Dimarzio Air Classics vs PAF 36th anniversary sets

[Rabelais]

Hi.

I´m interested in these sets for a 25 inch, Korina body and neck (no maple cap), rosewood fingerboard PRS SE Singlecut.

Besides output and midrange emphasis, what are the main differences between these two sets (in terms of brightness/warmthm clarity, string separation, etc.)?.

Which one would give my guitar a "more balanced" tone?.

Thanks.

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: Dimarzio Air Classics vs PAF 36th anniversary sets

The 36th anniversary have "Virtual Vintage" TM extra ferrous slugs hidden in the bobbins to give a thicker, heavier tone. The air classic have regular bobbins, so will be more scooped sounding.

Some people find the 36th anniversary have exaggerated mids. If you are looking for a more clear vintage tone, then you might like the air classic. Otherwise put a 36th in the bridge, and air classic in the neck.

 

[Tone-Analyst]

Re: Dimarzio Air Classics vs PAF 36th anniversary sets

The Air Classics also stray away from standard PAF tone with the Airing technology. Take a good look at the bottom of the slugs on an AIRed pickup. The slugs are much narrower, allowing for spacers between the magnet. That distance attenuates high frequencies and make a weaker pickup. Some interesting tonal properties are achieved but if you want spanking cleans I would steer clear. The lack of definitions does help with high gain to remove the fuzzyness. My neck model has a great high-gain lead tone.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Dimarzio Air Classics vs PAF 36th anniversary sets

“More balanced” (what you asked for): Air Classics.

36ths are strong in midrange bite. Excellent, but excellent because they are not “balanced.”

The question is whether you really want “balance.” Most people really don’t IME. They say they do, but what they really want is a sonically favorable imbalance. Give most people a truly balanced pickup, and they come back at you with descriptions like, “sterile,” “bland,” “without character,” etc.

 

[dotsdad]

Re: Dimarzio Air Classics vs PAF 36th anniversary sets

Duncan 59 neck, Custom bridge. You can thank me later

 

[Rabelais]

Re: Dimarzio Air Classics vs PAF 36th anniversary sets

The 36th anniversary have "Virtual Vintage" TM extra ferrous slugs hidden in the bobbins to give a thicker, heavier tone. The air classic have regular bobbins, so will be more scooped sounding.

Some people find the 36th anniversary have exaggerated mids. If you are looking for a more clear vintage tone, then you might like the air classic. Otherwise put a 36th in the bridge, and air classic in the neck.

Thatˋs exactly what I bought today: the Air Classic Neck (i love clarity in the neck position) and the PAF 36th Anniversary Bridge pups. Iˋm eagerly waiting to check them out soon.

 

[Rabelais]

Re: Dimarzio Air Classics vs PAF 36th anniversary sets

Duncan 59 neck, Custom bridge. You can thank me later

Iˋve read a lot about this combination. Lots of people like it in PRS singlecuts. The Custom may be a bit too hot for my taste.

 

[Rabelais]

Re: Dimarzio Air Classics vs PAF 36th anniversary sets

“More balanced” (what you asked for): Air Classics.

36ths are strong in midrange bite. Excellent, but excellent because they are not “balanced.”

The question is whether you really want “balance.” Most people really don’t IME. They say they do, but what they really want is a sonically favorable imbalance. Give most people a truly balanced pickup, and they come back at you with descriptions like, “sterile,” “bland,” “without character,” etc.

In the end I went with the 36th in the bridge and the classic in the neck. I love mids in the bridge position.

 

[Rabelais]

Re: Dimarzio Air Classics vs PAF 36th anniversary sets

The Air Classics also stray away from standard PAF tone with the Airing technology. Take a good look at the bottom of the slugs on an AIRed pickup. The slugs are much narrower, allowing for spacers between the magnet. That distance attenuates high frequencies and make a weaker pickup. Some interesting tonal properties are achieved but if you want spanking cleans I would steer clear. The lack of definitions does help with high gain to remove the fuzzyness. My neck model has a great high-gain lead tone.

Waiting to pick up my guitar and check the Air Classic Neck pup!.

 

[eggman]

Howdy,

Had this combination of P/Us in my 335. The Air Classic proved a pleasant surprise when I used it to replace a '59 Duncan set, whose EQ was pretty much all treble and bass. Had difficulty getting the neck '59 dialed in, as it proved "boomy". The Air Classic was middier than the '59 and is touch sensitive., great neck P/U. OK, as for the DiMarzio 36th Anniversary in the bridge, it was a slight improvement over the '59 Duncan, which again is heavy on the treble and bass and slim on the mids. My 335 is so trebly right from the factory (1980)
The 36th's mid-forward tone proved great for clean tones, but became modern sounding as I turned up my Carmen Ghia and old Vibro Champ amps., kinda like Kiss, rather than The 'Stones. But i wanted to reduce my bass/ treble and to add some mids....I'll speculate that most bluesy, modern Guitarists will dig the 36th Anni in the bridge. Next time, I'll look elsewhere, but the Air Classic is great in the neck, with it's touch sensitivity.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Never tried the Air Classics, but I REALLY like the 36th Annis as far as low output pickups go.

People often discount them because they've got the airbucker thing as well as the virtual vintage thing. They're definitely not traditional PAFs as far as construction goes, but they sound pretty vintage-y to me.

That being said, though, my favorite PAF-type combo when I was into those sort of pickups was a '59B in the bridge and a 36th Anni in the neck. I did wish the Anni had a little more juice, though, because the '59 slightly overpowered it. But I did like how the 36th Anni was nice and juicy instead of scooped and chirpy like the '59N.

 

[Mikelamury]

I've been itching to try an air classic in the neck and a Norton in the bridge? I've got a super distortion and a 36 anniversary PAF neck(both in nickel covers) set lying around here but I want to try the air classic/Norton set before making a decision as to which set I want to install in my Epiphone LP Modern.