Artec VH59A Vintage Tone Alnico 5 Humbucker Set - Classic LP/SG Sound

In this review the Artec VH59A Vintage Tone covered Alnico 5 humbucker set is presented as a straightforward upgrade for players after classic Les Paul and SG style tones without spending a fortune. The bottom line: these pickups deliver a warm, vintage voice with a pronounced low-end growl and lower output that suits overdrive and classic blues cleaner paths. They are an especially good fit for budget builds and mod projects where authentic alnico V character and four-conductor wiring matter.

Key Features

• Fits Les Paul/SG/ES335 style guitars: The set is laid out for neck and bridge positions with common mounting spacing so it installs in many LP and SG cavities.
• Alnico 5 magnets: The Alnico V rods provide the warm, vintage midrange and tighter low end typical of classic humbuckers.
• Lower output voicing: With nominal resistances of 7.4K and 8.4K, these pickups favor touch-sensitive overdrive and articulate clean tones rather than modern high-gain push.
• Covered humbucker construction: The chrome covers help reduce noise while keeping a traditional aesthetic and smooth top-end response.
• Four-conductor wire and adjustable pole pieces: The wiring and pole screws give flexibility for coil-splitting and fine string balance adjustments during setup.
• Included mounting accessories: Both pickups come with mounting hardware and long lead wires to ease installation into a variety of guitars.

Who It's For

These pickups suit players rebuilding or upgrading Les Paul, SG or similar style guitars who want a period-accurate, vintage-leaning tone without a premium price. They are especially useful for guitarists who prefer a middling output that cleans up well and responds to amp dynamics for blues, classic rock and moderate overdrive.

Players seeking modern high-output metal tones or boutique-spec, hand-wound idiosyncratic pickups should look elsewhere; likewise builders who require guaranteed screw dimensions and fit should verify hole spacing since the package notes some supplied screws may not fit every route.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Warm, vintage-leaning tone with a solid low-end growl that customers praised for sound quality.
• Good value for money and a clear improvement over many stock budget pickups.
• Four-conductor wiring and adjustable pole pieces allow tonal flexibility and coil-splitting options.
• Build quality and looks get positive feedback, with long lead wires easing installation.

Cons

• Lower output may not satisfy players wanting high-gain modern distortion levels.
• Mounting screws included may not fit every guitar, so replacement screws can be required.

Specifications

Pickup Type	Covered humbucker set (neck and bridge)
Magnet	Alnico 5
Resistance	Neck 7.4K, Bridge 8.4K (tolerance 0.5K)
Polepiece spacing	Neck 50mm (1-31/32 in), Bridge 52.5mm (2-1/16 in)
Mounting screw hole distance	78mm (3-5/64 in)
Wiring	Four-conductor wires
Package	2 humbuckers (neck/bridge) with mounting accessories

Our Verdict

The Artec VH59A set is a sensible, budget-friendly route to classic LP/SG humbucker tone, delivering a warm vintage voice and useful wiring options. It is good value for players building or upgrading guitars who want authentic Alnico V character without chasing boutique prices, though those needing high output or exact screw fit should verify compatibility first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do these fit Les Paul and SG guitars?
Yes, they are designed for Les Paul/SG/ES335 style guitars with the listed pole spacing and 78mm screw hole distance, but check your cavity and screw sizes before installation.

Can these pickups be coil-split?
Yes, the four-conductor wires allow coil-splitting or series/parallel wiring when paired with the appropriate switch or wiring setup.

Are the covers chrome and noisy?
The pickups are covered in chrome and designed as humbuckers, so they reduce single-coil hum; customers report solid noise rejection and a smooth top end.