Tim Shaw humbuckers - how to identify and what are they worth?

rico

I have a mid-80s LP Studio that 'should' have Shaw humbuckers in them. Does the below pic look like a Shaw humbucker? If so, what are they worth (not eBay dreamer prices, realistic money!)?



Cheers!

guitars4you

They normally have a 6 digit ink number on them - normally in 2 sets of 3 - see below

There are various number patterns used for the ink codes

The 2737842 stamped code is correct - They can still be Tim Shaw's without ink markings - But what meter readings do you have - TS are normally around 7.5 - 7.8K ish as a guide line



Prices have been rising - I'm not sure they are as good as the hype - Certainly not rubbish - But I dare say if you are selling them, then you can join in with the hype - I've seen prices £100 to £150 per pick up and even more

Early LP Studios - I've seen both with Shaw and 490's or 498 and 490's

guitars4you

Sorry - should have added - Later mid 80's to around 86/87 often had no ink markings - Only the 2737842 code as per yours - there are other indicators to look at if the cover is removed, but check the readings first with a meter 

rico

Thanks Mark, I’ll get the meter out. 

rico

Measured them as 7.3 neck and 7.8 bridge albeit at the jack, rather than the pickups.

Jimbro66

Just to add to the helpful info from @guitars4you here is a link to Charlie Gelber's web page where he discusses Shaw pickups. His particular expertise is ES-335s but the article is relevant to other Gibson's of that period.

My own '82 ES-335 has Shaw pickups with very similar markings to the ones shown by @guitars4you, his being from a 1983 guitar.

http://www.es-335.com/2010/06/19/the-pride-of-the-80s-part-1/

guitars4you

rico said:

Measured them as 7.3 neck and 7.8 bridge albeit at the jack, rather than the pickups.

that is what/hoped they'd be for the TS era models - many later models had no 6 digit inked markings - Hence many queries as a result

guitars4you

Jimbro66 said:

Just to add to the helpful info from @guitars4you here is a link to Charlie Gelber's web page where he discusses Shaw pickups. His particular expertise is ES-335s but the article is relevant to other Gibson's of that period.

My own '82 ES-335 has Shaw pickups with very similar markings to the ones shown by @guitars4you, his being from a 1983 guitar.

http://www.es-335.com/2010/06/19/the-pride-of-the-80s-part-1/

useful link and I'd forgotten about the small sticker on the pick up surround - See it on some guitars nut not all