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I prefer vintage flavored pickups. Whatin the DiMarzio line is a must try in the low to medium output range, vintage flavor? Thanks.


Originally Posted by gripweedI prefer vintage flavored pickups. Whatin the DiMarzio line is a must try in the low to medium output range, vintage flavor? Thanks.

Well I think everybody on this board would agree: the Virtual PAF's are the hottest thing in town. Try them! Neck, Bridge, Hot... they're all great. Whether or not they work for you depends on your guitar and what you're looking for, but I haven't heard of anyone not liking them. How many pickups can claim that?!

Did you even need to ask, though? There have been so many threads and mentions lately about these pups - including the epic 9 page thread in which I've posted clips.

IMO, Dimarzios Classic PAF is a fine sounding pickup. The VV PAF's are pretty darn killer also. I've used both in the neck of a chambered, mahogany bodied tele. As much as I dig the VV PAF, the Classic was the best match in this guitar. The old Dimarzio PAF is a great pickup also. For the tones and output you describe, I'd start with these first.

The Dimarzio PAF is a near perfect PAF. By comparison the SD 59 is too bright. The virtual vintage single coils are some of the best noise canceling singles I have heard.

Snowdog

Virtual PAF's for sure. i tried an ES-335 loaded with Virtual's and they sounded spectacular. warm, chimey and has a 3D quality to the tone. Im getting a set for my les paul soon!

I like the Virtual Vintage singles. I also like the Fast Track 1 amp; 2. The FT2 is pretty hot, but it can pull of some vintage style tones as well.

Has anyone tried the EJ Custom humbuckers? Do they still sound like a humbucker or are they a little closer the 'Tron/single coil thing?


Originally Posted by idsnowdogThe Dimarzio PAF is a near perfect PAF. By comparison the SD 59 is too bright. The virtual vintage single coils are some of the best noise canceling singles I have heard.

Snowdog
I have PAF7s which are a modified dimarzio PAF with ceramic magnets. I think they measure are around 11ohms. They're great pickups in the bridge position, very full with plenty of bass, mids, and highs. They can get twangy if you add the brightness in, but they can also do any style of rock. The 59 is also a great pickup in the bridge and behaves similarly, though I wasn't able to get the same kind of twang since they were in a mahogany guitar.

As far as being in the neck position though, I have the same problem with both the 59 and my PAF7. They're too bassy and too bright. But for the bridge position, I love my dimarzios.


Originally Posted by J MooseHas anyone tried the EJ Custom humbuckers? Do they still sound like a humbucker or are they a little closer the 'Tron/single coil thing?

Yeah, they're great. They are bright, clear, and very snappy. By quot;snappyquot; I mean that pick attack and other transients really jump out, in a good way. Maybe articulate is a better word to describe it... They sound pretty single-coil-ish to me, but you'd never mistake them for single coils. They still have that warmth and slight fatness around the edges of a humbucker.

In the wrong guitar, they would be way too bright. Very cool pickups, kinda off the beaten path.

I know this thread is mostly about humbuckers but I love the FS-1 Strat pickup. It's single coil but with fatter mids and higher output. Just the job for beefing up the Strat bridge position without going all the way to humbuckers. Best of both worlds IMO.


Originally Posted by wildstarYeah, they're great. They are bright, clear, and very snappy. By quot;snappyquot; I mean that pick attack and other transients really jump out, in a good way. Maybe articulate is a better word to describe it... They sound pretty single-coil-ish to me, but you'd never mistake them for single coils. They still have that warmth and slight fatness around the edges of a humbucker.

In the wrong guitar, they would be way too bright. Very cool pickups, kinda off the beaten path.

Hmm...sort of like a P-90 then?

I tried the EJ, and they were TOO bright and snappy for me. I traded them in for a set of V PAF's.

I put a VVPaf and a VVHot in my wolfgang and I'm selling the stock wolfgang pickups. This combo absolutely kills in my wolfgang. It's my hope that the good folks at can follow suit.