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1974-76 GIBSON T-TOP HUMBUCKER PICKUP PAIR WITH PATENT-NUMBER BASEPLATES
CONDITION
I identify these as a genuine vintage Gibson T-Top humbucker pair from the early stamped patent-number period, most plausibly dating from circa 1974-76. I confirmed DC continuity in both pickups and obtained the stable DER EE DE-5000 and REW measurements documented below.
I found normal vintage wear throughout, including scratches, scuffs, oxidation, plating wear, discoloration, solder and flux residue, and naturally developed patina. These age-related changes are visible on the covers, baseplates, adjustable pole screws, mounting ears, leads, and included hardware.
The cover-to-baseplate solder joints have been removed, allowing the covers and bobbins to be inspected and photographed. The rounded-profile covers are included with the pair. The measurement photographs show the covers fitted over the pickups, but they are not resoldered to the baseplates.
I examined the black coil tape under ordinary light and blacklight. I found no obvious discontinuity, disturbed edge, or contrasting fluorescence indicating that the tape had been peeled away and reapplied. I present this as my visual inspection finding rather than an absolute guarantee that no prior service has ever occurred.
I include the two covers and the four mounting screws and four springs shown in the photographs.
I personally photographed the exact pickups, covers, and hardware offered in this listing. Please examine all photographs carefully when evaluating their condition and included parts.
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I identify these as Gibson T-Top humbuckers based on their black bobbins with molded T orientation marks, stamped PAT. NO. 2,737,842 baseplates, gray PVC-insulated single-conductor shielded leads, mounting-leg tooling details, construction, and measured electrical characteristics.
I consider circa 1974-76 the most plausible dating range. This estimate places the pair around Gibson's transition from patent-number decals to baseplates with the patent number impressed directly into the metal. No factory date code is present, so I present the date as an informed estimate based on the surviving physical evidence rather than as an exact production date.
The stamped marking does not indicate a completely different pickup design. The visible construction remains closely related to late stickered patent-number T-Tops, including the black T-marked bobbins, conventional two-coil architecture, gray shielded leads, and L-shaped tooling marks visible on the mounting legs.
I also note the familiar Gibson patent-number anomaly. The number 2,737,842, used on Gibson pickup decals and later stamped baseplates, belongs to Les Paul's combined bridge-and-tailpiece patent. Seth Lover's humbucking pickup patent is 2,896,491. The apparently incorrect number is historically correct for this type of Gibson pickup baseplate.
| Identification | Vintage Gibson T-Top humbucker pickup pair |
| Estimated period | Circa 1974-76 |
| Dating limitation | No factory date code is present; I base the estimate on construction and period chronology |
| Baseplate marking | PAT. NO. 2,737,842 stamped directly into both baseplates |
| Bobbins | Black bobbins with molded T orientation marks |
| Mounting-leg detail | L-shaped tooling marks associated with the earlier baseplate tooling |
| Lead construction | Gray PVC-insulated, single-conductor shielded leads |
| Covers | Rounded-profile vintage covers; cover-to-baseplate solder joints removed |
| Original instrument | Unknown; I do not claim a specific donor guitar |
I designate the pickup with the longer lead as the neck pickup and the pickup with the shorter lead as the bridge pickup. These are practical position designations based on the lead lengths. I do not present them as surviving factory position markings or as proof of installation in a particular guitar.
The comparatively generous lead lengths do not identify a specific donor instrument. They may reflect an installation requiring a longer wiring route, or the pickups may originally have been supplied as service or replacement parts. I present those only as possibilities.
I measured both pickups with a DER EE DE-5000 LCR meter. I also recorded their unloaded electrical impedance and phase traces with REW. The values below are my measured results rather than nominal factory specifications.
| Measurement | Neck, longer lead | Bridge, shorter lead |
|---|---|---|
| DCR | 7.622 kΩ at 25.0°C / 77.0°F | 7.493 kΩ at 24.2°C / 75.6°F |
| Relative humidity shown | 54% | 56% |
| 100 Hz series-equivalent Ls / Q | 4.289 H / 0.351 | 4.382 H / 0.364 |
| 1 kHz series-equivalent Ls / Q | 3.993 H / 2.15 | 4.016 H / 2.06 |
| Approx. unloaded electrical self-resonance | 9.83 kHz | 11.4 kHz |
| Approx. peak impedance at resonance | Approximately 0.43 MΩ | Approximately 0.43 MΩ |
| Lead length | Approximately 35.5 cm / 14.0 in | Approximately 27 cm / 10.6 in |
I recorded the unloaded electrical impedance and phase traces using REW V5.40 Beta 132 with a Yamaha AG06 operating at 48 kHz / 24-bit. The measurement network used Rsense 100.00 kΩ and Rref 100.00 kΩ.
The approximately 9.83 kHz neck and 11.4 kHz bridge values are unloaded electrical impedance self-resonances. They are not peaks from a magnetically excited pickup-output frequency-response test. Likewise, the approximately 0.43 MΩ figures are peak electrical impedances at resonance, not output levels or dB measurements.
I have not measured the magnetically excited output-frequency response or a corresponding output peak in dB. The phase traces in the REW graphs represent impedance phase angle within the measurement network. I do not present them as tests of pickup wiring polarity or electrical output phase relative to another pickup.
The DE-5000 Q readings of 0.351 and 0.364 were measured at 100 Hz, while 2.15 and 2.06 were measured at 1 kHz. They are not resonance-Q values at 9.83 kHz or 11.4 kHz.
These are unloaded electrical measurements. Installing the pickups in a guitar adds volume and tone controls, cable capacitance, switch and wiring capacitance, amplifier input loading, and other variables that normally change the loaded resonant frequency, peak impedance, and audible response.
I checked the photographed DE-5000 readings and the REW traces as a related measurement set. Both pickups show DC continuity, stable readings, a modest reduction in series-equivalent inductance between 100 Hz and 1 kHz, and a clearly defined unloaded electrical resonance.
I took the DCR measurements at temperatures differing by 0.8°C / 1.4°F and did not apply temperature normalization. The longer-lead neck pickup has slightly higher DCR, while the shorter-lead bridge pickup has slightly higher measured inductance. I do not consider this contradictory because resistance and inductance describe different aspects of the coil and magnetic circuit.
I consider these a closely related same-specification vintage pair rather than a modern calibrated set with a substantially hotter bridge winding. Their close DCR, inductance, low-frequency Q, and resonant peak impedance support that interpretation.
Based on DCR readings around 7.5-7.6 kΩ and series-equivalent inductance around 4.3-4.4 H at 100 Hz, I place this pair in a moderate vintage-output electrical range rather than an overwound modern category.
Under otherwise comparable loading, I would generally expect an articulate vintage humbucker tendency rather than the stronger compression and heavier midrange emphasis commonly associated with a substantially higher-wind pickup. I present this only as an expected tendency derived from the measured electrical characteristics.
I cannot determine the exact installed sound from these measurements alone. Audible results also depend on distributed coil capacitance, loaded resonant frequency, magnet material and charge, metal and eddy-current losses, cover coupling, pickup height, pole adjustment, strings, pot values, cable capacitance, guitar construction, amplifier, and playing technique.
I examined the original-style black coil tape visually under ordinary light and blacklight. I found no obvious discontinuity, disturbed edge, or contrasting fluorescence suggesting that the tape had been peeled away and reapplied.
This is a careful visual observation, not an absolute guarantee that the pickups have never been opened, repaired, rewound, or otherwise serviced at any point in their history. I recommend studying the detailed ordinary-light and blacklight photographs when making that assessment.
The included covers have the rounded-shoulder profile associated with earlier Gibson humbucker covers. They show naturally developed scratches, scuffs, oxidation, plating wear, discoloration, residue, and patina.
The covers have been removed from their solder joints for inspection and photography. I have not resoldered them to the baseplates. Please evaluate the solder areas, cover surfaces, and baseplate condition from the photographs.
Only the exact pickups, covers, and hardware shown in my photographs are included.
This item is not drop-shipped. I personally own, photograph, inspect, pack, and ship everything I sell.
What you see is exactly what you will receive. I do not use stock images or third-party fulfillment.
I have been an eBay member since 2004 and have more than 30 years of experience with vintage guitars and parts.
To the USA: I ship via Japan Post or eBay SpeedPAK with full tracking. For qualifying merchandise shipments under current U.S. postal-import rules, I prepay the applicable import duty through the required DDP procedure. In other words, the applicable tariff is already covered, so you should not receive an unexpected import-duty bill at delivery. eBay may still collect state sales tax at checkout, and separate carrier or customs-processing fees may apply in some cases.
To all other countries: I ship from Japan with tracking. Import VAT, customs duties, clearance fees, and compliance with local import regulations are the buyer's responsibility unless collected at checkout.
Trade-Policy Transparency
The business operating this store has independently placed on the public record its support for evidence-based, product-specific treatment of musical instruments and parts under HTSUS Chapter 92. This statement reflects the seller’s own views and does not imply endorsement by eBay or any manufacturer.
I accept returns within 30 days. The buyer is responsible for return shipping when the return is based on preference, compatibility, or another buyer-related reason.
I handle all returns in accordance with eBay policy. Cutting or extending a lead, soldering, installation, disassembly, rewinding, changing a magnet, altering the coil tape, resoldering or modifying a cover, or any other modification changes the item's condition and may affect return eligibility or the refund amount to the extent permitted by eBay policy. This does not limit the buyer's rights if the item is not as described.
This vintage product may contain lead, nickel, or other substances known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling and avoid unnecessary exposure.
I consider this a closely related pair of circa 1974-76 Gibson T-Top humbuckers with black T-marked bobbins, stamped PAT. NO. 2,737,842 baseplates, gray shielded leads, rounded vintage covers, documented DE-5000 measurements, and clearly defined unloaded electrical impedance resonances.
I am not affiliated with or endorsed by Gibson Brands, Inc. or any other manufacturer. I use brand and model names only for historical identification and descriptive purposes. I present the 1974-76 dating as an informed estimate based on visible construction and period chronology because no factory date code is present. The neck and bridge labels are practical designations based on lead length and are not factory position markings or donor-guitar provenance. The covers have been desoldered from the baseplates. The REW resonance and peak-impedance figures describe unloaded electrical impedance behavior, not magnetically excited output response or dB output. Electrical readings may vary slightly with temperature, test equipment, and measurement conditions.