New PAF Variant from Dimarzio
- Thread starter nienturi
- Start date
ToneFiddler
New member
looking good. Are those buty rate bobbins? the really look kind of authentic with those dips in between the poles.
Please report back how they sound.
Did you also test the A5 59s PAFs from DMZ?
Please report back how they sound.
Did you also test the A5 59s PAFs from DMZ?
Anficht
New member
Yes, those are definitely butyrate bobbins, so they look better than "regular" Dimarzios.
It's just that these are wax potted, while the A5 59s are unpotted.
I had the neck DiMarzio A5 '59 PAF in the neck position of a Partscaster a few years ago and I remember loving it. I preferred it much more to the old DP103 PAF (70s - 90s) and to the newer 36th anniversary PAF.
I'm curious to install the 57's over the weekend and will report back
Anficht
New member
Ok, I put them in on Friday and I'm pretty impressed.
Sure, there are other manufacturers with great PAF clones and interpretations of the theme, and DiMarzio certainly did not re-invent the wheel.
But what they did is create a totally solid PAF style A2 humbucker, that is up there with the best of them.
I compared these to my A2Pro's-late80s-J's from Duncan. They are just a little less soft than the A2Pro, which is exactly what I was looking for.
I love Slash's tone and after trying all 3 Duncan versions, I settled on an original A2Pro set from the late 80s, wound by MJ, with the rough cast A2 and Maple spacer, single conductor and long legs. I preferred this set over all the other Duncan newer production versions.
The DiMarzio '57 PAF set is similar to the MJ production set, it's just a hair less "soft" - there's a bit more definition and upper midrange grit and a bit more pick attack. That's why it took the spot for my Slash-style LP and replaced the original A2Pro-MJ's. Not better or worse, just a different flavor that worked much better for me and gave me the last 5% I was looking for for this guitar.
These are not coming out.
These should also be pretty good to mod. I have a feeling these would do great with an A4 in them for yet another flavor. But for this guitar, they are perfect as is.
Pics attached (P.s. I always loved the Gary Moore Studio LP, so I went for a similar look in my 245 SE).
Sure, there are other manufacturers with great PAF clones and interpretations of the theme, and DiMarzio certainly did not re-invent the wheel.
But what they did is create a totally solid PAF style A2 humbucker, that is up there with the best of them.
I compared these to my A2Pro's-late80s-J's from Duncan. They are just a little less soft than the A2Pro, which is exactly what I was looking for.
I love Slash's tone and after trying all 3 Duncan versions, I settled on an original A2Pro set from the late 80s, wound by MJ, with the rough cast A2 and Maple spacer, single conductor and long legs. I preferred this set over all the other Duncan newer production versions.
The DiMarzio '57 PAF set is similar to the MJ production set, it's just a hair less "soft" - there's a bit more definition and upper midrange grit and a bit more pick attack. That's why it took the spot for my Slash-style LP and replaced the original A2Pro-MJ's. Not better or worse, just a different flavor that worked much better for me and gave me the last 5% I was looking for for this guitar.
These are not coming out.
These should also be pretty good to mod. I have a feeling these would do great with an A4 in them for yet another flavor. But for this guitar, they are perfect as is.
Pics attached (P.s. I always loved the Gary Moore Studio LP, so I went for a similar look in my 245 SE).
Attachments
ToneFiddler
New member
Nice review!
If they are any good, they are unbeatable at that price range.
Ho do they compare to the Seths?
Anficht
New member
I have never tried the Seths, so I have no opinion on these.
So far my other guitars do have the below sets:
-Duncan 59s
-Duncan Slash set
-Duncan Jimmy Page custom shop set (I forget the real name)
-BKP Mules
-BKP PG Blues
-BKP Riff Raff (bridge only)
-ox4 Slash model (no longer available) -> fwiw, I really don't like this set
-ox4 A4 high output
So far my other guitars do have the below sets:
-Duncan 59s
-Duncan Slash set
-Duncan Jimmy Page custom shop set (I forget the real name)
-BKP Mules
-BKP PG Blues
-BKP Riff Raff (bridge only)
-ox4 Slash model (no longer available) -> fwiw, I really don't like this set
-ox4 A4 high output
ToneFiddler
New member
Ah, i see, thanks.
I have quite a few from your list (SH-1s, APH-2s, (SH-18s), Mule neck, RiffRaffs) but some still wait to go in a guitar.
Anficht
New member
Sorry, just saw this.
Yes, the output is about the same. I would name them as the equivalent A2Pro from DiMarzio. Very similar tone and output-wise. After a few weeks I can safely say these are great. But of course, the marketing BS on DiMarzio's webpage is totally exaggerated. No masterpiece - just a super solid A2 set that's great fun to play.
Regarding owning all 3 sets of Slash pickups, I actually only own the original A2Pro and the first Slash version. I like both but prefer the plain version a bit more.
I tried the hotter wind (version 3) on a friend's LP and thought it sounded fine as well. Just a bit too much output for my taste. I prefer low output winds as I prefer adding distortion when required but being able to have a great clean sound first.
RayBarbeeMusic
New member
Actually, if you read the history of dimarzio and why that was done, it was quite legitimate and was not copying gibson.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
If you ever figure out the name, PM me, I'd be VERY interested to know what this is. (Unless it's just the original run of Whole Lotta Humbuckers, which I have already.)
Anficht
New member
Yes, that's the one. Whole Lotta Humbucker. I have the original custom shop version. I think it was like this just before they entered regular production
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Crazy how whenever you bring up Dimarzio on a guitar forum everyone suddenly becomes an intellectual property expert.
Ascension
New member
Except for Kiesel. Would love to see Dimarzio try to sue Kiesel for Parchment pickups as they have been selling them since the 1940's LOL.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
Yeah. Almost like you get a bad rep for abusing the legal system. Crazy.
RanchManSandy
New member
lmao nobody needs to be any sort of expert to understand a trademark and a patent are different things and why they exist
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
I love his very non-authentic Edwards. Cool guitar, truth be told. I want one.
I don't doubt these pickups sound killer, but I wish pickup demos would have a point of reference. I have no idea what these sound like from the vid. I have an idea of what the amp and the guy's playing sound like. But the pickups just sound like random pickups played competently through a Marshall-y amp, IMO.
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