For the gullible Gibson bass afficionado...

[Freuds_Cat]

As many basses as Allen Woody had in his collection, this seems like something minor. 

Unless it was Brian Farmer or Gruhns selling it or confirming that they are what is claimed, I wouldn't touch them. Actually even then at that price fughedaboudit.

[Chaser001]

Exactly

[uwe]

I just find these pups interesting for their sheer existence. Phil Jones worked on Woody's basses, so he probably made those too. I just wonder how they sound, the alleged celeb factor is irrlevant to me.

[dadagoboi]

I just find these pups interesting for thei sheer existence. Phil Jones worked on Woody's basses, so he probably made those too. I just wonder how they sound, the alleged celeb factor is irrlevant to me.

+1...the guy was into TBird sound and had the means to get what he wanted.

If someone is in the pickup business and specifically making TBird pups, $1k is not too much to pay to add an Allen Woody spec model to the line.  I'm making the assumption these use the same bobbins.

[lowend1]

I just wonder how they sound, the alleged celeb factor is irrlevant to me.

Well, that's easy. The seller says they sound... "great". Just go through all your Thunderbirds, Uwe, and find one that sounds "great" - it probably has those very same pickups.

[Freuds_Cat]

Actually its more likely to be one of the many 'experiments' that Woody and Farmer made together. Wether or not they sound any good will only cost you $999 to find out.  He had a strong leaning towards EB's live. Studio was probably a different matter.

[Dave W]

I just find these pups interesting for thei sheer existence. Phil Jones worked on Woody's basses, so he probably made those too. I just wonder how they sound, the alleged celeb factor is irrlevant to me.

You're making some big assumptions. Any evidence that these are anything other than yet another TB Plus production variation? Or that they were actually owned and/or used by Allen Woody? The seller says so, but then the seller also says that they "have a touch of Allen's mojo." 

Now, if Phil Jones could vouch for them, that's different.

[doombass]

There was another TBird pickup with the metal backplate up for auction last week. Much cheaper tho.

I spotted that one as well and it's still for sale, 90$ and 2 days left:

http://cgi.ebay.com/GIBSON-THUNDERBIRD-HUMBUCKER-PICKUP-1980S-/200596412228

[lowend1]

I spotted that one as well and it's still for sale, 90$ and 2 days left:

http://cgi.ebay.com/GIBSON-THUNDERBIRD-HUMBUCKER-PICKUP-1980S-/200596412228

Wow. Wonder of wonders, that seller says it sounds "great" too. Must be the metal plate.

[uwe]

I find it curious that more than a decade after his passing most info still states "unknown cause of death". Was it a heroin overdose as some sources state? In that case I find it silly and irresponsible to hush it up.

[nofi]

imo unknown usually means overdose. but honestly, i can't feel too bad for a person living that life to suddenly die from an overdose. to me it is more the squandering of a special gift that is the sadder part.

[the mojo hobo]

Wow. Wonder of wonders, that seller says it sounds "great" too. Must be the metal plate.

Why don't we see auctions where the seller says "this pickup doesn't sound that great to me so I'm selling it. Maybe you'll like it better"?

[Dave W]

I find it curious that more than a decade after his passing most info still states "unknown cause of death". Was it a heroin overdose as some sources state? In that case I find it silly and irresponsible to hush it up.

He was a known drug abuser and one thing's for sure, he didn't die of old age.

[Freuds_Cat]

I cant find the interview anymore (I know Dave likes substantiation, sorry mate  )but I saw one with Matt Abts where he plainly said that Woody was "self medicating" to an increasing degree and how disappointed he was because he and Haynes had booked Woody into rehab and that they were due to take him there in just a few days after his death. I guess we can read into that what we like.

[Highlander]

What is it about collecting basses and pegging out early...? oops...