Curtis Novak

Curtis Novak

62

Also known as: Curtis Novak Classic Pickups, Curtis Novak Pickups, Novak Pickups

Unclaimed

Curtis Novak Classic Pickups is a hand-wound pickup shop founded by Curtis Novak, who began tinkering with pickups and restoring vintage guitars in the early 1980s. Originally based in New Mexico, the operation is now headquartered in California's Mojave Desert, with a satellite workshop in the Appalachian Mountains. Pickups are wound by hand using techniques modeled after Leo Fender's original...

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Curtis Novak Classic Pickups is a hand-wound pickup shop founded by Curtis Novak, who began tinkering with pickups and restoring vintage guitars in the early 1980s. Originally based in New Mexico, the operation is now headquartered in California's Mojave Desert, with a satellite workshop in the Appalachian Mountains. Pickups are wound by hand using techniques modeled after Leo Fender's original methods, an approach Novak credits for producing warmer, more consistent tone than automated winding.

The shop is particularly associated with offset guitars — Jazzmaster and Jaguar replacements are a signature focus — and was among the earlier builders to offer Gold Foil-style replacements. The catalog also includes Telecaster, Stratocaster, P-90, PAF-style humbucker, lipstick, 12-string, and magnetic soundhole pickups, along with bass pickups for P-Bass, J-Bass, Bass VI, Mustang Bass, and MusicMaster formats. Custom designs and vintage-style covers and bobbins are part of the workshop's output.

Novak works with a small team, including Sheri Novak handling operations, Dana Longuevan as chief winder, Jonathan Hischke on custom covers and bobbins, and Brian McKinney specializing in humbuckers from the Appalachian shop. The pickups are stocked by boutique retailers such as Chicago Music Exchange.

Curtis Novak has 9 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Electric Guitar Pickups and Bass Guitar Pickups. Their gear is featured by 3 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Folk, World, & Country, and Blues. Notable users include Ben Ellis, Niels Kinsella, and Chris Turpin.

Artists Who Use Curtis Novak

Ben Ellis uses 2 Curtis Novak products

Ben Ellis

Bassist, Audio Engineer · Swervedriver

Niels Kinsella uses 1 Curtis Novak product

Niels Kinsella

Bassist · God Is an Astronaut

Chris Turpin uses 1 Curtis Novak product

Chris Turpin

Guitarist, Singer · Ida Mae

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