Aceman's Official Which PAF? Thread
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Re: Aceman's Official Which PAF? Thread
Well just went with the full set of PG's the other day. Tried too many combo's to recall them all! But this really is as close as I'
ve got ,to the LP classic sound I have in my head.Bridge is pretty bright maybe very bright but went to a 47 cap and it rolled of just enough T.Like it alot!
Well just went with the full set of PG's the other day. Tried too many combo's to recall them all! But this really is as close as I'
ve got ,to the LP classic sound I have in my head.Bridge is pretty bright maybe very bright but went to a 47 cap and it rolled of just enough T.Like it alot!
jimijames
New member
Re: Aceman's Official Which PAF? Thread
I just want to reiterate that the pearly gates is like plugging into that les Paul... It's so distinctive it won't work for everyone, but hit an open A on a balls-out amp and you'll at least understand why some people can't go with anything else.
For real though, the pearly gates is like playing a midrange boner of sound... I mean I understand how lots of people want full-range distortion but IMO the midrange is deeply satisfying in a way that hifi can't recreate
I just want to reiterate that the pearly gates is like plugging into that les Paul... It's so distinctive it won't work for everyone, but hit an open A on a balls-out amp and you'll at least understand why some people can't go with anything else.
For real though, the pearly gates is like playing a midrange boner of sound... I mean I understand how lots of people want full-range distortion but IMO the midrange is deeply satisfying in a way that hifi can't recreate
Drunken Bowling
New member
Re: Aceman's Official Which PAF? Thread
I've been wanting to try a set of PG's for a while but a few people warned against it. Only one way to find out, I guess.
I've been wanting to try a set of PG's for a while but a few people warned against it. Only one way to find out, I guess.
Re: Aceman's Official Which PAF? Thread
Not 100% sure, but I recall reading something about PG/Custom hybrids in BachToRock's epic post on How to make a '59/Custom Hybrid, tho of course WLHs weren't around at that time. Anyway, although BachToRock himself seems to have disappeared from the forum, some if not most of the main contributors on the post are still very active, so that you can ask them.
Hope this helped,
Andrea
Not 100% sure, but I recall reading something about PG/Custom hybrids in BachToRock's epic post on How to make a '59/Custom Hybrid, tho of course WLHs weren't around at that time. Anyway, although BachToRock himself seems to have disappeared from the forum, some if not most of the main contributors on the post are still very active, so that you can ask them.
Hope this helped,
Andrea
mariosyjp
New member
Re: Aceman's Official Which PAF? Thread
I have tried a few sets in my LP including 57's, PG, A2P, 490R/T, Seths,
The Seths had an amazing magical tone for light overdrive but didn't have enough output, tightness and bass for me since I mostly play hard rock
The stock 57's are a muddy useless neck and a good sounding bridge but the mids were a bit too scooped for my tastes and the highs were a little piercing
The PG set had the best neck pickup for an LP that I could imagine nails Gary Moore and Sykes neck tones with the right amount of gain. It can also do blues just fine.
The bridge PG was very tight very focused and with very hard upper mids. My amp is a Marshall vintage modern which has a lot of upper mids on its own so they didn't pair nicely, it came out quite harsh.
I tried the A2P set, the neck was a bit boring as also others said a bit too mellow and hollow sounding.
The A2P bridge is the best I have ever heard, full sounding sweet, and it can actually do ANYTHING imo.
It is the first bridge pickup that I much prefer with 500k volume pot (all the rest sounded better to me with 300k vol)
I can play with it early ZZ Top, Thin Lizzy, ACDC, to Gary Moore, Whitesnake anything I throw at it, even Megadeth!
To summarize PG neck and A2P bridge to me is pickup heaven, nothing more to ask from pickups.... well until the GAS strikes next time
I have tried a few sets in my LP including 57's, PG, A2P, 490R/T, Seths,
The Seths had an amazing magical tone for light overdrive but didn't have enough output, tightness and bass for me since I mostly play hard rock
The stock 57's are a muddy useless neck and a good sounding bridge but the mids were a bit too scooped for my tastes and the highs were a little piercing
The PG set had the best neck pickup for an LP that I could imagine nails Gary Moore and Sykes neck tones with the right amount of gain. It can also do blues just fine.
The bridge PG was very tight very focused and with very hard upper mids. My amp is a Marshall vintage modern which has a lot of upper mids on its own so they didn't pair nicely, it came out quite harsh.
I tried the A2P set, the neck was a bit boring as also others said a bit too mellow and hollow sounding.
The A2P bridge is the best I have ever heard, full sounding sweet, and it can actually do ANYTHING imo.
It is the first bridge pickup that I much prefer with 500k volume pot (all the rest sounded better to me with 300k vol)
I can play with it early ZZ Top, Thin Lizzy, ACDC, to Gary Moore, Whitesnake anything I throw at it, even Megadeth!
To summarize PG neck and A2P bridge to me is pickup heaven, nothing more to ask from pickups.... well until the GAS strikes next time
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Re: Aceman's Official Which PAF? Thread
As far as PAF-alikes go, my favorites by far are the Seths. I love Alnico II Pros too, but they aren't PAFs to me (I use em in several guitars). Antiquities ave that clear open sound that actual PAFs had, but when a lot of people brought up on modern pickups hear them, they sound too open and bright.
As far as PAF-alikes go, my favorites by far are the Seths. I love Alnico II Pros too, but they aren't PAFs to me (I use em in several guitars). Antiquities ave that clear open sound that actual PAFs had, but when a lot of people brought up on modern pickups hear them, they sound too open and bright.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Aceman's Official Which PAF? Thread
Most of us are not fortunate enough to own vintage pieces with those original pickups in them. Instead, our yardstick is recordings by famous artistes. Who knows what what signal processing has gone on in the studio?
Add to this the changes in amplification over the past forty or fifty years. Today's multi-channel, ultra-high gain, valve gear is a far cry from the Plexi, Super Lead or Twin Reverb options of old. The dynamic responses and the basic tone are different. Things do not match up in the same way that they used to.
Most of us are not fortunate enough to own vintage pieces with those original pickups in them. Instead, our yardstick is recordings by famous artistes. Who knows what what signal processing has gone on in the studio?
Add to this the changes in amplification over the past forty or fifty years. Today's multi-channel, ultra-high gain, valve gear is a far cry from the Plexi, Super Lead or Twin Reverb options of old. The dynamic responses and the basic tone are different. Things do not match up in the same way that they used to.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Aceman's Official Which PAF? Thread
+1. Great set, should be in production. Fixes the downsides to '59's that some people run into.
+1. Great set, should be in production. Fixes the downsides to '59's that some people run into.
mariosyjp
New member
Re: Aceman's Official Which PAF? Thread
Maybe seths are more accurate PAF's i wouldn't know however they won't really cut it for whitesnake or similar hard rock tones. Microphonic noise and not enough output. They're great but just not for that. I've done a lot of mag swapping also and nothing does it for me in a les paul other than A2
Maybe seths are more accurate PAF's i wouldn't know however they won't really cut it for whitesnake or similar hard rock tones. Microphonic noise and not enough output. They're great but just not for that. I've done a lot of mag swapping also and nothing does it for me in a les paul other than A2
Re: Aceman's Official Which PAF? Thread
Exactly. I think modern players generally wouldn't like PAFs, as they are too clean, and too open, and a far cry from today's massive output, tight, humbuckers. Although I wouldn't worry about the microphonics on Seths or Ants unless you use stupid amounts of preamp gain (not used for the type of music those pickups would be good for).
Exactly. I think modern players generally wouldn't like PAFs, as they are too clean, and too open, and a far cry from today's massive output, tight, humbuckers. Although I wouldn't worry about the microphonics on Seths or Ants unless you use stupid amounts of preamp gain (not used for the type of music those pickups would be good for).
Progbusters
New member
Re: Aceman's Official Which PAF? Thread
both pearly gates in my number one guitar (epiphone les paul) doodes
both pearly gates in my number one guitar (epiphone les paul) doodes
mariosyjp
New member
Re: Aceman's Official Which PAF? Thread
I would't call myself a modern player I play classic to hard rock 70s and 80s and I'm using a marshall vintage modern which is a hot rodded plexi. Standing close to the amp with seths at rehearsal volume and with moderate gain noise was not a problem but hittng the tube screamer was a pain... not an issue with a2p
I would't call myself a modern player I play classic to hard rock 70s and 80s and I'm using a marshall vintage modern which is a hot rodded plexi. Standing close to the amp with seths at rehearsal volume and with moderate gain noise was not a problem but hittng the tube screamer was a pain... not an issue with a2p
Re: Aceman's Official Which PAF? Thread
I have very little reference points for this particular guitar, but here's my take on the 59 neck and Whole Lotta Humbucker bridge:
The 59 neck has kind of a "liquid" sound, almost single-coil like in the mids and highs, but it's incredibly boomy in this particular guitar (LTD Eclipse 1000). The Whole Lotta Humbucker bridge sounds pretty hot for its DC rating but still generally vintage output (no big time compression and breakup) and has a push in the high mids which almost sounded bright to me. Maybe that is the PAF honk everyone talks about? I briefly put the WLH bridge in the neck and I liked the mid push there more than the 59, but it was pretty hot overall.
The guitar came stock with a JB bridge and 59 neck. The JB is fun but to me lacks clarity and is a little hot overall. The WLH was my first replacement try and was better in some respects but not quite there. After that it was a Custom, which was just too hot and gritty. That was exchanged for a 59/Custom Hybrid which is a lot closer to the sound in my head. I like that little bit of mid scoop with good clarity from the 59, I like the little extra output the Custom gives, it is a great modern pickup but obviously too hot for a vintage sound.
The other reference I have is not Duncan but the Dimarzio 36th which I've had in three different guitars. In both LP style guitars, the neck is perfect. It has reduced bass, great clarity, a nice push in the mids, like a brighter version of the Slash neck tone but still fairly transparent. The bridge is more modern sounding. The bridge in one of the guitars (Ibanez Artist) sounded great, vintage with nice cut but fairly even tonality. My current LP (LTD Eclipse 401) it sounds just a bit thin, bright, and flat. Great clarity but kind of boring. In an Epiphone 339, set was just too weak and thin all around. I greatly preferred the Jazz neck in that one, which sounded fuller but still had some cut. That one also had a JB bridge but again I find that to be just too hot and middy without enough clarity.
My Eclipse 1000 will keep the Hybrid in the bridge position and likely will swap the 59 for a Jazz to stick with the modern theme. The 401 I'm planning to sell, then acquire another 1000 (better quality) and swap the stock EMG's for a combination of WLH bridge and probably a Pearly Gates neck. I'd like that to have a bit more of a vintage voice but to keep that same Duncan sound.
I have very little reference points for this particular guitar, but here's my take on the 59 neck and Whole Lotta Humbucker bridge:
The 59 neck has kind of a "liquid" sound, almost single-coil like in the mids and highs, but it's incredibly boomy in this particular guitar (LTD Eclipse 1000). The Whole Lotta Humbucker bridge sounds pretty hot for its DC rating but still generally vintage output (no big time compression and breakup) and has a push in the high mids which almost sounded bright to me. Maybe that is the PAF honk everyone talks about? I briefly put the WLH bridge in the neck and I liked the mid push there more than the 59, but it was pretty hot overall.
The guitar came stock with a JB bridge and 59 neck. The JB is fun but to me lacks clarity and is a little hot overall. The WLH was my first replacement try and was better in some respects but not quite there. After that it was a Custom, which was just too hot and gritty. That was exchanged for a 59/Custom Hybrid which is a lot closer to the sound in my head. I like that little bit of mid scoop with good clarity from the 59, I like the little extra output the Custom gives, it is a great modern pickup but obviously too hot for a vintage sound.
The other reference I have is not Duncan but the Dimarzio 36th which I've had in three different guitars. In both LP style guitars, the neck is perfect. It has reduced bass, great clarity, a nice push in the mids, like a brighter version of the Slash neck tone but still fairly transparent. The bridge is more modern sounding. The bridge in one of the guitars (Ibanez Artist) sounded great, vintage with nice cut but fairly even tonality. My current LP (LTD Eclipse 401) it sounds just a bit thin, bright, and flat. Great clarity but kind of boring. In an Epiphone 339, set was just too weak and thin all around. I greatly preferred the Jazz neck in that one, which sounded fuller but still had some cut. That one also had a JB bridge but again I find that to be just too hot and middy without enough clarity.
My Eclipse 1000 will keep the Hybrid in the bridge position and likely will swap the 59 for a Jazz to stick with the modern theme. The 401 I'm planning to sell, then acquire another 1000 (better quality) and swap the stock EMG's for a combination of WLH bridge and probably a Pearly Gates neck. I'd like that to have a bit more of a vintage voice but to keep that same Duncan sound.
AniML
New member
Re: Aceman's Official Which PAF? Thread
Rising from the dead..
So to put another interesting twist on this. I recently moved. In my old home I played in the basement, underground, carpeted, low ceiling. I have recently moved to one floor, ground level, all tile, high ceilings.
In the old space, I used to LOVE the WLH in my LP studio Here, they are very slurry and undefined.. or maybe my tastes changed. I am beginning to wonder if they are not one trick ponies, but maybe 2 or 3 tricks and outside that they dont have the magic.
I recently got an LP standard and after honeymooning with the BBPros for 5 days, rolling the WLH set in and out, I installed 4 conductor Seths. Heaven. Angels singing. Middle position, normal, split or out of phase, on the edge of breakup. Love it. And interesting that they are not too shrill in my reverb chamber of a new home.
I only wish at times the Seths could be a little tighter. But we all know sweetness and tightness are diametrically opposed. So back to my original LP studio (or maybe my PRS SE SC Korina) and staying in the PAF theme, my next pickup project..
I have a C/59 on the way and am about to pull the trigger on a PGn. Depending how that experiment goes, I could see trying the PGb again too. Its been years since I've tried a Pearly... or the A2P or ....
Rising from the dead..
So to put another interesting twist on this. I recently moved. In my old home I played in the basement, underground, carpeted, low ceiling. I have recently moved to one floor, ground level, all tile, high ceilings.
In the old space, I used to LOVE the WLH in my LP studio Here, they are very slurry and undefined.. or maybe my tastes changed. I am beginning to wonder if they are not one trick ponies, but maybe 2 or 3 tricks and outside that they dont have the magic.
I recently got an LP standard and after honeymooning with the BBPros for 5 days, rolling the WLH set in and out, I installed 4 conductor Seths. Heaven. Angels singing. Middle position, normal, split or out of phase, on the edge of breakup. Love it. And interesting that they are not too shrill in my reverb chamber of a new home.
I only wish at times the Seths could be a little tighter. But we all know sweetness and tightness are diametrically opposed. So back to my original LP studio (or maybe my PRS SE SC Korina) and staying in the PAF theme, my next pickup project..
I have a C/59 on the way and am about to pull the trigger on a PGn. Depending how that experiment goes, I could see trying the PGb again too. Its been years since I've tried a Pearly... or the A2P or ....
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