Artie
Peaveyologist
The PATB series is the most underrated / under talked about pups in Duncans line up. One of Duncan's best kept secrets.
Pickup GAS 2025
- Thread starter Seashore
- Start date
The PATB series is the most underrated / under talked about pups in Duncans line up. One of Duncan's best kept secrets.
Do you think it is because of the way it looks?
Artie
Peaveyologist
Yeah. Guitarist's seem to like tradition.
I wonder if they fashioned some sort of cover....
Artie
Peaveyologist
Nah. Go rogue. It's our secret sauce.
misterwhizzy
Well-known member
I've been a fan for a long time, but the looks did keep me from giving my PATB-1 more time in my Les Paul. I wanted (and still want) chrome pickup covers, because, like Ron Burgundy, I want to keep it classy. But for my bought-for-hair-metal Strat? Bingo. Perfect tonal fit for that guitar, and who cares what it looks like?
But as far as the parallel axis series goes, they have much more dynamic range than traditional pickups I've tried and transmit way less noise. Big win overall. But I'm going to disagree that we should keep it a secret, because if they don't sell, they could be discontinued, and then no one's having fun.
Artie
Peaveyologist
I haven't tried them, so the PATB-1 and 2 ought to be on my list as well.
Artie
Peaveyologist
The PATB-3 has a nice subtle bite. Add it to your list.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Is that the Distortion PA? I wouldn't mind giving it a try. It's just so high DCR that I have a feeling it might not bright enough for my liking, but I won't know until I've tried it.
But the only guitar with the wider spacing I have is my Strat, and I've struggled so much with it, and I'm pretty happy with the AT-1 in it right now, so I'm not sure I wanna change it, LOL.
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Artie
Peaveyologist
That's where the PATB-3 comes in. I'm not crazy about Blues Saraceno, but I love his pup.
Oh, I like them. I was just thinking of a way more people would consider them.
Any idea why they need rectangular bobbins? Why not just normal ones?
Artie
Peaveyologist
Think outside the box? I'm not sure. They just sound good. I have the PATB-1 set in an LP. They're like "hi-fi", in a good way. Perfectly balanced. You can EQ them to be anything else. IMHO.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Is the PATB-1 43AWG or 44? Is it more like a Custom 5 or like a JB?
I don't mind the looks, personally.
I don't mind the looks, personally.
Masta' C
Well-known member
Agreed, the PATB series is easily the most overlooked lineage in all of Duncan land. They just need to start calling them by cooler, more unique names:
PATB-3 could be the Runestone, Blue Fang, or Blue Flame
PATB-1 could be the Aetheris, Vector, or Stoneheart
PATB-2 could be the Dreadspire, Stormfall, or Oblivion
Also, we're coming up on the 40th Anniversary of the Parallel Axis. Wouldn't hurt Duncan to do a fresh round of marketing after all this time!
I mean, two entire generations of humans have grown up since these were introduced. Could be time to put them back on the younger crowds' radar.
Someone get a PATB-1 into Machine Gun Kelly's pink Schecter!
PATB-3 could be the Runestone, Blue Fang, or Blue Flame
PATB-1 could be the Aetheris, Vector, or Stoneheart
PATB-2 could be the Dreadspire, Stormfall, or Oblivion
Also, we're coming up on the 40th Anniversary of the Parallel Axis. Wouldn't hurt Duncan to do a fresh round of marketing after all this time!
I mean, two entire generations of humans have grown up since these were introduced. Could be time to put them back on the younger crowds' radar.
Someone get a PATB-1 into Machine Gun Kelly's pink Schecter!
Masta' C
Well-known member
IMO, the PATB-1 doesn't "thicken up a trem-equipped guitar" quite as much as the old SD marketing claimed, but it's also not as unruly bright as the newer EQ charts would have you believe.
Honestly, it's kind of like a cross between a JB and a Custom/'59 hybrid in some ways. Similar output to a JB, but with a tighter bottom end response, more balanced mids, and a little top end sparkle, much like the hybrid. Really natural sound when driven and great harmonic character like both of those pickups, as well.
More than once I've thought about ripping out the pickups in all of my humbucker guitars and sticking to just the PATB models!
Artie
Peaveyologist
I like Vector.
misterwhizzy
Well-known member
If I didn't recognize the sarcasm and humor in this post, I'd really dislike you.
