Sheptone PAF-Style Humbuckers — Early Production Set (Zebra, 4-Conductor)

A set of boutique PAF-style humbuckers that present a very strong case for being early Sheptone Tribute production, dating back to no later than the early 2010s. These look like they have never been installed in a guitar.

The pickups carry no external branding — consistent with Sheptone's pre-sticker era — but were identified with a handwritten tape note. Every measurable and visible detail aligns with Sheptone Tribute specifications:

• DC resistance: 7.54k (neck), 8.43k (bridge) — squarely within Sheptone's stated Tribute range of ~7.6k neck / ~8.0k bridge, with variance expected from scatter winding
• Zebra bobbins (black and cream), 4-conductor wire
• "Patent Applied For" gold-on-black sticker on base — a signature Sheptone detail
• Thin black tape over windings, consistent with Sheptone construction
• Two nickel covers included (uninstalled)

I contacted Josh directly about these. His response: "They definitely look like they could be mine." He noted that build records prior to 2016 were lost, so definitive factory verification isn't possible — but the attribution is supported both by his own assessment and by every specification matching the Tribute set.

Current retail for a new Tribute set direct from Sheptone is $858. This is an opportunity to acquire what is almost certainly an early example at a significant saving, complete with covers.