flyguitars logo
I'm happy with this
This website uses cookies to personalise content and adverts, to provide social media features, and to analyse traffic. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. See terms and conditions

Gibson G3 bass single coil pickup

Gibson bass guitars | Part descriptions | Pickups | Gibson G3 bass single coil pickup

The Gibson G3 pickups, and the innovative electronics associated with them were the product of Gibson designer Bill Lawrence, for a "bright/low" tonality. The pickup itself was simple: a single coil around a Alnico magnet, both embedded in clear resin. Thanks to the translucent covers used in early examples, we can see exactly what is inside. Although the pickups were single coil, they were wired together into various humbucking configurations: the controls did not allow for any pickup to be selected alone - see the description of controls for more information on this.

The three pickups are slightly different, with different part numbers, different coloured leads, and presumably slightly different characteristics: 13109 (front - one black lead), 13110 (middle - two orange leads), 13111 (back - one red lead).

Later examples had black covers rather than the clear. Dimensions (excluding mounting tabs): 79mm x 20mm x 16mm.

Some basses fitted with this pickup

1976 Gibson G-3
1978 Gibson G-3 bass

Soundclips

Have a listen to a 1976 G-3, all three pickups activated - Gibson described this setting as a "buck-and-a-half". More G-3 soundclips here.

List of Gibson bass guitar pickups

Gibson G-3 bass pickup for sale

Flyguitars.com is funded by its visitors. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. For more info see terms and conditions.
Vintage Gibson G3 pickups in Grabber style boutique bass

Vintage Gibson G3 pickups in Grabber style boutique bass

Lions Head, Ontario, N0H***, CANADA

C $4500

Fancy Gibson G3 style boutique bass with genuine vintage 1970s Gibson G3 pickups.
Through neck design.
Figured maple body & neck with exotic wood center stripe.
Ebony fret board
Ebony headstock
Ebony string-through body inset
Bone nut
4 way rotary switch gives extra setting for neck pickup only. First 3 positions same as traditional Gibson G3 bass. CTS pots
Orange drop capacitor
Hipshot 3 point bridge
Hipshot Ultralite tuning machines
Finish is French ... more
eBay logo
There are 1 comments on this article so far. Add your comment

Comment on this article

Name
Email address
Anti-spam question - to catch web robots
How many legs does a duck have?
Richard McCain Comment left 19th January 2023 20:08:44 reply
I would like to know the ohm reading for just one of these pickups so I can find something comparable. Bartolini makes blade style single and dual coil pickups that may fit the bill. Harmonic content for the G3 is better than anything I have ever heard and yes it is better than a USA MTD.