Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

[walt]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

Walt, I have to agree with you on the low output pups. I realize for various players, nothing but hot pups will do, but for the tones I like, low output
( and preferably, unpotted ) buckers do the trick. The clarity and articulation is so much better and they allow the true tone of the instrument and playing subtle nuacnes to shine through. I tend to set mine lower than most and this seems to give a more complex, open tone. Again...not for everyone, but they sure to the trick for me!

I also want to clarify that it's not just Dimarzio (even though the VPAF/VHPAF are a great combo) but any low output pup (I have a pair of 59s in a strat that rock also). I played lots of pups looking for "that tone". I could play one guitar better than another even if they were the same make but with different pups. It's taken me quite a while to figure it out and now I know what floats my boat all of my high output buckers and singles are gone to darken my door never more. :beerchug:

 

[AmpliFIRE]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

Day 2 with these pups in my Mcnaught and they're freakin awesome! I can't believe how clear and balanced they are. This guitar was VERY dark sounding with the Texas/BBQ combo. These pups are just what the doctor ordered! What's impressed me most is that the bridge sounds great for chugga chugga stuff while being very clear with a very chimey top end. That's a very rare combo to get from a pickup IMO.

 

[wildstar]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

Day 2 with these pups in my Mcnaught and they're freakin awesome! I can't believe how clear and balanced they are. This guitar was VERY dark sounding with the Texas/BBQ combo. These pups are just what the doctor ordered! What's impressed me most is that the bridge sounds great for chugga chugga stuff while being very clear with a very chimey top end. That's a very rare combo to get from a pickup IMO.

Hey,if you feel curious and have time to spare, try putting the VPAF Hot in the neck. I have the normal VPAF Bridge pickup (not the Hot) in my neck position right now and it is KILLER! I bet the Hot might be cool too... I think Wicked Lester has tried it and liked it.

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

You know all the reveiws i am hearing on these is starting to interest me. If you look at my signiture you will see i have been planning to get a duncan jazz for the neck position of my hollowbody, but the vvPAFs sound intresting. I think it is the air classics that dimarzio says have an almost three-dimensional quality to them, but do the vvs also?

 

[wildstar]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

You know all the reveiws i am hearing on these is starting to interest me. If you look at my signiture you will see i have been planning to get a duncan jazz for the neck position of my hollowbody, but the vvPAFs sound intresting. I think it is the air classics that dimarzio says have an almost three-dimensional quality to them, but do the vvs also?

YES!

:dance:

 

[AmpliFIRE]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

Day 4 with these pups in my axe and I couldn't be happier!!! They crunch great for metal, sing for leads and are as clear as a bell played clean. Did I mention how awesome they are?!?!?!?!

 

[Majestic]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

I'd never played a '59 extensively until last weekend. I played some guitars with '59s, and some SGs with pickups that have what Gibson was calling "Alnico Classic" magnets.

I can tell you that, for whatever reason, the black SGs (a typically "dark" guitar) sounded absolutely shrill on the top 2 strings.

That's exactly the OPPOSITE of what I'm looking for. I want the top 2 strongs to be articulate, yet warm & brown.

On paper, the VPAF and VHPAF are both "simulating Alnico 3 magnets" with their Airbucker technology. However, is that the reality in practice?

Because I don't like "chime". I like Van Halen. And I don't buy that Custom Custom bullsh*t. It's not his old pickup, and we all know it.

Nor is the overly bright sound on the 1st album, which was all Ted Templeman and his bullsh*t mixing board equalization.

I want a nice-ass warm sound. I'm not worried about low-output. I rip everybody's face off at the music store every time I plug in, and everybody knows it.

I just tried P-90s for the first time, and I'm already more horny for those than I am whatever dogsh*t pickup was in the newer black SGs I played at Guitar Center. So output isn't an issue. I'm basically as skilled as VHaholic, but without the economy picking.

So what the f*ck? Do I give the Virtual Hot PAF a whirl? Or go with the '78, which costs twice as much? Or go with an Alnico 2 Hybrid?

My main concern is the top 3 strings.....I don't mind treble, but I can't have them sounding shrill or annoying. That SG I played was horrible compared to even the PRSs with the P-90s. Yeesh.....

I will say that when I played the P-90s, and the Gibsons with the "Alnico Classics" that my tone sounded like VHaholic's "Wait" clip, which while impressive & fun to immitate, actually is NOT the tone I'm looking for. I want something less trebly and articulate. Is going down to Alnico 2 enough, or do I need to try something that is more overwound, like a Hybrid or Phat Cat?

I absolutely hate the pickup in both of my MusicMan Axis guitars. Too much power, too much bassy sludge. It was great when I sucked. Now it's too much. These fingers don't need the power.

 

[51501984]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

Hey Majestic , you might want to look in to the Genesis Mr Browney http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data2/Genesis/Mr-Browney-01.html
I`ve got the Vitual Hot PAF in my ash Strat and the tone is touch shrill. My Budda Superdrive is fairly bright amp so that could be part of it. I`ve used the Mr Browney in the past and it`s a very warm pickup, with the right guitar and cranked Marshall you could easily nail... ah you know what I`m getting at.

 

[AmpliFIRE]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

I'd never played a '59 extensively until last weekend. I played some guitars with '59s, and some SGs with pickups that have what Gibson was calling "Alnico Classic" magnets.

I can tell you that, for whatever reason, the black SGs (a typically "dark" guitar) sounded absolutely shrill on the top 2 strings.

That's exactly the OPPOSITE of what I'm looking for. I want the top 2 strongs to be articulate, yet warm & brown.

On paper, the VPAF and VHPAF are both "simulating Alnico 3 magnets" with their Airbucker technology. However, is that the reality in practice?

Because I don't like "chime". I like Van Halen. And I don't buy that Custom Custom bullsh*t. It's not his old pickup, and we all know it.

Nor is the overly bright sound on the 1st album, which was all Ted Templeman and his bullsh*t mixing board equalization.

I want a nice-ass warm sound. I'm not worried about low-output. I rip everybody's face off at the music store every time I plug in, and everybody knows it.

I just tried P-90s for the first time, and I'm already more horny for those than I am whatever dogsh*t pickup was in the newer black SGs I played at Guitar Center. So output isn't an issue. I'm basically as skilled as VHaholic, but without the economy picking.

So what the f*ck? Do I give the Virtual Hot PAF a whirl? Or go with the '78, which costs twice as much? Or go with an Alnico 2 Hybrid?

My main concern is the top 3 strings.....I don't mind treble, but I can't have them sounding shrill or annoying. That SG I played was horrible compared to even the PRSs with the P-90s. Yeesh.....

I will say that when I played the P-90s, and the Gibsons with the "Alnico Classics" that my tone sounded like VHaholic's "Wait" clip, which while impressive & fun to immitate, actually is NOT the tone I'm looking for. I want something less trebly and articulate. Is going down to Alnico 2 enough, or do I need to try something that is more overwound, like a Hybrid or Phat Cat?

I absolutely hate the pickup in both of my MusicMan Axis guitars. Too much power, too much bassy sludge. It was great when I sucked. Now it's too much. These fingers don't need the power.

The vhPAF is not shrill sounding in my McNaught, but I'm not sure hoiw it would soundin an Axis. Sounds like an Air Zone would be right up your alley. I have one in my Axis and couldn't be happier with it.

 

[WICKED LESTER]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

I guess i prefer my P.A.F's hotter than hell since i use the duncan DD:laugh2:
the V hot paf was real good and did its job but it was not aggressive enough for my style so i traded it to roadstar II for his air zone
i actually like the tone of the V hot paf a lot more than the air zone which i am selling if anyone is interested?
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=54388

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

Dimarzio Virtual PAFs are the only pickups I've sold in the past that I regret getting rid of (they were in a Dean Chafin Del Sol I owned a few years ago). All 3 tones were sweet, I honestly got a nice thick neck tone, a bell like mid tone and a cutting bridge tone.

 

[AmpliFIRE]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

:burnout:

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

Still haven't got mine yet. Ordered them quite a while back and STILL NO PUPS!!! I've already pre-paid and I'm stuck in this transaction, but I'm plenty irritated at the fact that I'm still waiting. I'm sure they'll be worth the wait, but I think I'll be doing business with someone else next time. Local shop has let me down. :gurmpy:

It's been over three weeks. I placed my order Oct 11. I'm mad enough to spit nails now.

 

[walt]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

Still haven't got mine yet. Ordered them quite a while back and STILL NO PUPS!!! I've already pre-paid and I'm stuck in this transaction, but I'm plenty irritated at the fact that I'm still waiting. I'm sure they'll be worth the wait, but I think I'll be doing business with someone else next time. Local shop has let me down. :gurmpy:

It's been over three weeks. I placed my order Oct 11. I'm mad enough to spit nails now.

Sometimes smaller shops can't place an order unless they have a certain dollar amount ordered. I would go back and ask them if this was the case and if so demand your money back. In fact just demand your money back and go to a local Guitar Center and buy them or order them from Musician's Friend, American Musical Supply or anyother mail order catalog and you'll get them a lot faster than 3 weeks.

 

[AmpliFIRE]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

Sometimes smaller shops can't place an order unless they have a certain dollar amount ordered. I would go back and ask them if this was the case and if so demand your money back. In fact just demand your money back and go to a local Guitar Center and buy them or order them from Musician's Friend, American Musical Supply or anyother mail order catalog and you'll get them a lot faster than 3 weeks.

Actually, I ordered mine from a very small shop, and they arrived one week later. I'd keep after the store to make sure that DImarzio received the proper info...

 

[ranalli]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

The best place to get Dimarzios is Mikes Music shop. He's usually on Ebay as banjomikez or something like that.

 

[walt]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

The best place to get Dimarzios is Mikes Music shop. He's usually on Ebay as banjomikez or something like that.

I've bought from him also in the past. He has the widest selection of colors you can imagine. He's a cool guy to deal with also.

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

I've bought from him also in the past. He has the widest selection of colors you can imagine. He's a cool guy to deal with also.

I'll take this advice fo sho. The local shop waited a week to order my stuff from what I gather. I think they do have a minimum of 6 pickups needed to complete an order, so it probably took them that long to get enough to order the pickups. I ordered two myself. That being said, waiting three plus weeks for these production pups isn't cool. I could probably get something custom wound by MJ in that amount of time. The price wasn't horrible, but I know I'd pay less if I went through the net and I'd get the product faster. I won't rule them out on everything, but no more DM pups from these guys...

 

[WICKED LESTER]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

Hey,if you feel curious and have time to spare, try putting the VPAF Hot in the neck. I have the normal VPAF Bridge pickup (not the Hot) in my neck position right now and it is KILLER! I bet the Hot might be cool too... I think Wicked Lester has tried it and liked it.

yes i had one and it was very .VERY good:beerchug:
i traded it to ROADSTAR II for his air zone cause i needed more beef and heat and he wanted more vintage,plus i wanted to hear a AZ
anyway the V hot paf is by far dimarzio's best to date
it is a blend of old classic paf with a modern(dont let that word make you think anything bad) output
read this,
http://www.guitarplayer.com/story.asp?sectioncode=6&storycode=10165

i pretty much aggre with what he wrote
it has a big output BUT does not sound like a air zone or tone zone or a super d
it has the classic paf tone but more drive and can be more aggressive
i will tell ya i almost settled on these for my main bridge pups but when i did the real heavy stuff they like other paf's lacked:gurmpy:
but they had tone to the bone that is for sure!
covered all the classic stuff and got heavy enough to do megadeth
older metallica but i needed it to do machine head and friggin slayer! LOL

 

[PRG]

Re: Just ordered VPAF/VHPAF set for my Mcnaught

I liked the original V-PAF's that I had in my mule SG. Best pickups I've ever played, even better than the Custom/Mag combo in my neck-thru. The VPAF's sounded huge and had a 3-D quality to the tone that I've never heard before. Not copressed at all and could handle metal and blues on my Mesa Subway Rocket without a problem.