Metropoulos Forum

So, been trying to investigate different PAF, e.g. low output pickups. I have been liking how some sound with my amp even though the amp can only really be used for VH. (Just kidding...)

So, other than the real deal PAFs what are some lower output pickups that folks like that 1) clean up nice with the volume, 2) add that airy, yet crisp tone when volumed up?

Here are ones I have looked into and would like to hear what folk have to say that have tried some and others.

Thorbaks (probably the grail for PAF clones)
WCR Darkburst
MM 1400
Dimarzio DP 102 (?)
Bare Knuckle The Mule
Bare Knuckle VH2
MCP Blackbelt
Duncan 59

What else? And if people can include either Youtube or other clips that would be cool.

I have 4 of the above. All good. Siimilar, except for the MM1400. Ceramic mag is the reason. I havent tried one of these yet but there is a buzz about this guys on some of the Les Paul forums as of late. I've heard a few clips and they sound very good.

http://www.wizz-pickups.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The '59 is the only one I've tried out of those. Obviously it has the attributes mentioned (natural, airy, with good definition, cleans up via volume knob,etc). Down side is its not as w i d e in its overall sound as higher output types. Works great in a Les Pauls. Imo putting an A2 magnet in one is an improvement,ESPECIALLY if its in a 25 1/2 scale Strat style guitar.

I also just came across the Seymour Duncan Joe Bonamassa pickups. They sounded really good. They run $375 a set.

It would be great to have a few sets of these higher priced sets and boutique vwrsions to try against the reasonably priced StewMacs.
What kind of mojo is in a $500 set of Throbaks?

Then again, we spend $20 on a cap because we swear it sounds better than a $3.50 one.

Just ordered Zhangbuckers for my epi Les Paul. Supposed to have a lot of clarity. Will let you know how I like 'em.

somethin'else wrote:High Order Pickups!

Oh yeah, I have those in my LP custom. Nice pickups. I have little experience to compare them with though. But it's deffinately a huge improvement over the stock Gibsons. (490R+498T) I got A5 semi-degaused PAF for the neck and 60s T-Top for the bridge. The Page set basicly.

Seymour Duncan's Antiquity PAF sets can't be beat for around $235/set. The thing I like about the Antiquity HB's are that they do not wax pot the Antiquity HB's, which is in keeping with old PAF HB pickups. If a pickup winder knows what (he/she) is doing when winding pickups, and provide just enough tension to the wind, then single coils AND humbuckers can be wound such that wonderful vintage open tone w/o the accompanying squeel at higher volume levels is achieved.

ALSO, even though I don't like to get into semantics over the subject of A5 or A2 magnets as used in PAF HB's (and this is a generalization) A5 magnets typically provide more clarity and low end, as where A2 magnets offer a little warmer response with softer clipping at lower volume levels. A5 PAF's for darker sounding instruments and A2 magnets for brighter sounding instruments.

This is my relatively short list of PAF HB style pups I've either owned or used:
Seymour Duncan:

Antiquity HB set - A2
59' HB set - A5
Alnico Pro HB set - A2
JB HB - A2
Seth Lover set - A2


Various Other PUP Manufacturers:

Tom Holmes HB set - A5
Tim White "Timbucker" set - A3/demagnetized A5
WCR Crossroads set - A5
WCR Moore/Green set - A5
DiMarzio PAF set - A5

rgorke wrote:So, been trying to investigate different PAF, e.g. low output pickups. I have been liking how some sound with my amp even though the amp can only really be used for VH. (Just kidding...)

So, other than the real deal PAFs what are some lower output pickups that folks like that 1) clean up nice with the volume, 2) add that airy, yet crisp tone when volumed up?

Here are ones I have looked into and would like to hear what folk have to say that have tried some and others.

Thorbaks (probably the grail for PAF clones)
WCR Darkburst
MM 1400
Dimarzio DP 102 (?)
Bare Knuckle The Mule
Bare Knuckle VH2
MCP Blackbelt
Duncan 59

What else? And if people can include either Youtube or other clips that would be cool.

Let the Duncan 59' set age about 20 or so years and you've got a great PAF clone. I've had my pair in my custom lefty PRS clone guitar for at least that amount of time and they're just now mellowing/smoothing out. The bridge is trembucker spaced, and both 59' HB pups are tapped to get either HB or single coil sounds.

SteadyEddie wrote:Just ordered Zhangbuckers for my epi Les Paul. Supposed to have a lot of clarity. Will let you know how I like 'em.

I'd like to hear what you think of David Plummer's aka "Zhangbucker's" humbucker pickup when you receive them. David wound an alnico II strat pickup for me to replace a 20+ year old Seymour Duncan Alnico II strat pickup that a local luthier destroyed when wax potting (big mistake), and David also sent me a prototype "Paul Bunyan" tele bridge pup which is the bees knees.

Been watching these to see what they go for.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/390669007891?ssP ... 1426.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Or these....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-PAIR-O ... 1c36fb116b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

taking a bit of lefty lou's advice, i have a line on a Duncan 59 here locally that is older with a 59BJ sticker on it. It must be at least 20 years old....