Calling all PAF decal experts

[aladdinsane]

I was considering this guitar but the top (bridge pickup) label font looks off to me. Anyone else?

 

[S. Weiger]

That bridge p.u. is glaringly wrong, -but so are the other 2 IMO, and not only the decals.
Here's what they should look like:

 

[Frutiger]

Agree that the bridge decal is very wrong (Classic 57?).

The middle pickup looks like it has tooling marks on the feet (I think) but the feet corners are more rounded, which is indicative of the later sticker T-tops. I wouldn't be surprised if the neck is the same (as it also looks to have correct tooling marks) and the screws and decals have been swapped.

I wouldn't be paying PAF money for them.

 

[aladdinsane]

Yeah @S. Weiger. The font is completely wrong on the bridge pickup and I wasn't sure about the other two. They seemed like they might be intentionally cut off. What would you say looks off about the actual pickups?

 

[S. Weiger]

Yeah @S. Weiger. The font is completely wrong on the bridge pickup and I wasn't sure about the other two. They seemed like they might be intentionally cut off. What would you say looks off about the actual pickups?

I don't see tooling L marks, decal letters are not raised gold letters, not "P under P" in the word "Patent" and the underneath "aPPlied" word. Springs look brand new. Feet corners look rounded.
And BTW, from the very little one can see of the cavity it looks like a refin, but I could be wrong.

 

[aladdinsane]

Got it! Thanks for the info!

 

[corpse]

The abrasion marks are a pretty good give away- who would hit their PAF w steel wool?

 

[S. Weiger]

The abrasion marks are a pretty good give away- who would hit their PAF w steel wool?

Noone in their right mind, but a cynical forger obviously would (on his fake PAF's)..

 

[aladdinsane]

Totally. I wonder what these pickups really are...

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Gibson has sanded the backs of their pickups. I have seen several examples from the 60's. I have also seen original PAF's with replaced decals. Are the pickup rings original? It would be in your best interest to have the covers removed and to do further investigation. If you post good pictures of the inside of the rings and pics of underneath the covers I can help further. If you are not able to remove the covers properly yourself maybe you can find a good guitar tech to help you further. Don't get rid of your pickups until you get several good opinions.

Also, what is the exact guitar that these are in?

 

[poor man's burst]

Also, what is the exact guitar that these are in?

I would guess: a SG/Les Paul Custom?

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

I would guess: a SG/Les Paul Custom?

Saw that, but was hoping for year and better description.