Mini humbuckers vs PAFs

[rumbleinbriton]

I have a mid-70's LP deluxe with original minihumbuckers that I really like... and I don't intend to change them.

But I don't own a guitar with a PAF-style pickup to directly compare, so I'm curious.. *in theory* how does a mini humbucker compare to a PAF?

They both seem to have a fairly low output and resistance (relative to most humbuckers) although the minis (because of their smaller size and/or alnico 5's) seem to have just a little more top end treble. Listening to the sound samples on this website of the classic mini vs the PAF's seems to bear this out. Opinions anyone?

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Mini humbuckers vs PAFs

Mini's have a lot more bite, a bit more "focus" to the tone. Not quite as "big" and open sounding as an old PAF. PAF's tend to be fatter sounding with plenty more bottom - like a Fat Bottom Girl (like how I got the Queen reference in there?)

So I really do think they live up the name MINI HB. BTW you can easily put P90s into a Mini HB slot, they are identical from what I have seen.

 

[zionstrat]

Re: Mini humbuckers vs PAFs

minis make LPs great in my book!
Some folks like the big thick LP sound, but it's way to middy and muddy for me other than heavy chords and leads because PAFS are thick and LPs are massive-

So a minin in the neck of a delux opens the whole LP up to me- It's Tom Schultz from Boston or Duane Almand- It's articulate, can run clean or overdriven and provides all the contrast you could ever ask for from a PAF-

In the bridge, I have to admit, I love p90s and that would be a fun and easy mod that you could try for the fun of it- I certainly wouldn't route the brdige out and if you really want a more PAF in the bridge I'd look at PAFish p90s sized pups-

Hope this helps!

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Mini humbuckers vs PAFs

I love Mini's sound! They are a little more acoustic sounding then a PAF style humbucker...

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Mini humbuckers vs PAFs

In general, a mini will have less low mids and more highs than a standard PAF. The low end will also be tighter. I preffer the mini's in the neck of a Tele paired with a standard tele lead pickup.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Mini humbuckers vs PAFs

As been mentioned they're brighter and not as "big" sounding as a full size HB. Generally a mini will be brighter and more compressed than a P-90. You can drop a P-90 into the spaces for the mini. If you remove the mini and you have the metal mount in, and you remove the mount- the P-90 will mount to the inner set of holes. The mounts I've seen also have holes for P-90s as well.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Mini humbuckers vs PAFs

Yeah...minis are cool...I think the current Gibson ones though are worlds better than the old Firebird style minis... bright, tight, more mids...almost as punchy as a full size bucker.

Also, you can remove the mini's and rings and drop one of these in:

Super Distortion P-90 sized.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Mini humbuckers vs PAFs

There are the Epiphone Mini's that came in the LP Deluxes and then there are the Firebird pickups which are the same size but completely different pickups. Teh Epi mIni's are like a low fat version of a PAF...tighter, slightly brighter...all in all good pickups. they got a bad rap but IMO it's mostly due to the quality of the LP Deluxes most if them ended up in...70's Deluxes are hit or miss for sure, a lot of them have maple necks as well...which makes them even a little more bright...anyway, they are like a low fat PAF.