Is there anything in the Duncan range that resembles the PAF 36th Anni neck?

[Rex_Rocker]

I know the PAF 36th Anniversary has got the airbucker and virtual vintage stuff going on, so I suppose it doesn't sound like a typical Alnico 5 PAF. It's certainly less boomy than the '59N and less chirpy that the Jazz N. It's sweet and warm, but it's got clarity, and it's not overly bassy, but it's still got that slightly hollow PAF vibe going on.

The reason I want a Duncan rather than just getting a 36th Anni is because Duncans are more easily attainable to me. I'm in Mexico. There is a local Seymour Duncan dealer in town, and I'd rather not order the DiMarzio off eBay, have to wait a week to get it, and pay extra for the shipping.

So... should I look into Duncan's Alnico 2 offerings? Seth Lover N, Pearly Gates N, Alnico 2 Pro N? Which of those do you think is closer to the PAF 36th Anni? I'm leaning the least towards the Alnico 2 Pro because I know it's supposed to be a Jazz with a different magnet. Or does the magnet really turn it into something completely different?

I'm not expecing a clone of the PAF 36th, just something that has more warmth than the Jazz, and that is tighter than the '59 while still remaining clear and defined.


Thanks.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Is there anything in the Duncan range that resembles the PAF 36th Anni neck?

Never heard of the concept of "mag swapping"...?

An A4-modded '59n, even better if covered, is what you want.

HTH,

 

[oilpit]

Re: Is there anything in the Duncan range that resembles the PAF 36th Anni neck?

The Jazz and the APH are the same wind with different magnets, and yes, changing the magnet will completely change the pickup. This is far less true with Dimarzio pickups, that get most of their tone from the wind and their various proprietary technologies, virtual this and air that etc.

The Seymour Duncan line has lots of pickups that share winds, yet the pickups are *completely* different. As has been mentioned the Jazz and the APH, the three Customs all are the same wind, the Distortion is a JB with an oversized ceramic magnet, I'm sure there are others as well that's just what I know off the top of my head.

The Jazz isn't even close to a PAF imo so I would skip that. The APH is a lot more PAFish than the Jazz but definitely not a PAF clone (this one is debatable, just my opinion). The 59' is closer but like you said won't sound like a Dimarzio, personally I would take a '59 over a 36th any day, but again, that's just me.

Honestly I would give any of the Duncan line a shot and keep an open mind. I love Dimarzios but vintage pickups are not their forte IMO and Seymour Duncans low output line are just fantastic, all of them that I've tried anyway. Not to fanboy...but you are on a Seymour Duncan forum after all.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Is there anything in the Duncan range that resembles the PAF 36th Anni neck?

Thanks for the replies, dudes!

So, Pepe, would you go for Alnico 4 rather than 2 or 3? Doesn't Alnico 4 have more lows than 2 and 3?

Oilpit, so which pickup from the Duncan line would you recommend, then? I also like Duncans, I've got nothing against Duncans, I just haven't tried very many of their PAF offerings, but I do love the '59B. I'm just saying that I prefer the PAF 36th Anni in the neck position over the '59N and the Jazz. I'm wondering if it's just their Alnico 5 neck pickups that I'm not a huge fan of.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Is there anything in the Duncan range that resembles the PAF 36th Anni neck?

I would think that the closest thing might be the Whole Lotta neck.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Is there anything in the Duncan range that resembles the PAF 36th Anni neck?

So, Pepe, would you go for Alnico 4 rather than 2 or 3?

??? Rex, hiciste una pregunta especifica, te dì una respuesta especifica. No sè que tiene que ver lo que estàs preguntando ahora.

Doesn't Alnico 4 have more lows than 2 and 3?

More or less is to be weighted in a context, which you don't give, and, TBH, there's no Duncan offering MATCHING the 36th neck. But, as you said RESEMBLING, that's what you asked, so that's what you got in the form of my answer.

HTH,

 

[AZ Picker]

Re: Is there anything in the Duncan range that resembles the PAF 36th Anni neck?

It's been a while since I've played a guitar with the 36th, but I recently put a set of Saturday Night Specials in My Les Paul Traditional, and the neck reminds me of the 36th in that it had good midrange, wasn't overly hot and was more clear especially in the low end. They aren't clones, mind you, but they are more alike than say a Jazz or 59 and the 36th anniversary would be. The WLH neck to me is too hot and too dark for my liking. but that's just my personal preference that I like a brighter neck humbucker.

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: Is there anything in the Duncan range that resembles the PAF 36th Anni neck?

I'm also thinking of buying a alnico ii Pro APH-1 neck pickup. Can anyone tell my how it compares to a 36th Anniversary PAF?

I guess the top end would be a bit rounder than the 36th Anniversary neck. Any else that I would want to know about?

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Is there anything in the Duncan range that resembles the PAF 36th Anni neck?

Can anyone tell my how it compares to a 36th Anniversary PAF?

Well the Alnico II Pro would be indeed rounder on the highs, but also has a spongier (less tight) bass respons compared to the PAF 36th. The original poster says he wants something tighter than the '59, and I don't think the Alnico II Pro will do for his needs since it's looser than a '59.

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: Is there anything in the Duncan range that resembles the PAF 36th Anni neck?

I was under the impression an Alnico 2 magnet will reduce the amount of bass compared to an Alnico 5. Is it true?

 

[beaubrummels]

Is there anything in the Duncan range that resembles the PAF 36th Anni neck?

Depends on the pickup and the wind. My A2 pearly gates bridge has more bass and highs than my A5 '59 bridge. Can't just go by the magnet. A magnet is not the sole EQ control in a pickup.

 

[gregory]

Re: Is there anything in the Duncan range that resembles the PAF 36th Anni neck?

I was under the impression an Alnico 2 magnet will reduce the amount of bass compared to an Alnico 5. Is it true?

Relative to the mids, yes. Relative to the treble, no, though keep in mind the A2 is weaker in output.

I assume you mean a different magnet in the same pickup.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Is there anything in the Duncan range that resembles the PAF 36th Anni neck?

Well the Alnico II Pro would be indeed rounder on the highs, but also has a spongier (less tight) bass respons compared to the PAF 36th. In your original post you say you want something tighter than the '59, and I don't think the Alnico II Pro will do for you since it's looser than a '59.

This is generally what I would say. It also has a slight honk to it, so you have to dig mids. Listen to every Slash solo, and you hear it.

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: Is there anything in the Duncan range that resembles the PAF 36th Anni neck?

Relative to the mids, yes. Relative to the treble, no, though keep in mind the A2 is weaker in output.

I assume you mean a different magnet in the same pickup.

Yes I mean with the same pickup. For example if we take a SH-2 jazz neck and put an Alnico 2 magnet. In that case it seems possible to get more mids relative to the bass by changing magnet. I have not tried it personally.

This is generally what I would say. It also has a slight honk to it, so you have to dig mids. Listen to every Slash solo, and you hear it.

I do like some mids for a neck humbucker, as long as its nothing too extreme, or over the top.
From the demos I've heard, the Pearly Gates has more honk in the mids than the APH-1.
APH-2 'Slash signature' is a hotter wind as well, so its seems logical to expect more mids and warmer tone.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Is there anything in the Duncan range that resembles the PAF 36th Anni neck?

Yes I mean with the same pickup. For example if we take a SH-2 jazz neck and put an Alnico 2 magnet. In that case it seems possible to get more mids relative to the bass by changing magnet. I have not tried it personally.



I do like some mids for a neck humbucker, as long as its nothing too extreme, or over the top.
From the demos I've heard, the Pearly Gates has more honk in the mids than the APH-1.
APH-2 'Slash signature' is a hotter wind as well, so its seems logical to expect more mids and warmer tone.

You know an APH-1 is a Jazz with an A2, right?

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: Is there anything in the Duncan range that resembles the PAF 36th Anni neck?

You know an APH-1 is a Jazz with an A2, right?

Only since I read it in this thread! I think the Jazz neck would be too bright for my particular guitar (which is more like a Fender style guitar), so this thread got me thinking about the APH-1.

I read a lot of comments that people like the tight bass of the Jazz neck in preference to the '59 neck. That would be encouraging if the characteristic is not completely lost with an alnico 2 magnet.