Diablo tools
Pickup Identification Guide
Match DC resistance readings and visual cues to quickly verify pickup brand and model while logging instruments for the Diablo inventory system.
Quick measure
Use 20kΩ range
Temperature
Expect ±0.2kΩ drift
Visual log
Macro shots per pickup
How to capture a reliable reading
- Isolate the pickup from circuit by lifting the hot lead or selecting it alone on the switch.
- Use a calibrated multimeter on the 20kΩ range; zero leads before touching coil wires.
- Measure at room temperature (70°F/21°C) to keep readings consistent with this chart.
- Photograph bobbin color, lead style, and any handwriting immediately after measurement.
- Log readings in the inventory app with pickup position (neck/middle/bridge) to spot mismatches.
Tip: If readings seem low, lightly heat the pickup with your hand for 30 seconds and re-measure—cold coils drop up to 0.3kΩ.
Family focus
Gibson Humbuckers & P-90s
Wax-potted unless noted; this chart spans Burstbuckers, Custom Shop signatures, and staple P-90 variants. Burstbuckers, '57 Classics, and Custombuckers always wear a PAF sticker on the baseplate.
| Model | DC Range (kΩ) | Magnet / Potting | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burstbucker Pro BB1 | 7.4 | Alnico 5 • wax potted | Modern Les Paul Standard fitment. |
| Burstbucker Pro BB2 | 8.0 | Alnico 5 • wax potted | Bridge mate to BB1. |
| Burstbucker 1 | 7.5 | Alnico 2 • not potted | Earliest PAF-style voice. |
| Burstbucker 2 | 8.0 – 8.4 | Alnico 2 • not potted | Neck or bridge; more push than BB1. |
| Burstbucker 3 | 8.2 – 8.8 | Alnico 2 • not potted | Hotter bridge wind. |
| Custombucker | 8.3 | Alnico 3 • not potted | Standard in Historic Reissues. |
| '57 Classic | 7.4 – 8.5 | Alnico 2 • wax potted | Vintage-voiced neck staple. |
| '57 Classic Plus | 8.8 – 9.1 | Alnico 2 • wax potted | Bridge mate to Classic. |
| Dirty Fingers | 16.0 – 16.6 | Dual ceramic magnets • wax potted | Aggressive 70s rock set. |
| Mini Humbucker | 6.0 – 6.4 / 8.1 bridge | Alnico 2 • wax potted | Firebird/LP Deluxe spec. |
| 490R | 7.2 – 7.8 | Alnico 2 • wax potted | Embossed Gibson USA baseplate. |
| 490T | 7.9 – 8.5 | Alnico 2 • wax potted | Pairs with 490R, same stamp. |
| 498T | 12.3 – 13.5 | Alnico 5 • wax potted | Hotter bridge upgrade; Gibson USA stamp. |
| 496R | 8.3 – 8.6 | Ceramic • wax potted | Bright neck pickup. |
| 500T | 14 – 15 | Triple ceramic • wax potted | High-output bridge bruiser. |
| Angus Young | 13.5 | Alnico 5 • wax potted | Signature SG bridge spec. |
| Tony Iommi | 14.7 – 17.2 | Alnico 2 + ceramic • epoxy potted | Fully encapsulated coils. |
| Joe Perry | 8.4 neck / 8.8 bridge | Alnico 5 • wax potted | Burstbucker 2/3 recipe. |
| Jimmy Page | 7.5 – 8.2 | Alnico 5 • wax potted | Tapped harness friendly. |
| P-90R / P-90T | 7.7 – 8.5 / 7.8 – 9.4 | Alnico 5 • soapbar/dog-ear | Classic single-coil roar. |
| P-100R / P-100T | 6.1 / 9.4 – 16.0 | Stacked hum-canceling • Alnico 5 | Drop-in for P-90 routes. |
| P-94R / P-94T | 8.1 / 9.1 | Alnico 5 • humbucker-sized | Single-coil voice in HB shell. |
| HB-R / HB-L | 7.0 – 9.1 / 13.4 – 15.3 | Alnico 5 • wax potted | Nighthawk narrow aperture pair. |
| Epiphone 650R / 650T | 7.8 – 12.0 / 16.6 | Ceramic 8 • wax potted | Korea/China OEM humbuckers. |
| Epiphone 700T | 16.9 | Ceramic 8 • wax potted | Often couples with 650R. |
| Epiphone P-90 family | 8.1 – 12.0 (model dependent) | Alnico 5 • soapbar/dog-ear | Casino 8.1k standard; WildKat / Casino owners report 11k+ readings. |
| Epiphone Classic (57CH/HOTCH/HOTH8B) | 7.8 – 14.4 | Alnico 5 • wax potted | Classic+ sits 13k range. |
| Epiphone HB6N / Mini HB | 8.1 – 8.6 / 6.65 | Alnico 5 • wax potted | Used on Sheraton/Firebird reissues. |
| Epiphone Special-II | 12.85 neck / 16.6 bridge | Ceramic • wax potted | Budget LP hot set. |
| Epiphone P-100 / H90 / Elitist variants | 10.0 – 13.8 | Alnico 5 • wax potted | Elitist 50SR/50ST = 8.5k, 60ST = 13.8k, Valensi set 8.1/9.1k. |
Photo Slot
PAF Sticker Detail
Capture Burstbucker/Custombucker baseplate decals
Attach image via CMS
Photo Slot
Gibson USA Stamp
Show embossed baseplates on 490/498 family
Attach image via CMS
Photo Slot
Signature Set
Photograph epoxy potting or artist engravings
Attach image via CMS
Family focus
EMG Active Pickups
Alpha date codes on 80s/90s EMGs make it easy to timestamp harness swaps—learn the letter math before logging a set.
| Code type | Meaning | Visual cues | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-letter alpha (circa '80s-'90s) | A=1 … J=0 | Embossed or printed two-letter stamp near the EMG logo or quick-connect lead | Translate each letter to its digit: IA = 1991, IE = 1995, IB = 1992, etc. |
| Three-letter alpha | Third letter = month | Same stamp location with an extra trailing letter | Example IJC = 1990 March per EMG support (final letter uses A=Jan, B=Feb, etc.). |
| Post-2000 numeric | Printed date (MM/DD/YY) | Sticker or silkscreen date such as 1/12/07 | EMG phased out alpha codes around 2000; expect conventional dates on newer sets. |
Photo Slot
Alpha Stamp Close-up
Capture the two-letter embossing next to the connector
Attach image via CMS
Photo Slot
Three-Letter Code
Document full three-letter mark showing month
Attach image via CMS
Photo Slot
Modern Date Sticker
Photograph numeric date for post-2000 pickups
Attach image via CMS
Vintage Gibson Humbucker Timeline
1956–1957 “PAF”
Long 2.5" Alnico II–V magnets installed randomly, brushed stainless covers, no sticker, #42 plain enamel purple wire, auto-traverse with manual stop, black bobbins and leads, 7k–9k variance.
1957–1961 “PAF”
Nickel covers, “Patent Applied For” sticker, long magnets (A2 most common), same wire/coils, black and cream bobbins appear early ’59 then return to black by late ’60, readings 7k–10k.
1961–1962 Late “PAF”
Shorter 2.37" Alnico V magnets, nickel covers, PAF sticker, same #42 wire, ohms average ~8k by 1962, black bobbins.
1962–1964 Patent Number
Alnico V magnets, nickel covers, new patent number sticker, polyurethane wire introduced 1963, auto-stop winding, black/white lead wires, 7.6k–8.0k typical.
1965–1967 Late Patent Number
Chrome covers become common mid-’65, flatter bobbins without “square-in-circle,” Alnico V + poly wire, 7.4k–8.0k; gold-plated sets linger on archtops (Varitone guitars used a reversed magnet in one pickup).
1967–1980 “T-Top”
Raised “T” mold mark on bobbins, chrome covers, Alnico V, automated winding fully in place, patent stickers through ’74 then stamped numbers, ink date codes ’77–’80, readings 7.3k–8.0k.
Alnico Magnet Reference
Magnetic strength is expressed in gauss (flux) and oersteds (field intensity); like watts = volts × amps, magnet energy is the product of both. Alnico blends mix aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), and iron, with magnet grades II through V covering most Gibson-era pickups. Alnico IV carries the weakest charge capacity, while Alnico V can hold the strongest when fully charged. Undercharged magnets can still read lower than a higher grade, so note the actual gauss if you demagnetize or recharge.
| Alloy | Al % | Ni % | Co % | Cu % | Approx. Gauss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alnico II | 10 | 19 | 13 | 3 | ~7500 |
| Alnico III | 12 | 25 | 0 | 3 | ~7000 |
| Alnico IV | 12 | 28 | 5 | 0 | ~5600 |
| Alnico V | 8 | 14 | 24 | 3 | ~1280 |
Field checklist
- Confirm pickup position—bridge coils read hotter than neck by design.
- Inspect lead type: braided shield = vintage Gibson, cloth push-back = vintage Fender, multi-conductor = aftermarket.
- Record magnet type when possible (A2, A5, ceramic). Use a gauss meter if available.
- Cross-reference readings with pot and capacitor dates documented on other Diablo tools.