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: Nickel
Pole Pieces: Nickel
Spacing: F-spaced
