VAN HALEN HUMBUCKERS



Released in early 2009, the Seymour Duncan-manufactured EVH Frankenstein humbucker has become one of the most popular and sought-after pickups on the market. For years, guitar players and fans had been chasing down other pickups that supposedly had the right magnets, strength, tone, and appearance that matched the black humbucker that Edward Van Halen pulled from an early Gibson (cover removed) and placed in his striped Frankenstein guitar. Now we have his signature pickup and the ability to get close to the Brown Sound.

The EVH Frankenstein humbucker has had three models to date. There is the standard Black model, the Limited Edition Black Relic (500 signed by EVH), and the Limited Edition Chrome Cover (1000). The aged EVH Frankenstein humbuckers for the 2007 $25K Frankenstein guitar (limited to 300) and the 2009 EVH-signed Relics (limited to 500) were made in the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop, as are the non-reliced ones. I have installed two of the standard Black humbuckers - one in my EVH 78 Frank and the other in my Kramer EVH 82 Baretta, and they both sound fantastic. True to the Brown Sound of the early VH records.

December 2023 UPDATE: In 2023, EVH Gear issued the Classic and Plus versions of the Frankenstein humbucker. The Classic goes for the early EVH output with an 8.2 DCR, while the Plus works its later Van Halen-like tones in the 17.3K range. These pickups also differ from the standard Frankenstein as they come with 4-conductor wiring and short legs.

EVH FRANKENSTEIN REVIEW
"The EVH Frankenstein humbucker was originally designed by Seymour Duncan with Eddie Van Halen’s input to go in the $25,000 EVH Frankenstein tribute. With a degaussed (aged/weakened) Alnico 2 magnet and a 14.4K resistance the Frankenstein has a real-hot overwound vintage PAF vibe. It has a vintage single conductor braided ground wire, so there’s only one way you are going to wire this up – full-bore humbucker baby! In style with the original it’s acting as, the Frankenstein is only available in classic Gibson pole spacing. There’s no cloth tape covering the wire coils either; it’s really made to look like the old humbucker Eddie pulled out of a Gibson and removed the metal pickup cover."
--(Lone Phantom review, March 2013)

BROWN SOUND HISTORY
Two of the key factors in achieving the EVH Frankenstein Brown Sound tone are in the magnet type and the resistance level, which can be related to output levels (but not always). Without getting into other technical specs like the type of winding wire, Direct Current Resistance (DCR), magnet degaussing, and what Alnico (Al Ni Co) stands for, it's essential for the player to understand Guitar Pickups 101, and Van Halen himself demonstrated that when putting together his Frankenstein guitar - specifically when taking apart a stock Gibson Patent Applied For (PAF) humbucker.

Edward Van Halen apparently pulled a Gibson PAF from a 1961 ES-335 model guitar, removed the metal cover, and then swapped the stock magnet for an Alnico 2 (between 1961 and 1975, Gibson used Alnico 5 magnets in the PAF humbuckers). Van Halen then potted the pickup in wax to cut down on unwanted microphonics (howling). This is the pickup he then installed in his Frankenstein guitar. Over time the Alnico 2 magnets weakened (degaussed) and the pickup had a resistance around 9K ohms. Other stories have EVH swapping magnets in DiMarzio Super Distortion and Mighty Mite humbuckers, or even using these ceramic-magnet pickups virtually stock to increase gain and amp drive. At this point, it's doubtful EVH would remember or be forthcoming to the secrets of his tone, which floored everyone beginning in the late 1970s.

ALNICO 5 BROWN SOUND
Seymour Duncan has been repairing, manufacturing, and customizing guitar pickups since 1976, and the California-based company provides a lot of varying products (humbuckers) for a quick comparison on how to get the Brown Sound. The Seymour Duncan '59 (I have one in my Kramer 5150 -Envy-) nails the vintage output (8.5K), but uses an Alnico 5 magnet, as does the '59/Custom Hybrid (Kramer 5150 - Monochrome-), which checks in at a more powerful 11.7K resistance. Even the most popular replacement humbucker of all time, the JB (stock pickup in the Kramer Baretta), uses the Alnico 5 magnet (16.6K resistance). Alnico 5 magnets are typically used when you see a pickup manufacturer advertise with the word, Alnico.

ALNICO 2 BROWN SOUND
The Seymour Duncan Custom Custom uses an Alnico 2 magnet and is rumored to be inspired by the Duncan pickup EVH had in his original Kramer 5150. I have used two of these pickups (Kramer 5150 and Kramer EVH Frankenstein II) and they are incredible. The resistance is around 14.5K, which is also close to the EVH Frankenstein humbucker, although without the degaussed magnet. So the Custom Custom is probably the closest stock Seymour Duncan humbucker you can get to the newly manufactured Frankenstein pickup. The Seymour Duncan Custom Shop '78 Evenly Voiced Harmonics (EVH) has the Alnico 2 magnet with less resistance (9K), mimicking something closer to the original Gibson PAF-Frankenstein humbucker EVH had, and although not cheap, I splurged and dropped one in my Charvel EVH Custom. The SD Custom Shop-produced IM1 (name play off Van Halen's "I'm The One" track from the 1978 debut album) features a degaussed Alnico 2 magnet (debate?) and DC resistance in the 13-15K range.

NOTE: For my own EVH Frankenstein build, which I started to assemble in 2005, I went with a Gibson '57 Classic. I would have went with the Duncan-made EVH Frankenstein, but it didn't hit the stores until 2009. Not by coincidence, the wax-potted Gibson '57 Classic uses an Alnico 2 magnet and has a resistance of 7.5K.




EVH FRANKENSTEIN LIMITED EDITION BLACK RELIC (EVH signed)
UNINSTALLED

The EVH Frankenstein Limited Edition Relic debuted at the same time as the standard Frankenstein humbucker (early 2009), but has some significant cosmetic differences. Fist, the box packaging in in full color (standard Frankenstein is black & white). Second, the pickup face is heavily aged with scratches, pitting, rust discoloring, and string grooves, and even the vintage wire braiding has a sick green patina. Third, and most importantly, the bottom of the Frankenstein pickup base is signed by Edward Van Halen, which adds huge value - not to mention that these signed Relic pickups were limited to just 500 pieces. The packaging comes complete with an EVH Gear Frankenstein Relic documentation card. Alnico 2 - 14.4K DCR.




EVH FRANKENSTEIN LIMITED EDITION CHROME COVER
UNINSTALLED

Released in during the summer of 2015, this Limited Edition, chrome-covered Frankenstein humbucker was limited to a production run of 1000. It has the exact same specs as the black/exposed Frankenstein pickup. Alnico 2 - 14.4K DC resistance.




EVH FRANKENSTEIN CLASSIC
UNINSTALLED

Released in 2023 along with the Plus, the Classic version of the Frankenstein humbucker maintains the Alnico 2 magnet and 49.2mm spacing, but checks in at a more-vintage DCR of 8.2K. Another difference for the Classic is 4-conductor wiring and standard-length legs.




EVH FRANKENSTEIN PLUS
UNINSTALLED

Released in 2023 along with the Classic, the Plus version of the Frankenstein humbucker maintains the Alnico 2 magnet and 49.2mm spacing, but checks in at a hotter DCR of 17.3K. Another difference for the Plus is 4-conductor wiring and standard-length legs.




SEYMOUR DUNCAN CUSTOM SHOP FRANKENSTEIN ZEBRA
UNINSTALLED

In late 2018, the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop discontinued the Van Halen-inspired IM1 model, and began offering the Custom Shop Frankenstein. My order was for a zebra model with aged screws, and the Custom Shop box with product description is initialed by THE Maricela Juarez (pictured with Seymour Duncan). Alnico 2 - 14.8K DCR.


OTHER VAN HALEN REFERENCED PICKUPS
In the 1970s when Edward Van Halen was focusing on building guitars, chasing tones, and getting his band signed, there weren't a lot of aftermarket guitar pickup manufacturers. Both DiMarzio (1972) and Seymour Duncan (1976) were founded that decade, but swapping out pickups wasn't as routine back then as it is now. To get the sound he wanted out of a Strat, Van Halen gutted PAF pickups from older Gibson guitars and supposedly modified these by swapping magnets, rewiring, and wax potting.

Now there a multitude of pickup companies - large and small, big box and boutique - that manufacture humbuckers specifically designed to cop that early VH tone. Whether it's Alnico 2 or Alnico 5 magnets (or Ceramic), USA-made or overseas, $20 or $120, these companies are looking to cash in on Van Halen's legendary tone. Below are just a sampling of what's out there (past and present).

PS - I'd also like to get my hands on the Arcane Brownbucker, but it isn't cheap...

EVH GEAR
The two humbuckers that EVH Gear (Fender) have issued to date both feature Alnico 2 magnets and similar resistance, but they have a significant difference. The Wolfgang humbuckers - stock on the EVH Wolfgang (USA, Special, Standard, and Striped Series) and available separately - are manufactured by Fender. The Frankenstein pickups are manufactured by Seymour Duncan. This was due to Seymour Duncan making the 2007 aged/relic'd humbucker for the $25K Frankenstein guitar. Seymour Duncan, via EVH Gear, has since made the Frankenstein pickup available on the aftermarket (2009), and it's one of the only aftermarket pickups available with a degaussed Alnico 2 magnet (Seymour Duncan makes the only other EVH-themed, degaussed humbucker that I know of - the Custom Shop IM1). Note that with his previous signature models, Peavey and Ernie Ball Music Man, the stock pickups were not available separately.

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP
GUITAR
CIRCA
MAGNET
RESISTANCE
NOTE
EVH (Fender)
Wolfgang Bridge
EVH Wolfgang Stealth Special MIM; EVH Wolfgang Stealth USA HT
2014; 2013 (stock each)
ALNICO 2
14K
zebra each; matched with EVH Wolfgang Neck (neck) for each
EVH (Fender)
Wolfgang Bridge
EVH Striped Series Frankenstrat Road Worn
2013 (new)
ALNICO 2
14K
zebra (aged)
EVH (Fender)
Wolfgang Neck
EVH Wolfgang Stealth Special MIM; EVH Wolfgang Stealth USA HT
2014; 2013 (stock each)
ALNICO 2
16K
zebra each; matched with EVH Wolfgang Bridge (bridge) for each
EVH (Seymour Duncan)
Frankenstein
EVH 78 Frank
2009 (new)
Degaussed ALNICO 2
14.4K
black
EVH (Seymour Duncan)
Frankenstein
Kramer EVH 82 Baretta Special
2013 (used)
Degaussed ALNICO 2
14.4K
black (aged)
Fender /EVH Wolfgang humbuckers (neck and bridge) E-E poles are spaced at 49.2mm; and yes, the neck HB has a higher DCR than the bridge
Frankenstein humbucker E-E poles are spaced at 49.2mm (unless SD Custom Shop)
USA, import Wolfgang Special model guitars use the same pickups as the aftermarket Wolfgang humbuckers
Degaussed = demagnetized, weakened magnets


SEYMOUR DUNCAN
Any conversation about guitar pickups and the chase for the Van Halen tone has to include Seymour Duncan, who assisted in some early rewinds for Van Halen in the late 1970s. When EVH hooked up with Kramer in the early 1980s, Seymour Duncan was included on the list of premium electronics/hardware that came on many of the USA models. Edward Van Halen's first customized humbucker seems to be the ceramic-magnet, overwound PAF-like Custom, and Seymour Duncan even tried advertising the model as being EVH's pickup of choice (Oct 1979 Guitar Player magazine) before Van Halen objected. It's fairly well known that Van Halen's Kramer 5150 guitar was loaded with an Alnico 2 version of the Custom pickup, which Seymour Duncan eventually sold as the Custom Custom. Another take on the successful Custom is the Custom 5 (Alnico 5 magnet) and it checks in with a nice balance of Van Halen era tones. The Alnico II Pro and the Pearly Gates, as well as the Custom Shop '78 and IM1, also get the Brown Sound through Alnico 2 magnets. The JB (stock in the 1980s Kramer Baretta), 59, and 59/Custom Hybrid models each achieve VH-like glory using Alnico 5, while the Distortion leans into EVH territory with a ceramic magnet. The Seymour Duncan Custom Shop, maker of the EVH Gear-branded Frankenstein, is where you can also order that and other humbuckers with mods.

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP
GUITAR
CIRCA
MAGNET
RESISTANCE
NOTE
Seymour Duncan
'78 Evenly Voiced Harmonics (EVH) Custom Shop Trembucker
Charvel EVH Custom
2004 (new)
ALNICO 2
9K
zebra
Seymour Duncan
Custom 5 SH-14
Kramer EVH -Hot For Teacher- Baretta
2008 (used)
ALNICO 5
14.1K
black (aged); customized with SD long legs baseplate
Seymour Duncan
Custom 5 Trembucker TB-14
Ernie Ball Music Man Silhouette
2002 (new)
ALNICO 5
14.8K
white; matched with Seymour Duncan Duckbucker Neck/Middle (neck) and Seymour Duncan Duckbucker Neck/Middle (middle)
Seymour Duncan
Custom Custom SH-11
Kramer EVH Frankenstein II
2000 (used)
ALNICO 2
14.1K
black; matched with Seymour Duncan Vintage Rails Neck/Middle (neck)
Seymour Duncan
Custom Custom SH-11
Kramer EVH Frankenstein 5150
2014 (used)
ALNICO 2
14.1K
black (aged); customized with long legs nickel-silver baseplate
Seymour Duncan
Custom Custom Trembucker TB-11
Kramer 5150
2014 (new)
ALNICO 2
14.1K
black (aged)
Seymour Duncan
Custom Trembucker TB-5
Charvel EVH Star Shark
2005 (new)
CERAMIC
14.8K
zebra
Seymour Duncan
IM1 Custom Shop*
TBD
2015 (used)
Degaussed ALNICO 2#
14.4K
black (aged)
Trembucker = wider Fender/Floyd Rose pole spacing as used by DiMarzio (F-spaced) and other like humbuckers
Degaussed = demagnetized, weakened magnets
* = pickup no longer advertised in Custom Shop
# = debate whether the IM1 uses a degaussed Alnico 2 or Alnico 5 magnet


DiMARZIO
Van Halen used custom DiMarzio humbuckers with Alnico 5 magnets during his time with Ernie Ball (1990-1995) for his signature Ernie Ball Music Man EVH model. Although EVH worked closely with DiMarzio/Steve Blucher on the design, he did not own the rights to the pickups and had to redesign his humbuckers for his follow-on Peavey Wolfgang model. DiMarzio's Air Norton (neck), and The Tone Zone and AT-1 models (bridge) are either the same specs or very similar to those EBMM EVH humbuckers, which can still be accessed via USA-made EBMM Axis guitars. Other DiMarzio pickups that get in on the Brown Sound action are the Norton, Air Zone, and anything they make with "PAF" in the title.

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP
GUITAR
CIRCA
MAGNET
RESISTANCE
NOTE
DiMarzio
EVH Custom Bridge*
Ernie Ball Music Man EVH
1993 (stock)
ALNICO 5
17.3K
zebra; matched with DiMarzio EVH Custom Neck (neck)
DiMarzio
EVH Custom Neck*
Ernie Ball Music Man EVH
1993 (stock)
ALNICO 5
12.6K
zebra; matched with DiMarzio EVH Custom Bridge (bridge)
* = pickup no longer in production


PEAVEY
Although Peavey had been making Van Halen's amplifiers since 1990, EVH shocked the guitar universe by teaming up with Peavey in 1996 to also manufacture his Wolfgang guitars (until 2004). As with his DiMarzio EVH Custom predecessors, EVH went with Alnico 5 magnets and similar resistance levels. Peavey made the pickups in-house in Mississippi, and although most players, collectors, and fans prefer the EBMM model guitar overall to the Wolfgang 1.0, the Peavey humbuckers typically get high praise.

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP
GUITAR
CIRCA
MAGNET
RESISTANCE
NOTE
Peavey
EVH Wolfgang Custom Bridge*
Peavey EVH Wolfgang;
Peavey EVH Wolfgang HT;
Peavey EVH Wolfgang Striped Special
1997 (stock); 1998 (stock); 1998 (stock)
ALNICO 5
15.4K
zebra each; matched with Peavey EVH Custom Neck (neck) for each
Peavey
EVH Wolfgang Custom Neck*
Peavey EVH Wolfgang;
Peavey EVH Wolfgang HT;
Peavey EVH Wolfgang Striped Special
1997 (stock); 1998 (stock); 1998 (stock)
ALNICO 5
16.6K
zebra each; matched with Peavey EVH Custom Bridge (bridge) for each
* = pickup no longer in production
Peavey Wolfgang humbuckers (neck and bridge) E-E poles are spaced at 50mm
yes, the neck HB has a higher DCR than the bridge


GIBSON
To get back to the roots of Van Halen's experimentation with humbuckers on his Frankenstein, one has to consider Gibson pickups and those original PAF tones. Gibson doesn't add Van Halen-type adjectives to describe its models, but the '57 Classic reaches back to past glory and employs the Alnico 2 magnet and the EVH-like, lower-output DC resistance of 7.5K (the '57 Classic Plus checks in at 8.3K). Another striped-axe winner with similar DC resistance is the Alnico 5 '61 Classic. Also, Gibson's Burstbucker line enables some classic LA Hard Rock tones.

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP
GUITAR
CIRCA
MAGNET
RESISTANCE
NOTE
Gibson
'57 Classic
Charvel EVH Frankenstein
2005 (new)
ALNICO 2
7.5K
black (aged)
Gibson
'61 Classic
Kramer EVH Frankenstein -Neptune Factory-
2018 (used)
ALNICO 5
7.6K
zebra (aged)
Gibson humbucker E-E poles are spaced at 50mm


GFS (Guitar Fetish)
GFS humbuckers, designed in the USA, made in Asia, and sold online by Guitar Fetish, offer an amazing variety of models and real value. They also offer a Vintage Extra Hot (VEH) humbucker - a not-so-subtle reference to EVH. Checking in with Alnico 5 magnets, the resistance is a hotter-than-vintage, but not-too-hot 11.2K, which fits in well between most Brown Sound replicas that either go to the real vintage end (8-9K) or the hotter range (14K plus) of the spectrum. Other GFS winners are the hotter Fat Pat, Crunchy PAT, and Slick Rocker.

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP
GUITAR
CIRCA
MAGNET
RESISTANCE
NOTE
GFS
Vintage Extra Hot-VEH Bridge H130
Charvel EVH Pine Tele-Wolf
2010 (new)
ALNICO 5
11.2K
zebra (aged)
GFS
Vintage Extra Hot-VEH Bridge H134
Kramer EVH 1225
2008 (new)
ALNICO 5
11.2K
nickel
GFS bridge position humbucker E-E poles are spaced at 52mm


JALEN
Debuting on eBay around 2015, Jalen offers a couple of EVH-themed humbuckers among its "custom, hand-wound" models, including the Pinnacle (Franky) (14.4K) and Origin (78) (9K). Jalen has a Facebook page and the pickups are made in Virginia.

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP
GUITAR
CIRCA
MAGNET
RESISTANCE
NOTE
Jalen
Pinnacle (Franky)-F
Kramer EVH Baretta -Red Devil-
2017 (new)
ALNICO 2
14.4K
zebra (aged)
F = wider Fender/Floyd Rose pole spacing as used by DiMarzio and other like humbuckers; same as Seymour Duncan Trembuckers


PARIAH
"Hand crafted" in the Detroit area, Pariah has a great site that offers players a lot of options, including the three Alnico 2 Pasadena Series models (Red, Black, and White) - the difference being the DC resistance (9K-14.4K range) - not the actual color of the pickup, although those options are available, too.

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP
GUITAR
CIRCA
MAGNET
RESISTANCE
NOTE
Pariah
Pasadena Series White '78
Kramer EVH Frankenstein -Walker Ad-
2017 (new)
ALNICO 2
9K
black
Pariah bridge humbucker E-E poles are spaced at 50mm (vintage) or the wider F-spaced


BARE KNUCKLE
Manufactured and hand wound in the United Kingdom, Bare Knuckle boasts a wide range of not-too-cheap pickups for just about any guitar or bass application. With many customizations available, buyers can choose cleverly named models like Slow Hand, Riff Raff, Black Dog, and the vintage output VHII, which comes in both neck and bridge offerings.

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP
GUITAR
CIRCA
MAGNET
RESISTANCE
NOTE
Bare Knuckle
VHII Wide Bridge
TBD
2017 (used)
ALNICO 5
8.9K
black
Bare Knuckle bridge humbucker E-E poles are spaced at 50mm (vintage) or the F-spaced 53mm Wide


PLANET TONE
Beginning as Nico's USA in 2008, Planet Tone has a descriptive site with many "premium" models and options to choose from. Manufactured in Colorado, the humbucker that first caught my eye was the vintage-wound Alnico 5 '78 Pasadena (7.2K), and I was able to order one in white. The 14K Alnico 2 Poundcake aims for higher-output EVH tones from the 1990s. The Alnico 2 1959 Special and Alnico 5 Legacy models also provide a nice drive.

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP
GUITAR
CIRCA
MAGNET
RESISTANCE
NOTE
Planet Tone
'78 Pasadena Bridge
Fender EVH 78 Frankenstrat
2015 (new)
ALNICO 5
7.2K
white (aged)
Planet Tone
Poundcake-F Bridge
TBD
2021 (new)
ALNICO 2
14.0K
zebra
Planet Tone/Nico's USA bridge humbucker E-E poles are spaced at 50mm (vintage) or the wider F-spaced (52mm)


GUITAR MADNESS (G.M.)
Similar to GFS/Guitar Fetish, Guitar Madness (G.M.) pickups are designed in the USA, but manufactured in Asia (Artec?). And like GFS, G.M. has quite a selection. The pickups are priced with tight budgets in mind and to date are only available on eBay. The hot 1984 humbucker features a Ceramic magnet and is very similar to the Duncan Custom. The 57 Special Alnico 2, Overwound Alnico 2, 59'er Alnico 5, and the Hot Alnico 5 can also dial in the EVH sound.

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP
GUITAR
CIRCA
MAGNET
RESISTANCE
NOTE
G.M.
1984 Bridge
Gibson LP Melody Maker Frankenstein
2017 (new)
CERAMIC
13.5K
black (aged)
G.M. bridge position humbucker E-E poles are spaced at 52mm


ARTEC
Artec's VH-Rock humbucker is the manufacturer's not-so-thinly veiled claim as an Eddie Van Halen tone generator. Furnished with an Alnico 5 bar magnet and a nickel-silver baseplate, this affordable bridge humbucker checks in at 11.6K (neck position model is 8.6K) and comes in black, white, and zebra. And there's even a nickel-covered VH59 model available for neck (7.4K) and bridge (8.4K).

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP
GUITAR
CIRCA
MAGNET
RESISTANCE
NOTE
Artec
VH-Rock Alnico 5 Bridge
Charvel EVH -Black & Blue- Mini Strat HT
2024 (new)
ALNICO 5
11.6K
black (lightly aged); matched with Artec SSA12 Alnico 5 Neck (neck) and Artec SSA12 Alnico 5 Middle-RW (middle-under pickguard)
Artec bridge position humbucker E-E poles are spaced at 52mm, neck at 50mm


DRAGONFIRE
Rumor has it that Dragonfire pickups are manufactured in the same Asian factory as GFS/Guitar Fetish, and like GFS, they are well made and reasonably priced. With an impressive selection, Dragonfire subtly markets the Alnico 5, 11.7K DCR Brown Bucker (comes in neck and bridge models) to the Van Halen crowd that is in a never-ending search for the "brown sound". The aptly named A2 Bucker also elicits striped tones.

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP
GUITAR
CIRCA
MAGNET
RESISTANCE
NOTE
Dragonfire
Brown Bucker Bridge
Charvel EVH Starcaster
2018 (new)
ALNICO 5
11.7K
black (aged); matched with Dragonfore Brown Bucker Neck (neck)
Dragonfire
Brown Bucker Neck
Charvel EVH Starcaster
2020 (new)
ALNICO 5
8.3K
black (aged); matched with Dragonfore Brown Bucker Bridge (bridge)
Dragonfire bridge position humbucker E-E poles are spaced at 52mm, neck at 50mm


SIN
Under the name SIN, Sinbucker, or even Sounds Of Sin, these have been available intermittently on eBay, and are handwound by owner Chris Carter. The EVH PAF, later renamed the less-obvious "EVP" (Eddie Van Halen PAF), features Alnico 2 magnets and the promise to deliver the Brown Sound, while the EV78 and EV79 (both Alnico 2) provide varying hot, early EVH tones.

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP
GUITAR
CIRCA
MAGNET
RESISTANCE
NOTE
SIN
EVH PAF*
Kramer 5150 Tele
2009 (new)
ALNICO 2
9.6K
black (aged)
SIN
EV79
Kramer EVH Baretta -Silver Red 78-
2018 (new)
ALNICO 2
9.8K
black (aged)
SIN
EV78-F
Kramer EVH Black Baretta
2018 (new)
ALNICO 2
10.0K
black (aged)
* = pickup no longer in production
SIN bridge humbucker E-E poles are spaced at 50mm (vintage) or the wider F-spaced


SMIT'S
Kevin Smith has quite a reputation in the hand-crafted "boutique" pickup arena, and his short-lived Smit's Pickups always had great reviews. One of his most popular was the Alnico 2 Brown Sound humbucker, and I'm fortunate to get it when I did back in 2008 (I also have his Alnico 2 Boosted Classic pickup). Kevin is also a pickup repair guru and he even re-wound a TV Jones pickup for me.

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP
GUITAR
CIRCA
MAGNET
RESISTANCE
NOTE
Smit's
Brown Sound EBS-2-F*
EVH 81 -Bye Later See Ya-
2008 (new)
ALNICO 2
9.5K
cream
* = pickup no longer in production
F = wider Fender/Floyd Rose pole spacing as used by DiMarzio and other like humbuckers; same as Seymour Duncan Trembuckers


BYO GUITAR
The New Hampshire-based company primarily sells various body-neck kits, but BYO also has designed some quality pickups that are manufactured overseas. Chief among them for Van Halen fans is the Eruption humbucker. The bridge pickup (BYO also makes a corresponding Eruption neck humbucker) is similar in design to the Duncan JB - Alnico 5 magnet with a high DCR (15.5K).

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP
GUITAR
CIRCA
MAGNET
RESISTANCE
NOTE
BYO Guitar
Eruption Bridge
Boogie EVH Strat
2018 (new)
ALNICO 5
15.5K
black (aged)
BYO Guitar bridge position humbucker E-E poles are spaced at 50mm


GUITARFORCE
The short-lived GuitarForce humbuckers were manufactured by Kevin T. and sold online on eBay. Of course, the Frankenstein-clone Erupter model intrigued me and I tracked one down in 2008. Yes, it gets that great tone.

MANUFACTURER
PICKUP
GUITAR
CIRCA
MAGNET
RESISTANCE
NOTE
GuitarForce
Erupter*
Charvel EVH 1978 Prototype
2008 (new)
ALNICO 2
9.1K
zebra (aged)
* = pickup no longer in production



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