Favorite PAF Replica
- Thread starter Aceguy
- Start date
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Favorite PAF Replica
Seths, WLH's, and Fralins by far. BB's are pretty good. I like '59's with mag swaps. I am not impressed with PG's or '57 Classics.
Seths, WLH's, and Fralins by far. BB's are pretty good. I like '59's with mag swaps. I am not impressed with PG's or '57 Classics.
El Supremo
New member
Re: Favorite PAF Replica
I have played the '59 set, the WLH set, Dimarzio PAF 36th Ann., '57 Classics and the BKP Riff Raff set.
The WLH and Riff Raff set would be my favorites followed by the Dimarzios. The first 2 really stay together with more contemporary stuff, with the WLH having a bit more guts and throatiness to them and the Riff Raff more clarity.
The PAF 36th Ann. bridge didn't work as well for me when riffing out some metal, but the amount of overtones they reproduce is incredible. Very cool sounding imo, for a fraction of the price.
I like the Air Classics too, but I'm not sure if they can be classified as PAFs.
Think I should try some Seths or Mules one of these days.
I have played the '59 set, the WLH set, Dimarzio PAF 36th Ann., '57 Classics and the BKP Riff Raff set.
The WLH and Riff Raff set would be my favorites followed by the Dimarzios. The first 2 really stay together with more contemporary stuff, with the WLH having a bit more guts and throatiness to them and the Riff Raff more clarity.
The PAF 36th Ann. bridge didn't work as well for me when riffing out some metal, but the amount of overtones they reproduce is incredible. Very cool sounding imo, for a fraction of the price.
I like the Air Classics too, but I'm not sure if they can be classified as PAFs.
Think I should try some Seths or Mules one of these days.
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Favorite PAF Replica
You bring up an interesting point. Given the "loose" interpretations of the original PAF . . . what is the "strictness sense"?
You bring up an interesting point. Given the "loose" interpretations of the original PAF . . . what is the "strictness sense"?
Aceguy
New member
Aceguy
New member
Re: Favorite PAF Replica
But I guess I'm referring to PAF replicas as in pickups styled after original PAF pickups. Since every pickup was different, we have a variety of magnets and winds to choose from. What I'm asking is what are some of the best for classic Les Paul tone?
But I guess I'm referring to PAF replicas as in pickups styled after original PAF pickups. Since every pickup was different, we have a variety of magnets and winds to choose from. What I'm asking is what are some of the best for classic Les Paul tone?
Re: Favorite PAF Replica
When I think PAF replica, I'm looking to the right dimension/shape screws, correct alloys and plastics used in all construction details, correct 'L' on the baseplate feet, correct dimension TV shaped cover, accurate magnet compositions, correct slug 101 and leesona winding patterns, random under and over spec wire, a coil offest typical of PAF windings, and maybe even a Patent Applied For sticker on the base if we're really going the whole hog.
A quick browse of this website should give you an idea......
http://www.throbak.com/
But I also hang out on forums where these sort of details are the only way you can call a pickup a PAF replica, so maybe I'm more than a little biased. I also build guitars (for my own use) to as precise to 59 spec as its possible to do......so this also counts as my own extra-strict brand of bias.
If we're talking tone, I don't think you could really call any symmetrically wound pickup a PAF clone either, as the offset is one of THE critical parts IMO. Duncan seems to do well even despite this with their winds, although I've not tried many of the more recently released offerings.
When I think PAF replica, I'm looking to the right dimension/shape screws, correct alloys and plastics used in all construction details, correct 'L' on the baseplate feet, correct dimension TV shaped cover, accurate magnet compositions, correct slug 101 and leesona winding patterns, random under and over spec wire, a coil offest typical of PAF windings, and maybe even a Patent Applied For sticker on the base if we're really going the whole hog.
A quick browse of this website should give you an idea......
http://www.throbak.com/
But I also hang out on forums where these sort of details are the only way you can call a pickup a PAF replica, so maybe I'm more than a little biased. I also build guitars (for my own use) to as precise to 59 spec as its possible to do......so this also counts as my own extra-strict brand of bias.
If we're talking tone, I don't think you could really call any symmetrically wound pickup a PAF clone either, as the offset is one of THE critical parts IMO. Duncan seems to do well even despite this with their winds, although I've not tried many of the more recently released offerings.
Re: Favorite PAF Replica
No, in the 50's gibson just got whatever magnet was cheapest.....A3, A2, A4, A5, maybe even UOA5 was used.
The issue now is that the purity of the base metals that comprise magnet material is so much purer. Better for stronger metal products, but less good seemingly for magnets. The magnetic field and therefore tonal identity of the mag is based on its composition.
In part this is why the modern pickup either don't sound quite the same, but also must be wound differently than vintage methods to achieve the same ballpark result.
No, in the 50's gibson just got whatever magnet was cheapest.....A3, A2, A4, A5, maybe even UOA5 was used.
The issue now is that the purity of the base metals that comprise magnet material is so much purer. Better for stronger metal products, but less good seemingly for magnets. The magnetic field and therefore tonal identity of the mag is based on its composition.
In part this is why the modern pickup either don't sound quite the same, but also must be wound differently than vintage methods to achieve the same ballpark result.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Favorite PAF Replica
Seths, for what they sounded like new.
Antiquities, for what they sounded like later.
Seths, for what they sounded like new.
Antiquities, for what they sounded like later.
Aceguy
New member
Re: Favorite PAF Replica
Those pickups look fantastic, but very much out of my price range.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Favorite PAF Replica
Among the Duncans....Ants, Seths, PGs, WLHs, Bonamassas, and the '59s. They are all good...just different flavors. I have have Ants, Seths, PGs and a '59. I also have a set of slightly overwound A2 Seths that I really like. These and the Ants are favs but I'd love to get a Bonamassa set.
I also really like the Gibson BB 1&2 sets in my Historic LPs. The new Custom Buckers have a lot of fans, too.
Then there are the boutique makers; each has its supporters...Lollar, Fralin, Throbak, Voodoo, BKP, WCR, et. al. No experience with any of these, but I'd probably try the Throbak...fantastic rep.
I try to not get hung up in all the construction minutiae. It's meaningless. And I don't care if the lead guitarist in Heaven's own band uses them.
Do they sound good? Do they work for me?
Bill
Among the Duncans....Ants, Seths, PGs, WLHs, Bonamassas, and the '59s. They are all good...just different flavors. I have have Ants, Seths, PGs and a '59. I also have a set of slightly overwound A2 Seths that I really like. These and the Ants are favs but I'd love to get a Bonamassa set.
I also really like the Gibson BB 1&2 sets in my Historic LPs. The new Custom Buckers have a lot of fans, too.
Then there are the boutique makers; each has its supporters...Lollar, Fralin, Throbak, Voodoo, BKP, WCR, et. al. No experience with any of these, but I'd probably try the Throbak...fantastic rep.
I try to not get hung up in all the construction minutiae. It's meaningless. And I don't care if the lead guitarist in Heaven's own band uses them.
Do they sound good? Do they work for me?
Bill
Lake Placid Blues
New member
Re: Favorite PAF Replica
I have a boutique replica set made a guy I don't recall the name of. A2 and scatter wound. They are amazing sounding.
I have a boutique replica set made a guy I don't recall the name of. A2 and scatter wound. They are amazing sounding.
Re: Favorite PAF Replica
Geeze....I have so many favorites so it's too hard to pick one! Jon Moore and Zhangliqun have wound some fantastic pickups with a very PAFish nature for me. Lollar Imperials are wonderful. I've also been very happy with Seths. The Tonerider A4 set, older Dimarzio PAF's and the 36ths are great pickups. There are some very talented, very dedicated winders putting out killer pickups today, but I can generally find a Duncan or Dimarzio I dig. ..
Geeze....I have so many favorites so it's too hard to pick one! Jon Moore and Zhangliqun have wound some fantastic pickups with a very PAFish nature for me. Lollar Imperials are wonderful. I've also been very happy with Seths. The Tonerider A4 set, older Dimarzio PAF's and the 36ths are great pickups. There are some very talented, very dedicated winders putting out killer pickups today, but I can generally find a Duncan or Dimarzio I dig. ..
tubecrunch
New member
Re: Favorite PAF Replica
Friend of mine is raving about Motor City Pivkups. He's a paf fanatic and loves their stuff.
Friend of mine is raving about Motor City Pivkups. He's a paf fanatic and loves their stuff.
Chocklit_Thunda
New member
Re: Favorite PAF Replica
Aren't pickups like the pearly gates, 59, WLH, Bonamassa and others meant to emulate the sound of a specific PAF or pat no. pickup? They're copies of those pickups using modern methods and materials? So they are PAF replicas in what they're copying but not replicas in terms of actual construction
Aren't pickups like the pearly gates, 59, WLH, Bonamassa and others meant to emulate the sound of a specific PAF or pat no. pickup? They're copies of those pickups using modern methods and materials? So they are PAF replicas in what they're copying but not replicas in terms of actual construction