Krivo Micro-Stealth Handmade P.A.F. Style Humbucker: Humbucking Pickup for Archtop Jazz Guitar

Krivo Micro-Stealth PAF — FLOATING Side-Mount Humbucker for Archtop Jazz Guitar | As Played by Joscho Stephan

⚠️ PLEASE READ — Mounting Type: This is the FLOATING side-mount version of the Krivo Micro-Stealth PAF. It has a mounting tab designed to be affixed to the pickguard of your archtop for a semi-permanent installation. Professional installation by a qualified luthier is required. If you want the non-invasive, removable putty-mount version instead, please see my other Reverb listing for the standard Micro-Stealth PAF.

Now featured in a new video performance by Joscho Stephan, playing his Emerald Kestrel archtop — which ships standard with the Krivo Micro-Stealth PAF. Stephan is the German virtuoso hailed by Acoustic Guitar Magazine as "the future of the Gypsy jazz guitar tradition," and a frequent collaborator with Tommy Emmanuel, Biréli Lagrène, and Stochelo Rosenberg.

The Micro-Stealth PAF is the most innovative archtop pickup in decades — and at just 6.5mm thick (under ¼"), it's the only true PAF-style 12-pole adjustable humbucker that actually fits vintage and modern archtops without routing the top.

Standard equipment on archtops by Emerald Guitars and Fibonacci Guitars — and trusted by a growing list of boutique luthiers worldwide.

About the Floating Side-Mount Configuration:
This version is built for players and luthiers who want a clean, traditional floating-pickup look — mounted to the side of the fretboard extension or the pickguard, exactly like a classic vintage floating jazz humbucker. The integrated mounting tab is designed for screw-attachment to your pickguard.

Installation is a luthier job. A qualified tech will position the pickup precisely under the strings, drill and mount the tab to the pickguard, and dress the cable routing for a professional result. Once installed, the pickup is semi-permanent — it can be removed by your luthier, but it isn't intended for tool-free swapping between guitars.

If you want a no-tools, finish-friendly, removable mount, choose the standard putty-mount Micro-Stealth PAF instead (separate Reverb listing).

The problem this pickup solves:
Traditional floating jazz humbuckers are too thick for old-school archtops — Gibson L-5, L-50, L-7, Harmony, Kay, Silvertone, Eastman, Loar LH-600, Godin 5th Avenue, and countless vintage instruments. There simply isn't room between the soundboard and the strings without a destructive rout.

The Micro-Stealth changes that. At only 6.5mm — as thin as your fretboard — it's a true floating PAF that finally fits.

The sound:
Custom-manufactured low-intensity neodymium magnets and real hardwood spacers produce a vintage PAF voice with a modern bite — strong attack, sweet sustain, and overtones with genuine three-dimensional bloom. Clean and flattering, but with character. Excellent higher-output alternative to traditional Kent Armstrong–style floaters.

DC resistance ≈ 8.2kΩ.

Press & Player Praise:

"Marvelous pickups, not only wonderful for playing jazz, but for any player looking for a good magnetic pickup for an acoustic guitar."
— Acoustic Guitar Magazine, April 2016

"All in all, these pickups are a great product at a great price and are highly recommended."
— Just Jazz Guitar Magazine, May 2014

"My 1966 Harmony archtop just got new life with a Micro-Stealth PAF humbucker. It has the perfect combination of attack, bite, warmth and gently pushed mid-range that I was struggling to find in other pickups — now I want one for every guitar I have!"
— Andre Temkin, guitarist/vocalist, Chervona (featured on the hit TV series Grimm)

Features & Specs:

• Floating side-mount configuration with pickguard mounting tab — requires professional installation
• 6.5mm thick — fits vintage archtops with no top routing
• 12 individually adjustable pole pieces for perfect string-to-string balance
• Innovative Optimized Microphonics™ design — senses soundboard vibration in addition to string movement, preserving the natural acoustic character of your guitar
• Custom low-intensity neodymium magnets — clarity and brilliance with strong, articulate lows
• Hand-wound with vintage Formvar magnet wire (not the cheap polynylon used in most modern designs)
• Fully shielded, hum-cancelling
• Wired throughout with genuine Mogami™ audiophile-grade cable
• Switchcraft™ connectors
• Real CITES-safe black hardwood finish
• Includes 10' integrated cable terminating in standard ¼" male plug — plug straight into any amp, preamp, or pedal
• Works beautifully with tube amps and acoustic amps alike (Schertler, Fishman, AER, etc.)
• DC resistance ≈ 8.2kΩ

Handmade by Jason Krivo Flores in Port Townsend, WA, USA.

Krivo Pickups are critically acclaimed, innovative boutique pickups for working musicians — 100% personally hand-built, one at a time. 30-day satisfaction guarantee.