Here are the characteristics that make a great vintage humbucker: a soft magnetic field, a smooth sound, a perfect balance between warmth and clarity, the ability to go from clean to distorted by the attack of the pick alone. For our PAF® 36th Anniversary neck, we wanted to continue in the footsteps of pioneers such as Seth Lover (designer of the original Patent Applied For humbucker) and create pickups that combine all the characteristics of great vintage humbuckers. These microphones are not just clones. We redesigned the PAF® using our patented technology and Larry DiMarzio's 1959 Gibson® Les Paul® as a reference. Larry's Gibson® Les Paul® has a unique and incredible sound and it's not just due to the pickups - it's the total fusion of many elements of the guitar itself. Although the pickups have a weak magnetic field, the sound is well defined: almost like a single coil. We duplicated the weaker magnetic field to allow the strings to vibrate longer, as well as focus and articulate the attack and release. We use computer-controlled winders to consistently layer the custom coated 42 gauge wire, achieving the exact frequency response we want. Then it's soaked in our custom formula to eliminate squeaks and pickups. The cover is nickel silver and our new plating makes it more magnetically transparent than the originals. The PAF® 36th Anniversary neck is smooth but not muddy. It performs equally well on the neck and bridge, just like the best humbuckers of the 50s. We'll build the PAF® 36th Anniversary the way you want it. Choose coil style—vintage glossy or modern matte, base type—traditional, long leg or standard, short leg, and cable type—single conductor or vintage 4 conductor. The PAF® 36th Anniversary neck is available uncovered, and we also offer three types of covers: standard polished and plated, polished without plating, and our worn vintage cover that looks so authentic and broken you'll swear it's lying around since 1959.
There is no gold standard for the sound of a '50s humbucker. All had variations in output and tone, and those differences could be quite significant. Recently, we have focused our research on making pickups with warm highs and bright lows. This combination is only found in our favorite vintage humbuckers, and it's really good for a pickup intended for both the neck and bridge positions. This allows the low strings in the neck position to avoid mud and the high strings in the bridge position to be warm and not brittle.
Recommended for: all positions
Quick connection: No
Wiring: 4 conductors (1 conductor optional)
Magnet: Alnico 5
Resistance: 7.31 Kohm
Year of introduction: 2008