What makes Route 30 Pickups unique?

• Hand wound vs machine wound:

  All Route 30 Pickups are hand wound. When a pickups is hand wound, an actual human guides the pickup coil wire onto a spinning bobbin by hand. An individual winder can vary the pattern and tension in which they lay the coil on the bobbin. However, because this process is performed by hand, it is impossible for a hand winder to replicate a machine wind; and likewise, it is also impossible for a machine to replicate a hand wind. Hand wound pickups can sound more open and organic due to the more randomized nature of the wind itself. With that said, machine wound pickups are typically more affordable to manufacture and more easily replicated with consistency. While no two hand wound pickups will be completely identical, the variations tend to be very insignificant when assembled with care and thought. Every pickup produced by Route 30 has its own fingerprint and unique quality.

• Quality Components:

  All materials and components utilized to construct Route 30 Pickups are carefully sourced to ensure quality of construction, optimal tone and maximum performance. Route 30 Pickups are not constructed of components which aim to “replicate” a PAF or any other historical pickup; however, no shortcuts are taken as it concerns the sonic qualities of the pickups. Just as a restaurant chef must utilize fresh quality ingredients when preparing a recipe, Route 30 emphasizes quality when sourcing the materials utilized in the construction of its pickups.

• Hand Assembly:

  After Route 30 Pickup bobbins are wound by hand, they are then assembled and wired by hand as well. Each step in the assembly process is performed with care and attention to detail. This ensures every pickup includes its own fingerprint of personality and craftsmanship. Route 30 Pickups are assembled with care, not haste.

• Consistency and Authenticity:

  All pickups produced by Route 30 are wound and assembled by one individual to emphasize consistency and quality. Pickups are tested at each step in the process to ensure all technical measurements are within intended specifications. Additionally, Route 30 is able to test the chemical composition of the magnets utilized in their pickups to further enhance consistency. Finally, each pickup carries a unique marking on the baseplate to identify and authenticate the pickup’s origin.

• Value:

  All Route 30 Pickups are designed and assembled by JD Mauro. “I craft every pickup to reflect what I know best and personally play. As a result, my pickup offerings primarily reflect humbucker style pickups. I strive to make a handful of great pickups vs. a large menu of average pickups. To make an analogy, a person who regularly drives a sports car likely understands what makes a for a good sports car but has less understanding when it comes to trucks. I feel the same when it comes to designing a pickup and I stay in my lane. To use a car analogy in a different context, I know how to drive but without a destination, I don’t offer my much value. When I design a pickup, I always have a destination and specific objective in mind. Every pickup design I offer is a design I crafted to play and enjoy on a regular basis in my own guitars. I want every pickup to reflect the highest value and experience that I have to offer.”