Brickhouse Toneworks: Hand-Crafted Pickups from North Carolina - Now in the EU

Brickhouse Toneworks: Hand-Crafted Pickups from North Carolina - Now in the EU

Brickhouse Toneworks (https://www.brickhousetone.com) launched in 2024, bringing a fresh voice to the boutique pickup world. It’s the work of David Shepherd, an industry veteran with decades of experience and a client list that includes Johnny Winter, Alex Lifeson, Billie Joe Armstrong, Gibb Droll, and guitar techs like Rene Martinez - known for his work with SRV, John Mayer, Carlos Santana, and Prince.

David builds each pickup with hand-selected materials, proven winding methods, and a level of detail you won’t find in off-the-shelf options. The result is touch-sensitive, harmonically rich pickups with clarity and feel at the core.

Brickhouse Toneworks is a true boutique operation - every pickup is hand-wound by David in small batches, using top-tier parts: plain enamel wire, Alnico 2 or Alnico 5 magnets, nickel-silver baseplates and covers. His approach is simple: trust the ears first, not marketing claims. Each model is voiced for open tone, great dynamics, and musical balance.

Tone Focus

David describes his pickups as being built for clarity, balance, and feel - with no harsh edges or over-compression. The 1960 P.A.F. is open and clear with smooth mids and strong low end, and the Semi-60 humbuckers are slightly lighter wound for more chime and air. The BH90 hum-free P-90s retain the full, punchy attack of a great P-90, but without the hum - with clear top end and tight low end. The ’53 Tele and ’63 Strat sets aim for vintage voicing, with dynamic response and touch sensitivity as the priority.

Many players describe Brickhouse pickups as “clear but not sterile,” “balanced across the range,” and “big sounding without being overpowering.” These are designed to work with your hands and amp - not to overpower them.

The Lineup

1960 P.A.F. humbuckers
Semi-60 humbuckers
BH90 hum-free P-90s (humbucker-size, soapbar, dog-ear, alnico-pole)
’53 Tele
’63 Strat
Limited runs and custom orders

Why Choose Brickhouse

David’s pickups already have a reputation for delivering tone that works in real-world playing. His background designing for major companies and top players brings a level of depth and experience that few boutique builders can match. There’s no mass production - each pickup is made one at a time, tuned by ear.

Now Available in Europe

Until now, Brickhouse Toneworks pickups were hard to get outside the US. As of 2025, Boutique Guitar Pickups is the exclusive European dealer, with stock now shipping from within the EU - no import fees, no delays. We also handle custom order requests if you’re after something specific.

If you’re looking for boutique pickups with true clarity, feel, and craftsmanship - and made by a builder with deep experience - Brickhouse Toneworks delivers.