Which is closest to the real McCoy (PAF)?

[rut]

Ok, I've got a Washburn HB35 (335 copy) going into a Dumble overdrive clone I built. The neck pu is a SD Antiquity, Bridge is a Gibson PAF Pro. I like the bridge ok. I don't care that much for the neck.

My question is, with so many various models (Seth Lover,59,Antiquity), which of these is suppose to be the closest to a real PAF pu? I'm thinking the Seth Lover but not wild about no wax potting.

Perhaps you have some other suggestions. Just looking for a nice warm neck pu for this type of guitar (but not too dark)

Thanks,
Rut

 

[blueman335]

Re: Which is closest to the real McCoy (PAF)?

There just was a thread about this. There is no "one" PAF, as they used 4 different magnets, often had unbalanced coils, and weren't calibrated for neck or bridge. A lot of variation. Since the originals were varied so much, so do the current remakes. Look at the tone charts & then look for good deals.

The neck position for a HB is warm to begin with. That's not hard to get. The challenge in a warm-bodied guitar is getting the neck bright enough to be usable for solos. To me, the '59N, JazzN, or Dimarzio Bluesbucker or PAF/Virtual PAF are the way to go (all have A5 magnets). Some guys love PG's and Seth's in the neck, which have A2's. To me A2's are too dark & loose for the neck, but that's one man's opinion. For my 335's, I use A5's and A4's in the neck to avoid being too dark and lifeless. If you get any of these you can change the magnet if need be to add or subtract treble and mids, so don't lose sleep over it.

Every piece of wood is different, so don't count on yours sounding exactly like someone else's, especially if they have a different model guitar & amp. That's where your tweaking skills come into play. You adjust some variables to get where you want to be. Buying this or that PU frequently doesn't do that on its own. Any of the PU's I listed above are excellent quality and good choices; you dial in the tone to fit your guitar, wood, and amp.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Which is closest to the real McCoy (PAF)?

Not to mention, Antiquities are supposed to replicate how a PAF would sound today, the Seth, 59 and PG are closer to what a PAF would have sounded like new (and in turn on our favorite vintage recordings). I think what's more important is that we have all these options to account for our tastes as well as each guitar's strengths and weaknesses tonally.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Which is closest to the real McCoy (PAF)?

You have an Antiquity in the neck and you still need a warmer pickup?

 

[scottish]

Re: Which is closest to the real McCoy (PAF)?

+1 to blueman

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Which is closest to the real McCoy (PAF)?

Ok, I've got a Washburn HB35 (335 copy) going into a Dumble overdrive clone I built. The neck pu is a SD Antiquity, Bridge is a Gibson PAF Pro. I like the bridge ok. I don't care that much for the neck.

My question is, with so many various models (Seth Lover,59,Antiquity), which of these is suppose to be the closest to a real PAF pu? I'm thinking the Seth Lover but not wild about no wax potting.

Perhaps you have some other suggestions. Just looking for a nice warm neck pu for this type of guitar (but not too dark)

Thanks,
Rut

You want the closest? That means no wax potting...don't worry about it.

The Seth Lover bridge is closest to going back to '57 and buying a new Gibson alnico 2 paf.

The '59B is closest to going back to 1959 or 1960 and buying a new 1959 alnico 5 humbucker.

The PGB is like going back to 1958 and stealing the bridge pickup out of Billy Gibbon's "new" '58 Les Paul.

The Antiquity bridge model is like a fifty year old alnico 2 paf.

The neck models of all three of those are underwound compared to the originals.

Originally, Gibson used the same pickup for the neck and bridge position. I prefer the neck underwound slightly compared to the bridge model...like Seymour does it.

Lew