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
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
Vintage Gibson G3 pickups in Grabber style boutique bass
Lions Head, Ontario, N0H***, CANADA
C $4500
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
Vintage Gibson G3 pickups in Grabber style boutique bass
Lions Head, Ontario, N0H***, CANADA
C $4500
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
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.