Dimarzio PAF PRO (Neck) VS Dimarzio PAF Master (Neck)

Re: Dimarzio PAF PRO (Neck) VS Dimarzio PAF Master (Neck)

I think you might get a response on the DiMarzio Forum or on The Gear Page.


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Re: Dimarzio PAF PRO (Neck) VS Dimarzio PAF Master (Neck)

The Dimarzio forum is pretty slow....that’s why I come here. This forum is active and full of knowledgeable people.
 
Re: Dimarzio PAF PRO (Neck) VS Dimarzio PAF Master (Neck)

The PAF Pro in the neck is fairly high output, full and modern sounding.

While this is a very knowledgeable community, only a small portion of it is willing to give DiMarzio a fair shake.
 
Re: Dimarzio PAF PRO (Neck) VS Dimarzio PAF Master (Neck)

There are plenty of good discussions about Dimarzios here. I haven't played the PAF Master neck yet, but the PAF Pro sounds great clean in the neck and holds up fine if you throw a lot of gain at it too. It has bite, and an almost single coil-ish glassiness to the treble notes on up the neck. The bass can get a bit mushy/muddy in the wrong guitar. I like it best in Basswood superstrats like Ibanez RG's.
 
Re: Dimarzio PAF PRO (Neck) VS Dimarzio PAF Master (Neck)

I thought Paul Gilbert's demo of the PAF Master set was pretty good.
 
Re: Dimarzio PAF PRO (Neck) VS Dimarzio PAF Master (Neck)

Well the paf pro sounds good in my alder jackson with a maple flametop, peavey maple neck, and rosewood fretboard. Sounds nice and smooth with a touch of thick single coil sparkle. very nice punch. anyone have experience the paf master neck?
 
Re: Dimarzio PAF PRO (Neck) VS Dimarzio PAF Master (Neck)

"Full" and "smooth" are the last words I'd use to describe the PAF Pro, personally. It's the brightest-sounding or at least one of the brightest humbuckers I've tried along with the Burstbucker Pro.
 
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Re: Dimarzio PAF PRO (Neck) VS Dimarzio PAF Master (Neck)

Definitely full. Remember, we're talking about the neck position where this pickup truly excels.
 
Re: Dimarzio PAF PRO (Neck) VS Dimarzio PAF Master (Neck)

I used a PAF Pro in the neck of one of my Les Pauls and I thought the sound was stunning. I will be buying another one for a different Les Paul. Very flute-like. Almost like a Strat. Transparent and light.
 
Re: Dimarzio PAF PRO (Neck) VS Dimarzio PAF Master (Neck)

Have you considered the PAF 36th? In my opinion, the anniversary model has a little more in the mids section. My rule of thumb is that if it's going into something darker and meatier like an LP, I'd go for the PAF 36th. Anything with a bit more spank or brighter, the PAF Pro does a better job.

That said, my favourite neck position humbucker has yet to come along but so far either the Gravity Storm Neck or the Duncan 59 bridge model are the best neck sounds I have.
 
Re: Dimarzio PAF PRO (Neck) VS Dimarzio PAF Master (Neck)

This isn't true in the slightest.

Agreed....the members here helped me choose some Dimarzio’s when I was still inside the return window. Even though this is a SD forum there is a very wide knowledge base on all brands.
 
Re: Dimarzio PAF PRO (Neck) VS Dimarzio PAF Master (Neck)

I found that too. While it's SD's forum, there's plenty discussion on non SD pickups. It's a good place to discuss things and if SD were somehow not selling pickups due to this then I doubt it would go on. I think it's cool that the SD forum is quite a focal point when it comes to discussing pickups in particular. And the suggestions I've had here have pretty much all been spot on. For the most part at least.
 
Re: Dimarzio PAF PRO (Neck) VS Dimarzio PAF Master (Neck)

Apart from being too bright, the PAF Master has some unusual harmonic overtones which IMO doesn't seem to work in a 25.5" scale guitar.
I much prefer the 36th Anniversary PAF. I tried them both, and the PAF master is brighter.
 
Re: Dimarzio PAF PRO (Neck) VS Dimarzio PAF Master (Neck)

I'm interested in both pickups. Which one would be better in a 24.75' scale mahogany guitar with a Super Distortion in the bridge?
 
Re: Dimarzio PAF PRO (Neck) VS Dimarzio PAF Master (Neck)

I'm interested in both pickups. Which one would be better in a 24.75' scale mahogany guitar with a Super Distortion in the bridge?

I had that exact combo in my LP.
I found the 36th to be super syrupy and thick. Too much so.
I had more room to lower it, but it was already flush with the rings.
 
Re: Dimarzio PAF PRO (Neck) VS Dimarzio PAF Master (Neck)

While I haven’t used a PAF Master or Pro, from reading about them over the years on this and other forums, I’ve seen the Pro tends to be a general favorite while the Master gets more mixed reviews.
 
Re: Dimarzio PAF PRO (Neck) VS Dimarzio PAF Master (Neck)

They are very different pickups. The PAF Master has a fairly classic Gibson construction and tone. The PAF Pro is a more modern style pickup that uses DiMarzio's classic construction (dual screw bobbins with a brass baseplate). The output of the PAF Pro is significantly greater, and the tone is more scooped. The PAF Master is more of a classic old '50's Gibson tone, with relatively more mids and lower output (i.e. you have to turn up louder and/or hit harder in order to drive your amp into the same amount of overdrive as the PAF Pro).

PAF Master neck with a PAF Pro bridge is a nice combo if you want a beefier than '50's-style bridge pickup to go along with a '50's-style neck pickup.

The PAF Master bridge can also make a great neck pickup, with the right amp and the right bridge pickup to complement it.
 
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