Mini Humbucker
Mini-Humbucker, Redesigned by Lindy
$180 – $360
The Fralin Mini Humbucker is cleaner and clearer than full sized humbuckers. Our Mini Humbucker sounds more “Fendery” than other Mini’s, which are darker and muddier. We have two magnet choices – Alnico 5 is bright and clear, and Alnico 6 is loud and thick.
Quick Links
Jump to Sound Clips and more Info:
Mini Humbuckers, Redesigned.
Want to learn more about our Mini Humbucker? Here's all the information you'll need:
Features
Lindy’s passion for the tone of vintage 50’s humbuckers led us down the road to design our Mini Humbucker. The Lindy Fralin Mini Humbucker is one amazing-sounding pickup. Lindy modified the design of the original Mini Humbuckers, experimenting with winds and magnets. The result gives you a clean vintage tone that’s more articulate than most modern humbuckers. Our Mini Humbucker is a lower output, which is more expressive than higher-output designs.
Features:
- Modified Gibson Design – Re-designed by Lindy Fralin
- Modified Gibson® specifications with attention to increased output and clarity
- Brighter and more ‘Fender-y’ tone. Smooth, late grind and a crisp attack
- USA-made Alnico Magnets for optimal tonal balance and output
- 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
Clean, clear, and articulate. Our Mini Humbucker will stay clean as it won’t break up as early as modern humbuckers. You’ll find that it’s loud, while still remaining clear. Built with AlNicCo V or VI magnets, and 42 & 43 Gauge SPN wire, the Mini Humbuckers are a gateway to vintage tone. When playing clean, you’ll find that this pickup sings what you put into it: it’s dynamic, clear, and warm. Expect a smooth grind with distortion, with a pronounced pick attack. If you want a darker sound, choose to go with the +4% or +8% output options. More coil will thicken the midrange up more, and less will make is sound more like single coils and cleaner.
Our manufacturing process allows us to achieve unparalleled quality control. Our Mini Humbuckers consist of USA-Made bobbins, baseplates, magnets, and wire. We wind each pickup by hand, one at a time. Each pickup is wound using our proprietary “Sectioning” technique. This gives the pickup a sweet, clear tone.
We assemble each pickup one at a time, by hand. This allows us to achieve unbeatable attention to detail. Finally, we wax-pot the pickup to preserve the pickup, and prevent microphonics.
Sound Samples for Mini Humbucker:
About this Sound Clip:
All sound samples are played from Neck Position First and Bridge Position Last.
This set features our Stock Output Mini Humbuckers – with an Alnico 5 neck and an Alnico 6 Bridge.
Sound Clips performed on an Ash-Bodied Telecaster with a Maple Neck, by Phil Heesen III.
Tonal Graph For Mini Humbucker:
The tonal graph below for our Mini Humbucker features Lows, Midrange, Highs, and general Output.
Stock Output:
Attack: Bright & Sharp
+4% Output:
Attack: Dynamic & Full
+8 Output:
Attack: Soft & Round
Videos for Mini Humbucker:
Lead Color Codes
See below for our Lead color codes. For help with matching to other manufacturers, check out this resource here.
Gibson Braided Lead
Gibson-Style instruments
Phase Reversible
Coil Splitting
2-Conductor Lead
Phase Reversible
Tech Specs:
See below for the estimated DCR and Polarity Information for our Mini Humbucker.
| SPECIFICATION | VALUE |
|---|---|
| Stock Ohm Reading: | 6.5K 1 |
| +4% Ohm Reading: | 10.5K 1 |
| +8% Ohm Reading: | 11.2K 1 |
| Magnet Material: | USA-Made Alnico 5 or USA-Made Alnico 6 |
| Magnet Wire Material: | USA-Made 42-Gauge / 43-Gauge Single Poly Nylon |
| Baseplate Material: | USA-Made Nickel Silver |
| Cover Material: | USA-Made Nickel Silver |
| Polarity: | Reversible with 2-Conductor Lead |
| Recommended Cap Value: | 0.02mfd 2 |
Additional Technical Info:
1 Ohm Readings can vary due to a multitude of factors, including ambient temperature, multimeter calibration, different wire batches, and other factors. Due to this, ohm readings are approximate. Learn more about Ohm Readings here.
2 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.
Polarity Information:
Here's how we wind and magnetize our pickups:
If you're buying a set from us, all pickups will work together seamlessly. If you're buying a single pickup, all you need to worry about is Coil Direction.
To ensure your pickup will work, make sure you select multiple leads (2-Conductor, 3-Conductor, or 4-Conductor if available), or the 3-Wire modification so you can reverse the coil direction, if need be.
Mini Humbucker Dimensions:
Mini Humbucker Dimensions:
If converting a Mini Humbucker to a Soapbar, check your rout to make sure the Soapbar ring (pictured above) will fit your instrument.
Mini Humbucker Dimensions:
Mini Humbucker FAQ's
General FAQs
Here are quick answers to common questions we get:
-
What Ohm Readings does your Mini Humbucker have?
Navigate to our Tech Specs Tab for complete Ohm Readings and more useful information.
-
Will this pickup fit my instrument?
Check our "Sizing" tab for the size of the pickup. No Sizing tab? Check under the product image gallery for dimensions.
-
Is your Lead Time of 2 Weeks accurate?
It depends on the shop capacity at the moment, and the size of your order. Feel free to give us a call for an accurate lead time. We always try to beat our estimated Lead Times.
-
What pickup height do you recommend setting your Mini Humbuckers to?
Our recommended Pickup Height is 1/8" (3.175mm) on the Bass Side and 1/16"( 1.5875mm) on the Treble Side. To measure, hold the correct side down at its highest fret. Then, measure from the bottom of the string to the top of the pole piece.
Product FAQ's
People frequently ask these questions about our Mini Humbucker. If you have a question that you don't see listed here, click "Ask" in the Quick Links section above.
-
What's the difference between Alnico 5 and Alnico 6?
Alnico 5 features more of a Fender Sparkle, and Alnico 6 sounds more like a Humbucker – softer, warmer, and thicker, but with more output. If you’re looking for a Fender tone out of your Mini, opt for Alnico 5. If you’re looking for more of a PAF tone, opt for Alnico 6.
-
What is a "Stock" set of Mini Humbuckers?
There are a lot of options with this pickup. The Stock Set is close to how Gibson made them in the ’50s. It’s a Stock Neck (6.5K) and a Stock Bridge (6.5K). This set will feature a clean, fender-like Neck and a bright, spanky Bridge. If you’re looking for something with more balance, you can opt for a +4% Neck (Alnico 5), or a Stock Neck with Alnico 6. Alnico 6 gives the pickup a louder output with more of a “Gibson” feel – more midrange, less highs – more like a traditional PAF.
-
Can you wire the Mini Humbucker for Coil Splitting?
We can, but we don’t recommend it – the output is very low.
Featured Reviews
Reviews We Worked Hard For, and Are Proud Of
Customer Reviews
48 Genuine Reviews for Mini Humbucker
-
I got a stock, AlNiCo 5 Fralin Mini-Humbucker for the neck position in a Grosh Tele style guitar with a rosewood board several months ago and really dig it. I got another Grosh VT with a Maple board and decided to go with the aged, 4% overwind for this one. Love it too!! Just a little fatter in this slightly brighter guitar. Still has all the clarity. Now I’m wanting to try the AlNiCo 6 version. I’m sure it will be great too. Keep up the awesome work Lindy!
-
Fralin Mini-Humbucker
I replaced my beloved vintage mini-humbucker with the Fralin mini-humbucker. I’m happy I did. There is a lot of similarity between the two, but I find the Fralin is a little more nuanced and a tad more smooth. Also, it works well with the bridge pickup better in parallel and series – it matches up well in volume and tone. I found the Fralin to be very slightly larger than my vintage. I had to sand off a few thousandths of the pickguard, mostly at the ends for it to fit right. This was easy and quickly done. I upgraded to a 4-way switch on my Telecaster from a 3-way. This allowed me to have a series option. The wiring could have been a real challenge for me but I received a lot of help from Tyler and a surprise call from Lindy Fralin with a personal touch which was really helpful. Really nice folks at this factory, making great products. I’m sure I will turn to Fralin for any future projects. Jim H
-
So I had initially tried a p90 (humbucker size) neck pickup in a tele combination and didn’t like it too much. Called in and exchanged for an A6 stock neck pickup (Lindy’s rec). So cool to be able to call in and talk to the head haunch himself! Really love it with the high output tele bridge pickup. Used a 500k volume pot w/ a 500k resistor to the bridge pickup. This is a great combo and this mini humbucker thing in a tele is about as perfect a match as ever. Very versatile…middle position is something I’m really loving. Highly recommend especially this combination: high output bridge (tele) and the A6 stock neck.
-
These Fralin Mini-Humbuckers offer a complex and warm tone that belies their compact size, highly recommended! Yanuziello Stringed Instruments
-
Best mini-humbuckers I’ve ever heard.
Serious high-quality single coil chime in a mini-humbucker. Forget about coil-splitting your lame production humbuckers. I don’t know what Lindy does, but these are otherworldly. Almost a drop-in replacement for my reissue Guild Jetstar. Now it’s my favorite guitar to play.
-
Extremely articulate
I went with the A5+4% neck and A6+8% bridge. The Neck is an amazing pickup. Clear, punchy, round, straty yet full. Takes gain really well. Just an awesome pickup.I went with the A6+8% bridge because I wanted a really thick and middy mini bridge with some punch. In that lens, I am disappointed a little bit. It sounds like other mini bridges I’ve heard. Maybe it’s my ear. Perhaps I should have gone with the Big Single but overall they sound great just a little bit different on the bridge than expected with the A6+8%.
I definitely will be buying from Fralin again.
-
If you’re looking for something different for your Tele, as my client was, there’s no better choice than the Mini-Humbucker. I’ve had one in my personal Tele for years and it just keeps getting better. With a 4-way switch set up, it’s a great combo with a Blues Special as the bridge p’up. After my customer heard this combo set up on my Tele, he had to have it for his. Lots of combos of tone with these p’ups and switch set up. Nothing but kudos abound for a great p’up and great combo of p’ups, for a Telecaster. I’ve been buying Lindy’s p’ups for over 25 years and will seek no other for mine, or my clients guitars. Happy New Year!
-
Mesquite Telecaster Build
I’ve used Fralin mini-humbuckers on several builds. They’re a great choice for the Tele neck position. A great compliment to the Tele bridge pickup. -
Sorry about the previous review– wrong strings distorted the results.
If it all went bad today and I had to start over, I’d be buying a set of minis well before the Pure PAFs (heretical!!).
After 7 swap outs in 3 diff guitars I have the 6 in the neck and the 5 in the bridge on 250 pots w/vol kit and two caps on tone.
42 years and 50 guitars later, best ax I’ve ever played. They handle all the gain and pedals you can throw at them with the same aplomb the wifey gives ya when she tells you where you left your car keys without looking up from doing her nails. That CHING makes chords so special. Killer round note, killer jazz tones, killer everything.
FYI: These went in a Standard Jazzmaster (MIM) with spacing 50/-48(!) Bridge is great, but neck just barely gets outside of screws. With a 52mm saddles, the bridge barely fits, but the neck is perfect. So, plan accordingly! -
Mini Perfection
Lindy’s Mini-Humbuckers are sounding incredible in my ’76 Deluxe… much better than stock! I have his pup’s in my Strat and Tele too, and they all are nailing the tones I love. -
These minis (A5 neck, A6 bridge) are a marriage of P90 hard clank and something really bright, like a wide-range. Jazzmaster/Jaguar-ish.
I should probably mention that I’m not a fan of either P90 clank or overly bright guitars (fu fu fu!). But, I was angling for a jazz-specific solid body, so…. When I roll off the volume and tone the tears begin to flow. Adding in some chorus or reverb only makes it worse. I get the whole P90 thing now!! How warm and sumptuous. Gah!! I can roll the tone all the way off, jack up waaay too much reverb–what a beautiful landscape!! Added the volume kit and two caps on the tone (.02 and .0022). This set up is now going into 4 other axes as we speak. The push/pulls make the sound much louder, but the notes become impressively solid. It’s like walking through a door in a mansion only to find yourself in another mansion. So much to explore! Oddly enough, the OOP-sounding middle position, when rolled down, has become my home away from home. Funny, I’ve always been a neck guy.
So weird…. You can almost get Strat and Tele tones, almost. They’ll take you right up to brittle, then stop. You can get close to an SRV tone, almost. Every tone is affected by the mini, but I can’t really tell you what the mini’s tone really sounds like, just what it does. Strange.
You can see how I fashioned my pick up mounting ring to accept the mini. Still struggling with string spacing and bridge issues, so only get these for the proper mini application. -
5/9/2019 I just had my luthier install a Lindy “Mini Humbucker” in the neck position and a PAF Series in the bridge position to replace the proprietary, “Rockfield” pups ( which had no soul, no life, no range ) in my new Michael Kelly “1955” series Tele. This is an amazing instrument for the price point but blah sound…I have several high end guitars and this was an experiment. I also installed a “920D” new switchplate with dual vol and tone knobs and coil taps, nice pots and toggles…and a pro set up. I did a lot of research before I chose Lindy’s…Seymour’s, Barden’s ,Lollar, D’marzio…and weird brands…all the blogs said: “…Yeah, those are all great but get the Fralin’s…” So I did..
WOW !!! I cannot describe the amazing tone, range, articulation, voicing, depth, and definition I get from this set up…MAGIC! Very cool with any combination: front, back, tapped, split…Now, I am not a “musician”. I’m a bedroom, hobby player who is halfway decent and I own good gear.
My cute, inexpensive Tele now sounds like a big dollar custom…Thank you -
A Lindy thanks a lot for the mini humbucker you overwind for me for my Firebird one think that thing soundsfantastic just what the doctor ordered. Thanks again
-
My favorite pickup! Creamy, clear, good with overdrive – great pickup.
-
Great Crisp, Clean Humbucker Tones!
As with all of Lindy’s pickups i’ve Had through the years, these are great! If you’re looking for 60% humbucker bloom and grind, but 40% single coil clarity and chime, these are your pickups. I was looking for that 70’s LP Deluxe tone and these delivered. Thanks again Lindy! -
Mini Humbuckers (Stock Neck, 8% Bridge)
Installed these pickups in a 2004 Epiphone Riviera. The sound improvement from the stock pickups is very noticable and beyond my expecations. This is my first set of pickups from Fralin….but will definitely not be my last. The manufacturing quality is excellent and the pickups were delivered earlier than expected. -
Great pickups !!! I cover a lot of styles of music and all types of gigs. Rock, RnB, Funk, Gospel, Standards, Blues, Country etc… Your pickups do it all. Great Bell Like tone when playing clean. When I push them in the Hot Channel works great too. I use different combo amps depending on size of room and I can depend on my Les Paul with your mini humbuckers. Thanks for your great service fast turnaround etc!
-
I was looking for a more balanced set of humbuckers for my Gibson Deluxe 1976 as the neck position was sweet but the neck was too weak. Fortunately, I found this one. I had never tried Alnico 6 and I´`´’m really happy with the result a lot more clarity and balance. Both pickups sound sweet on this guitar.
-
I just installed a Fralin Mini Humbucker in my Custom Telecaster to replace a neck pickup that was a little too shrill & aggressive for the guitar & my playing style. I also wired in a Fralin volume kit in the wiring circuit, and the result was heaven – just what I was hoping for. The new mini in the neck slot provides the perfect balance for the Barden Soapbar rail pickup I have in the bridge spot, and the blend of the two in the middle position gives me all the tone I need for everything from country to classic rock to soul and R&B. What a sweet sounding Pickup! I was worried that the Barden rails in the bridge slot would overpower the mini in the middle “blend” position, but not so. The blend is a perfect blend & balance of both pickups. And when I go to the Neck pickup only, what beautiful tone – clear, artiulate, and responsive to touch. I can get anything from creamy smooth blues tones with just the right amount of crunch, to nice clean highs, with just a slight adjustment on the tone knob. Thanks Lindy!
-
I just had a Fralin min humbucker installed on my Michael Kelly “1958” guitar. This is the most amazing humbucker I have ever heard. I am typically a single coil player, but this guitar already had humbuckers (with a mini at the neck). Since totally falling in love with Fralin pickups recently (I have a G&L Legacy with Strat-style Blues Specials and a Tele with Tele-style Blues Specials……), I knew this would be good…But I had no idea it would be THIS good! Really open and airy while still having some punch and snarl. And since the stock pickup was a split coil on the push-pull volume knob, at Lindy’s suggestion, I had the pot wired to be what he calls the “bright switch” (removes pickups from the tone knob circuitry, thus brightening the tone). Super versatile and awesome!
I own 7 other guitars that will eventually be transformed with Fralin pickups….Thanks Lindy and crew!
Add a review
Leave a review for our Mini Humbucker
