Which pickups for that original gangster PAF sound?

O

Osensei

New member
I currently have a set of Seymour's favorites (Jazz (n) /JB (b)). But I'm thinking they're good but not all the way authentic compared to the classic PAF sound that one gets from lets say a 59 Les Paul Sunburst coming through a Fender Twin baby! I'm sure you know the mojo I'm talking about.

Which pickup combo would be best suited for the mod that takes the CTS pots and bumble bee caps with the classic 59 low pass filter wiring of the 59 sunburst?
 
Re: Which pickups for that original gangster PAF sound?

Problem is, it kind of depends on the 59 burst in question becasue of the large variations in the original PAFs ... Seths, PGs, Antiquities, 59´s and Jazzs will all get you somewhere in that tonal ballpark, as will diverse offerings from the custom shop as well as other major and boutique manufacturers.

But it´s like barbecue sauces: for teh most part they´re all good, but some will tickle your fancy more than others ;)

Do you have anyone´s tone in particular in mind as a foothold or are you going for something more personal?
 
Re: Which pickups for that original gangster PAF sound?

The Jazz is a low output PU, but not a PAF. The JB is high output, and a very controversial PU that many players love, but also many dislike for it's 'ice pick spike.'.

For a true PAF sound, some of us prefer a pair of '59's. They have A5 magents which are considered to be what a number of the famous "Burst" Les Paul players used in the late 1960's, like Jimmy Page, Clapton, and Peter Green. A5's have more treble, a tight bass, and high output.

Some guys swear by Seth's or PG's, with A2 magnets. They're warmer sounding, with a rounded top, loose bottom, and low output. Although A5's have that alnico "color", A2's probably have more of it, their main virtue.

PAF's were notoriously inconsistent in magnets & winds, so there is no one definitive PAF PU. I believe Gibson also used A3's and A4's in some of their original PAF's.
 
Re: Which pickups for that original gangster PAF sound?

PAF's were notoriously inconsistent in magnets & winds, so there is no one definitive PAF PU.
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+1

Directly on-topic: What is a "gangster PAF sound"? I didn't know gangsta rappers played instruments, much less cared about pickups.
 
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