Best PAF-type for Metal?

[Rex_Rocker]

Kinda want to make my Les Paul and my EC sound more different. One of them will get a JB/Air Norton combo. The other, I have a '59N for the neck position... but what to put in the bridge?

I want something tight, and aggressive, but that sits firmly within the PAF realm. What I want is something that has that typical almost P-90-ish TWANG that you get from playing hard. I still want it to have an airy and defined top-end that you get from a lower wind, as well as a nice scoop especially in the low mids to clear up muddines.

I don't really want warmth, softness, or anything overly low-output either. I don't want something overly fat or with a soft/warm high-end.

I'm considering the DiMarzio Fortitude, but I fear it might be too smooth and fat from the description. I've used and dug the Duncan '59B before, but it would be more fun to try something different. If I could change anything about the '59, I'd make it a bit stronger output and have a bit more upper-mid aggression without sacrificing the high-end detail it has or the scoop in the muddy low mids.

So what are your faves? Which ones do you recommend?

 

[Supernautilus]

First thing that comes my mind would be a Custom variant. I recently put a Custom 5 in my SG with a 59 in the neck. It's pretty nice. Not much extra upper mids, but it definitely keeps the scoop. Custom custom maybe?

 

[Masta' C]

You need to check out the DiMarzio Fantom P90 in humbucker format.

 

[Seashore]

I want you to try a Bare Knuckle Rebel Yell already


(I would like to stipulate that I'm not calling it a PAF, but it does the things Rex likes)

 

[Masta' C]

If I could change anything about the '59, I'd make it a bit stronger output and have a bit more upper-mid aggression without sacrificing the high-end detail it has or the scoop in the muddy low mids.

Best options from SD:

• Ceramic swap the '59
• PATB-3 or '78
• Custom/59 hybrid
• Screamin' Demon (also great with an A8!)

 

[Seashore]

I just want to say, when you're talking about details you want to hear in pickups, a para- or semi-parametric EQ like a Qstrip, EQuator, etc, or the parametric model in the Helix/HX can all get you there. Boost with a medium to tight Q around 2200Hz, play around with that frequency, dial to taste, maybe a scoop in the lower mids or low end, slight overall boost. You can probably get everything you want out of your guitars through your rig without swapping. I am a fan of GIRATS and I'm really picky about which pickups go in which guitars, but sometimes things need a little help.

 

[Mincer]

With the right amp, a 59 or Hybrid is as close to a tight PAF-type as you will get.

 

[xxxplorer]

Motor City 2nd Degree Black Belt
Jim Wagner Godwood
Jim Wagner IceBucker
Duncan Hades Gates
BKP PolyPAF

 

[NotDemanic]

I think that Mark Morton started out using 59's.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I think that Mark Morton started out using 59's.

Not a fan of the LOG tone, but I know Bill Steer used them as well at some point.

 

[Ascension]

Duncan Hybrid or a Virtual Hot Dimarzio PAF.

 

[Masta' C]

Virtual Hot Dimarzio PAF.

You'll have to stick with the 36th Anniv. PAF at this point, but I think there are better options for what the OP is looking for

The 59/Custom hybrid should definitely be on the short list

 

[Rex_Rocker]

The hotter coil on the 'Hybrid is the slug coil, right? Can it be custom floor ordered with the hotter coil being the screw coil? Would rather not have a backwards-looking pickup, LOL, as I think I tend to prefer the hotter coil facing the bridge itself on the asymmetrical DiMarzios I've tried. Don't know if it would be the same on the 'Hybrid, but I don't see why it wouldn't.

 

[fretburner]

Best options from SD:

• Custom/59 hybrid

​

With the right amp, a 59 or Hybrid is as close to a tight PAF-type as you will get.

Yup. 59/C hybrid. My 2nd fave bridge pup after the Custom. Tried and tested for getting those chugga chugga

 

[Mincer]

The hotter coil on the 'Hybrid is the slug coil, right? Can it be custom floor ordered with the hotter coil being the screw coil? Would rather not have a backwards-looking pickup, LOL, as I think I tend to prefer the hotter coil facing the bridge itself on the asymmetrical DiMarzios I've tried. Don't know if it would be the same on the 'Hybrid, but I don't see why it wouldn't.

It could possibly be ordered that way, but it would probably change the sound of the pickup.

 

[Seashore]

The hotter coil on the 'Hybrid is the slug coil, right? Can it be custom floor ordered with the hotter coil being the screw coil? Would rather not have a backwards-looking pickup, LOL, as I think I tend to prefer the hotter coil facing the bridge itself on the asymmetrical DiMarzios I've tried. Don't know if it would be the same on the 'Hybrid, but I don't see why it wouldn't.

How about a version with double screw, no logo, so you can just pick which orientation you like best?

 

[Masta' C]

How about a version with double screw, no logo, so you can just pick which orientation you like best?

Mic drop, LOL!

Yeah, just order it "Blackened"

Damn, now I want one!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

How about a version with double screw, no logo, so you can just pick which orientation you like best?

Honestly, a blackened 'Hybrid sounds niceeeee.

 

[Mincer]

I have a double screw Hybrid (with a RC A5) in my Steinberger.

 

[Masta' C]

I reached out to Squid Music who orders a lot of Shop Floor Customs and they said SD just changed their policy last month and now they have to order at least 5 pickups with the same variation in order to do Shop Floor Custom.

I wonder if that's the same with any other dealers or just them since they order a lot of different variations of pickups and maybe it puts a burden on production?