This Sunbear ’57 SB-PAF Humbucker Set is a boutique, vintage-inspired pickup set designed around the clarity, dynamics and sweetness associated with some of the earliest late-1950s PAF-style humbuckers.

The bridge pickup uses a rough-cast Alnico II magnet with an output of approximately 7.6kΩ, while the neck uses Alnico III at approximately 6.9kΩ. The result is a deliberately low-output pairing with plenty of articulation, open high frequencies and strong response to picking dynamics and guitar-volume changes.

This pre-owned set is presented in Very Good Condition and comes with the original box.

At A Glance

Detail	Specification
Brand	Sunbear Pickups
Model	’57 SB-PAF
Type	Humbucker Set
Configuration	Neck & Bridge
Bridge Magnet	Alnico II
Bridge Output	Approx. 7.6kΩ
Neck Magnet	Alnico III
Neck Output	Approx. 6.9kΩ
Pole Spacing	49.2mm
Wiring	Vintage-Style 2-Conductor Braided
Potting	Unpotted as Standard
Voicing	Low-Output Vintage PAF-Style
Condition	Very Good
Included	Original Box

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This Sunbear ’57 SB-PAF Humbucker Set is presented in Very Good Condition.

The pickups show some cosmetic signs of previous installation and use consistent with careful ownership while remaining ready for installation.

As with any pre-owned pickup set, minor signs of handling around the mounting points, covers, screws or wiring may be visible.

What’s Included?

✔ Sunbear ’57 SB-PAF Bridge Humbucker
✔ Sunbear ’57 SB-PAF Neck Humbucker
✔ Original Box

No additional installation hardware is included unless pictured or stated.

What Makes The Sunbear ’57 SB-PAF Special?

The ’57 SB-PAF is aimed at players who want the more open, lower-output side of the vintage humbucker spectrum rather than a hotter or more compressed modern sound.

Its combination of Alnico II in the bridge and Alnico III in the neck keeps the response sweet and dynamic, with excellent note separation and a strong sense of the guitar’s natural acoustic character coming through.

Bridge Pickup – Alnico II

The bridge pickup uses a rough-cast Alnico II magnet with an output of approximately:

7.6kΩ

Its voicing is intentionally moderate rather than high output.

This gives it:

• Sweet treble response
• Clear lower mids
• Strong dynamic range
• Smooth overdrive response
• Excellent note separation
• Responsive volume-control cleanup

It works particularly well with valve amplifiers and vintage-style gain structures.

Neck Pickup – Alnico III

The neck pickup uses an Alnico III magnet with an output of approximately:

6.9kΩ

This places it firmly at the lower-output end of the PAF spectrum.

The neck position is designed to retain:

• String definition
• Clear note attack
• Open upper frequencies
• Warm low end
• Smooth lead response

It is particularly useful for avoiding the excessive muddiness that can sometimes occur with hotter neck humbuckers.

Low-Output PAF-Style Voicing

The ’57 SB-PAF set is deliberately wound for a lower-output response.

Rather than pushing an amplifier with excessive signal level, it allows more of the instrument and player to remain audible.

This can provide:

• Greater picking sensitivity
• Better clean-up from the guitar volume
• More natural amp interaction
• Clearer chords
• More expressive lead tones

Vintage-Style Construction

Sunbear uses a range of vintage-inspired construction details within the ’57 SB-PAF design.

These include:

• Low-carbon steel slugs
• Vintage-style screws
• Low-carbon keeper bar
• Rough-cast Alnico magnets
• Plain enamel-coated wire
• Thin nickel-plated covers
• Vintage-style braided hookup wire

These details are intended to reproduce the response and behaviour of early humbuckers rather than simply copying their appearance.

Thin Nickel-Plated Covers

Standard covered versions use thin nickel-plated covers without the additional copper-plating layer commonly used beneath many modern pickup covers.

This is intended to minimise the effect of the cover on the pickup’s high-frequency response.

49.2mm Pole Spacing

The standard ’57 SB-PAF specification uses:

49.2mm pole spacing

This is a traditional vintage-style humbucker spacing.

Players replacing existing pickups should check compatibility with their guitar and bridge arrangement before installation.

Unpotted Construction

The ’57 SB-PAF is supplied unpotted as standard.

Unpotted construction is traditionally associated with:

• Greater harmonic openness
• More acoustic interaction
• Increased touch sensitivity
• Vintage-style response

The trade-off is that unpotted pickups can be more susceptible to microphonic behaviour at very high volume or gain levels.

Two-Conductor Vintage Braided Wiring

The standard set uses:

Two-conductor vintage-style braided wiring

This suits traditional humbucker wiring schemes particularly well.

Typical applications include:

• Les Paul-style wiring
• SG-style wiring
• ES-style semi-hollow guitars
• Traditional twin-humbucker circuits

More advanced coil-splitting arrangements generally require four-conductor wiring.

Suitable Applications

The Sunbear ’57 SB-PAF works particularly well in:

• Les Paul-style guitars
• SG-style guitars
• ES-style semi-hollows
• Mahogany-bodied guitars
• Maple-capped solidbodies
• Vintage-inspired twin-humbucker builds

Suitable Genres

Particularly well suited to:

• Blues
• Classic rock
• Vintage rock
• Americana
• Soul
• Jazz
• Blues rock
• Roots music
• Studio recording
• Dynamic clean and edge-of-breakup playing

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Electric Guitar Pickup Set
Brand	Sunbear Pickups
Model	’57 SB-PAF
Pickup Type	Humbucker
Configuration	Neck & Bridge Set
Bridge Magnet	Rough-Cast Alnico II
Bridge DC Resistance	Approx. 7.6kΩ
Neck Magnet	Alnico III
Neck DC Resistance	Approx. 6.9kΩ
Pole Spacing	49.2mm
Hookup Wire	Vintage-Style 2-Conductor Braided
Coil Wire	Plain Enamel
Potting	Unpotted as Standard
Cover Style	Thin Nickel-Plated
Construction	Vintage PAF-Inspired
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good
Included	Original Box

Installation Note

Professional installation is recommended if you are not comfortable working with guitar electronics.

Pickup height can have a significant effect on:

• Output
• Clarity
• Bass response
• String balance
• Dynamic response

Final adjustment should be made by ear once installed in the guitar.

Wiring Compatibility Note

The standard ’57 SB-PAF specification uses two-conductor braided wiring.

This is ideal for conventional humbucker installations but does not provide the same switching possibilities as four-conductor wiring.

If coil splitting, series/parallel or phase switching is required, inspect the wiring on this individual set before installation.

Output Note

DC resistance is useful as a general reference but should not be treated as a direct measurement of perceived volume.

Magnet type, coil geometry, wire, pickup height and the guitar itself all contribute significantly to the final sound.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

The Sunbear ’57 SB-PAF Humbucker Set is aimed squarely at players who want a more open and expressive vintage-style humbucker sound rather than maximum output.

The combination of a 7.6kΩ Alnico II bridge and 6.9kΩ Alnico III neck provides a particularly useful balance: enough strength for classic overdrive tones while retaining clarity, dynamics and excellent response to the guitar’s controls.

For players building or upgrading a traditional Les Paul, SG or semi-hollow guitar, this is a refined boutique pickup set with a distinctly vintage approach.

This pre-owned pair is presented in Very Good Condition and includes the original box.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Every pre-owned pickup and accessory at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed so its condition and included items are clearly represented.

This Sunbear set is offered with:

• Very Good condition
• Matching neck and bridge pickup set
• Vintage-style PAF voicing
• Original box included

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

When you buy from us, you benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987
• Birmingham's largest independent music store
• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews
• Expert musician-led advice
• Pre-owned equipment individually assessed
• Clear condition grading
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Friendly support before and after purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your existing pickups, guitar or other equipment could help towards your next purchase.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What condition is this Sunbear ’57 SB-PAF set in?

It is presented in Very Good Condition, with light signs of previous installation and use.

Is this a complete pickup set?

Yes. It includes both the neck and bridge humbuckers.

What magnet does the bridge pickup use?

The bridge uses a rough-cast Alnico II magnet.

What is the bridge output?

Approximately 7.6kΩ.

What magnet does the neck pickup use?

The neck uses Alnico III.

What is the neck output?

Approximately 6.9kΩ.

Are these high-output pickups?

No. They are deliberately lower-output, vintage-style humbuckers.

What type of sound are they designed for?

They are designed around an open, dynamic late-1950s PAF-style response with strong clarity and touch sensitivity.

Are they wax potted?

The ’57 SB-PAF is unpotted as standard.

Why use unpotted pickups?

Unpotted pickups can provide greater openness and harmonic interaction, although they may be more prone to microphonic feedback at extreme gain or volume levels.

What pole spacing do they use?

The standard specification is 49.2mm.

What wiring do they use?

The standard specification uses two-conductor vintage-style braided wire.

Can I coil split them?

Traditional two-conductor wiring is not designed for conventional coil splitting. Check the wiring on this individual set before planning advanced switching.

What guitars are they suitable for?

They are particularly well suited to Les Paul, SG, ES-style and other traditional twin-humbucker guitars.

Are they suitable for high gain?

They can be used with high gain, but their main strength is clarity, dynamics and vintage-style response rather than extreme output.

Are they good for blues?

Yes. The lower output and strong dynamic response make them particularly well suited to blues and blues-rock.

Do they come with the original packaging?

Yes. The original box is included.

Can I part-exchange other pickups or equipment?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges across a wide range of musical equipment.