Ron Ellis Pickups Signature Humbuckers
Ron Ellis Pickups makes its channel debut — and the Signature Humbuckers in the R8 Historic are something special. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the Ron Ellis Pickups Signature Humbucker Set takes center stage — installed in the 2002 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul R8 Historic, wired with the Emerson Custom x Edge of Breakup Les Paul Prewired Kit and Emerson Custom Treble Bleeds on both volume pots, into the Benson Amps Monarch 2x12" via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. R2R Electric Rangemaster, Origin Effects Revival Drive Compact, Effectrode Tube Vibe, and Echo Fix EF-X3 all feature.
Get the EoB x Emerson Custom Les Paul Kit: https://emersoncustom.com/products/eob-les-paul-prewired-kit-premier-pro?sca_ref=6282128.5O9h8BhMpG
Learn more about Ron Ellis Pickups: https://www.ronellispickups.com/collections/humbuckers/products/signature-humbucker
Follow: https://www.instagram.com/ronellispickups/
Ron Ellis is an engineer by profession — over 35 years of experience in materials and mechanical design — based in Carlsbad, California. In 2004 he began using high-tech laboratory equipment, including spectrometers, to reverse-engineer the materials used in 1950s and 1960s guitar pickups at the molecular level. Rather than simply copying vintage wire types or old winding machines, Ron identifies what materials actually make a measurable difference in the final sound and selects them accordingly. Each set is hand-wound in Carlsbad.
The Signature set is Ron's own recipe rather than a PAF clone. Where his LRP set aims for a traditional old PAF sound with a stronger signal into the amp's front end, the Signature deliberately reduces midrange content — hitting the preamp less aggressively and allowing greater headroom, clarity, and note separation. Bridge 10K / Neck 9K, but they don't sound overwound in any conventional sense. The higher resistance number doesn't translate to the compressed, thick midrange of a typically overwound pickup. Historically correct nickel silver covers.
In Ron's own words: "The Signature set is the result of finding single-coil clarity in the humbucker format. It clearly articulates both high and low notes to create a clean and melodic tonal signature. It's great for articulate playing and works well in combination with Telecaster, Stratocaster, and P90 pickups."
Notable players who use Ron Ellis humbuckers: Ariel Posen, Doyle Bramhall II, Guthrie Trapp, Joey Landreth, Kirk Fletcher, Bill Frisell.
🎸 Ron Ellis Pickups: https://www.ronellispickups.com
🔊 Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers
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🎸 2002 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul R8 Historic | Ron Ellis Signature Humbuckers (Bridge 10K / Neck 9K) | Emerson Custom EoB LP Kit + 2x Treble Bleed
🎛️ R2R Electric Rangemaster | Origin Effects Revival Drive Compact | Effectrode Tube Vibe | Echo Fix EF-X3
🔊 Benson Amps Monarch 2x12" | Scumback H75-PVC 65W | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R10 & R121 | Ableton Live 12
