PAF Pro in a single coil package?

[Monsta-Tone]

I have an Ibanez JS-1000 from 1998.
It has the stock PAF Pro pickup in the neck. This has become my all time favorite neck pickup! There is just something magical about it that picks up every subtle nuance.

I have a 1988 Ibanez 540R (H,S,S) and would like to capture the same tone and feel as my JS has.
It currently has, Pro Track – Neck, Pro Track – Middle, Tone Zone – Bridge.
While the Pro Track sounds very nice and warm, it lacks the sparkle, harmonics, and overall feel of the PAF Pro.

Does anyone know of a single coil sized humbucker that comes close to the PAF Pro?
The Pro Track in the middle position is pretty decent, but I really want more harmonics in the neck position.

Looking for:
More harmonics
Warm (not dark) clear tone
Tons of clarity

Music played:
Lots of jangly and jazzy chords through very heavy distortion (Soldano Lucky 13 - severely souped up) - Think Rush meets Incubus
Lots of warm sparkly cleans

I use my neck pickup for most solos, fills, and rhythms. Solos sound like an angry EVH with tones similar to the Unlawful Carnal Knowledge CD.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance.

 

[RayBarbeeMusic]

Re: PAF Pro in a single coil package?

Try a chopper. Ignore the description in the DiMarzio site. It sounds like a beefier PAF, a touch more balls than a '59 or a 36th.

 

[oilpit]

Re: PAF Pro in a single coil package?

The Chopper doesn't sound anything like a PAF Pro, it had a VERY distinct single coil tone, sounds nothing like any full size humbucker. It's a fantastic pickup (one of my personal favorites) and may even work for you, just don't think it'll sound like a PAF Pro.

The closest in Dimarzios line is the Pro Track, so if that isn't close enough you probably just need the real deal.

 

[Guston7]

Re: PAF Pro in a single coil package?

I was going to suggest the Chopper, as well. No, it doesn't sound just like a PP, but no single-sized pickup will perfectly nail it. The Chopper will, however, give you more of the brightness/harmonics that you're looking for. It's just a great all-around pickup, as is the PAF Pro.

 

[arellanon]

Re: PAF Pro in a single coil package?

The Chopper doesn't sound anything like a PAF Pro, it had a VERY distinct single coil tone, sounds nothing like any full size humbucker. It's a fantastic pickup (one of my personal favorites) and may even work for you, just don't think it'll sound like a PAF Pro.

The closest in Dimarzios line is the Pro Track, so if that isn't close enough you probably just need the real deal.

It sounds like you are describing a Cruiser instead of a Chopper.
:scratchch

 

[Monsta-Tone]

Re: PAF Pro in a single coil package?

Hey, thanks guys!
Sounds like I need to start looking for a used Chopper!

I'm not looking for an exact tone match.
I am looking for a similar feel and similar harmonics. I was pretty much guessing that the physics of the different sized pickup models would play a huge part in the actual tones.

The PP just has this magic about it. At times, it can sound almost like a single coil, but it still has the balls of a humbucker. Harmonics just jump out of the guitar, and it sustains for days!
The Pro Track sounds weak in comparison, although, it just occured to me that I might try to adjust the height of the PT a little more this afternoon.

The PT just seems to have no harmonics and no sustain.
It is only about 3/16" down from the strings (measured when pressing the strings down at the 22nd fret).


Both guitars have the following:
Same model neck (JS-1000)
Same wood - Basswood

The bridges are different (both have huge brass upgrade blocks):
JS-1000 - Edge Lo-Pro
540R - Original Edge

 

[oilpit]

Re: PAF Pro in a single coil package?

It sounds like you are describing a Cruiser instead of a Chopper.
:scratchch

The Cruiser sounds even more like a single coil...if you couldn't see that it had rails a lot of people would have trouble distinguishing one from a true SC.

The Chopper sounds bassier, fatter, much hotter, more agressive and thick than a Cruiser. But at the same time, it still sounds more like a single coil than a humbucker, it's a very unique pickup.

 

[Ed Hunter]

Re: PAF Pro in a single coil package?

FS-1 or a V V heavy blues

 

[Guston7]

Re: PAF Pro in a single coil package?

Monsta,
Also, keep in mind that where Joe uses the Pro-Track is in the neck of his 24 fret model. The PT in a 21 or 22 fret model, up against the edge of the fretboard is going to sound more bassy and smooth than in a 24 fret.

 

[RayBarbeeMusic]

Re: PAF Pro in a single coil package?

it had a VERY distinct single coil tone, sounds nothing like any full size humbucker.

Not sure what you're hearing there. Maybe you are thinking of a Cruiser like others suggested.

The chopper sounds nothing like a single coil. I found it fatter/darker sounding than PAFs like the '59, 36th, etc, but not by much, hence comparing it to a slightly overwound PAF. I didn't even hear a hint of single coil in there. It isn't quite as hot as a PAF Pro.

The Pro Track would be hotter still, but with a very different tone. It isnt weak, so if your impression of it is that, raise it up. It has very little string pull so you can get it very close to the strings.

 

[Monsta-Tone]

Re: PAF Pro in a single coil package?

Monsta,
Also, keep in mind that where Joe uses the Pro-Track is in the neck of his 24 fret model. The PT in a 21 or 22 fret model, up against the edge of the fretboard is going to sound more bassy and smooth than in a 24 fret.

That's what I was thinking. The PT has lots of life in the middle position, just not the neck.

The Pro Track would be hotter still, but with a very different tone. It isnt weak, so if your impression of it is that, raise it up. It has very little string pull so you can get it very close to the strings.

It doesn't sound weak. The output is just slightly less than the PP in my JS. It just seems to be lacking in character, dymanics, and harmonics.
Pretty hard to describe tone and feel in words, sorry.

 

[oilpit]

Re: PAF Pro in a single coil package?

Not sure what you're hearing there. Maybe you are thinking of a Cruiser like others suggested.

The chopper sounds nothing like a single coil. I found it fatter/darker sounding than PAFs like the '59, 36th, etc, but not by much, hence comparing it to a slightly overwound PAF.

I'm not, I have one in the neck of my Strat, it sounds like a single coil.

I have a Cruiser as well, it sounds even more single coily, but both sound like single coils. I don't know what guitar/amp you were using, but it sounds absolutely nothing like a PAF.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: PAF Pro in a single coil package?

As a long-time user of the Chopper, I can attest that it does have a unique single coil flavor more so than a humbucker.

 

[arellanon]

Re: PAF Pro in a single coil package?

There seems to be much conflict in each of our experiences with these DiMarzios.



:friday:

 

[diegoambrosio]

Re: PAF Pro in a single coil package?

I have been looking for a single coil with the characteristics of the PAF Pro as well. I thought there was indeed a PAF Pro single coil, but it seems as such version is still to be offered. Therefore, is there a chance for the guitar to become HSH? Thus, receiving the PAF Pro for split mode.

 

[gregory]

Re: PAF Pro in a single coil package?

Satch Track or The Chopper for more muscle.