Additional Info
Sound Clip:
Ordering Info:
ORDERS FROM OUR SITE (2 month wait)
We accept Credit/Debit Cards and PayPal for orders made at this site. We are not set up to take credit cards by phone but one of our dealers might be able to process this type of order. In an effort to keep up with the demand phone consultations are no longer offered. This site was set up a few years back to make the process of ordering and receiving pickups as efficient and friendly as possible. See the links below to order.
TELE PICKUPS:
https://www.virgilarlopickups.com/products/1952-telecaster-replacement-best-tele-pickups
https://www.virgilarlopickups.com/products/1959-best-paf-humbucker-replacement-pickup-set
STRAT PICKUPS:
https://www.virgilarlopickups.com/products/1954-stratocaster-replacement-best-strat-pickup-set
Contact one of our Dealers (skip the wait):
Rudy Pensa's Guitar Shop in NYC - 212-625-2557
Hayley's Music in Texas - 940-692-3904
Red Circle Guitars in Arizona- 253-666-3343
Watchtower Guitars in New Jersey - 845-249-9928
Rick Kelly's Carmine Street Guitars in NYC - 212-691-8400
Rudy's Music Scarsdale, NY Location - 914-725-0120
Ebay Dealer - ScreamingStrings
Reverb.com Dealer - GuitarTone101
Artist Relations
Guitarists are not paid to play Virgil Arlo Pickups. So please don't ask.
Guitarists are not paid to make video's featuring Virgil Arlo Pickups. So please don't ask.
Guitarists use Virgil Arlo Pickups because they are the best pickups they've ever played. After they install the first set, they typically order multiple sets for all of their guitars. Some of these Guitarist take the time to make video's because they are so impressed with the tone. The sincerity they display in their video reviews speaks volumes of their appreciation.
Many of our more famous pro client's are under contract to endorse other brands. Many of them have sent us praise by e-mail but due to their contractual obligations, they were unable to post a video & we are not able to share their names or comments.
This is fine with us, making it as a musician can be rough. We understand that their first order of business is to provide for their families. We are small outfit that doesn't really need to play the big corporate games.
We are just humbled that they use the Virgil Arlo Pickups in the guitars that help them earn a living on the road and in the studio. When we hear their music, we know they are playing our pickups and that's enough praise for us.
BECOME A VIRGIL ARLO ARTIST
You might wonder what the benefits of becoming a Virgil Arlo Artist. After all we don't pay guitarists...
The main benefit is you'll make your guitars more responsive and generally sound better. No guitarist worth his salt wants to be left behind. Many Pro's put these pickups in all of their guitars, even the vintage ones.
Beyond that, the only real perk we can offer you as an Artist is expedited delivery of your pickups. As you know there is a bit of wait for our pickups. If you have a deadline due to an approaching tour or session, then we can try to bump you to the top of the list.
We can also work with you on multiple orders. Many of our Pro clients order 10 or more sets to properly equip their entire stable with the best tone possible. We know buying 10 sets & getting them installed can be bit pricey, so we are happy to work out payment plan and perhaps a volume discount for you.
We hope you'll contact us to become a Virgil Arlo Artist. We enjoy working with top notch musicians and appreciate the feedback. Hit the "Contact" link at the top or bottom of the page to get set up as an Artist. In the meantime, check out what other Pro Guitarists are saying about their tone.
Custom Orders & "One-offs"
The Virgil Arlo designs are time tested and universally loved by those lucky enough to own them. Single coils are typically made RWRP to cancel noise when using two single coils pickups are the same time. Upon request your pickups can be mad non-RWRP if you would like. Beyond that custom-orders are not typically granted.
You can get a "one-off" order made for your P90 guitar, HSS Stratocaster, or humbucker equipped Tele. Customers order a few of these types of orders each month. CONTACT US for availability and pricing of these items.
Dealers
Hayley’s Music
1907 KEMP BOULEVARD
WICHITA FALLS, TX, 76309
www.hayleysmusic.com
Rudy’s Music
461 Broome Street
New York, NY 10013
www.rudysmusic.com
Rudy’s Music
30 East Parkway
Scarsdale, NY 10583
www.rudysmusic.com
Guitar Finder
912 E Walnut
Columbia, MO 65201
https://www.showmeguitars.com/
Show Me Guitars
3906 Peachtree Drive, Suite D
Columbia, MO 65203
https://www.showmeguitars.com/
Carmine Street Guitars/ Rick Kelly Guitars
42 Carmine St
NEW YORK NY 10014
www.kellyguitars.com
Guitar Showcase
3090 S Bascom Ave
San Jose, CA 95124
https://www.guitarshowcase.com/
CONTACT US if you are interested in becoming a dealer.
International Dealers
AUSTRALIA
Dream GuitarShop 1, 6 Endeavour Close
Ballina New South Wales 2478, Australia
https://dreamguitar.com.au/
JAPAN
Dai-Show Corporation3F Dai-Show Building,
4-17-9, Kosugaya, Sakae,
Yokohama-City, 247-0007, JAPAN
http://www.dai-show.com/
ALL OTHER COUNTRIES
We ship all over the world. Get a shipping quote by adding an item to you shopping cart. The website will calculate shipping fees before you are required to enter your payment information. Customers are responsible for all import taxes/custom fees.
Damaged Pickups:
Virgil Arlo Pickups rarely fail but occasionally we've seen them damaged during shipping. If you receive a pickup that is damaged or non-working it will be replaced as quickly as possible.
If you damage a pickup during installation we will work quickly and as fairly as possible to resolve the issue. Our goal is to be as helpful as possible
Cancellations:
Cancellations are not granted after your pickups enter the production phase. When you order pickups you are essentially enter a service contract. For special consideration regarding this policy please contact us at the link above.
Luthiers & Builders
Pensa Guitars www.PensaGuitars.com
Kelly Guitars www.KellyGuitars.com
Wysocki Guitars www.WysockiGuitars.com
McKay Guitars
Haar Guitars www.HaarGuitars.com
If you are a Luthier or a Guitar Builder that would like to offer Virgil Arlo Pickups, please CONTACT US.
About Virgil Arlo Pickups
For years, many top pros have been using these amazing pickups to achieve Authentic Vintage Tone. Many have actually replaced pickups in their vintage guitars from the 50’s & 60’s with these terrific pickups. More recently with the launch of this website, these great pickups have become available to players of all levels, even those outside of the “scene”.
The pickup maker known as Virgil Arlo is known for making the what many people say are the best vintage style pickups. Not being one one to chase the spotlight & the belief is that the work should speak for itself.
The goal has never been being the most prolific or well-known name in the pickup business. The goal has always been to provide musicians the finest pickups and finest tone available. If you talk to anyone that has played these amazing pickups, they will likely say that these are the finest pickups ever made.
Considered by many to be a Savant in the art of guitar tone, the pickup winder known as Virgil Arlo or Mr. Arlo is very private and worked under this pseudonym to keep a low personal public profile. With sensibilities from another era, the spotlight was never very appealing. The focus has always been on the craft. Due to increased demands and physical limitations, help has been brought on to execute the time consuming process of making these highly sought after pickups.
Pickups are made one at a time, using the unique Virgil Arlo techniques and the finest materials available. The process in lengthy and there are several rounds of testing, including sound tests. All of this done in the pursuit of tonal perfection. Top musicians will not settle for less. Making the perfect pickup takes time, skill and a lot of effort. Due to the time consuming nature of the Virgil Arlo techniques only a limited amount of pickups can be produced each month. Your patience is appreciated during the 2-month wait for these Legendary Guitar Pickups.
Meeting the demand of building the world’s finest pickups & the multiple testing phases that will deliver top-flight tone for many years is a challenge. No longer able to operate as a "one-man show", help from the senior members of the Tone Specific team have been brought in to help handle the demand. Phone Consultations are no longer offered this site was set up a few years back for easy ordering and e-mail is returned typically in a day or two by a friendly staff member. Your patience is appreciated during the 2-month wait for pickups.
Here is what customers of Virgil Arlo Pickups say about the tone:
Testimonials
"Mr. Arlo makes Incredible Pickups! Over the years, I've played a lot of different pickups & the Virgil Arlo's are the best. The best by far!"
Mike Gallaher, Legendary Guitarist - Joe Cocker & Leon Russell.
"Beautiful Sounding Pickups! Don't waste your time buying vintage pickups for thousands of dollars. Just buy these & You will be right there with'em."
Dani Robinson, Guitarist - Billy Cox Experience (Plays & Sings the Jimi Hendrix parts).
"I went to a Session right after getting my Arlo's installed. My Guitar sounded so good, the Engineer asked "what are you doing different". I told him, I just got a set of Virgil Arlo Pickups. I love the tone of these pickups."
Pat Buchanan, Legendary Session Guitarist in Nashville w/ 1000's of credits including Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Hall & Oates, Trace Adkins, Cameo, Cyndi Lauper, Amy Grant & Ray Davies (the Kinks)
Mr. Arlo Knows What He's Doing and has been doing it for a long time. Let me tell you, this is the best upgrade I've made to a Guitar that I can remember.
Steve Ouimette, Composer/Artist/Producer - Credits include Guitar Hero & Alice Cooper
They are so close (to my 1956 Strat), it's really hard to tell the difference... I think they're the best Strat Pickups made.
Allen Hinds, Recording Artist, Session Legend, Guitar Techniques Contributor & Musicians Institute Instructor
I'm just amazed how good these pickups sound...For the first time in my life...All the notes on the neck are just the right balance.
Leonardo Amuedo, Virtuoso Guitarist- Chris Botti & Blood Sweat & Tears.
Mr. Arlo's pickups sound pretty amazing. I'm stoked to finally have them in my guitar. I highly recommend these.
Bennett Lewis, Guitarist - Maren Morris
These pickups sound amazing...I feel like I'm playing an old PAF....They fixed this guitar (1967 Gibson ES-335)
Ford Thurston, Nashville based Guitarist/Lead Guitarist for Bonnie Bishop
Virgil Arlo Guitar Forum
About Tone Specific:
The founder of Tone Specific Pickups got his start working here. He helped with several aspects on the business side of things & applied some of the knowledge learned during that time to start Tone Specific Pickups. To this day he still helps out here on a part-time basis by handling artist relations and helping with some of the final testing phases.
People often ask if there are similarities between Virgil Arlo and Tone Specific Pickups. The fact is that they are quite different. Virgil Arlo Pickups makes one type of Strat, Tele, a P.A.F. that are based on the best examples of the vintage era pickups using a unique and time consuming process. Tone Specific Pickups on the other hand makes several types of pickups designed with certain tones in each using there own designs and materials.
The designs, materials & techniques used to make Virgil Arlo Pickups are unique. There is only way one to get the "Virgil Arlo" tone in your guitar & thats by getting a set Virgil Arlo Pickups.
Professional Guitarists typically have many guitars. Some of these Pro Players that use Virgil Arlo Pickups also use pickups from other makers including Tone Specific Pickups. You may find other non-tonal similarities in packaging and partnerships with internet service companies but the Pickup designs and techniques are quite different and unique.
For all questions about Tone Specific Pickups, please visit them at www.tonespecific.com
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