90's DP103 AIRed with extra hidden slugs ?

[Tone-Analyst]

I ran into a strange red DP103. I used in the bridge and it has a great vintage LP sound but always found it was less loud than any neck pickup I matched it with. I opened it with the plan to try a ceramic magnet, but found it aired with extra hidden slugs. Is this normal? I thought the old DP103 was just a regular PAF repro. Measures 8k.

 

[Tone-Analyst]

See how it doesn't have a keeper bar between the screws and magnet. Second picture is my solution with a larger ceramic magnet and 50% thinner spacers to reduce the airing effect.

 

[beaubrummels]

Did you buy it initially? Or was it used? You know that one's pedigree/history? I'm asking because, are you sure it's not something else that was screwed onto a DP103 baseplate? (I'm not sure when Duncan introduced multi-colored bobbins, when did you buy it?)

 

[Chistopher]

That's called Virtual Vintage. They put extra metal in there to roll off the top end a little bit.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Yeah, it's no longer on their site, but the PAF 36th Anni has always had the airbucker and the virtual vintage tech. The old original PAF didn't, but the 36th Anni has always had it. So no, not a traditionally-constructed PAF replica whatsoever.

To add to the discussion, they did change the baseplate from brass to nickel at some point. I distinctly remember I had a 36th Anni years ago with a brass back. All of the newer ones I've seen have nickel.

 

[jeremy]

i have a newer one and its got the slugs and nickel base plate. good sounding pup but not as vintage sounding as id like, even with a de-air and a2 mag swap.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

i have a newer one and its got the slugs and nickel base plate. good sounding pup but not as vintage sounding as id like, even with a de-air and a2 mag swap.

Yeah, it's certainly got the DiMarzio thing going on in the mids, and that's kinda why I like it compared to the Duncan PAF-types in the neck. I guess it's rounder and more focused compared to the openness I associate with vintage-sounding humbuckers.

BTW, I'm pretty sure the Virtual Vintage thing wasn't around in the 90's, so I'd almost be willing to bet that pickup isn't actually from the 90's.

 

[freefrog]

What Rex_Rocker said... The DP103 that I played in the early 80's was not like that - which doesn't imply it was a vintage correct P.A.F. replica. Must be why DM patented the "PAF" acronym instead of "P.A.F."...

Suggests this PU is not from the 90's, since the 36th was released in 2008. Unless DM did apply the recipe before to officialize it? I don't know. Sorry for my useless rambling, so...

 

[Tone-Analyst]

Bought used, seller said it was in a JEM. The backplate is stamped Dimarzio with "F" and the wax potting was perfectly intact when I opened it. It has a "103" sticker that keeps falling. See picture.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

The "F" stamped on the baseplate means it's F-spaced.

So then, this much I can tell you, it's not from the 90's, and maybe it came from a JEM, but it wasn't there stock. JEMs I'm pretty sure never came with PAFs. They've come with the countless Vai signature pickups and PAF Pros, but never with PAF's or PAF 36th Annis.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Come to think of it, my brass baseplate PAF 36th Anni had the hand-written 103 stamp on the bottom exactly like yours. I always thought that the previous owner added that. Never realized it was stock.