Paul Reed Smith Standard Treble Pickup (T101)

(Same as Treble pickup from T&B Set - see below)

1987/1988 vintage

Specs are as follows:

10.85k DC Resistance/ 5.43k coil-tapped

The 10.85 reading is one of the hotter ones - many spec out closer to 10.0

4-conductor wiring (black, white, red (coil-tap), and bare ground

Wire leads are 6” long

Alnico 5 magnet with mixed slugs (2 stainless, 4 are magnetic Alnico slugs)

Condition: Overall good shape for a pickup of this age. There is a scuff on one edge of the bobbin which has worn somewhat smooth over the years. There are some other scuffs/scratches which would not be too noticeable once installed. The tape between the bobbins is mashed in a bit with a small tear – again this is typical for a PRS pickup of this vintage. The sticker is gone but there is no mistaking this is a Standard Treble due to the 2 stainless slugs + 4 magnetic ones (see photos). The ONLY pickup EVER made by PRS with mixed alnico/stainless slugs was the Standard Treble pickup. In addition, the DC resistance of this pickup measures right at what it should - see the photo of the PRS spec sheet attached. Also take a look below for further explanation regarding the history of this pickup. Please ask any questions you may have prior to purchase.

History of the Standard Treble pickup:

The first pickups made by PRS were the Standard Treble and Standard Bass (see p. 80 of Burrluck's PRS Guitar Book if in doubt). Initially, the base plates were simply stamped with a "T" or "B" on the bottom (now called the T&B set). When other pickups began to be introduced into the PRS lineup around 1987, the T&B set was RENAMED "Standard Treble" and "Standard Bass". 

The Standard Treble pickup was initially produced with all magnetic (Alnico 5) slugs, in order to give the coil tap a sound closer to a Fender single coil. In 1987 they began using two stainless steel slugs for the high E and high B strings, because the magnetic slugs sounded too harsh on the higher pitched strings. I have seen one example of a pickup from this cross-over period that was stamped with a "T" on the bottom, that was made with the mixed slugs, and therefore was produced as late as 1987.

Long story short, the Standard Treble pickup IS THE SAME PICKUP as the one stamped with a "T" from the old T&B set - same wire gauge, same DC resistance - everything except that it has two stainless slugs and four magnetic ones, which makes it sound better than the first run. You can also see from the PRS spec sheet in the photos that the Standard Treble and Standard Bass were the ONLY pickups listed as having AL5 (Alnico 5) magnetic slugs.

Please note: the volt meter readings prove that this pickup works, including coil-tap feature. Sorry no returns or partial refunds on this rare pickup.

Installation tips: Bare wire is ALWAYS ground. Red is coil tap (tape off end if not using). Black and White are hot/ground, depending on which other pickup you are pairing it with. The 4-conductor wiring makes this pickup compatible with any other brand pickup, even those with 2-conductor wiring. Please ask if you have any installation questions, I will be happy to help.

Pickup will be carefully packed and promptly shipped after payment has been received. Continental US only. Thanks.