SPECIALS
*NEW SPECIALS PAGE FEATURE -- Extra crappy photos!*
Tired of all those sharp, professional looking photos from the home page and other pages (clearly taken by someone other than me)? Look no further -- scroll down for some out-of-focus and otherwise crummy pictures to help you feel less bad about your own lack of photographic talent!
Tired of all those sharp, professional looking photos from the home page and other pages (clearly taken by someone other than me)? Look no further -- scroll down for some out-of-focus and otherwise crummy pictures to help you feel less bad about your own lack of photographic talent!
If you are a customer of mine, no doubt you've dealt with having to wait a while for your order. This page won't totally solve that problem but on this page will be pickups IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE -- already built and ready to ship out right away.
Some may have blemishes and will be extra cheap, some may be like new and are in perfect condition but weren't quite what the customer wanted and were returned. Others may be just goofs on my part where I made the pickup with the wrong bobbin color or spacing or something, and -- genius that I am -- I didn't figure it out until after I built the pickup. (D'OH!!!) And about 90% of the time, they will be at a fairly substantial discount.
DISCLAIMER: All sales here in the Specials section are final with no refunds, unless there is a functional problem or defect with the pickup. In other words, if it's broken/won't work, I'll take it back -- I'm not going to stick you with a dud. But if it works fine but it's not quite what you wanted, hey, you're stuck with it. If you want some tweaking done to it, the free tweaking guarantee on new pickups also does not apply here. You'll have to pay a fee to have it done, price TBD depending on the nature and extent of tweakage.
ALSO: UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THESE PICKUPS ARE ONE-OFFS, NOT BATCHES.
Special #26 - Firebird Bridge (chrome) - $75 shipped (add $9 international)
This is a true Firebird (magnets in the bobbins) with a little extra punch (11.8k/A5) for the bridge position. 11.8k sounds hot -- but fear not -- this is nothing at all like those stock Gibson Firebird 24k metalhead screamers. It has some push and midrange but in all other respects retains the classic Firebird twang, chime and detail. You could call this the Paul Bunyan of my Firebirds, for those familiar with my Paul Bunyan Tele bridge pu. It comes with a nice long 14" braid lead and special mount screws (regular humbucker mount screws are too small).
Specs:
Specs:
- 11.8k/A5
- Chrome cover
- 43AWG PE coil wire
- 14" braid lead
Special #25 - Two Blues 90 Soapbars - $55 each shipped (add $9 for international)
These are brand new Blues 90 bridges, no wear at all, wound special for the Specials page in a bit of a marketing experiment.
Classic P90 sizzle and grind for the bridge position with just a little extra midrange grunt. (NOTE: These are both bridge pu's, not a bridge/neck set.) Cover can be cream or black, whichever you like. If these go quickly, don't despair, there will be more...
SPECS:
- 9.3k with A5-A2 mix
- 42AWG PE wire
- Black or cream cover
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SOLD/ARCHIVES
SPECIAL #24 - SOLD Pure Handwound T-Bucker Neck w/RS Guitarworks Aged Cover - $125 shipped - add $6 for international
One of the rare Pure Handwounds to make it to the Specials page. This one has the RS Guitarworks aged cover (very transparent tonally) and aged screws.
T-Buckers are especially popular with 335 owners and owners of other semihollows because they are so airy and chimey. This pu would also good for LP owners going for that Dicky Betts neck tone or for anyone suffering with a muddy neck pu. This is the Anti-Mud...
SPECS:
- Pure Handwound format
- 42AWG PE wire
- 7.2k/A2
- Long leg plate
- 14" lead
SPECIAL #23 - SOLD - Woodbucker in Widebucker format - $75 shipped - add $6 for international
Hard to tell from my expert photography at left, but unlike the bridge Widebucker, the neck has larger screws (6-32 fillisters instead of standard 5-40) rather than larger slugs.
For blueshounds, the bigger screws make for a fatter tone and also reduce drop-out on big bends. For jazzbo's who want to warm up a semi or solidbody, the big screws and A4 mag give more of that Metheny-like "warm raindrop" tone as I like to call it.
SPECS:
- 7.6k/A4
- 42 AWG coil wire, PE insulation
- 6/32 Fillister head screws
- 50mm spacing
- 16" Braid lead
SPECIAL #22 - SOLD - Coverless Tele Neck - $65 shipped (add $6 for international)
One of those coverless Tele necks I've been extolling, lo these many years, with the cold-mountain-stream-in-August clarity I've been bragging about.
This one's a little warmer than average at 8.0k/A5 (43 AWG wire so it's not a hot pickup) with red twine. It's a little on the tall side but all my Fender-style pickups tend to be.
SPECS:
- 8.0k/A5
- 43 AWG coil wire, PE insulation
- Polarity: South up
- Flatpole
SPECIAL #21 - SOLD Plutonium 239 Prototype - $90 shipped (add $6 for international, $1.5 billion for Denmark)
At last, a weapons grade pickup without giving up the clarity! This is the prototype available for immediate sale.
14.2k with an Alnico 9, that's right, Alnico NINE, magnet. What is 9 like, compared to Alnico 8? Even hotter, yes, but with more bite and chainsaw grind -- A9 is to A8 what A5 is to A2, but minus the mid scoop. It is also made with 12 large screws, so you have the secret weapon of being able to use that second row of screws to dial as much extra midrange in or out as you want by raising or lowering the second set of screws -- only more so because of the wider screws (6/32 vs traditional 5/40). Use the traditional 6 screws on the bridge side to raise or cut treble/presence.
SPECS:
14.2k with an Alnico 9, that's right, Alnico NINE, magnet. What is 9 like, compared to Alnico 8? Even hotter, yes, but with more bite and chainsaw grind -- A9 is to A8 what A5 is to A2, but minus the mid scoop. It is also made with 12 large screws, so you have the secret weapon of being able to use that second row of screws to dial as much extra midrange in or out as you want by raising or lowering the second set of screws -- only more so because of the wider screws (6/32 vs traditional 5/40). Use the traditional 6 screws on the bridge side to raise or cut treble/presence.
SPECS:
- 14.2k/A9
- 50mm spacing
- Long leg plate
- 12 large 6/32 fillister head screws
- 4-conductor, 13"
- 43AWG / PE
SPECIAL #20 - SOLD - Brownbucker 4 bridge - Reg Wind - $75 shipped (add $6 for international)
Yup, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking the specials pages have more zebras than the Serengeti Plain. Well deal with it, that's just how it worked out -- and no blogging by disaffected college students about zebra conspiracies here at Zhangbucker, all right? (I'm adding "4" to the name because this one has an A4 mag in it.) Overwound vintage flavor to push the amp a little harder, maybe even for some early VH crunch if you do to your Marshall whatever it was Ed did to his. This pickup is in brand new condition with long leg plate and braid lead.
Specs:
Specs:
- 9.2k/A4
- 50mm spacing
- Long leg plate
- Braid (15")
- 42 PE coil wire
SPECIAL #19 - SOLD Telebucker 2 - Reg Wind - $75 shipped (add $6 for international)
Yup, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking the specials pages have more zebras than the Serengeti Plain. (And yes, I said that already in Special #20 above.)
If you're not already familiar with the Telebucker 2, it's a bucker designed for folks who want a bucker in the neck of their Teles but have trouble finding one that isn't muddy by comparison to the single coil bridge. It not only has a low overall spec to bring more air to the tone but is further assisted in this by a very wide coil mismatch (3.8k/2.7k) and an A3 mag. The downside would be a bit of extra hum on high gain settings, but this is not a pickup most high gain players would care for anyway.
This pickup is in brand new condition with a long braid lead. The plate is long leg so some Tele neck routs maybe a little shallow for it. It is not limited to use in Tele's, it would be great for a someone with a dark humbucker guitar that could use the extra chime and sparkle out of the neck. Will consider transferring to a short leg plate for an extra $10.
Specs:
If you're not already familiar with the Telebucker 2, it's a bucker designed for folks who want a bucker in the neck of their Teles but have trouble finding one that isn't muddy by comparison to the single coil bridge. It not only has a low overall spec to bring more air to the tone but is further assisted in this by a very wide coil mismatch (3.8k/2.7k) and an A3 mag. The downside would be a bit of extra hum on high gain settings, but this is not a pickup most high gain players would care for anyway.
This pickup is in brand new condition with a long braid lead. The plate is long leg so some Tele neck routs maybe a little shallow for it. It is not limited to use in Tele's, it would be great for a someone with a dark humbucker guitar that could use the extra chime and sparkle out of the neck. Will consider transferring to a short leg plate for an extra $10.
Specs:
- 6.5k/A3
- 50mm spacing
- Long leg plate
- Braid (17.5")
- 42 PE coil wire
SPECIAL #18 - SOLD - Pagey 1 Bridge - Widebucker and Pure Handwound Format - F-spaced
$150 shipped (add $6 for international)
A bridge humbucker on the Specials Page for a change!
This is a used pickup sent back because the rout of the guitar was not deep enough for it. Most of my bridge pickups are about 2-3mm taller than standard because the bobbins are modified to hold the wire because my wind pattern tends to take up more space. Though the overwhelming majority of guitars are routed plenty deep enough (this is actually the first time I've ever run into this), keep this in mind if you know your guitar has an unusually shallow rout.
The Pure Handwound 8.5k wind brings vintage clarity, the wider slugs (7/32" dia) bring the grunt and while they're at it, they reduce dropout on string bends. It's F-spaced so feel free to pop it in your Superstrat, but will work fine in Gibson spaced guitars too.
Specs:
This is a used pickup sent back because the rout of the guitar was not deep enough for it. Most of my bridge pickups are about 2-3mm taller than standard because the bobbins are modified to hold the wire because my wind pattern tends to take up more space. Though the overwhelming majority of guitars are routed plenty deep enough (this is actually the first time I've ever run into this), keep this in mind if you know your guitar has an unusually shallow rout.
The Pure Handwound 8.5k wind brings vintage clarity, the wider slugs (7/32" dia) bring the grunt and while they're at it, they reduce dropout on string bends. It's F-spaced so feel free to pop it in your Superstrat, but will work fine in Gibson spaced guitars too.
Specs:
- 8.5k/A2
- F spacing (53mm)
- Short leg plate
- Widebucker slugs (7/32" diameter)
- 4-conductor
- 42 PE coil wire
SPECIAL #17 SOLD - Electric Mandolin Pickup - $60 Shipped (add $6 for international)
Mandolin Pickup? Yes, you read that right. A few years ago I had a builder of electric mandolins call me who wanted me to make some samples for him but he lost interest before I could even send it to him. It's made "Strele" style and takes Fender style mount screws.
If you don't have an electric mandolin, it could be a conversation piece for the coffee table (it is kinda cute). And at 4.6k/A3, it's too mellow to not be hated by disaffected college students, unless they're folkies. Spacing is 31.5mm for whatever that's worth. The two middle rods are raised slightly higher than the others, so it has....technically sort of a "radius" I guess...
If you don't have an electric mandolin, it could be a conversation piece for the coffee table (it is kinda cute). And at 4.6k/A3, it's too mellow to not be hated by disaffected college students, unless they're folkies. Spacing is 31.5mm for whatever that's worth. The two middle rods are raised slightly higher than the others, so it has....technically sort of a "radius" I guess...
SPECIAL #16 - SOLD - Duanebucker Neck - $55 shipped (add $6 for international)
Raggedy ol' regular wind Duane neck at 8.0k/A3 with short leg plate. Photo below hides some scratching on the bobbins and a few silicone boogers (and solder globs on baseplate - see second photo) from when it had a cover on it, hence the low price. Screws are aged.
This pickup is not recommended for guitars that are middling to beefy in natural tone. It's pretty fat and smooth and would be best for someone looking for a beefy slide neck tone or someone with a hopelessly bright, shrill guitar that needs some taming, or a metalhead looking for a mate for a high output bucker. The short leg plate makes it eligible for Super Strats too. It may even melt the heart of a disaffected college student.
This pickup is not recommended for guitars that are middling to beefy in natural tone. It's pretty fat and smooth and would be best for someone looking for a beefy slide neck tone or someone with a hopelessly bright, shrill guitar that needs some taming, or a metalhead looking for a mate for a high output bucker. The short leg plate makes it eligible for Super Strats too. It may even melt the heart of a disaffected college student.
SPECIAL #15: Telebucker "5" - SOLD $75 USA shipped (add $6 international)
Telebucker "5"? It's a Telebucker 2 (6.5k) in all its chimey glory but with an A5 mag to add a little fat back in. Not enough anger in it to please a disaffected college student but would be great for a 335, archtop or beefy LP. Reverse zebra, braid lead, long leg plate. 50 mm spacing.
SPECIAL #14: SOLD - Super Paul Bunyan bridge w/baseplate ground - $65 USA shipped (add $6 for international)
Used, leads a little dirty but otherwise pristine. This is the one that sounds like a cross between a Tele and an overwound P90. Huge 1/4" A5 rods, with enough woof that some metalheads dig it. You can see in the photo it has 3 leads - the yellow one is the baseplate ground which allows you to reverse the other two leads if it's out of phase with the neck pu in your Tele.
Specs:
- 10.5k
- Large 1/4" A5 rods
- South polarity
- $65 USA shipped
SOLD - SPECIAL #13: Woodbucker 24 Reg Wind (neck only)
*$80 USA shipped (add $6 for international with no tracking)*
A fatter neck pu (8.3k/A2) designed for 24-fret guitars or other guitars (like SG's and many double-cut LP's and others) where the neck pu cavity is pushed a little closer to the bridge than on an LP or other 22-fretters. The coil mismatch is expanded slightly to bring some extra single coil air and chime that most over-8k neck buckers lack -- it will stay clear and articulate on clean amp settings no matter how hard you strum all 6 strings at once, even with the most abstract chord voicings, so all the more on your single note lines. It will also work in 22-fret guitars that need a little extra fat in the neck.
The baseplate is short-leg so you can install it in Superstrats or other shallow rout guitars.
A fatter neck pu (8.3k/A2) designed for 24-fret guitars or other guitars (like SG's and many double-cut LP's and others) where the neck pu cavity is pushed a little closer to the bridge than on an LP or other 22-fretters. The coil mismatch is expanded slightly to bring some extra single coil air and chime that most over-8k neck buckers lack -- it will stay clear and articulate on clean amp settings no matter how hard you strum all 6 strings at once, even with the most abstract chord voicings, so all the more on your single note lines. It will also work in 22-fret guitars that need a little extra fat in the neck.
The baseplate is short-leg so you can install it in Superstrats or other shallow rout guitars.
Specs:
This pickup would be good for someone looking for a mate for his mid or high output bridge pickup because the existing sub-8k neck pu is a little thin sounding by comparison, or for someone with an unusually bright and thin sounding guitar that could use a few extra lbs in the neck position.
This pickup might even please disaffected college students...
- 8.3k/A2
- 4-conductor (color code same as Duncan)
- Short leg plate
- $80 USA shipped (add $6 for international)
This pickup would be good for someone looking for a mate for his mid or high output bridge pickup because the existing sub-8k neck pu is a little thin sounding by comparison, or for someone with an unusually bright and thin sounding guitar that could use a few extra lbs in the neck position.
This pickup might even please disaffected college students...
SPECIAL #12: SOLD - Tapped Dogear P90 (bridge only)
*$80 USA shipped (add $6 for international with no tracking)*
Wound with 43 AWG wire, the full spec is 12.7k and the tap is 9.7k. (This equates to roughly 10k and 7.5k in terms of output equivalent with 42 AWG.) It has my usual A5/A2 magnet combo, with the A2 facing the bridge and the A5 facing the neck. Go from Mississippi Queen to vintage jangle at the flip of a switch!
Specs:
- 12.7k full, 9.7k tap
- A5/A2 magnet mix
- 43 AWG PE coil wire
- Color code: White = hot, red = tap, black & bare = ground (ignore green)
SPECIAL #8: Formvar Refin Strat Set
PRICE $180 USA shipped - SOLD
The Refin set is a vintage output set designed for sweeter top end on the bridge (via a mix of Alnico grades) and killer quack via a weaker middle pickup. This set varies slightly from the normal formula in having formvar instead of PE and 5/2 instead of 5/3 bridge magnet configuration.
Specs:
Other Features:
This set would be great for anyone looking for an overall killer vintage tone with monster quack and a little formvar attitude. It might NOT be great for a player who uses the middle pu a lot by itself for leads and needs some extra beef there because the middle is the weakest of the three in this set, so please keep that in mind before pulling the trigger.
- Bridge: 6.6k/A5-A2
- Middle: 5.5k/A5
- Neck: 6.0k/A5
Other Features:
- Formvar rather than PE insulation. What is the difference between formvar and PE? Again winders will differ, but to my ear formvar has (wine-tasting terms alert!) a more chewy, gutsy quality -- like a rusty nail in the woods -- while PE is more refined and shimmery. I won't con you into thinking it's a massive diffference that will solve all your tone problems. It's just a subtle difference, but it's there.
- Soft Vintage Stagger. The high G&D/low B format remains but the height differences are reduced to make for better overall balance.
- Covers are off-white.
- 5/2 magnet configuration rather than the standard 5/3 for the Refin bridge.
- Price: $180 USA shipped
This set would be great for anyone looking for an overall killer vintage tone with monster quack and a little formvar attitude. It might NOT be great for a player who uses the middle pu a lot by itself for leads and needs some extra beef there because the middle is the weakest of the three in this set, so please keep that in mind before pulling the trigger.
SPECIAL #11: - SOLD
Original Woodbucker - Alnico 3, Black, Reg Wind, Long Leg/Braid
Standard Original Woodbucker (7.6k) except for A3 mag instead of A2. What does that mean for those not familiar with the tonal personalities of the various Alnico grades? Just a bit more sparkle and air. For those not familiar with anything I make at all, this is a neck position humbucker with a great combination of sparkle and warmth. PRICE: $80 shipped in the USA
Standard Original Woodbucker (7.6k) except for A3 mag instead of A2. What does that mean for those not familiar with the tonal personalities of the various Alnico grades? Just a bit more sparkle and air. For those not familiar with anything I make at all, this is a neck position humbucker with a great combination of sparkle and warmth. PRICE: $80 shipped in the USA
DISCLAIMER: This pickup may pose especially grave dangers to disaffected college students because the tone is sweet and soothing enough that sustaining righteous indignation 24/7 may prove difficult.
DISCLAIMER 2: What looks like a hole in the bobbin is just a reflection. It's a brand new pickup with no damage.
Either that or I was unable to keep that weapons grade plutonium coil wire from melting the bobbin! My North Korean suppliers said the special insulation they used would prevent that. I should have known better than to trust a firm called Kimmy Jong's Magnet Wire. My plan for world domination is ruined, RUINED!!!!
DISCLAIMER 2: What looks like a hole in the bobbin is just a reflection. It's a brand new pickup with no damage.
Either that or I was unable to keep that weapons grade plutonium coil wire from melting the bobbin! My North Korean suppliers said the special insulation they used would prevent that. I should have known better than to trust a firm called Kimmy Jong's Magnet Wire. My plan for world domination is ruined, RUINED!!!!
SPECIAL #10 SOLD:
T-Bucker "Plus" Bridge - Zebra, Reg Wind, Long Leg/Braid
PRICE: $80 shipped USA
It started life as a standard T-bucker bridge but the slug coil ended up about 500 turns hotter than planned (don't ask), so for a lack of a better name I'm calling it a T-Bucker Plus. It weighs in at 8.2k with an A4 magnet, and a bit of a wider spread due to the above gives a little extra grunt in the mids. The down side is it might hum a little bit more than usual on high gain settings (though far less than a single coil). It's also in brand new condition, never left the shop til you buy it.
Had it turned out the usual 7.8k, I would have said the ideal application would be a 335 or an archtop for a bluesy vibe but the extra grunt makes it fine for anyone looking for a pushy low-wind bridge pickup for some classic rock grind.
This pickup would NOT be good for:
This pickup would NOT be good for:
- Metalheads
- F-spaced guitars (it's 50mm)
- Any guitar with a shallow rout that requires a short-leg baseplate
- Those of you who spell "probably" P-R-O-L-L-Y (U no hoo U R...)
- Disaffected college students
SPECIAL #9: SOLD "Vintage" Paul Bunyan Tele Bridge
This baby is about 4-5 years old, is not quite as tall as the now-standard 0.8". It was used as an experiment in reducing squeal by screwing the baseplate to the bottom flange, hence there are two holes in each of the front and back "lips" of the bottom flange (see photo below). These would not be visible when installed in your Tele, and it is otherwise in perfect working order and sounds great.
Specs are 9.5k/A5. Price just $65 USA shipped.
Specs are 9.5k/A5. Price just $65 USA shipped.
SPECIAL #7: Minihumbucker set LP Deluxe-style, chrome covers. - SOLD
- Bridge - 7.2k/A2
- Neck - 6.2k/A2
- Braid leads, very long.
- Scuffs on the both ends of each cover but otherwise clean.
- NOTE: Previous owner loved the pickups but had trouble mounting them. The mount screw holes on the ears have been drilled out so that screws will not thread into them. These will have to be mounted LP Deluxe style. For more info on that, I recommend the Tim Lollar Youtube videos, "Installing Mini Humbuckers", part 1 of 5 linked here. I recommend watching all 5 videos, very informative.
- Price: $120 for set.
SPECIAL #6: 4 reg wind humbuckers with RS Guitarworks aged covers.
- Bridge - Brownbucker 9.2k/A2 - SOLD
- Bridge - Original Slugbucker 8.3k/A2 - SOLD
- Neck - Original Woodbucker 7.6k/A2 - SOLD
- Neck - Pagey 2 - 7.5k/A2 - SOLD
- All pickups with aged RS covers and aged screws, double-black under the hood. (All leads 12" long or longer.)
- All pickups are 50mm spacing.
- Price: $90 each, $350 for all 4. Price includes USA/Canada shipping and Paypal fee.
