We designed FRED to bump the mid-range of the PAF Pro EQ up a notch,
but in the process something unusual happened. Harmonics that
humbuckers usually don’t reproduce started popping out, particularly
with overdriven amps and distortion units. FRED® has about the same
power as the PAF Pro®, but the unusual overtones create a sound with
more crank and growl. Joe Satriani was the first player to discover and
exploit these qualities, and it’s been his main bridge pickup until
the introduction of the Mo" Joe. FRED is really sensitive to changes in
pick attack and control settings, and its distinctive tone makes a
great recorded sound for both penetrating solos and tight rhythm
tracks.
FRED started out as a prototype designed to add a little
midrange to the PAF Pro. When we sent one of the first ones to Joe
Satriani, he discovered and exploited a unique tonal characteristic -
the ability of the FRED to emphasize upper midrange and treble
harmonics through an overdriven and distorted amp. Many standard
humbuckers have a tendency to fatten up with distortion. The FRED does
the opposite; it gets tighter and brighter, much like a single-coil.
Joe uses the FRED strictly as a bridge pickup, but it's also a
distinctive neck pickup - it works really well with any humbucker of
equal or higher output.
Recommended For: Neck and bridge positions in all solidbody, hollow and semi-hollowbody guitars.
Quick Connect: No
Wiring: 4 Conductor
Magnet: Alnico 5
Resistance: 10.38 Kohm
Year of Introduction: 1989
Color: Black
Pole Pieces: Nickel
Spacing: F Spaced
