Here are the characteristics
that make a great vintage humbucker: a soft magnetic field, sweet
tone, perfect balance between warmth and clarity, the ability to go
from clean to distorted by pick attack alone. For our PAF 36th
Anniversary Bridge we wanted to continue in the path of pioneers such
as Seth Lover (designer of the original Patent Applied For humbucker) and create pickups that combine all of the characteristics of great vintage humbuckers.
These
pickups are not merely clones. We re-engineered the PAF using our
patented technology and Larry DiMarzio’s own 1959 cherry sunburst Gibson
Les Paul as the reference. Larry’s Gibson Les Paul has a uniquely
amazing sound and it’s not only 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 in order to allow
the strings to vibrate longer, as well as focus and articulate the
attack and output. We use computer-controlled winders to consistently
layer the 42-gauge custom-coated wire, achieving the exact frequency
response we want. Then it’s dipped in our custom formula to eliminate
squeal and microphonics.
The cover is made from 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 in the neck or bridge, just as the best
humbuckers from the 50s did. The PAF 36th Anniversary Bridge is hotter
than the Neck. It is not only for set neck 24¾” scale guitars, but it’s
also an excellent bridge pickup for trem-equipped bolt-ons.
The
PAF 36th Anniversary Bridge model has the best qualities of the
Virtual PAF bridge and Virtual Hot PAF pickups and then some. It's as
loud as the Virtual Hot PAF, but has as much low-end and midrange
definition as the Virtual PAF Bridge Model. The highs are actually
bigger and smoother than either model. The 4-conductor version also
splits very well. Single-coil mode is bright, but not at all
sterile-sounding.
Recommended For: Bridge position, can also be used in neck position with higher output bridge models.
Quick Connect: No
Wiring: 4 Conductor
Magnet: Alnico 5
Resistance: 8.60 Kohm
Year of Introduction: 2008
Color: Cream Uncovered
Pole Pieces: Nickel
Spacing: Standard
