So I'll try the PAF Anniversary model with my PAF Pro

[357mag]

I decided the Super Distortion doesn't have much class so I ordered a Anniversary PAF for the bridge. I'll stick that in along with my PAF Pro which is the best sounding Les Paul neck pickup I've come across so far.

The Super Distortion is just too raw and it doesn't have much of a refined tone like the Duncan Custom does. The Custom is much smoother and fluid and isn't harsh or biting at all. The Super Distortion is guilty of all of that. I really don't know why so many guitarists have used it. But the masses are often wrong... or tone deaf...

 

[daenius]

Re: So I'll try the PAF Anniversary model with my PAF Pro

Or it was 1974 and they had no way of getting more distortion out of their amps other than absolutely thrashing that front end preamp with as much volume as possible to clip it into distortion.

Pickups matter, but not NEARLY as much as your amp and its settings. A certain pickup can sound beautiful with one amp and absolutely horrendous with another. Even that is purely subjective: what's clear, bright, and articulate to one player could mean shrill, brittle, and harsh to another player.

Back in the day when all you had were old style low output vintage PAFs, you had not much volume, and not much mids and a whole lot of treble coming out of those pickups. They sound fantastic for blues and good old rock, then you want to do heavier rock and they start to make your amp sound super harsh and shrill and worst of all start feedbacking because they weren't wax potted.

Not to invalidate your opinion at all, I'm sure the Super Distortion just isn't for you. It isn't for me either! Played a guitar with it the other day, and absolutely hated it as much as you did! It was too bright, really harsh treble, very overwhelming mids, and very loose bass response when I played it through a Mesa Boogie Mark V 35, which is similar what I have at home (the 25).

At the end of the day though, we all just get the pickups that give us the sound that inspires us to play and make music. THAT is really all that matters. The Super Distortion inspired Dave Murray and Adrian Smith and Phil Collen and Ace Frehley? Good for them! The Duncan Custom inspires us (I LOVE THE CUSTOM) to play? Good for us!

 

[AlexR]

Re: So I'll try the PAF Anniversary model with my PAF Pro

So what you are saying is that because you don't happen to like it, everyone else's personal opinion on tone is wrong.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: So I'll try the PAF Anniversary model with my PAF Pro

I'd like to know your thoughts on the PAF 36th Anni. I'm using the neck model in one of my guitars, and I really dig it. I'm curious about how the bridge model is.

According to the DiMarzio site, the PAF Pro is hotter, though. I hope that isn't an issue when balancing the pickup heights.

BTW, the PAF Pro also makes for a great bridge pickup. I guess if all else fails, a PAF Pro/PAF Pro combo could also work.

 

[MkIII Renegade]

Re: So I'll try the PAF Anniversary model with my PAF Pro

So what you are saying is that because you don't happen to like it, everyone else's personal opinion on tone is wrong.

Actually, he said it has no class.:dance:

Many well known guitarists disagree. I love it, although I like the Super 2 even better.

 

[Aceman]

Re: So I'll try the PAF Anniversary model with my PAF Pro

PAF n PAF Pro b
Pro b, PAF b

Pair of each, No bad combos any which way. But yes - a PAF Pro in the neck is EXCELLENT in all sorts of guitars.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: So I'll try the PAF Anniversary model with my PAF Pro

My bet is that the PAF Pro in the neck will overpower the PAF Ann in the bridge in a bad way.

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: So I'll try the PAF Anniversary model with my PAF Pro

My bet is that the PAF Pro in the neck will overpower the PAF Ann in the bridge in a bad way.

That could be the case, but even if it's not recommended to have the loudest pickup in the neck spot, I personally think that it'll work outputwise when you are able to set up pickup height. The PAF 36th Ani measures 285mV, the PAF Pro 300mV, it's not a huge difference. Fiddling a little with pickup height should solve any output problems I think.

 

[357mag]

Re: So I'll try the PAF Anniversary model with my PAF Pro

I don't know why so many guitarists are obsessed with a pickups output. Not a very big factor. Isn't sound much more important? Do you mean to tell me that you guys have that much problems with pickups because when you switch from one to the other the volume difference is so noticeable that it becomes completely ruined and unacceptable?

Hard to believe.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: So I'll try the PAF Anniversary model with my PAF Pro

When you are switching back and forth between pickups during a song, big volume drops matter, unless that is always what you are going for. Why do you think trying to set up a balanced HSS set in a strat gives people so many fits?

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: So I'll try the PAF Anniversary model with my PAF Pro

PAF Anniversary is a good sounding pickup. There is a certain rudeness to its character though- it has personality but not what I'd describe as a refined tone myself. If you like the sound of the Duncan Custom, is there a reason you chose not to go with that?

 

[Mark Le Comte]

Re: So I'll try the PAF Anniversary model with my PAF Pro

If the paf pro neck stays put, you probably want a touch more power and slightly darker pickup for bridge. Get a breed neck and use it in the bridge.

 

[AlexR]

Re: So I'll try the PAF Anniversary model with my PAF Pro

I don't know why so many guitarists are obsessed with a pickups output. Not a very big factor. Isn't sound much more important? Do you mean to tell me that you guys have that much problems with pickups because when you switch from one to the other the volume difference is so noticeable that it becomes completely ruined and unacceptable?

Hard to believe.

Output and sound go hand in hand a lot of time.

Once again, many people do find output to be a big factor. So yet again we come to the fact that you seem to think your own view is an overall reality.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: So I'll try the PAF Anniversary model with my PAF Pro

The Air Zone balances well with a Paf Pro, and has a similar feel and tone.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: So I'll try the PAF Anniversary model with my PAF Pro

If the paf pro neck stays put, you probably want a touch more power and slightly darker pickup for bridge. Get a breed neck and use it in the bridge.

Breed neck does make a great bridge pickup!

 

[Aceman]

Re: So I'll try the PAF Anniversary model with my PAF Pro

My bet is that the PAF Pro in the neck will overpower the PAF Ann in the bridge in a bad way.

I have done this before, and it isa matter of a few turns up in the bridge, and down in the neck. Those are not that different in output.


[Edit] Just got back from the DiMarzio site.

Yep -

PAF Pro: 300mv
PAF 36th Bridge: 285mv

No wonder I said a few turns. Probably wasn't even that much. Full Disclosure - I would have been using a regular PAF. This is no big deal. Do it. That guitar will cut in the neck and bridge.

 

[357mag]

Re: So I'll try the PAF Anniversary model with my PAF Pro

The Dimarzio is creme which I love. Duncan is not allowed to make creme. So we have a problem. I can't even put covers on both, because Duncan covers will not fit on Dimarzio pickups. This whole situation is just another example of the stupid ways of man and this country. Leave it to the government and a thousand lawyers to muck it all up.

So Duncan can't make a ****ing creme pickup? So little ole' me can have a nice and simple arrangement of having both his pickups match in color?

Wow...

Just like the late Lemmy said...man has always been stupid.