Wolfetone Marshallhead

Bridge Humbucker only. Passive, 4 coil wiring.

Homemade guitar, Mahogony jazzmaster body w/ maple neck. I have a spliter switch too. The neck is a non-wolftone pup so I won't elaborate.

Seems like a really hot PAF style to me. Definitely pronounced in the mids, nice low-end, but lacking a bit up top. Everyone's tastes are different, but I'd probably prefer more top end sparkle, and bit less output so my boost pedal would kick in more. It does have a really nice fat overdriven sound through my Dr. Z amp (SRZ65). I would definitely recommend this pup for anyone who is trying to tame a bright guitar. I may actually switch this into one of my Alder/maple guitars.

Wolfe seems like a nice guy, spoke with him a few times via the phone.

Update to my comment below from Wolfe himself. I was mistaken in calling these hand wound pickups. They are not, never the less they are awesome!

"Jason
Just wanted to let you know, neither the Marshallheads or the DrV's are a hand-wound pickup. Although they're machine-wound, they are a scattered coil, athough they're not a "random scattered" coil. The Marshallheads require so much wire that it's impossible to lay it on by hand in just the right pattern to get it all on there. While most machines wind a perfectly even, layered wind with one turn laying right next to the other, I don't set my machine to do that. Most winders will lay on about 65 "turns per layer" across a humbucker bobbin - the Marshallheads have about 10 turns-per-layer, which spreads the coil out dramatically, and lots of scatter and airspace in the coil. It's all in how you program the machine...my machine is capable of programming 99,999 different "lines" in each coil, meaning I can lay each turn of wire exactly where I want it...I can dissect an old PAF, and program the machine to do exactly that pattern, but I'd have to program it in reverse...and it would take for ever...
My machine will also do a true random scatter, if I want it to.
The DrV's are directly based on the Marshallhead coils, but much lower output.

Wolfe "

Passive humbucker, 8.2k Neck, 9.0k Bridge, Raw, in-your-face, distinctive Alnico 5 hot P.A.F attitude. With an upper-midrange punch and sizzling high end, they'll deliver the power to cut through. The Marshallhead pickups were brought about by the desire for a pickup that captures more of the "overwound" original 59 P.A.F pickups without sacrificing clarity, detail and that great P.A.F "honk". A bright, yet fat and clear top end compliments a cello like bottom and hollow honky midrange so unique to the 50's originals. Using plain enamel wire, Alnico 5 magnets, no wax potting and a special winding process, we believe we have really raised the bar on the hotter P.A.F type winds.

*McNaught Singlecut
*Neck and bridge
*Rio Grande Texas and SD JB
*I don't know of any pro artist using this
*Never ending quest for tone

The output is low, keep in mind this is not a high gain pickup but that is what my Mesa Boogie Mark IV is for. The tone of these Marshallhead is really balanced. Very clear sounding, no mud and I think I'm starting to understand the term "Bloom" with these pickups. I play mostly rock and metal however I do enjoy blues and clean finger style.

I would certainly buy these again. I'm also considering the Caretakers just to have. I've been playing 20 years and I have finally found the tone. McNaught, Wolfetone, cord, and Mesa Mark IV! The price is very good considering this is a custom hand-wound pickup and FREE shipping! How's that? Wolfe is a great guy to deal with and will see that you are completely satisfied with your order.

Pickup features: hot paf wind humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 9k

Model of guitar or bass: 8Lb. historic goldtop
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: WCR DARKBURST
Other pickups on guitar: MARSHALLHEAD NECK
Artists using this pickup: ME
You musical style(s): ALLMAN AND BEANO ERA CLAPTON TO EARLY VAN HALEN
Reason for pickup change: Darkburst was nasally on the mids unatural sounding

Perceived output level: slightyly hot paf wind,
Tone: balanced with a slight lower mid, Good brown sound, no mud!!!!
Sonic evaluation: MARSHALL DSL and JCM800 halfstack stock w/75 celestions.Peavy Rage Transtube 158 practice amp. Sounds great through both halfstacks and the little practice amp.This pup combo is great from Allman type stuff to Early Van Halen.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Old school Metal,Priest ,maiden, VH, Duane allman era, Clapton BEANO ERA,, Gary Moore pre and post blues

Comments: I've definately bought this more than twice. It's a great sounding pup. Make things short I'm on my 3rd set. the neck pup is warm and woody but, with good clarity also sounds good in the bridge for a smoother tone. The bridge pup Is the shit, It's the brown sound the Darkburst says it is. I tried the darkburst based on the hype, ie. brown sound, duane allman tone but, I found it to have a weird nasally midrange that I couldn't get rid of. Like the previous reviewer said, The marshallhead from Wolfe McCleod doesn't sound nasally or weird. It's got a good throaty Cello bottom end and it does have that slight sizzle on top that a good hot paf wind should have. I'm thru for now chasing all the boutique winds. By the way I've got 3 other sets from Wolfe that are different winds and they all sound exceptional as well.

Pickup features: hot paf wind humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 9k

Model of guitar or bass: 8Lb. historic goldtop
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: WCR DARKBURST
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change: Darkburst was nasally on the mids unatural sounding

Perceived output level: slightyly hot paf wind,
Tone: balanced with a slight lower mid, Good brown sound, no mud!!!!
Sonic evaluation: MARSHALL DSL and JCM800 halfstack stock w/75 celestions.Peavy Rage Transtube 158 practice amp. Sounds great through both halfstacks and the little practice amp.This pup combo is great from Allman type stuff to Early Van Halen.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Old school Metal,Priest ,maiden, VH, Duane allman era, Clapton BEANO ERA,, Gary Moore pre and post blues

Comments: I've definately bought this more than twice. It's a great sounding pup. Make things short I'm on my 3rd set. the neck pup is warm and woody but, with good clarity also sounds good in the bridge for a smoother tone. The bridge pup Is the shit, It's the brown sound the Darkburst says it is. I tried the darkburst based on the hype, ie. brown sound, duane allman tone but, I found it to have a weird nasally midrange that I couldn't get rid of. Like the previous reviewer said, The marshallhead from Wolfe McCleod doesn't sound nasally or weird. It's got a good throaty Cello bottom end and it does have that slight sizzle on top that a good hot paf wind should have. I'm thru for now chasing all the boutique winds. By the way I've got 3 other sets from Wolfe that are different winds and they all sound exceptional as well.