Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

[dr.barlo]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

I did not know anything about the neck versions!

:banghead:

In fact, I do not know if there is a neck version that is good for PATB-3. I've paired mine with a fugly neck, but still am curious. And I am amazed/surprised that I did not wonder about the neck versions of these pickups for all this time. I have used my PATB-3 for more than 15 years now, I think...

B

PS: I stand corrected:

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/sho...ustom-Custom&p=1469660&viewfull=1#post1469660

It's been 13 years!

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

Article about the Parallel Axis Original set, by our own Darth Phineas: http://darthphineas.com/2017/12/seymour-duncan-parallel-axis-original/.

The neck model is the real superstar of the PATB line, IMO. It's everything that's good about a PAF (dynamics, sweetness, low output), while minimizing the bad (sometimes muddiness and lack of clarity).

 

[ToneFiddler]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

you guys give me GAS!
Is the original PATB Bridge more compressed than a custom 5?

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

I would say fuller, not necessarily more compressed

 

[ToneFiddler]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

well that shouldn’t be too hard especially for leads.
but about the same level of compression?
then i think i will opt for the PATB-3.

even the pegasus sometimes feels too compressed for me

 

[Cynical]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

the parallel axis is only in Duncans, and it’s one of three basic pickup designs.

The old (and now discontinued) Carvin/Kiesel 22 polepiece humbuckers work on a similar principle. I love the M22SD; one of the most aggressive-sounding pickups I've ever encountered, while still retaining fullness in the low-end. Reminds me a lot of the Invader, actually, just with a tiny bit more top-end gnarliness.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

I'm blown away by how well the original PATB handles gain. All you can throw at it, and it's clear and chunky and awesome. I put a mic in front of my cab for the first time since I installed the pickup, and I think it sounds just like I want for a recorded tone.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

well that shouldn’t be too hard especially for leads.
but about the same level of compression?
then i think i will opt for the PATB-3.

even the pegasus sometimes feels too compressed for me

The PATB-3 is basically just a semi-hot PAF with PA construction.

The character of the treble, and the output, reminds me a bit of a Gibson Burstbucker #3, but it's a bit less muddy and more articulate.

Still a bit too "honky" for me. Too bottom heavy, and too scooped. I tried it with the PATB-3 at first, and eventually swapped out the PATB-3 for a second PATB-1n.

Most people would prefer the PATB-3, though, I think. I just don't like my bridge pickups to be too powerful or bottom heavy.

That said, in a single humbucker guitar, I would use the PATB-3 instead of the PATB-1n. The problem I had with running the 1n and the 3 together was that they both wanted different amp settings.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

I'm blown away by how well the original PATB handles gain. All you can throw at it, and it's clear and chunky and awesome. I put a mic in front of my cab for the first time since I installed the pickup, and I think it sounds just like I want for a recorded tone.

I’d love to hear a short sample....I’m contemplating a PATB for an Ibanez

 

[ToneFiddler]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

The PATB is basically just a semi-hot PAF with PA construction.

The character of the treble, and the output, reminds me a bit of a Gibson Burstbucker #3, but it's a bit less muddy and more articulate.

Still a bit too "honky" for me. Too bottom heavy, and too scooped. I tried it with the PATB-1n at first, and eventually swapped out the PATB-3 for a second PATB-1n.

Most people would prefer the PATB-3, though, I think. I just don't like my bridge pickups to be too powerful or bottom heavy.

That said, in a single humbucker guitar, I would use the PATB-3 instead of the PATB-1n. The problem I had with running the two together was that they both wanted different amp settings.

thanks for the reply. i always liked a lil scoop. The honk might turn me off though. Never understood how that even can be possible in the same PU?

Well i would go PATB 1n/3b in a HH superstrat with a locking trem, so a lil more bass might not hurt at all.
But i will try the neck version in the Bridge too. if it's that much better i can always go down the CS route for a wider spacing.
So added to wishlist

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

https://soundcloud.com/dr-barlo/sets/barlo-the-jammer

100 jams, all done with this walnut hardtail strat of mine which has a PATB-3 in the bridge and at the time an a4 59 in the neck. The details of setup are written in each track.

B

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

I do think the Parallel Axis pickups are underrated.
I sure do like the PATB-1 bridge and PATB-3 Saraceno bridge model. Not too much love for the PATB-2, but that's not because it's a bad pickup, just not my thing EQ wise.
Over here they are a little on the expensive side, slightly over 120 euro for the PATB-1, if it were not for the price, I'd get some today.

 

[Artie]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

PATB-1n on top, PATB-1b on bottom:

Nope. The PATB-1n is standard spaced, and has a PAF-ish wind. I wasn't makin **** up!

This is weird. I wonder if they changed things somewhere along the line? My PATB-1n measures exactly 2.75". Here's the dimensions straight from the horses mouth. Note, the same dimensions for neck & bridge. :dunno:

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

Note, the same dimensions for neck & bridge. :dunno:

Could it be that the pickups have the same dimensions, but it's just the pole pieces being closer to eachother on the neck model?
Just thinking out loud though, may be stupid lol

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

Artie, I'm pretty sure the bobbins are the same dimension between neck and bridge, but the pole piece spacing within them differs. As you can see in the pic I posted, there is extra space on the outside of the E-string poles on the neck model

 

[Artie]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

I see that. Let me dig my mic out again.

While simultaneously looking for my lost bottle of rum.

P.S. I really, really want to try the single coil version of these. https://www.seymourduncan.com/singl...k-strat?pa_pickup-type=noiseless&pa_strings=6

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

Artie, the neck and bridge models use TB baseplates and bobbin dimensions. The pole spacing is narrower on the neck model.

I filed down my bobbins so they'd accept humbucker trim rings too. Sharp looking pickups with the trim rings on them.

Masta' C's picture with a basic in-phone convergence correction applied. You can see that the bobbins are the same width, but the poles are spaced differently.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

To be honest, I always forget about that with the PATB1n. Makes me think Duncan could definitely do other things ::cough::tele pickup::cough:: with the PA bobbins

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

One thing I've noticed playing the PATB1b this weekend is that the highs in this pickup are more pleasing to my ears than any other pickup I've played. So much talk about this pickup not having harsh highs or that pickup not having harsh highs, but this one really has a sparkle on top even when the volume is opened up all the way that refuses to get harsh or ice-picky.

 

[SFW]

Re: Parallel Axis Appreciation Thread

I have a set of PATB-1s in my Charvel. Great sounding pickups. Fat, but not flabby. The string to string balance is great. Absolutely love them. I only wish Seymour offered them in parchment.