SD Equivalent to DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF VHPAF

[Kodiak]

Hi guys,

New to the SD forum, but not playing guitar. I have a 1995 Les Paul with a DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF (VHPAF) in the bridge that I love.

And I recently bought an Epi Les Paul as a backup that I want to set up to sound as close as possible to my Gibson. The VHPAF was discontinued quite a while ago so I bought a used one. And something's wrong with it. And I'm not going to spend a lot of money figuring out how to fix it (I took it to my luthier who thinks someone tried to rewind it and buggered it up). And after reading up on the state of affairs of DiMarzio pickups, the general consensus on some of the other boards is that DiMarzio doesn't offer a good replacement for their VHPAF (the PAF 36th being not even close to the VPAF, let alone the VHPAF). Anyway, not trying to start that conversation...

Hoping there are some folks here who have heard, played, or maybe owned a VHPAF in the bridge of a Les Paul that can tell me what they think is the closest equivalent in the SD line. In this case, I'm not looking for a different sound for this Epi. I'm looking to get as close as possible to the sound of my VHPAF/Pearly Gates Gibson (Pearly Gates going in the neck of the Epi also).

So I'm ready to move on to an SD bridge pickup for the Epi, but I don't know which one. From reading the SD website, maybe the 59/Custom? But from listening to the sample tracks on the site, it sounds more distorted than my VHPAF (so hard to tell from samples). I'm just as interested in the opinion of folks who have heard the VHPAF in a Les Paul. Its pretty special. But then, so are SD pickups. I also love my Pearly Gates in the neck of my current Gibson, and I had SD pickups in a Les Paul 20 years ago that I loved, but I never pulled them out to see what they were...stupid me. So I'm all ears...

Thanks!

 

[darthphineas]

Re: SD Equivalent to DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF VHPAF

really nothing else out there from other brands that's like the Virtual Hot PAF. absolute closest things I've found is the DiMarzio 36th Anniversary Bridge. a pal of mine borrowed one of my VHPAF, put it in a LP Junior and he won't give the pickup back to me. lol!

I can see where the 59/C hybrid is a little close close, but it doesn't have the same drive/push as the VHPAF to my ears.

 

[Kodiak]

Re: SD Equivalent to DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF VHPAF

a pal of mine borrowed one of my VHPAF, put it in a LP Junior and he won't give the pickup back to me. lol!

lol

That tends to happen to great pickups!

The VHPAF is not an uncommon pickup to find in Les Pauls, so thought I would swing by here to see what's up with SD's that might sound like it. I wrote a note to DiMarzio to see if they would do an "old" model pickup, but haven't heard back from them.

If only my last name were Vai...lol

So I'm going to hang out here for a while to see what's going on in the neighborhood of the VHPAF sound with the SDs. I've been wearing out the SD "amp" on the pickup product pages for the last couple of days. Those little songs they play have turned into ear worms now...I can't get them out of my head. lol!

But I hadn't seen those little amps before. That's the best sales tool for pickups I've ever seen. Now if I could only get them to do one for the VHPAF under the SD "controlled" conditions so I could compare the VHPAF to the SD models on their website. :jester:

Thanks!

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: SD Equivalent to DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF VHPAF

You might try the Saturday Night Special bridge pickup as well. As has been said already, there is not a Duncan equivalent to the VHPAF. I think we're supposed to assume it's going for the same vibe as the Custom Shop 78 (the acronym "VH" PAF doesn't seem like a coincidence but it could be) but I don't think those two pickups are that similar either.

 

[KNUCKLHEAD]

Re: SD Equivalent to DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF VHPAF

Post # 2



^^^ post #2 guy , Lynch hasn't text me back yet

 

[darthphineas]

Re: SD Equivalent to DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF VHPAF

The VHPAF is not an uncommon pickup to find in Les Pauls, so thought I would swing by here to see what's up with SD's that might sound like it. I wrote a note to DiMarzio to see if they would do an "old" model pickup, but haven't heard back from them.

If only my last name were Vai...lol

I'm a DiMarzio OEM dealer and after I bought my pair in 2015, the well went dry. The guy that "liberated" my first one is an artist on their roster that deals with Blucher and couldn't get one from them.

Like I said, go with the 36th Anni Bridge. You can do the Pepsi Challenge with them and not tell the difference.

I think we're supposed to assume it's going for the same vibe as the Custom Shop 78 (the acronym "VH" PAF doesn't seem like a coincidence but it could be) but I don't think those two pickups are that similar either.

Agreed. Not really like the 78 Model. And you will not find anything in the SD lineup that will do it.

 

[jmcorey]

Re: SD Equivalent to DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF VHPAF

Here's the description from the website:

Tech Talk
The PAF® 36th Anniversary Bridge model has the best qualities of the Virtual PAF® bridge and Virtual Hot PAF® pickups and then some. It’s as loud as the Virtual Hot PAF®, but has as much low-end and midrange definition as the Virtual PAF® Bridge Model. The highs are actually bigger and smoother than either model. The 4-conductor version also splits very well. Single-coil mode is bright, but not at all sterile-sounding.

 

[Hank-]

Re: SD Equivalent to DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF VHPAF

I'm a DiMarzio OEM dealer and after I bought my pair in 2015, the well went dry. The guy that "liberated" my first one is an artist on their roster that deals with Blucher and couldn't get one from them.

I had read somewhere that any pickup they have made so far over the years & isn't in current production, can be ordered directly from Dimarzio.

Sad though if they don't allow that anymore or ever did not. I wonder if they gave VHPaf design to EBMM or someone & can't use it anymore themselves.:33:

 

[darthphineas]

Re: SD Equivalent to DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF VHPAF

I had read somewhere that any pickup they have made so far over the years & isn't in current production, can be ordered directly from Dimarzio.

Sad though if they don't allow that anymore or ever did not. I wonder if they gave VHPaf design to EBMM or someone & can't use it anymore themselves.:33:

Yep. I read that too before I even asked. When I got my 2nd with f-spacing, they said they had several standard spaces left. I went to call back to get a few of those and it was a no-go. Don't know if they wanted to keep them out of circulation or if they had actually sold out.

They specs aren't like the EBMM Axis/EVH pups that's I've laid hands on. Literally, the specs are a gnat hair from being the 36th Bridge.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: SD Equivalent to DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF VHPAF

This makes me kick myself for selling the VHotPaf I had years ago. I miss that pickup. If I had to go with something somewhat similar out of the Duncan line, it would be the Whole Lotta. The VHotPaf was its own thing though. The 36th was NOT a replacement for it as they said it was either. I saw two VhotPafs pop up on Ebay about half a year ago, and I waited a minute too long and someone else snagged them. They were new old stock.

 

[htwheelz67]

Re: SD Equivalent to DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF VHPAF

I snagged them all I bought like 9 of them in the last year and a half...............I can cut loose with a black reg spaced one unopened new in the box dp214. I might let loose of a cream one that I didn't really like better than the stockers in a prs Johnny Hiland. PM me........

 

[BRHGM]

Re: SD Equivalent to DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF VHPAF

Duncans and Dimarzios have never sounded alike. There can be no equivalents.

 

[KNUCKLHEAD]

Re: SD Equivalent to DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF VHPAF

Duncans and Dimarzios have never sounded alike. There can be no equivalents.

I agree with this ^^^ But I like SD's for Vint. Tele & Some-Strat winds + PAF types ~ almost Everything Else DiMarzio and others