge pickup, clear and powerful. Another direct drop-in replacement for Humbucker size. Based on the classic Travis Bean® Design, these pickups feature great string definition & clarity due to the 12 individual rod magnets that offer true single coil tones when split. A rich attack with the warmth, crunch. The internal steel plate helps focus the sound whist also increasing the perceived output
PLEASE NOTE: These pickups are a direct drop-in replacement to fit standard Humbuckers and the output can also be custom to your requirements.
Available in closed chrome or nickel covers
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup UpgradesCustom Humbucker
Magnets Trio of Custom Made Magnets. Alnico 2 or 5 Bar & Alnico 5 Threaded Rods Coil Wire 42AWG Lead Wire Three-Way or 4-way Bridge Output 8.4k Neck Output 7.4k
Custom Designed with Bernard Sumner of Joy Division / New Order
Classic PAF on the higher G, B & e strings, much more clarity & string definition under the E, A & D
Three types of custom magnets for crunchy, crisp, clear & defined lower strings - sweeter, creamier, milkier higher strings for a richer sound. Custom designed with Bernard Sumner of Joy Division / New Order.
We worked on the design of this pickup together when he wanted something edgier from the Gibson LP Jnr Double Cutaway he picked up. He has a number of vintage guitars (and old Vox amps) but wanted something different for the new live dates and recording. We spent time playing his old original Gibson ES 330 that just sounded perfect, just a really sweet yet gritty sound that really snarled when pushed. It has Dogear P90s but they just had something more than the standard P90 sound but the two issues he had where, it had just been too precious to take out on tour for a number of years and with it having single coil P90s, it hummed, both live and in the studio with all the synths & equipment. In comparison, his Gibson SG and the early 90s LP Jnr he picked up just sounded a little sterile in comparison.
Clearer, more defined E, A & D strings - Creamier, Warmer G, B & E strings
So the task was not to recreate the sound of the ES 330 but take its characteristics and make a similar Dogear P90 size pickup to fit the new LP Jnr that kept the colour and edge to the sound but with clearer, more defined and ‘punkier' lower E, A & D strings whilst somehow being warmer, creamier & milkier on the higher G, B & E strings. So rather than try and make some kind of hum-cancelling P90 we decided to just start again from scratch and make a new design of pickup to balance these two ideas, clearer, more defined & crunchier E, A & D strings whilst somehow being able to roll off the treble slightly on the higher G, B & E strings for less of a single coil sound and more towards the richer, fuller humbucker sound. To get the crisper, crunchier lower notes in a humbucker often means less coil and a lower output which can give the higher strings more treble - the task was to reconcile these two ideas, clear, crunchier lower strings with warmer highs with a higher output to push the amp a little more.
This is where the unique design came about after a few different prototypes - Individual sets of custom made & sized threaded rod magnets of opposing polarity and different strengths underneath the lower E, A & D strings with a double pole humbucker design underneath the G, B & E strings, again with custom made magnets hidden away underneath the offset coils for these strings. Outputwise, we wanted it to really push his naturally brighter vintage VOX AC30 amps for a really attacking, edgier sound.
Road Testing on Tour
He took the final prototype out on tour and chose to showcase the new design live onstage as they played their first new material in years at the Lollapalooza festival (I was streaming it live)
After the gigs, and with the pickup performing well onstage he asked me to make a bridge & neck humbucker sized set to the same spec for his ’62 SG These are the same ones now available in the larger Fender Wide Range Humbucker size.
He took these back out on the road and gave them a good road test on the short US tour later that month and his final review was
Back home now and gave the pickups a good trial on tour. Verdict fantastic! Improved both my guitars. The humbuckers have bags of tone and character! The old Gibson ones sound cold and neutral in comparison. Totally pleased. You’ve sure done something right and well impressed the band, me and the crew! I’ve been bigging you up to everyone!"
A great replacement humbucker for PAF/Gibson sized Humbuckers if you're looking for a fatter, grittier, dirtier, crunchier alternative sound.
Magnet Options
The magnets under the lower E, A & D strings are custom sized, custom made threaded Alnico 5 whereas the lower G, B & E strings can have either Alnico 2 or the stronger Alnico 5 - Alnico 2, being a little weaker 'holds' the strings a little less, allowing them to vibrate a little more, adding a little more warmth to the overall sound whereas Alnico 5, being that bit stronger, 'holds' the strings a little more for a little brighter attack & focus.
Available in Chrome, Nickel or open bobbin designs
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup UpgradesDark Line
Magnets Custom Alnico 5 or Alnico 8 Duo Coil Wire 43AWG Lead Wire Three-Way Bridge Output 11.4k Neck Output 10.1k Single Blade in a PAF/Gibson Size
Dirtier, Grittier, Alternative Sounds.
Initially designed for Jaguars guitars, they're now available in a standard Gibson / PAF / Humbucker size too
Designed for players who wanted something darker, grittier, something more savage & physical from their guitars, but keeping a tight, razor focus to really cut through the band mix - Not a traditional rock, metal, indie or blues sound, something much more aggressive & visceral. Essentially the idea was to design a raw, more primal sounding pickup for pure alternative sounds and styles of playing. Much tighter, much more focussed - these were designed specifically to play loud.
A single plated steel blade sits at the heart of the design inside a much more tightly scatterwound coil of thinner 43awg coil wire, and I experimented with a variety of magnet grades and sizes in the initial Jaguar & Strat versions until finally working on a duo of custom square bar Alnico 5s. With a humbucker size however, the internal geometry allows me to really push the overall sound more with some new custom made Alnico 5 or Alnico 8 magnets.
Available in a custom chrome slit groove design cover, the new Dark Line pickups are direct drop-in replacements - I spent a long time getting the design of these just right, putting them aside, coming back to them - a real labour of love.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup UpgradesSweet '14
Magnets Alnico 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 or Ceramic Coil Wire 43AWG Double Coated Plain Enamel Lead Wire 2-Way with separate ground for Cover & Baseplate Bridge Output 6.3k Neck Output 5.3 Sweet Clarity in a PAF/Gibson Size
Custom Designed for a sweet, clear, rich & defined punchy, snappy sound
I've been working on this on and off for a couple of years, trying various specifications and modifications to get the design just right for that rich clean, snappy sound.
I've made parts by hand, had custom parts manufactured specifically and finally, finally, after many, many prototypes & testing sessions they're ready - The new Sweet '14 Foil style pickups. I wanted to create a customisable, standard humbucker/PAF size fatter single coil pickup that had the sweetness & warmth of the original Gold Foils whilst keeping great clarity & string definition with a modern punch & snap that really has a powerful sound when cranked - to really cut through the mix.
The thinner double coated plain enamel 43AWG coil wire helps push the sound that little bit more towards the mid-range for the sweetness I was after and although my personal preference is for an Alnico 2 Bridge/Alnico 4 Neck I decided to offer the full range of magnet options for those who like to create their own combinations - The original 'Gold Foils' people love had weaker rubberised ferrite magnets and although I chose not to use these for the new Sweet '14 Rich Coil pickups as I just wanted something stronger, something a little more modern, I will be using these for the new 44awg true spec/size Gold Foils I'm launching once I've had all the covers & baseplates custom manufactured.
I wanted these pickups to be something different rather than simply re-casing the original design into a humbucker size, as really, for this new Gibson/PAF Humbucker size pickup, I just wanted more snap, more punch whilst keeping that rich sweetness. Ultimately I wanted to create really defined clean sounds that can be the basis for pedals & effects etc.
Magnets don't have 'tone' but what they do have is strength and the custom sizes I've had manufactured do affect the overall sound - all other things being equal. I prefer the Alnico 2 bridge as the slightly weaker magnets help to round out the sound that bit more in the naturally brighter bridge position, whereas the stronger Alnico 4 set helps to keep clarity, definition and snap in the naturally darker neck position.
I've also designed these with a taller coil wrapped around a custom made plated steel blade with a double set of Alnico or Ceramic magnets to really help drive the amp when required for a more modern sound.
Customisable
I often get asked to make pickups with unique or different covers to suit a particular custom guitar and with this in mind, I decided to have my custom rounded edge covers manufactured in an open form design which then would allow the seperate top plate to be completely customisable with any design, colour or finish. Some prefer the old Gold or Silver Foil look whereas others have asked for patterns, prints even material, leather and textured card - to give a unique look and feel to the pickups.
You can see more pictures of custom cover plates and choose either the Gold or Silver Foil versions or just select 'Custom' from the dropdown menu here (single bridge or neck pickup, or calibrated set) and leave me a note at the checkout stage or just drop me an email telling a little more about what you have in mind.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup UpgradesSonic-Six Single Coil
Magnets Threaded Magnets Coil Wire 43AWG Lead Wire Vintage Cloth Covered Bridge Output 9.2k Neck Output 8.6k Single Coil Pickup in a PAF/Gibson Size
Humbucker Sized Single Coil Pickup with threaded magnets
A true single coil pickup in a standard Humbucker size. The Creamery Humbucker Sonic-Six pickup for Humucker houses a single, fat 43AWG coil wound around individual threaded Alnico 5 magnets.
The Sonic-Six pickup is shaped to fit a standard Humbucker cover & mounting ring with no modifications necessary. Huge, fat single-coil tones still with clarity, presence & a defined voice with the added bonus of being able to adjust the height to suit the radius of your fingerboard. Get true single coil tones in a standard humbucker size. Great fat, rounded clean tones - turn up the gain and let the pickup scream.
Available in Chrome, Nickel or Open Frame / Black Top Plate.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup Upgrades12-Pole Humbucker
Magnets Alnico 2, 3 or 5 Coil Wire 43AWG Lead Wire Three-Way or Modern 4-Way Bridge Output 12.2k Neck Output 9.8k Twin Single Coil Pickup in a PAF/Gibson Size
Designed for Coil-Splitting
Great string definition & clarity due to the 12 pole magnets that offer true single coil tones when split.
The coils & Alnico 5 magnets give this humbucker a rich, biting attack, the 43awg wire warms the sound ever so slightly while giving a higher output, enabling a great split single coil tone.
NOTE: I can stagger the magnets to follow your neck radius. Just let me know whether you have a 7.25", 9.5", 12" etc etc neck radius and I'll stagger the magnets accordingly. This way you can keep a good action on your setup.
Available in Chrome, Nickel or Open Frame / Open Bobbin
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup UpgradesFirebird
Magnets Alnico 2, 5 or ceramic Coil Wire 42AWG Lead Wire Three-Way or Modern 4-Way Bridge Output 7.3k Neck Output 6.4k Creamery Gibson / PAF sized Firebird® Design Pickups
The Classic, Vintage Clear Firebird® Sound in a standard Humbucker size
Great string definition & clarity due to the 12 pole magnets that offer true single coil tones when split.
A different design to the Mini Humbucker, namely two coils wrapped around individual bar magnets to give a RW/RP, Reverse Wound / Reverse Polarity Humbucker Pickup. Rich and clear with great harmonics and a fatter, 'doubled-up' single-coil sound. More crunch, spank and a tighter bass response. Just a wonderful clear, defined sound.
Brighter, tighter with more clarity than a humbucker yet fatter than a single-coil, they're great for the neck position or snarly when cranked in a balanced, calibrated bridge & neck set.
As with most of my replacement Gibson / PAF / Humbucker sized pickups, the two coils are asymmetrically wound giving more dynamics, with a richer clarity & string definition. A rich, vintage sound.
Available in Chrome or Nickel.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup UpgradesCharlie Christian - Humbucker Size
Magnets Alnico 5 Coil Wire 38AWG Lead Wire Vintage Cloth Covered with Separate Ground Wire Neck Output 2.9k Creamery Gibson / PAF sized Firebird® Design Pickups
Clear, defined, big, round jazzier sound.
Wound with much thicker coil wire to a seemingly lower output - don't let that fool you. With strong custom made Alnico 5 magnets the Charlie Christian Humbucker size is a fat, round jazzy sound that keeps clarity & string definition. Its a unique sound that works perfect in the neck position for those wanting vintage, jazzier sounds from a direct drop-in replacement Humbucker neck position pickup.
A single plated steel blade sits at the heart of the design inside a scatterwound coil of much thicker 38awg coil wire, and I experimented with a variety of magnet grades and sizes until finally working on a duo of custom made Alnico 5s to get the sound I was after.
Available in a custom chrome slit groove design cover, the new Dark Line pickups are direct drop-in replacements - I spent a long time getting the design of these just right, putting them aside, coming back to them - a real labour of love.
Made with a seperate ground wire for the cover & baseplate to ensure it will work in-phase with other make bridge pickups
Available in Chrome, Nickel or Open Frame / Black Top Plate.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup UpgradesDouble-Track Humbucker
Magnets Alnico 2,3,4,5 or Alnico 8 Coil Wire 42AWG or 43AWG Lead Wire Three-Way or Modern 4-Way Bridge Output (See Options Below) Neck Output (See Options Below) Dual Blade Pickup in a PAF/Gibson Size
Fully Custom Handwound Humbucker
Here it is, the totally custom blade humbucker from The Creamery. You chose the magnets & the output for a pickup or set unique for your sound. Blade pickups are great for string bending as, unlike polepiece pickups, there's no audio drop off when pushing/pulling the string. They also have a slightlier smoother, rounder tone as the string is always over the magnetised rail, great for clarity & definition.
Choose from my:
- Hollow-Body Humbucker output: 7.3k Bridge, 6.4k Neck
- '57 Humbucker output: 7.8k Bridge, 7.0k Neck
- '59 Humbucker outout: 8.3k Bridge, 7.3k Neck
- Dirty Shirt Humbucker outout: 13.6k Bridge, 9.7k Neck
- Double Six Humbucker output: 14.5k Bridge, 11.7k Neck
- or your own choice of output: x.xk Bridge, x.xk Neck
Also, with a complete choice of magnets ranging from Alnico 2, through Alnico 3, 4, 5 up to Alnico 8 you can truly have a custom blade humbucker pickup. There's also an option to have a trio of Alnico 5 & Alnico 8 magnets for a truly powerful, attacking pickup especially designed for high gain playing.
Available naked or with chrome or gold H-Covers & closed covers for a classic look, the Creamery Double Track Humbucker gives you the opportunity to have a truly customised hand-wound pickup or set for your guitar. Have a read through the reviews to see what people are saying about my work.
Available in Chrome, Nickel, Gold, Black H-Gate or Open Frame / Black or White Bobbins.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup UpgradesRic® Toaster® Style - PAF Size
Replacement Ric® Rickenbacker® Style Pickups - PAF Size
The Full Rickenbacker® range in a Gibson / PAF size
Choose from any of my classic Ric® style designs in a standard Gibson/PAF/Humbucker Size
I had a number of requests to design these classic Toaster® styles but to fit a standard Les Paul or dual Humbucker guitar so here they are.
All my Ric® style pickups in a standard Gibson / PAF / Humbucker size are available in traditional Toaster® style covers or alternativly, you can have them in closed chrome, nickel or even my Gold / Silver Foil designs - Plus more options available at the checkout.
Low '57
Magnets Tall 1/4" Diameter Individual Alnico 5 Rods Coil Wire 44AWG Lead Wire 2 Way with Separate Ground for Cover & Baseplate Bridge Output 5.0k Neck Output 4.5k
Creamery Custom Ric® Style Low '57 Pickup
The Classic, Late '50s Bright, Jangly Ric® Single Coil Sound
The classic 50's jangle & chime - That bright, jangly, unique sound that cuts straight through the mix.
Bright, tight with great clarity and definition I make my Low '57 Ric® style replacements calibrated with a slightly lower neck pickup output for good volume balance through the positions though do offer them as a more vintage correct set with matching Bridge & Neck outputs.
The thinner 44AWG wire helps give a little more mid-range than the low output would usually dictate and when combined with the tall, strong 1/4" diameter Alnico 5 rod magnets that protrude through the bottom of the pickup, you get that classic, rich, late '50s / early '60s sound.
Toaster® pickups from the '50s tended to have the lower 4.8k-5.0k output whereas into the '60s, the output was increased a little to around 7.5k - So with this in mind you can choose which version you'd like. The 5.0k Low '57 version will sound that little brighter, a little lower in volume than the Mid '63 so if you're after the late '50s sound then go for the Low '57. If you're after that early/mid '60s sound then go for the medium output Mid '63. Both have that sweet, bright sound, the Medium output version being that little fatter, that little bit rounder.
Mid '63
Magnets Tall 1/4" Diameter Individual Alnico 5 Rods Coil Wire 44AWG Lead Wire 2 Way with Separate Ground for Cover & Baseplate Bridge Output 7.5k Neck Output 7.0k
Creamery Ric® Style Mid '63 Pickup
The Classic, Early '60s Bright, Jangly Ric® Single Coil Sound
The classic 60's jangle & chime - Still that bright, jangly, unique sound a little sweeter, a little rounder than the Low '57.
Bright, tight with great clarity and definition I make my Mid '68 Ric® style replacements calibrated with a slightly lower neck pickup output for good volume balance through the positions though do offer them as a more vintage correct set with matching Bridge & Neck outputs.
The thinner 44AWG wire helps give a little more mid-range than the low output would usually dictate and when combined with the tall, strong 1/4" diameter Alnico 5 rod magnets that protrude through the bottom of the pickup, you get that classic, rich, early/mid '60s sound - with slightly rolled back highs, a little more in the mid-range than the Low '57.
Toaster® pickups from the '50s tended to have the lower 4.8k-5.0k output whereas into the '60s, the output was increased a little to around 7.5k - So with this in mind you can choose which version you'd like. The 5.0k Low '57 version will sound that little brighter, a little lower in volume than the Mid '63 so if you're after the late '50s sound then go for the Low '57. If you're after that early/mid '60s sound then go for the medium output Mid '63. Both have that sweet, bright sound, the Medium output version being that little fatter, that little bit rounder.
High '68
Magnets Tall 1/4" Diameter Individual Alnico 5 Rods or Ceramic Bar Coil Wire 44AWG Lead Wire 2 Way with Separate Ground for Cover & Baseplate Bridge Output 12.4k Neck Output 10.6k
Creamery Custom Ric® Style Replacement High '68 Pickup
The Fatter, Higher Output, Late '60s Ric® Style Single Coil Sound
I wanted to make a version of the famous Rickenbacker® Hi-Gain Pickups but with more clarity & definition. The original & Modern reissue Hi-Gain pickup designs utilise a strong Ceramic bar magnet underneath and ferrous pole screws through the overwound coil and as well as making a great sounding modern reproduction, I also wanted to make a replacement that was more true to the original individual Alnico rod magnet design. With the much thinner 44AWG coil wire comes more mid-range, especially in such an overwound coil and after many, many prototypes, I signed off these final designs & specifications.
Available in either Toaster® style with Alnico Rods or traditional open style with Ceramic Bar
Fatter, warmer that pushes the amp more, I've designed my own version of the famous Hi-Gain pickups again with a custom neck specification & pickup output for good volume balance through the positions.
Available in closed or Toaster Style Chrome.
> Back to the full range of Creamery Replacement Vintage & Modern Humbucker Pickup Upgrades -
Creamery Humbucker Pickup Reviews
Thanks for the great feedback
Its great when I get positive feedback from customers, and good reviews & word-of-mouth really help the custom shop maker so with this in mind, I've created this page of reviews.
All the comments below were either emailed to me or posted to my Twitter or Facebook pages. Have a read through what others are saying about my replacement Humbucker Pickups and get in touch if you'd like me to custom make some pickups for you. I don't have pickups all boxed up ready to send out, each order is custom made which means I can modify the specifications to suit you, your playing and your guitar.
It really means a lot
Back home now and gave the pickups a good trial on tour. Verdict fantastic! Improved both my guitars. The humbuckers have bags of tone and character! The old Gibson ones sound cold and neutral in comparison. Totally pleased. You’ve sure done something right and well impressed the band, me and the crew! I’ve been bigging you up to everyone!
Shall be breaking it in tonight at the Olympic Stadium Barcelona... I gave it a quick blast during soundcheck through Matts rig and both me and Jason (Matts tech) agreed it sounded pretty damn good…
Loving the sound of the pickup combinations..definitely doing all the things I hoped and more...have a feeling its going to see a lot of use in the studio as well as live...
I simply love the pickup. The guitar that I placed the Double-Track into has quickly become my fav guitar (out of 7 of them...) - A gold top Fender Tele, circa '04 (Originally came stock with a pair of DiMarzio Air Norten humbuckers. You've aided me in realizing a tone that is truly unique, that could not come from a standard, or stock Fender. And for this I extend my gratitude, and my respect.
For Now, Sam
Jaime- Hooked them up today. They are, without a doubt, the clearest sounding pick ups I have ever played. I don't even know if I can describe it. It's like if nothing else affected tone - wood, cables, amps, etc. - if it was just pure sound, that's what these sound like. They are the clearest thing between guitar and amp - bringing out both the sound of the guitar and the sound of the amp.
They're snappy. They ring clear as day with chords, clean and distorted. Tonnes of sustain. They're bright (but that's subjective - there are tone controls on everything - guitar, pedals, amps).
I put them through a few different amps - a 70s Traynor YGM-4 (clean, but Marshall-ish), a boutique Tweed 5e3 clone (AudioFab out of Waterloo, Ontario), and a Vox Nightrain 15.
Great work again! I'm slowly working my way through outfitting all of my guitars with your pickups.
I might have to hit you up for another set of these in the future to see how they sound in a solid body.