New for 2026 - Gibson ELEV8 alnico 8 pickups

[Phil M]

I know these won't be everyone's cup of tea here in PAF-land but I think they look interesting. My current guitars have about half original pickups and half aftermarkets like Wolfetone, etc. But I do like to keep at least one set up for modern hard/heavy tones.

Note that there are currently Nickel covered, black uncovered and zebra uncovered. Within each cosmetic, there are 4 variations: Treble pickup at 10K, treble plus at 15K, rhythm pickup at 10K and rhythm underwound at 8K.

I think these have shorter legs too for use in other guitars like PRS, Ibanez, etc. I'll wait for some user feedback but I'd consider a set of these for my PRS Custom 24 or maybe a Les Paul. There doesn't seem to be gold covers yet but maybe in my LP Custom at some point down the line.

https://www.gibson.com/collections/gibson-elev8-pickups

 

[jb_abides]

Interesting I don't see any real soft launch reviews yet, from 'influencers' etc. Where are all the demonstrations? What do they sound like? I noticed they are equipping the Victory Baritone with them.

Here's more for reference -- from Gibson marketing:

https://www.gibson.com/blogs/gibson-gazette/gibson-pickup-shop-launches-all-new-elev8-pickups

Gibson ushers in the next era of humbucking pickups with ELEV8​

September 8, 2026

• Electric ,
• News

Fitted with powerful Alnico 8 magnets for the first time in Gibson Pickup Shop history, the new ELEV8 series represents the next evolution of Gibson humbucker design​

The Gibson Pickup Shop is kicking off a new era in humbucking pickup design with the all-new ELEV8 series,featuring three humbucker types offering complementary voices designed to work individually or as matched sets. The humbucking pickups included in the new ELEV8 range are the standard ELEV8, the ELEV8 Plus, and the vintage-inspired ELEV8 Underwound. Each one is available uncovered with Double Black or Zebra bobbins, or with Double Black bobbins beneath a nickel cover.

Gibson invented the original Patent Applied For humbucker™ in 1955, and over the years, has utilized Alnico 2, 3, 4, and 5 magnets in pickup construction, each grade with its own unique tonal characteristics. For the ELEV8 pickups, Alnico 8 magnets are employed for the first time in Gibson pickup history.

These pickups level up your tone with exceptional output, punch, and authority, and as such, they’ve already found a perfect home within the newly launched Victory Baritone models, too. The combination of Alnico 8 magnets and custom-gauge wire creates a powerful voice with a controlled, tight bass response. This gives modern players the confidence to explore drop tunings, aggressive palm-muted riffs, and dense mixes without sacrificing precision.

Featuring four-conductor wiring across the entire lineup, the ELEV8 pickups are also ready for coil splitting and advanced switching options. This added versatility allows players to move between thick humbucking tones and brighter, more cutting sounds.

The standard ELEV8 (10k ohms) is available in both traditional Gibson neck and bridge spacings, while the ELEV8 Plus (15k ohms) is thoughtfully overwound to pair perfectly with the standard ELEV8 in the neck position. The ELEV8 Plus raises your tone to the top with powerful voicing and tight bass response that’s well-suited for high-gain applications, while the ELEV8 Underwound is designed as a neck position pickup that pairs perfectly with the standard ELEV8 at the bridge for a modern/vintage combination.

Learn more about the new ELEV8 pickups and shop now.

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[jb_abides]

So, this where ELEV8 pickups are being pushed ...

Gibson DES Series Electric Guitars​

Cesar's "Do Epic Shit" mantra...

These are really 'New Supremes' plus the Custom's Split Diamond instead of the Chandelier headstock inlay, speed knobs instead of reflectors, black nickel, and Cesar Epic/Epic+ poker chip. All in Ghost Burst finishes (which was 'trial-run'd' on certain Mod Collection guitars).

 

[GreenBurst]

Interesting. The V has a LP Custom headstock. I think that might be a first.

 

[jb_abides]

Interesting. The V has a LP Custom headstock. I think that might be a first.

I believe that's correct for Gibson production.

-- There's the Dan Erlewine-built Albert King Lucy V, which is open book... but no split diamond.

-- Possibly other M2M, Custom Direct one-offs...?

-- Any Epiphones, e.g. Zakk Wylde styles...? I can't recall, too many variations.

 

[zacknorton]

I'm going to say no to the ghost burst. YES to the reverse silver burst. YES to a reverse gold burst...

 

[jb_abides]

I'm going to say no to the ghost burst. YES to the reverse silver burst. YES to a reverse gold burst...

Antiqued Reverse Silverburst

 

[GreenBurst]

Antiqued Reverse Silverburst

View attachment 35008

Never saw this before. How (and why) did they come up with the new switch position on the body?

 

[GreenBurst]

I believe that's correct for Gibson production.

-- There's the Dan Erlewine-built Albert King Lucy V, which is open book... but no split diamond.

-- Possibly other M2M, Custom Direct one-offs...?

-- Any Epiphones, e.g. Zakk Wylde styles...? I can't recall, too many variations.

Hmmm, Gibson verbiage states the pickups are zebra.

https://www.gibson.com/products/gibson-les-paul-des-ghost-burst-exclusive

Yet the photos all have reverse zebra pickups. I wonder if that subtle change is part of the epic sh#t design ethos?

Either way, the DES series does look cool. Too bad they are limited to just 150 of each model...

 

[jb_abides]

Hmmm, Gibson verbiage states the pickups are zebra.

https://www.gibson.com/products/gibson-les-paul-des-ghost-burst-exclusive

Yet the photos all have reverse zebra pickups. I wonder if that subtle change is part of the epic sh#t design ethos?

Either way, the DES series does look cool. Too bad they are limited to just 150 of each model...

Probably a listing description copywriter 'oopsie' ... they do that. They also have rampant cut and paste errors and inconsistent verbiage for the same specs from model to model.

By weighted consensus (old Gibson + DiMarzio) definition, these are 'Reverse' (with a reallly pure white bobbin to boot!), whereas Seymour Duncan would call them 'Zebra'.

Perhaps Gibson is now more "alingned" with SD against DiM given the recent legal kerfuffles...? LOL

Too add to the chaos and confusion: in the Gibson Pickup Shop, they sell the ELEV8 with double-white-cream/black combination; they are appropriately labelled 'Zebra' with slot screws on the black.

Go figure.

 

[zacknorton]

I don't care ... the Dean V headstock is at least 723% cooler than that thing. But that color scheme works. not so much the switch positioning.

Antiqued Reverse Silverburst

View attachment 35008

 

[jb_abides]

I don't care ... the Dean V headstock is at least 723% cooler than that thing. But that color scheme works. not so much the switch positioning.

There are other versions of Reverse Silverburst that are Gibsons including a LP Custom, I just picked one to post... because I like the Antique look.

Here's a non-ambered one:

 

[GreenBurst]

I don't care ... the Dean V headstock is at least 723% cooler than that thing. But that color scheme works. not so much the switch positioning.

Agree on the headstock. This looks killer for a V (or Explorer / Z). Both are vintage 1980.

 

[zacknorton]

There are other versions of Reverse Silverburst that are Gibsons including a LP Custom, I just picked one to post... because I like the Antique look.

Here's a non-ambered one:

View attachment 35012

Hell yeah.. that looks fantastic. Might look even better with aged hardware (and both pickups covered) ??? that's a really cool looking LP Custom.

 

[zacknorton]

Agree on the headstock. This looks killer for a V (or Explorer / Z). Both are vintage 1980.

View attachment 35013

Oh.... Dean Zelinzky really knew what he was doing . I love that guy, what an interesting story. And he's still innovating!
I've got a super clean golden e'lite from 1980/81.... and a 2000's gold top V. They're great... but not as cool as this pair. WOW!

 

[jb_abides]

Hell yeah.. that looks fantastic. Might look even better with aged hardware (and both pickups covered) ??? that's a really cool looking LP Custom.

Yes, I'd like to see an even more extensive perimeter, almost a full burst, with the antiqued amber/greening...

 

[J.D.]

Probably a listing description copywriter 'oopsie' ... they do that. They also have rampant cut and paste errors and inconsistent verbiage for the same specs from model to model.

By weighted consensus (old Gibson + DiMarzio) definition, these are 'Reverse' (with a reallly pure white bobbin to boot!), whereas Seymour Duncan would call them 'Zebra'.

Perhaps Gibson is now more "alingned" with SD against DiM given the recent legal kerfuffles...? LOL

Too add to the chaos and confusion: in the Gibson Pickup Shop, they sell the ELEV8 with double-white-cream/black combination; they are appropriately labelled 'Zebra' with slot screws on the black.

Go figure.

View attachment 35010

I've always known "zebra" humbuckers to be black screw + white slug and "reverse zebra" to be white screw + black slug, from way back.

 

[jb_abides]

I've always known "zebra" humbuckers to be black screw + white slug and "reverse zebra" to be white screw + black slug, from way back.

Yup, that's the conventional. classic definition from a Gibson and DiMarzio perspective, with SD being the outlier, an opposite nomenclature...

Yet... many Gibson new model listings (on their current website) use the contrary, seemingly aligned with "the SD view" of the world.

Except, when you look at the Gibson Pickup Shop, where Gibson stay "classic" even for these ELEV8 pcikups.

Again, go figure!

 

[fretout]

I've always known "zebra" humbuckers to be black screw + white slug and "reverse zebra" to be white screw + black slug, from way back.

I’ve never been a big fan of Zebras. But 2 weeks ago, I acquired an old, early-90s set of 57 Classics, and they have black slug bobbins and white screw bobbins. And they’re considered normal?

I guess I always figured that the screw-side bobbins would be black, so that if you ever decided to install covers, the pickup would like normal…