SD '59 vs Dimarzio PAF 36 Anniversary

A

aroman

New member
I love my PRS Mccarty with SD '59 neck and SD Custom 5 bridge.
Now I have a PRS SC245 and will like to upgrade the stock PRS PUPs.
I would like something brighter with more definition than the PRS PUPs.
I am thinking that the Custom 5 works well on the thin Mccarty but might be TOO much on the Fatter SC245. That is why I am thinkin of a '59 pair.
How does the Dimarzio 36 Anniversary compare with the '59 on an LP style Guitar ?
 
Re: SD '59 vs Dimarzio PAF 36 Anniversary

The Dimarzio is a take on the pups in Larry Dimarzio's 59' LP. Compared to the SD 59', they
will have less treble and more mids.
 
Re: SD '59 vs Dimarzio PAF 36 Anniversary

The biggest difference is in the construction itself. The Dimarzios are not build like a P.A.F. although they have PAF in the name. They utilize Dimarzio Airbucker design, and I believe coil loading as well. That's not a bad thing, but it's important to note if you are on the quest for something true to vintage. I'd rather see the 36th compared to the Seth Lover or Antiquity than a 59, but it would seem to me if you want to lighten the guitar tone up a little, the Seth and Pearly Gates are each great choices.
 
Re: SD '59 vs Dimarzio PAF 36 Anniversary

what is this coil loading I've heard about? I've also heard iron loading, what does it entail?
 
Re: SD '59 vs Dimarzio PAF 36 Anniversary

frankfalbo said:
The biggest difference is in the construction itself. The Dimarzios are not build like a P.A.F. although they have PAF in the name. They utilize Dimarzio Airbucker design, and I believe coil loading as well. That's not a bad thing, but it's important to note if you are on the quest for something true to vintage. I'd rather see the 36th compared to the Seth Lover or Antiquity than a 59, but it would seem to me if you want to lighten the guitar tone up a little, the Seth and Pearly Gates are each great choices.
Click to expand...

+1 Yeah Dimarzio has other things going on that are not true vintage.
 
Re: SD '59 vs Dimarzio PAF 36 Anniversary

jimijames said:
what is this coil loading I've heard about? I've also heard iron loading, what does it entail?
Click to expand...

Iron slugs under the pole pieces. The AZ and VV pickups have 'em. I think that they are designed to emulate the field of an alnico II mag.
 
Re: SD '59 vs Dimarzio PAF 36 Anniversary

Howdy,

This thread makes me wish I had a second ES-335. I'd load her up with DiMarzio 36th Anniversay HBers for a reasonable A/B comparison. I'm not entirely pleased with the '59s in my ES-335.

Eggman
 
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Re: SD '59 vs Dimarzio PAF 36 Anniversary

I don't know where any of the talk about "pursuit of true vintage" came into this thread. The original poster didn't suggest that in the least. It was a search for certain clarity, etc etc.

To answer the question, if you want a brighter more open tone go for the 59's. Howeverm it has a decidedly "Duncan" tone to it, which is better than the PRS stocks IMHO, and less compressed, but its a change in flavor.

Sadly, there aren't enough examples of the 36ths out there. I made a short video comparing my APH1 to them, but realized that I will never do demo vids again after some experiences that pissed me off lol. All I can tell you is they were both very close. I love fact the 36ths are overwound to 9k at the bridge, and the have an almost Alnico 2 feel and softness to them, though they are A5. They are NOT spongy like an A2.

I love both the 59s and have limited experience with the 36ths. Being a die hard Duncan user, I must say the 36th's might be a sleeper that sound good and are well priced. They come with aged covers as well!
 
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