Anyone know the REAL difference between Dimarzio PAF/Air Classic/Virtual PAF?

[Johtosotku]

Anyone? Please? I've been thinking of trying those Dimarzio PAFs in my ESP M-II, but I'm naturally interested in other options as well. The miracle words "dynamics", "sustain" and "clarity" seem to speak for the Air Classic instead of the regular PAF, but are there any drawbacks? And what's this "3D" and "single-coilish" talk with the virtual ones? Are they thinner and colder than the normal ones? Do they have any drawbacks?

Thanks and Cheers!

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Anyone know the REAL difference between Dimarzio PAF/Air Classic/Virtual PAF?

I use the VPAF Hot in the bridge and the VPAF N in my Gibson SG...

The VPAF Hot is an overwound PAF style pickup...It has more mid content,is very note articulate,crisp but not harsh highs and strong tight lows...Cuts very nice with my gear and my band....The pickup has pretty strong output also..

The VPAF N is like the Hot,but wound to have less output and less mids,but it's pretty strong and "woofy" in the lows unless you adjust it down a bit from the strings...This pickup is also tight,punchy,nice chimey clear highs,note articulate...

The 3D character is due to their "air" technology,in that they use an A5 magnet,but there's "air space" between the magnet...This phenomena is something you do hear when you use these pickups...

Not sure about the Air Classic,but I was going to switch out this pickup for the VPAF in the neck for less lows and less mids,but I got the VPAF N working good by lowering it and shortening the pole screws under the pickup..

Dimarzio guys claimed the Air Classic was on the lines in tone and character of the Jazz N from Duncan,but I didn't try it? I also have a Jazz N here if I need to swap the VPAF N out? Both of my Dimarzios are double creme and that's why they're still in my SG....They look really great in the guitar.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Anyone know the REAL difference between Dimarzio PAF/Air Classic/Virtual PAF?

I use the VPAF Hot in the bridge and the VPAF N in my Gibson SG...

The VPAF Hot is an overwound PAF style pickup...It has more mid content,is very note articulate,crisp but not harsh highs and strong tight lows...Cuts very nice with my gear and my band....The pickup has pretty strong output also..

The VPAF N is like the Hot,but wound to have less output and less mids,but it's pretty strong and "woofy" in the lows unless you adjust it down a bit from the strings...This pickup is also tight,punchy,nice chimey clear highs,note articulate...

The 3D character is due to their "air" technology,in that they use an A5 magnet,but there's "air space" between the magnet...This phenomena is something you do hear when you use these pickups...

Not sure about the Air Classic,but I was going to switch out this pickup for the VPAF in the neck for less lows and less mids,but I got the VPAF N working good by lowering it and shortening the pole screws under the pickup..

Dimarzio guys claimed the Air Classic was on the lines in tone and character of the Jazz N from Duncan,but I didn't try it? I also have a Jazz N here if I need to swap the VPAF N out? Both of my Dimarzios are double creme and that's why they're still in my SG....They look really great in the guitar.

Thanks for your input, your guitar does look very sweet! Have you tried the Dimarzio PAF and Air Classic? How hot exactly is the Virtual Hot PAF? Would you compare it's output to a Screaming Demon or a JB or what from the Duncan line?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Anyone know the REAL difference between Dimarzio PAF/Air Classic/Virtual PAF?

Thanks for your input, your guitar does look very sweet! Have you tried the Dimarzio PAF and Air Classic? How hot exactly is the Virtual Hot PAF? Would you compare it's output to a Screaming Demon or a JB or what from the Duncan line?

Re-read my post....I've not used the Air Classic....I've not used the DMZ PAF either?

The Scremon Demon is brighter,thinner,and not as warm....The JB I absolutely don't like! The mids are too prominent...

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Anyone know the REAL difference between Dimarzio PAF/Air Classic/Virtual PAF?

Re-read my post....I've not used the Air Classic....I've not used the DMZ PAF either?

The Scremon Demon is brighter,thinner,and not as warm....The JB I absolutely don't like! The mids are too prominent...

Sorry! I thought that you meant that you haven't tried the AC only in this guitar, but might have done it with other guitars. I haven't had the Screaming Demon in my guitars, but I don't like the JB either. It's too hot for my needs, and seems to scream too much. I guess the VH PAF isn't like it, if you like it and don't like the JB.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Anyone know the REAL difference between Dimarzio PAF/Air Classic/Virtual PAF?

Maybe i can bring a light into the difference of a DiMarzio PAF and a VPaf: i had both in the same slot of a Hamer Special. The VPAF has a certain warm and 3D like sound which reminds me of a slight chorus effect. This is something special which i havent heard with my Duncans. Its great but i had a hard time finding a fitting Bridge pup - i think i have to buy another VPAF. The DiMarzio PAF is a straight clone of the original PAF which is a bit woofy in the neck and too bright in the bridge. I now have rewound 9k in the Bridge and a neck model with a A4 magnet - nice pair, but nothing special like the VPAF. I would highly recommend the VPAF for everyone who wants a warm humbucker sound for bluesrock or 60ies hardrock up to jazzy clean sounds.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Anyone know the REAL difference between Dimarzio PAF/Air Classic/Virtual PAF?

Sorry! I thought that you meant that you haven't tried the AC only in this guitar, but might have done it with other guitars. I haven't had the Screaming Demon in my guitars, but I don't like the JB either. It's too hot for my needs, and seems to scream too much. I guess the VH PAF isn't like it, if you like it and don't like the JB.

The VPAF series has it's own vibe and to me,it doesn't sound or act like the Duncan pickups I normally use....Maybe it's actually alot closer to what I Love about the 59B/Custom Hybrids I also use? it doesn't at all remind me of a JB..

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Anyone know the REAL difference between Dimarzio PAF/Air Classic/Virtual PAF?

Thanks, guys! This does bring a little light to my darkness. Warmth sounds nice but that "chorus effect" leaves me a bit wondering. The standard PAFs really aren't anything that special? I'll have to think about this choice a bit more now.

 

[AdmiralB]

Re: Anyone know the REAL difference between Dimarzio PAF/Air Classic/Virtual PAF?

The PAF is, as mentioned, a straight '59-type clone. A5 magnet, 42AWG, about 8K.

The Air Classics are similar but have the spacer in the pole shoe assembly to make the magnet behave more like A2 or A3.

The Virtual PAFs have 'tuned' coils where the bobbins are loaded with iron in-between the poles to increase inductance without adding more wire - if you took a bobbin apart you'd see that rods are molded inside, between the poles. This lets them 'tune' high-end in and out without changing the type or amount of wire. This is the 'Virtual' technology; Kinman and, I assume, the new Duncan Stacks, work the same way.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Anyone know the REAL difference between Dimarzio PAF/Air Classic/Virtual PAF?

The PAF is, as mentioned, a straight '59-type clone. A5 magnet, 42AWG, about 8K.

The Air Classics are similar but have the spacer in the pole shoe assembly to make the magnet behave more like A2 or A3.

The Virtual PAFs have 'tuned' coils where the bobbins are loaded with iron in-between the poles to increase inductance without adding more wire - if you took a bobbin apart you'd see that rods are molded inside, between the poles. This lets them 'tune' high-end in and out without changing the type or amount of wire. This is the 'Virtual' technology; Kinman and, I assume, the new Duncan Stacks, work the same way.

Interesting, I'd never heard that explanation about the Virtual technology before. Sounds like it would be a "step up" from the original PAF and the AC, but who really knows. Maybe me after trying each and every one of them! Damn, I guess I'll have to make a random choice based on availability or colour or something.

Thanks for your help, cheers!

 

[AdmiralB]

Re: Anyone know the REAL difference between Dimarzio PAF/Air Classic/Virtual PAF?

It's a non-traditional approach to solving traditional problems. Do a patent search on Steve Blucher, interesting reading.

 

[tenniso]

Re: Anyone know the REAL difference between Dimarzio PAF/Air Classic/Virtual PAF?

i have been debating about either a PAF PRO or the Virtual PAF for the bridge of my strat. i am starting to lean toward the Virtual PAF.

anybody have experience with either in the bridge of a strat?

 

[BigDreamer]

Re: Anyone know the REAL difference between Dimarzio PAF/Air Classic/Virtual PAF?

hey STRATDELUXER97, can I ask where you got your creme VPAFs? i've done a lot of searching and the few places that have them, only have black.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Anyone know the REAL difference between Dimarzio PAF/Air Classic/Virtual PAF?

hey STRATDELUXER97, can I ask where you got your creme VPAFs? i've done a lot of searching and the few places that have them, only have black.

Steve's Music in Rock Hill NY....Nice guy and got the pickup quick...The bridge VPAF Hot I got off E Bay...

 

[BigDreamer]

Re: Anyone know the REAL difference between Dimarzio PAF/Air Classic/Virtual PAF?

i was thinking of ordering direct from their factory. does anyone know if i'm gonna pay the prices on their pricelist, even if what i'm ordering is a standard production model?

(sorry about the hijack)

 

[AdmiralB]

Re: Anyone know the REAL difference between Dimarzio PAF/Air Classic/Virtual PAF?

You'll pay retail if you do that. Plenty of sellers out there, though.

I use Mike's Music, mike@mikes-music-shop.com - he's got TONS of stuff in stock, and what he doesn't have he gets in a week or less.