DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

[ranalli]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

I sold the 57 and the 57 Classic cause the Duncans blew then away! Funny how are ears and gear work isn't it? :laugh2:

Yep....I'm at an advantage being able to do the tweaks etc..,but it's also a disease! :chairfall

Read my tutorial in "The Vault" under "Tips" on how to change a bar magnet...You don't have to actually do the work,but you could learn a little something along the way?

Yeah, I know about changing magnets but I kind of refuse to do it...changing pickups is work enough trying to find the right match for the guitar. I feel that if I spend $70 for a pickup(wire/metal/plastic) I should get what I'm looking for and if that pickup doesnt' have it....another will.


With that being said, I had a full set of '57 classics in my Les Paul....the neck was great like I said but I would have liked more top end(VPAFn possibly?) but the bridge I didn't like....it was too smooth and polite.

 

[Dave Z]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

I'd agree the 57 classic is a really mediocre pickup....my 59s have so much more going for them tonally it makes you wonder about what mojo Duncan has that Gibson does not--the '57s have good specs but the ones I had tonally were only a notch above the korean jobs that came in my Dean.

It is hard to describe tone but here's one concrete example - I tend to lightly mute between notes with my picking hand palm...when I pulled the 57s & put in 59s, all these harmonics started jumping out. It was my picking hand muting, and the 59s really brought those harmonics out.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

Yeah, I know about changing magnets but I kind of refuse to do it...changing pickups is work enough trying to find the right match for the guitar. I feel that if I spend $70 for a pickup(wire/metal/plastic) I should get what I'm looking for and if that pickup doesnt' have it....another will.


With that being said, I had a full set of '57 classics in my Les Paul....the neck was great like I said but I would have liked more top end(VPAFn possibly?) but the bridge I didn't like....it was too smooth and polite.

I'm ok with your answer and I agree with it also....Consider yourself lucky that you don't have "tweaker's disease" :laugh2:

I still think the 57s are pretty horrible and too pricey for what they are. LOL... Different strokes though.

 

[strangegrey]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

I pretty much agree. I hate to make generalizations because I know of Dimarzios that are brighter than any Duncan and Duncans that are dark sounding(Invader).


But for the most part, the two companies have different views on how a pickup should sound even if they have a good bit of exceptions to those cases.

True...but I think that as a guitarist, you should approach it differently from the manufacturers philosophy. In the end, it's still just magnet, wire and bobbin...There's going to be some dimarzios that tip their hats in the direction of duncan's philosophy and vice versa. It would be foolish for any one company to cater to a particular type of player and no one else...

Imagine in some perfect world, that no one specifically makes the pickups...and you just pick a pickup to do the best job for your guitar and style. Then, if it happens to say duncan on the bobbin, fine. If Dimarzio is stamped on the baseplate, fine...but at least you're happy knowing youve got the best pup for the job...

-F

 

[ranalli]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

It would be foolish for any one company to cater to a particular type of player and no one else...


-F

I would agree, however, it is fact that Dimarzio really catered to the whole 80's shredder type movement more than other makes that I've seen. But like you said, they do a lot more too. They have a good host of PAF type pickups that never really took off until the VPAF series.

So maybe my answer is yes and no


And I certainly mix pickups all the time.....I'm going with a Custom bridge and a VPAF neck most likely

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

I would agree, however, it is fact that Dimarzio really catered to the whole 80's shredder type movement more than other makes that I've seen. But like you said, they do a lot more too. They have a good host of PAF type pickups that never really took off until the VPAF series.

So maybe my answer is yes and no


And I certainly mix pickups all the time.....I'm going with a Custom bridge and a VPAF neck most likely

I find particular pickups from a few companies that I Like...I Like the Dimarzio Fred,ordered a VPAF Hot and I use(Duncans of course)but also CS Fender single coils and Fralin also...The name doesn't bother me,as long as the pickup has what I'm looking for.

 

[strangegrey]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

I would agree, however, it is fact that Dimarzio really catered to the whole 80's shredder type movement more than other makes that I've seen. But like you said, they do a lot more too. They have a good host of PAF type pickups that never really took off until the VPAF series.

So maybe my answer is yes and no


And I certainly mix pickups all the time.....I'm going with a Custom bridge and a VPAF neck most likely

well, I dunno....wanna talk about the quintisential 80s rock pickup, look no farther than the JB. That thing was loaded in every 80s hair rocker's guitar from Warren Dimartini to Sambora to Vito Bratta's post Pride strat to well, you get the idea...

I would also challenge that Dimarzio and Duncan don't have a different philosophy towards pickups, but that the brand is just positioned differently, which affects our perception of what the philosophy is...

Perfect example is to just think of who they're using to attract buyers. Dimarzio, the two big guys they use are Satch and Vai (and to a slightly less extent, Petrucci (have you seen that silly picture of him on their website yet?)....

...Yet, when you think of Duncan, they guys that are really displayed are guys like Slash, George Lynch, etc...

Both manufacturers really have artists in all walks...but the artists that really have become synonymous with the brand name are the ones mentioned above...

Is there really much difference between Lynch and Vai or satch? no...but I think Slash is most certainly a feel player, where Vai looks a bit lost when he's thrown into a jamming situation...

Regardless, there's stuff for everyone from duncan and dimarzio...you really just gotta go with what comforts you....and makes you peak as a player...

-F

 

[walt]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

well, I dunno....wanna talk about the quintisential 80s rock pickup, look no farther than the JB. That thing was loaded in every 80s hair rocker's guitar from Warren Dimartini to Sambora to Vito Bratta's post Pride strat to well, you get the idea...

I would also challenge that Dimarzio and Duncan don't have a different philosophy towards pickups, but that the brand is just positioned differently, which affects our perception of what the philosophy is...

Perfect example is to just think of who they're using to attract buyers. Dimarzio, the two big guys they use are Satch and Vai (and to a slightly less extent, Petrucci (have you seen that silly picture of him on their website yet?)....

...Yet, when you think of Duncan, they guys that are really displayed are guys like Slash, George Lynch, etc...

Both manufacturers really have artists in all walks...but the artists that really have become synonymous with the brand name are the ones mentioned above...

Is there really much difference between Lynch and Vai or satch? no...but I think Slash is most certainly a feel player, where Vai looks a bit lost when he's thrown into a jamming situation...

Regardless, there's stuff for everyone from duncan and dimarzio...you really just gotta go with what comforts you....and makes you peak as a player...

-F

Don't forget that the one of the guys in Kiss used a Super Distortion along with some others. I think the JB and Super D both had a hand in the late 70's 80s rock period.

I also think that Vai's problem in a jam is that he is that he needs an amp with more head room so he can still be the sonic king and be able to boost that signal for solos. Unfortunately for Steve, he loses his touch by trying to be heard during jam sessions.

 

[strangegrey]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

I also think that Vai's problem in a jam is that he is that he needs an amp with more head room so he can still be the sonic king and be able to boost that signal for solos. Unfortunately for Steve, he loses his touch by trying to be heard during jam sessions.

I think it's more than that...I really think he's one of those players that's just not a jam guy...

There was a recent thread over at HC.com with a link to video. In the video was Paul Gilbert, Vai and Andy Timmons. They were jamming on an old Kinks song I believe. Paul sounded like Paul...quite good. Timmons sounded amazing...vai sounded lost. Everything he did just did not fit in at all....it's not too much of a stretch to say Timmons schooled Vai big time....

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

57 classics are medoicre? lol
ummm Gibson isn't always the friendliest company - but umm they sorta invented all the stuff we are all cloning as far as HB's.

I have also used the 57 and much prefer it over the 59. Now if you want to compare the APH1 and 57 classic, there is a nice one on one playground game. I also happen to think the BB's sound amazing too. You CANNOT deny Gibson pickups have made a great mark on a TON of recordings from the 50s to this very day.

No knock on Duncans, Gibson, Dimarzio, or any boutique - I have tried many and a lot of them work depending on the application.

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

Well I just spent about 30 minutes with the new pup set and I'm a happy guy. The stock pups were made in the usa by Gibson but they were too hot, harsh and noisy. I now have clarity and the notes sort of bloom now. All this time I thought my Vintage 30 was harsh but it sounds great now with the new lower output pups. I can crank my gain up to 10 now and it sounds much smoother than before-so much for high output pups.

BTW, I wasn't sure how I'd like the open coil look after being used to the chrome covers but I like the look-like it's hot-rodded or something.

 

[papersoul]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

Well I just spent about 30 minutes with the new pup set and I'm a happy guy. The stock pups were made in the usa by Gibson but they were too hot, harsh and noisy. I now have clarity and the notes sort of bloom now. All this time I thought my Vintage 30 was harsh but it sounds great now with the new lower output pups. I can crank my gain up to 10 now and it sounds much smoother than before-so much for high output pups.

BTW, I wasn't sure how I'd like the open coil look after being used to the chrome covers but I like the look-like it's hot-rodded or something.

I really want to try the Dimarzios, but I have some new Wolfetomes coming in the mail. I wish Duncan made a similar production model.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

I should be getting the VPAF Hot into my SG today,as it's here(finally)... ;O)

 

[strangegrey]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

STRATDELUXER97,

Looking forward to your review!!

-Frank

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

STRATDELUXER97,

Looking forward to your review!!

-Frank

Might be tomorrow at the latest though....This would really only be an early review of it...If I can find the time today to get it into my SG,I'd be able to try it all night tonight with my band? Guess I need to get busy...:laugh2:

 

[Dave Z]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

57 classics are medoicre? lol
ummm Gibson isn't always the friendliest company - but umm they sorta invented all the stuff we are all cloning as far as HB's.

I have also used the 57 and much prefer it over the 59. Now if you want to compare the APH1 and 57 classic, there is a nice one on one playground game. I also happen to think the BB's sound amazing too. You CANNOT deny Gibson pickups have made a great mark on a TON of recordings from the 50s to this very day.

No knock on Duncans, Gibson, Dimarzio, or any boutique - I have tried many and a lot of them work depending on the application.

Well maybe my 57s were wound on a Monday - they sucked. And I was not impressed by them in a new SG I tried out last year. Not to knock Gibson but although they may have invented the thing it does not mean they make the best. Anyway ears & taste are different.

"APH1 and 57 classic, there is a nice one on one playground game" You lost me completely there...

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

VPAF Hot installed....

Review

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=61806

 

[Destructone]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

I think it's more than that...I really think he's one of those players that's just not a jam guy...

There was a recent thread over at HC.com with a link to video. In the video was Paul Gilbert, Vai and Andy Timmons. They were jamming on an old Kinks song I believe. Paul sounded like Paul...quite good. Timmons sounded amazing...vai sounded lost. Everything he did just did not fit in at all....it's not too much of a stretch to say Timmons schooled Vai big time....

Yes, I have seen the video, but give Vai a break, what you didn't notice in the video is Vai's high E string broke right in the beginning of his solo. That could've distracted him from his train of thought making him "lost" in his improvs.

 

[strangegrey]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

Yes, I have seen the video, but give Vai a break, what you didn't notice in the video is Vai's high E string broke right in the beginning of his solo. That could've distracted him from his train of thought making him "lost" in his improvs.

Actually, my biggest gripes with his playing was what he did as embelishment prior to breaking the said string. He sounded truly lost. I'm most impressed with his recovery, given the fact that the broken string must've thrown his guitar way out of tune.

But I really had a big problem with what he was trying to do before that string ever broke. He's just not a jam player...give him a prearranged piece...and ask him to compose a solo around it, and he's great....but throw him a guitar and say "Blues riff in E, watch me for the changes and try to keep up..." and the guy misplaces his mojo..

-F

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF

I lost you bc you aren't a sports fanatic..lol

I meant the 57 Classic and the APH1 are 2 pickups I would love to try in a head to head. I replaced my 57s and Angus Young/59 with APH1s - I wanted a matched set with A2s and a classic sound. I never A/Bd

I loved that APH1 was the best replacement pickup that came with covers, A2s, and 4 conductor right out of thr box. If 57s came that way I MIGHT have gone that route. My APH1s have done many a Metal, Rock, and Country gig and shined everytime!