What ARE the dimensions of a '60's Tbird PUP?

dadagoboi · August 23, 2010, 03:44:11 PM

I received my Ebay pup this afternoon and I'm not positive it's an authentic '60s Tbird. It is 1 9/16 x 3 9/16 inches (39.7 x 92.3 mm). Is this correct? I'm looking at spending a lot on tooling for covers and I really need to be positive this is an actual Gibson pup. Any help really appreciated. Thanks!

Denis · August 23, 2010, 04:49:35 PM

I wonder if my Jap Epi and the originals are the same size? It appears to be 3 5/8 long by 1 1/2". Not sure if that helps in any way. They are 2 screw pickups though.

dadagoboi · August 23, 2010, 05:19:53 PM

Quote from: Denis on August 23, 2010, 04:49:35 PM
I wonder if my Jap Epi and the originals are the same size? It appears to be 3 5/8 long by 1 1/2". Not sure if that helps in any way. They are 2 screw pickups though.

60s are 2 screw also. Bicentennials and other first RI's are 3 screws. I would think the Jap Epi is close. These covers also look like chrome when they should be nickel. Nickel on your Epi? Thanks Denis!

Denis · August 23, 2010, 05:29:13 PM

I'll dig up my caliper (which is probably buried under motorcycle parts) and try to get more exact dimension for you. Hmm, mine LOOK like chrome and probably are, but the bass is only a year or two old so everything is super shiny.

Lightyear · August 23, 2010, 08:36:46 PM

My 70's, three hole, cover from Greatdealz measures 3 5/8 x 1 17/32(long) X 3/4 tall.

hollowbody · August 23, 2010, 11:30:05 PM

I don't have a caliper here, but by eyeballing a chrome plated 60's with a ruler I come up with 38 mm x 92 mm.

the mojo hobo · August 24, 2010, 04:28:30 AM

By my caliper here are what I get +/- 1/64"

Length 92 mm, 3.6" or 3 19/32"
Width 40 mm, 1.54" or 1 17/32"
Height 11 mm, 0.42", or 13/32"

The NR '66/'67 serial number long gone bird I bought used in '69 had a chrome pickup, bridge and tailpiece with nickel tuners,
and bridge and pickup covers. I think only the first edition reverse birds had nickel pickups and hardware, and they transitioned to chrome in the late Sixties.

godofthunder · August 24, 2010, 05:42:05 AM

Quote from: Lightyear on August 23, 2010, 08:36:46 PM
My 70's, three hole, cover from Greatdealz measures 3 5/8 x 1 17/32(long) X 3/4 tall.

'76 covers are a different animal from '60's covers. Stamped from different dies, 60's are very thin, and have a smaller radius around the edges

dadagoboi · August 24, 2010, 06:47:32 AM

Thanks for all the input guys! It looks like what I have is a late '60s. I know EB's switched from nickel to chrome covers and bridge around '67. Figures they would do the same with 'birds. I've got a line on a nickel covered pup. That seems the logical starting place, once the basic R&D is done on the pup it can be wound hotter if necessary. The late '60s I have is 9.7K ohm.

Thanks for doing the caliper work Mojo and especially the height. Also GOT for the radius and thickness info. That makes sense, with a thinner cover you need a tighter radius to help it maintain its shape. It's easier to stamp a bigger radius with thicker metal and not get deformation. Possibly a reason for the change in the RIs, less expensive tooling and fewer rejects.