I am just now realized what MKII may mean.
First, it has been established that MKII is synonymous with "Mark II". And it was stamped as VII for "Vintage Mark II" in 1983-1987 or so on single coil pickups.
When you translate the catalogs in 1983/84 you see that MKII/Mark II is VII.
What I am now realizing is that it may mean no. 2 or “second". As in send tier. As in not the top pickup in a line, but the one below that the first position.
As in "B" like the original LS,?ST and SS pickups which were simply called "A" and "B". Same with the early ST pick guard assemblies.
And when the ceramics came along I guess we got into 3rd and 4th tier (MK3, MK4).
Interesting theory.
First, it has been established that MKII is synonymous with "Mark II". And it was stamped as VII for "Vintage Mark II" in 1983-1987 or so on single coil pickups.
When you translate the catalogs in 1983/84 you see that MKII/Mark II is VII.
What I am now realizing is that it may mean no. 2 or “second". As in send tier. As in not the top pickup in a line, but the one below that the first position.
As in "B" like the original LS,?ST and SS pickups which were simply called "A" and "B". Same with the early ST pick guard assemblies.
And when the ceramics came along I guess we got into 3rd and 4th tier (MK3, MK4).
Interesting theory.
Last edited: