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I was wondering what brand makes the closest to a real paf. I'm looking for a smaller magnet paf type pickup thats wound somewhere around 8-9. Or if anyone knows of a good custom shop that could replicate a paf.

I've played a couple of early 60's PAF's and from the modern repro's that I've tried the best ones are the Seths and the Pearly Gates from Duncan.

Jim Rolphs nail it from what I've gathered.

SD Seth Lovers or Antiquitys.

8-9k is a little hot for most PAFs but the Pearly Gates is somewhere in that ballpark.


Originally Posted by Robert S.SD Seth Lovers or Antiquitys.

8-9k is a little hot for most PAFs but the Pearly Gates is somewhere in that ballpark.

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Originally Posted by guitarplayerI was wondering what brand makes the closest to a real paf. I'm looking for a smaller magnet paf type pickup thats wound somewhere around 8-9. Or if anyone knows of a good custom shop that could replicate a paf.

which P.A.F?????
i am serious they all sounded different!
for a 1959 version the duncan is grteat cause it uses a alnico 5 like the original did in 59-60
for a 57' go with a seth or a holmes 455

You'll find acres of debate on this topic at the Les Paul Forum (apologies if you've already been there). Here are some search results:

from : localhost/and Seths sound great to me. I'm kinda curious about all these Rolphs, Voodoos, Timbuckers, WCRs etc, but I don't have sufficient time, money, guitars or talent to follow it up. I had a set of Gibson '57 Classics for a while, and they sounded more quot;modernquot; to my ears - great rock tone, but a little hard and flat for cleaner bluesy stuff.

don't quote me, but I thought when Evan talked about the original Seth pickup, he said that the '59 actually sounded closest to him

I agree about the Seths and Antiquities, but the fact is, I haven't played many original PAFs.

since the originals varied widely, I suppose you'd have to say quot;which PAFquot;?


Originally Posted by Curlydon't quote me, but I thought when Evan talked about the original Seth pickup, he said that the '59 actually sounded closest to him

I agree about the Seths and Antiquities, but the fact is, I haven't played many original PAFs.

since the originals varied widely, I suppose you'd have to say quot;which PAFquot;?Curly makes an excellent point. PAF's all differ.

I've played a number of real PAF's and they certainly do vary. Some are rich and warm sounding, and some are bright and lifeless to my ears (most of these later ones I found in 1961 Les Paul/SGs). For the most part, I'ld still say that the Seths/Ants are by far the closest to the richer sounding ones, with the Seth having a tad more quot;brightnessquot; to it, and the '59 a dead ringer for the post-'59 PAFs that had A-5 magnets in them and are therefore more bright sounding.

Jeff

i just last week had the opportunity to put a meter to a handful of paf's
all were between 7k and 8k, except one was 8.58k.
earlier pafs are generally considered to have alnico II
later have alnico V

the wagner crossroads, rolfs, voodoos are all cool but i love the antiquitys for a warm paf tone.

So what year did the pafs start having the smaller magnet in them? Were they all A5s?


Originally Posted by guitarplayerSo what year did the pafs start having the smaller magnet in them? Were they all A5s?

Check the book quot;Beauty of the Burstquot;. The author goes into minute detail about PAF construction and changes. I think that by 1961, they were using the smaller magnet, and probably the A-5 by the next year. However, I'm sure you can find A-5's in some earlier PAFs, as well as A-3's, etc...

We had a discussion of this a few months back when we were trying to get info on the pups in Clapton's SG (Cream era).

Jeff