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DiMarzio PAF? tonally that is?

I'm not talking about the PAF Pro, or a PAF classic , or Air classic, or Virtual PAF, but just the plain old DiMarzio PAF.

I'm pretty sure I'm gonna throw the double creme DiMarzio Super D in my Hamer, and am looking into the DiMarzio PAF for a neck pup..either black amp; creme or double creme to match. But if the DiMarzio PAF is a bit thicker than a 59, I' consider a set too, so any insight on the DiMarzio PAF in bridge and/or neck would be most appreciated

Thanks in advance

35 hits and no-one knows?

They look similar on paper, but I have no experience with the PAF.

As far as the color scheme, the old Hamers had a zebra neck with a cream bridge.


Originally Posted by Benjy_26They look similar on paper, but I have no experience with the PAF.

As far as the color scheme, the old Hamers had a zebra neck with a cream bridge.

I guess no one here does...sigh, but I'll bumpy again. If they are not as bright as a 59 on top and as hazy on the lower strings in the neck, they would work fine...

I think on this guitar I'd actually prefer open coils aesthetically ( the quot;classicquot; Hamer double creme/zebra color scheme as you said... which is what I'm going for)

If the PAF/ Super D combo was good enough for Rick Nielsen...

BTW, what's in it right now?


Originally Posted by Benjy_26If the PAF/ Super D combo was good enough for Rick Nielsen...

Agreed...just that I know there is some extra mojo with the old DiMarzios compared to the new ones...back when high production runs didn't take thier toll on tonal qualities...old DiMarzio PAFs( I'm told) sound better/different....so I'm looking for someone who may know how the newer PAFs compare...

BTW, what's in it right now?

Pair of 59s...which I like...for bluesy/blues rock stuff that is...but too smooth, twangy and polite in this guitar for the slightly heavier sounds I like (late 70's/early 80s hard rock..)..I need a little more rawness and crunch.

I have the original Super D that came in my '81 Hamer and I can tell you it rips @ss! It's big, fat, and smooth with good bite. Right now its in my Yamaha paired with an alnico II loaded Jazz. Hopefully you'll like the new PAF.

Thanks Benjy...I saw some old 70s Super D's for sale on Ebay...I thought about picking up one...but I don't know enough about them to avoid getting duped..you (or anyone) have any dating info/things to look for to determine authenticity?

With my past and present experiences with Dimarzio pups is that there they don't seem to have that quot;boominestquot; that the 59s seem to have or the brightness the 59s seem to have also. It's hard to explain, but it seems that the highs are softer and the bottoms are softer also compared to the 59s. I have a VVPAF and 59s in 2 different guitars. They are both my favorite humbuckers to date. I guess I'm not much help, but maybe you could buy another guitar and put both sets in them!!


Originally Posted by JeffBThanks Benjy...I saw some old 70s Super D's for sale on Ebay...I thought about picking up one...but I don't know enough about them to avoid getting duped..you (or anyone) have any dating info/things to look for to determine authenticity?

Well, its a wee bit smaller than a Duncan 'bucker and the hot amp; ground wires are insulated in plastic and are covered by a braided shield, like the ground connection on a Seth or 59. If you want, I can ship it out to you so you can try it out and see if it jives with your style.


Originally Posted by Benjy_26Well, its a wee bit smaller than a Duncan 'bucker and the hot amp; ground wires are insulated in plastic and are covered by a braided shield, like the ground connection on a Seth or 59. If you want, I can ship it out to you so you can try it out and see if it jives with your style.

Thank you much for the offer my friend , but not necc, unless you are looking to sell it?

I've got a brand new double creme Super D here. I should prolly just slap it in for now along with a new PAF, and then save my pennies for something else later like a BBQ, Marshallheads, High Order, etc.


Originally Posted by waltWith my past and present experiences with Dimarzio pups is that there they don't seem to have that quot;boominestquot; that the 59s seem to have or the brightness the 59s seem to have also. It's hard to explain, but it seems that the highs are softer and the bottoms are softer also compared to the 59s. I have a VVPAF and 59s in 2 different guitars. They are both my favorite humbuckers to date. I guess I'm not much help, but maybe you could buy another guitar and put both sets in them!!

Sorry Walt, I missed your post there

Thanks for the input... would you say then that the VPAFs are a bit smoother and less crunchy than a 59? (def don't want that...)

VPAF is a little smoother but it has a more noticable midrange than the 59 IMHO. There is definately a difference in eq between the two and I would say that if your guitar is naturally bright, then I would highly recommend the Dimarzios, if your guitar isn't naturally bright, then I would go for the 59s. The Dimarzio combo of VPAF and VHPAF are the first humbucking combo that I have gotten from Dimarzio that I really am impressed with. Dimarzio really hit the ball out of the park with this one! The sound is really hard to describe outside of being quot;3 demensionalquot; due to the Virtual and Air Technology used in the pup. I would say you could cover a lot of different music styles with this combo as the clean tones are very good and the overdriven tones are awesome. My Wolfie gets more of the older VH tones easier (even some of the Van Hager tones also) than before. Hey we all know that Eddie won't disclose exactly what his pickups are/were, for all I know the stock ones in the Wolfgang may have been a pair of over wound pups to fill the voids (that's a discussion for another thread) in the guitar.

I love both sets (59s and VPafs/VHPafs) they both offer a similar tone but with different flavors if that makes any sense. Hey, just got an idea, I have another Wolfgang that I want to replace the pups in. Buy the Dimarzios and if you don't like them, let me know and I'll buy them off you (they have to be Black and Creme) if you don't like them (would need to save up the bucks).

There you have it, not much help, but an opinion just the same. Ya gotta do the ear thing (trust them).

Peace

JeffB, i think the old DiMarzio PAF(1979) has good highs without any shrillness which i heard from the new '59. But both of them are too boomy in the bass for the neck slot. I got a Fralin A4 mag which i put into the neck DiMarzio Paf, now it is what i wished. Clear bass, velvet mid and clear highs. I highly recommend this.

I have a Dimarzio PAF in the neck slot of a Gibson SG Special. Sounds very balanced and a little more articulate than a 59 to me. Works great with the Dimarzio Super Distortion in the bridge. Basically Al Dimeola's setup from the Chick Corea days up till the end of the electric period of Al DiMeola, when he turned flamenco.