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The Best R&R PAF?

Zentar

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Oct 1, 2011
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If I can only pick one humbucker set in a LP Standard for growl and tone for classic R&R I'd pick the SD Pearly Gates. I think it's obvious the PAFs own the classic rock genre.

Anybody think otherwise? One nomination only please.
 

Zentar

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I think I own all the great PAFs: Pearly Gates, JB, BB, Classic 57s. I need another set for an incoming LP.

Any other suggestions for a great PAF?
 

Marcel M

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Humbucker and PAF are not synonymous. SDs or JBs are not considered PAF style pickups. You could also argue that a 57 classic is not either, really.
 

Zentar

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Humbucker and PAF are not synonymous. SDs or JBs are not considered PAF style pickups. You could also argue that a 57 classic is not either, really.

/I think you are right about the JB.

The SD Pearly Gate supposedly is modeled after the humbuckers from a 59 Standard. Isn't 59 the era of the PAF?

Same with the 57s. Why do you say they aren't PAF. Perhaps you are correct but I am curious why you say that. Perhaps I misunderstand PAF terminology. I thought the PAFs were mid to late 50s humbuckers with relatively low DCRs compared to the air raid sirens that are sold today.
 
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shred

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The Seymour Duncan JB kills in a LP... It's just has a really cool, unsophisticated, mid-range snarl that sounds great going directly into a cranked Marshall type head... Very AFD :dude:
 
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Marcel M

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/I think you are right about the JB.

The SD Pearly Gate supposedly is modeled after the humbuckers from a 59 Standard. Isn't 59 the era of the PAF?

Same with the 57s. Why do you say they aren't PAF. Perhaps you are correct but I am curious why you say that. Perhaps I misunderstand PAF terminology. I thought the PAFs were mid to late 50s humbuckers with relatively low DCRs compared to the air raid sirens that are sold today.

Sorry, I meant Super Distortion, referring to another's response, when I said SD. In terms of the 57 classic, it really just depends on how anal you want to get with the specs. Some would argue if the pickup is wax potted and the coils are both the same wind amount then they are not true PAF style pickups. If you are just looking for a pickup that comes close to the sound, then maybe you can disregard strict spec stuff like that. But the JB and super distortion are definitely not in the PAF camp.

Cheers and good luck on your search :salude
 

Zentar

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Sorry, I meant Super Distortion, referring to another's response, when I said SD. In terms of the 57 classic, it really just depends on how anal you want to get with the specs. Some would argue if the pickup is wax potted and the coils are both the same wind amount then they are not true PAF style pickups. If you are just looking for a pickup that comes close to the sound, then maybe you can disregard strict spec stuff like that. But the JB and super distortion are definitely not in the PAF camp.

Cheers and good luck on your search :salude

Ok I see where youre coming from. Even a little thing like wax potting is actually outside the era of the PAF.

Things could be made different before the big powerful amps came out in the 60s.

Could a guy like Hendrix have made his sounds in the era of PAFs? The equipment he used was not invented then. He made PAFs obsolete. That's life I guess.
 

Marcel M

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Ok I see where youre coming from. Even a little thing like wax potting is actually outside the era of the PAF.

Things could be made different before the big powerful amps came out in the 60s.

Could a guy like Hendrix have made his sounds in the era of PAFs? The equipment he used was not invented then. He made PAFs obsolete. That's life I guess.

Well.. not quite. Don't get me wrong, PAF style pickups are my favorite, I certainly do not think they are obsolete. Many people used PAF equipped guitars during Hendrix's time. Don't forget that the LP Standard was not very popular in the 50s, it was only till later that people rediscovered it, so they certainly were not considered obsolete during Hendrix's time. He just used a Strat.. thats all.
 

DKoster

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Sep 14, 2014
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Back in the early 80's I replaced the stock bridge pickup with a Seymour Duncan PAF.
Great tone and sound. Now that I've got my LP back after 28 years, I can't wait to hear it again!
 

El Gringo

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Apr 8, 2015
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My vote would be for 57 classic in the neck and 57 classic + for the bridge ( my #1 choice are the custombuckers the hotter ones versus the underwound ones which are not available for retail sale alone )
 

Elmore

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Jul 10, 2003
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Seymour Duncan Antiquity Humbuckers with 500K CTS pots and Jensen paper in oil caps. And you can get that bridge pickup pretty close to the strings. Minor adjustments on these make a big difference in sound.
 
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