I need a PAF

G

guitaristd

New member
I am about to buy an ibanez les paul copy
but i am gonna change all the hardware and pickups on it
i want this to be my classic rock axe
i already have a flying v with a custom custom and a pearly gates
so i want something a little different
so here is what i am looking for.
2 PAF style humbuckers
must have gold cover
must have 4 conductor wiring (i am gonna do jimmy page style wiring)
thanks guys
 
Re: I need a PAF

Benjy_26 said:
There's nothing on God's green earth that can top a Pearly Gates set in a Les Paul.
Click to expand...

Except a '59 set in a Les Paul!

Seriously though, you couldn't go wrong with either. I personally like the low end chunk, warmth and the "open-ness" of the 59s. They just nail that classic Les Paul sound on the head to me. PGs, Seths, Alnico Pro II or Antiquities would do the job for you too.
 
Re: I need a PAF

I dig the 59 in my double cut Hamer's neck, but in my LP, the low end was too boomy and it didn't have enough mids for leads to cut through in the neck. The highs were nice though.
 
Re: I need a PAF

C-5 can do it as well.

Also, Dimarzio has a new PAF out this year that sounds great!

Could also try one of the hand wound guys on the market.
 
Re: I need a PAF

It should be a mids 70's or older model. It is a mid line, with bolt on neck, the top of line had a set neck just like the Gibsons, and it should be a MIJ.
That all I can tell from the pics.
 
Re: I need a PAF

The DiMarzio PAF are very nice, I have used the uncovered ones for years. I don't think you can go wrong with them.
 
Re: I need a PAF

For a classic rock axe you can't go wrong w/59s. I haven't used the AP 2s, but people like those quite a bit.

The Custom 5 is great if you want a bit of beef to your classic rock bridge sound. I use one w/a 59n in my Hamer. Very nice.
 
Re: I need a PAF

cheezemaster said:
Except a '59 set in a Les Paul!

Seriously though, you couldn't go wrong with either. I personally like the low end chunk, warmth and the "open-ness" of the 59s. They just nail that classic Les Paul sound on the head to me. PGs, Seths, Alnico Pro II or Antiquities would do the job for you too.
Click to expand...

I agree! '59's would be my first choice, but the others would work too.
 
Re: I need a PAF

guitaristd said:
do you think a 59 in the neck and bridge would be good?
i want straight up classic rock les paul sound
Click to expand...

Since the original PAF's varied so much, there is no "one" PAF sound. I like a pair of '59's, with 250K's on the bridge and 500K's on the neck. Lots of guys like the rounded highs of PG's or Seth's (with four 500K's). The Jazz HB's are good too, like '59's but a little brighter. DiMarzio has some excellent ones, like their PAF & Virtual PAF which have A5's. Gibson's PAF's (Burstbucker, '57, and 490) have A2's.

The first question is do you want to go the A5 or A2 route? Or mix them, probably with an A5 neck & A2 bridge (like a '59N/PGB)? Look at the tone charts. All of these are good PU's and all have legions of fans. If one turns out to be too bright or too dark, swapping magnets will cure that. Easy & inexpensive tweak.
 
Re: I need a PAF

APH II or Dimaz PAF Bridge / Pearly Gates or 59 neck
 
Last edited:
Re: I need a PAF

^ i think i might like that idea getting a dimarzio paf classic in the bridge
and a 59 in the neck
you guys think that would sound good?
also should i use 500k or 250k
all pots will be push pull to facilitate jimmy page wiring
 
Re: I need a PAF

Is that one of the 70ties Ibanez with bolt-on neck? I think they also had set neck variants at the time.
 
Re: I need a PAF

Before you go all hog-wild on it....

The favorite pickups I have for classic rock are a stock set in a Japanese Les Paul clone.

They smoke the 59's hands-down I have in another clone Les Paul.
 
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