2010 R7 Pole spacing differences between R & T pickups

[LP-Mike]

Hi Fellas,

Picked up a nice used 2010 R7 gold top a couple weeks ago, and just noticing the pole separation of the bridge pickup is wider than on the neck pickup. That struck me a little weird, as on my 2013 R8 the pole separation is the same on both pickups. I opened the hood and both pickups on the R7 have a "Gibson USA" stamp with a "T" on the edge of the plate. The bridge pickup is taller than the neck, but otherwise the markings are the same.

I did not realize there was a difference on some of the reissues, so I wanted to pick some brains here and understand what I have.

My first concern is making sure my guitar has the original pickups (everything seems ok with the wiring at both ends) and second is finding out what these are, and maybe a pointer on where to research pickup history on reissues.

Thank you much!

 

[Gold Tone]

Those are not original to the guitar. Those are Gibson USA standard pickups. It would have come with a pair of Burstbuckers, equally space poles

 

[VictorB]

Those are not original to the guitar. Those are Gibson USA standard pickups. It would have come with a pair of Burstbuckers, equally space poles

Exactly. Those pickups are not original.

 

[LP-Mike]

Darn it...
Thank you for the information fellas.

 

[LP-Mike]

Any recommendations for good quality PAF replacements?

Thanks

 

[ARandall]

Ah, Alice heads down the rabbit hole.
Just about every pickup has somebody who likes it above all else.
Maybe pick your fave vintage recording/tone and we can recommend from there.

 

[LP-Mike]

Ah, Alice heads down the rabbit hole.
Just about every pickup has somebody who likes it above all else.
Maybe pick your fave vintage recording/tone and we can recommend from there.

My thought was to get the tone as close to original as possible without necessarily pigeonholing myself to the exact replacement, but I see where you're coming from.

 

[Gold Tone]

You’ve got soooo many options! Including keeping those pickups in there as there is nothing wrong with them.

I have a huge love for Throbak, but thats me

 

[VictorB]

Any recommendations for good quality PAF replacements?

Thanks

Depends on the PAF flavor you’re going for.

 

[ARandall]

My thought was to get the tone as close to original as possible without necessarily pigeonholing myself to the exact replacement, but I see where you're coming from.

Original what though?
The PAF ballpark is big, although with a common thread tonally.
There are probably 200 pickup models you could choose from just from winders who frequent this forum.

 

[Tim Plains]

I'm guessing those are 490/498s.

Google best PAF Les Paul, tons of options, it all comes down to how much you want to spend and how important are looks.

 

[LP-Mike]

Original what though?
The PAF ballpark is big, although with a common thread tonally.
There are probably 200 pickup models you could choose from just from winders who frequent this forum.

Holy smokes...