Unbucker
The Lindy Fralin Unbucker gives you great split-coil and humbucking tones – all in one. The unbalanced Unbucker’s coils give you a stronger single coil tone when split.
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Unique Humbucker Design For Coil Splitting
Want to learn more about our Unbucker? Here's all the information you'll need:
Unbucker FEATURES:
The Lindy Fralin Unbucker is one of our best-selling pickups. We’re known all over the world for incredible-sounding Single-Coil and Humbucker pickups. Why not combine them both and get the best of both worlds? The Unbucker provides fantastic Humbucker tones as well as Single-Coil tones. We purposely unbalance the coils to give you a stronger coil when the Unbucker is Split.
Our Stock Set includes a 7.5K Neck and 8.5K Bridge.
Features:
- Unbalanced coil turns for a stronger single-coil tone (Screw Coil)
- Scooped midrange with an emphasis on top-end clarity
- AlNiCo IV Magnets for a smooth, rich sound
- Fits any Standard Humbucker or F-Spaced Humbucker routing
- Assembled by hand, one at a time, for impeccable attention to detail
- Compensated Overwound Bridge for even volume across all pickups
- Hand-wound with our “Sectioning” technique for unique, dynamic tone
- Hand-built for unrivaled quality control
- 10-Year Warranty on manufacturing defects
Sound
Bright and clear, with just the right amount of chime and an open midrange. Our Unbucker features a stronger wound screw coil that gives this pickup a unique tone. Our Unbucker has a similar vibe to our Pure P.A.F. with a more open and airy midrange and top end. Expect outstanding clarity and articulation. When you tap the slug coil, you still achieve a robust single-coil tone. When playing dirty, you’ll get a nice, sharp pick attack and excellent clarity, and a tight and punchy low end. Due to the unbalanced coils, Unbuckers won’t be 100% hum-canceling.
Our manufacturing process allows us to achieve unparalleled quality control. We wind each pickup by hand, one at a time. Each pickup is wound using our proprietary “Sectioning” technique. Doing this gives the pickup a sweet, clear tone. Finally, we assemble each pickup one at a time, by hand. Hand assembling pickups allows us to achieve unbeatable attention to detail. After assembly, we wax-pot the pickup to preserve the pickup and prevent microphonics.
Tech Specs
The Neck pickup is comprised of a 4.5K and 3K coil, and the Bridge pickup is comprised of 5K and 3.5K coils. The outputs are compensated and all sets have matched volume.
See below for the estimated DCR and Polarity Information for our Unbucker.
| SPECIFICATION | VALUE |
|---|---|
| Neck Ohm Reading: | 7.5K |
| Bridge Ohm Reading: | 8.5K |
| Neck Polarity: | Reversible with 3-Conductor Lead |
| Bridge Polarity: | Reversible with 3-Conductor Lead |
| Magnet: | USA-Made Alnico 4 |
| Wire: | USA-Made 42-Gauge Single Poly Nylon |
| Baseplate Material: | USA-Made Nickel Silver |
| Cover Material: | USA-Made Nickel Silver |
| Pole Piece Material: | USA-Made Steel |
| Bobbin Material: | ABS Plastic |
| Baseplate Leg Depth: | 6mm |
| Recommended Pot Value: | 500K |
| Recommended Cap Value**: | 0.02mfd |
**We recommend a 0.02mfd Cap Value on most guitar and bass pickups. The exception is a Magic Cap, which Lindy prefers on the Bridge Pickup of Fender® guitars only. Learn More about Caps Here.
Sizing
Humbucker Lead Color Codes
See below for our Humbucker Lead color codes. For help with matching to other manufacturers, check out this resource here.
Gibson Braided Lead:
2-Conductor Lead:
3-Conductor Lead:
4-Conductor Lead
Unbucker Questions And Answers:
Notice:
Have a question about our Unbucker? Ask it here. Your Question will be publically visible. If you want to ask a Private Question, please contact us through our Contact Us Form.
If you have multiple questions, please call us at (804) 358-2699.
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Is it possible to get the set in cream only…All the mounting rings are cream/94 PRS CE 22…Best spacing for this guitar? I’m the test monkey for Jim Hill and refitted a Suhr Classic a few years ago when Jim and I visited your shop and had lunch with you…Great pickups and service!
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Q Is it possible to get the set in cream only…All the mounting rings are cream/94 PRS CE 22…Best sp...... Read moreThere are no answers for this question yet.
In an HSS Strat, which middle single coil would have balanced output with the split mode of the Unbucker, disregarding how it balances with the humbucker sound? I'm looking for classic early 60's Strat sounds, and then a PAF ish sound to be used by itself.
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Q In an HSS Strat, which middle single coil would have balanced output with the split mode of the U...... Read moreA
Hey Kirk, I'd recommend something like our Blues Special, and a partial split resistor.
Is the single coil mode ceramic or alnico? Would this be better matched to ceramic mid and bridge pickups, or with alnico mid and bridge pickups?
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Q Is the single coil mode ceramic or alnico? Would this be better matched to ceramic mid and bridge...... Read moreA
Hey Andrew, our Unbucker uses Alnico 4 - so the single coil mode will feature the Alnico 4 bar magnet charging the screw side. Regarding matching to either ceramic or Alnico, it's tough to say. I'd lean towards ceramic, personally as you'll get a touch of P90 tone out of the single coil as it uses screw pole pieces. - Tyler
Hi. Does 50mm Bridge and a 49.2mm Neck size work for the SE version of the PRS Custom 24? or should I go for different size?
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Q Hi. Does 50mm Bridge and a 49.2mm Neck size work for the SE version of the PRS Custom 24? or shou...... Read moreA
Hey Todd, most PRS guitars are 50mm in the Bridge and 49.2mm in the Neck. - Tyler
I am planning to install a set of Unbuckers in my Epiphone ES-339, with coil splitting. I know they are designed for this, but I am considering adding a partial split resistor as well. What would be the effects of the partial split resistor with Unbuckers? Do you have a recommendation one way or the other?
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Q I am planning to install a set of Unbuckers in my Epiphone ES-339, with coil splitting. I know th...... Read moreA
Hey Dave, if you were going that route, we'd actually recommend going for the Pure P.A.F. or Modern P.A.F. and using the Partial Split Resistor instead of the Unbuckers. You'll get the following benefits:
- 100% hum-canceling (The Unbucker is about 80% hum-canceling) and
- Compensated tone when you split the humbucker (the split single coils sound best on 500K pots with the partial split resistor).
That said, if...
Read more
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The only pickups that have remained in my les paul for more than 15 years, and much more to come. There are no compromises in both modes. My personal recomendation is to mount the bridge reversed for a even fuller single coil sound.
Soon I will get another pair and I doubt I will ever buy other brand or model. Im married to these. Perfect
The Unbucker Set is perfect. I wanted tonal versatility from a classic P.A.F.-like Humbucker. These deliver on both. They provide better clarity and are marginally brighter than a P.A.F. Humbucker, but are very close. The mis-matched coils are where the magic lies. Volume/Output doesn’t drop off a cliff when could are split and these get the closest I’ve ever heard to true single coil tone. The bridge sounds very similar to a Telecaster bridge when split and the neck falls closer to Strat tones in my opinion. I chose the Raw Nickel covers and love the look. These are the best Humbuckers for coil-splitting, by far. Fralin team was helpful, answered my questions before I ordered and the Pickups shipped quickly. I couldn’t be happier with the quality of both the sound and construction.
I installed the unbucker in a Fender performer series with the neck humbucker. I like the way it sounds either split or not but there is a little volume difference between full humbucker and the split. I didn’t hear any hum though so the litlle difference in volume is not a bad thing. I really like the unbucker pickup split (selector switch in the middle position with tone pulled up) with the blues special I installed in the bridge. Thats my favorite combo on this guitar and it is my first tele. Jon at Sims music in columbia sc did a fantastic job and I am happy all around.
Please edit typo in second to last line. ‘know’ should be ‘knob’…
Swapped out the fine, but two-wire Gibson Classic ’57 pups in a 2010 ES-339 Custom Shop for a set of Lindy’s Unbuckers. The asymmetrical windings nearly balance the split/full output with no noticeable hum. Replaced toggle with FreeWay 3×3. It’s a pleasure to instantly go from rhythm to lead. I jump from neck Humbucker to single coil bridge with a flick, not having to toggle and mess with push/pull pots. The 60/40 output of single/dual coils eliminates the need to boost when I solo. I cut through with just a volume know twist. Shout out to the best in the business: Installed by James Hood Guitar Repair in Escondido, CA.
Impressed
I haven’t been playing very long, so I’m not a tone connoisseur, but I’m very happy with my Unbucker pickup. I built a short-scale tele-style guitar with a single pickup, but the Unbucker basically gives me two pickups: a great sounding single coil in coil-split mode, and a great sounding humbucker. I’m also impressed with Fralin’s customer service. They kept me informed of progress on the pickup built, and the “tips and tricks” emails they sent were informative and made me feel like a valued customer. Overall 5 stars, couldn’t be happier.
Great Pups
I’m not a professional or even good player, I do like guitars though. So, I have two Arias from early 80s one LP Standard and another LP Custom replicas, with 70s Dimarzio and 90s ? PRS McCarty pickups in them. The unbuckers went into 70s Ibanez ES 355 replica converted to mono. I play mainly through 1965 Fender Deluxe Reverb essentially all original with JBL D130. In short, I love these pickups they are very articulate, the bass is not muddy like some other humbuckers that I have to lower to get something useful. One of the positions on the Varitone circuit splits the coils and these sound absolutely great with split coils. I have not tried it but I have a feeling that it would work exceptionally well with mild overdrive and a bit of chorus. Totally worth it in my opinion. Thank you, Lindy.
I ordered some custom Unbuckers. A 9k bridge comprised of a 5/4k and an 8k neck 4.5/3.5k. Nickel covers wiyh gold pole pieces;) They came in a little hotter at 9.25k and 8.25k and sound friggin incredible. I got them unpotted. They are in an s2 mccarty 594 thinline. Man these guys can build a great pickup! Lindy was pleasure to speak with on the phone and very helpful. I am curious to someday try out the sunbucker blues…
Great pickups. Very nice sound. Very little volume drop when split. It’s the closest you can get to a single coil. Very impressed.
I have them on a fender lead iii and it does a wonderful job.
I just wish they promoted this pickups better, maybe more videos on you tube. It took me a lot of research to know about this pickups!
Unbucker = Unbelievable! Excellent tone and strong output for both hum and split settings. Definitely the best split tone in a hum I’ve tried, a Perfect upgrade for the Fender duo-sonic HS.