What about a DiMarzio PAF Pro (or SD equivalent) in the neck of a LP-type mahogany?

[Rex_Rocker]

PAF 36th neck or bridge?

I think the PAF Pro in the bridge with the 36th neck in the neck would be a cool combo.

 

[JBerto]

PAF 36th neck or bridge?

I think the PAF Pro in the bridge with the 36th neck in the neck would be a cool combo.

Well, if I chose that como (just because I already have a 36th...) then it would be 36th in the neck, and PAF Pro in the bridge.

Anyway, for what I've read, the BEST option (due to my kind of guitar and the music style) seems to be:
DiMarzio PAF Pro in the neck and SD 59/Custom in the bridge.

I'm just considering the 36th+PAF Pro cause I already have both pickups, so I could save some money


So do you think 36th + Pro wouldn't be a bad combo for this guitar and style??

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Most PAF style pups are going to be pretty versatile, as they're not overly compressed or high output. So many pedals and amps with gain for days these days, it's easier to compensate if needed. Even those Korn boys in the early days had DiMarzio PAFs in their seven strings, and the K7 Ibanez you could buy had them.

Don't see why it wouldn't be a decent combo in a Gibson style guitar. The 59/C is a tad hotter/beefier, and using the Custom coil on its own still has enough power (have had other kinds of humbuckers where splitting them really makes them sound weedy!).

As an aside, the original, first run Jems have PAF Pros in neck/bridge, and Joe Satriani used one in the neck of his JSs for the longest time. Of course, these are superstrats with Floyds, maple necks and basswood bodies, but you get the idea. These guys were playing with quite a bit of fx and compressed gain in those days (and still do!), so having 'cleaner' pups was probably the rationale to balance things out.

 

[JBerto]

Most PAF style pups are going to be pretty versatile, as they're not overly compressed or high output. So many pedals and amps with gain for days these days, it's easier to compensate if needed. Even those Korn boys in the early days had DiMarzio PAFs in their seven strings, and the K7 Ibanez you could buy had them.

Don't see why it wouldn't be a decent combo in a Gibson style guitar. The 59/C is a tad hotter/beefier, and using the Custom coil on its own still has enough power (have had other kinds of humbuckers where splitting them really makes them sound weedy!).

As an aside, the original, first run Jems have PAF Pros in neck/bridge, and Joe Satriani used one in the neck of his JSs for the longest time. Of course, these are superstrats with Floyds, maple necks and basswood bodies, but you get the idea. These guys were playing with quite a bit of fx and compressed gain in those days (and still do!), so having 'cleaner' pups was probably the rationale to balance things out.

Well, I've 2 options here:

I already have a DiMarzio PAF 36th in another guitar that I don't use too often, so I can use that 36th in this LP neck, and the PAF Pro in the bridge (this is the cheapest option, cause I already own both pickups)

or

I can buy that 59/Custom Hybrid and use it in the bridge, and the PAF Pro in the neck (this seems to be the best option... but the 36th/Pro combo doesn't look a bad idea too, and would be cheaper...)

PAF 36th (neck) + PAF Pro (bridge) -vs- PAF Pro (neck) + SD '59/Custom Hybrid (bridge)...

...hmmm... ???

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Big +1 on the Hybrid bridge with PAF Pro at the neck. That should be a great combo in a guitar with a balanced voice.
It'll give you a little extra juice yet definitely can do vintage when you want to.

If the guitar is scooped sounding, you might consider the DiMarzio FRED for at the bridge.
It's like a slightly overwound PAF Pro, stronger output and even more of the trademark DiMarzio "aww" sound.

If the guitar has rich natural midrange though, I'd say you're definitely going to want go for a Duncan at the bridge.
Perpetual Burn could be a good choice, a tad hotter than the Hybrid.
Or the Custom 5 - it isn't as scooped as many think.

I agree the SH-5 Custom is probably more horsepower than you want.

 

[JBerto]

Big +1 on the Hybrid bridge with PAF Pro at the neck. That should be a great combo in a guitar with a balanced voice.
It'll give you a little extra juice yet definitely can do vintage when you want to.

If the guitar is scooped sounding, you might consider the DiMarzio FRED for at the bridge.
It's like a slightly overwound PAF Pro, stronger output and even more of the trademark DiMarzio "aww" sound.

If the guitar has rich natural midrange though, I'd say you're definitely going to want go for a Duncan at the bridge.
Perpetual Burn could be a good choice, a tad hotter than the Hybrid.
Or the Custom 5 - it isn't as scooped as many think.

I agree the SH-5 Custom is probably more horsepower than you want.

Thanks you too for your extended explanation of the differences between all those humbuckers!

This forum is helping me a lot!

I think the clear winner with no doubt is the combo:
PAF Pro (neck) + 59/Custom (bridge)

So, I'll go for it!!!

Just for curiosity: Anyone here has tried the PAF 36th+PAF Pro in a LP???

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Well, I've 2 options here:

I already have a DiMarzio PAF 36th in another guitar that I don't use too often, so I can use that 36th in this LP neck, and the PAF Pro in the bridge (this is the cheapest option, cause I already own both pickups)

or

I can buy that 59/Custom Hybrid and use it in the bridge, and the PAF Pro in the neck (this seems to be the best option... but the 36th/Pro combo doesn't look a bad idea too, and would be cheaper...)

PAF 36th (neck) + PAF Pro (bridge) -vs- PAF Pro (neck) + SD '59/Custom Hybrid (bridge)...

...hmmm... ???

Might be worth doing a search on the DiMarzio forum about whether people have had a PAF Pro in the bridge of their Les Pauls.

Can't go wrong with the various recommendations here, in the end, your guitar and rig will determine how much you like which. It's why you often have one person saying something sucks and another saying they love it .

 

[hamerfan]

I agree the SH-5 Custom is probably more horsepower than you want.

I can directly compare a Custom, a Distortion and a Seymourizer II (and a lot of other pickups) in the same guitar with interchangable pickups. Both the DD and Sey have more horsepower than the C, but the C is clearer and less compressed. The C pairs fine with every A5 PAF neck pickup.

 

[Aceman]

I can directly compare a Custom, a Distortion and a Seymourizer II (and a lot of other pickups) in the same guitar with interchangable pickups. Both the DD and Sey have more horsepower than the C, but the C is clearer and less compressed. The C pairs fine with every A5 PAF neck pickup.

I don't disagree with it pairing. Power match isn't the problem. I have a Distortion and a T-Top and a Custom and a PG at this very moment.

But a Custom is pretty much the same EQ as a 59 - so no "compliment there". It is just a really really loud PAF. I'm just saying what the OP wants, and definitely based on his digital rig...no benefit, no need.

 

[Aceman]

If 36th/Pro....think about it:

Pro n / 36th b - Mid pushed blues solos on neck, even tones in both on, classic tight bass, bright highs in bridge for hard rock. Adjust neck tone to fatten. 3 great and different sounds.

36th n / Pro b - Brighter crunchy bridge rhythms with bridge lead mid boost, classic clean PAF in the neck with nice bass and treble. And even tone in the both on.

What do YOU want?

 

[JBerto]

If 36th/Pro....think about it:

Pro n / 36th b - Mid pushed blues solos on neck, even tones in both on, classic tight bass, bright highs in bridge for hard rock. Adjust neck tone to fatten. 3 great and different sounds.

36th n / Pro b - Brighter crunchy bridge rhythms with bridge lead mid boost, classic clean PAF in the neck with nice bass and treble. And even tone in the both on.

What do YOU want?

Really interesting and useful here, thanks!

BTW, which Seymour Duncan humbuckers would be (more or less) similar to DiMarzio's 36th and PRO?

I think I'm gonna buy another PRO (or SD equivalent, that from previous comments, I think would be the '59), and swap the ToneZone in the bridge of my other guitar (a lot lighter and made of poplar) for a PRO, so that guitar will be 36th + PRO (b), and use it for "cleaner" sound

And in this LP I'll mount the PRO + 59/C (b), and use this LP for hard rock, or more distortion.

So:

Poplar

36th + PRO (or SD '59) (b)
For cleaner sounds


Mahogany, LP - shape:

PRO + SD '59/Custom (b)
For "crunchier" sounds, with more distortion/overdrive

 

[Ashurbanipal]

^^ Should be getting some good sounds there! What scale length is the poplar guitar?

The 36th has some things particular to it because of the 'air' - plastic spacers are put underneath so the polepieces don't touch the magnet. This results in less string pull and output. DiMarzio have used it to simulate other magnets (e.g. A2) as they predominantly use A5 and ceramic in their pickups. Aside from that, it falls in the ballpark of various modern PAF style pickups - maybe the closest Duncans would be the Jazz or A2 Pro. The 36th also has a nickel baseplate, unlike a lot of DiMarzio humbuckers, and vintage style braided wire.

This is the guts of a 36th (from another forum). Notice the plastic grommets around the poles, which are responsible for the 'air' tech.

The PAF Pro is also kinda within the PAF sphere, maybe a tad sportier, as Ace said earlier in the thread, since it's close to 9k. The main difference is the brass baseplate and double row of hex screws. These things affect the magnetic field and give a different vibe. I'm not sure what kind of Duncan would be similar. I currently have a PAF Pro in the bridge of a superstrat (Floyd, basswood, maple neck) - it's got a nice bright/tight thing going on, and good clean (not strident like a lot of bridge hbs can be). I did 'air' it not too long ago, which made it a tad lower in output, bit hollower in the mid, also a cool sound.

 

[JBerto]

^^ Should be getting some good sounds there! What scale length is the poplar guitar?

It's a short scale guitar: 24 inches

 

[JBerto]

Well... I put a Tonerider Generator in the bridge and the PAF Pro in the neck:

A brief test I made (in the attached link):

1) DiMarzio PAF Pro (neck)
2) Tonerider Generator (bridge)
3) Both humbuckers together
4) DiMarzio PAF Pro (neck)
5) Tonerider Generator (bridge)

BTW: I'm loving de Tonerider Generator tone!

 

[saladin]

I would pair the PAF Pro neck with a Super Distortion, call it a day and not mess about with any Duncans.
Classic combination that sounds killer for any style.

 

[Benjy_26]

Several years ago I was curious about this, & looked at about 6 months of previous posts about '59's being bassy/boomy in the neck slot of forum member's guitars. They were all in LP's. Certainly doesn't happen all the time, but when it does...

To me, the 59n and the Jazz have too much of a scoop and too much bass to have good clarity for big chords in the neck of a short scale guitar. The PG, Antiquity, and APHn do a better job of mixing with more guitars and more bridge pickups. One can tweak a 59n to work well with a LP, but there's better off the shelf options out there for sure.