Hi, Yes they do. One of my earliest discoveries was that removing the Gibson covers changed the sound and then the pickup could be moved closer to the strings (more output). DiMarzio covers have much better signal properties but still effect the tone a bit. Hope that helps, Larry Dimarzio
If you say so I believe it..I never tried except with the super distortion humbuckers in 70's..I may pop them off my SG's If not it'll be some mDFiMarzio for me..(again)
One of the best demos I've ever seen simply because it's smart: One of the very few demos I've ever seen that clearly acknowledge the ACOUSTIC properties of an electric guitar, and how that makes a difference in, or affects the sound of the pickups and of the guitar amplified. I'm glad someone brought this most-overlooked detail to the attention of the viewer.
Plenty of web and internet chatrooms, groups and user forums and countless bandwidth devoted to the topic. You'll find people that share my sense of it. You'll find people that share your sense of it. No need to repeat it here. Plus, those web and internet chatrooms, groups and user forums are much better platforms for that debate.
In addition, if you're so inclined, I certainly think you could take up the point(s) with the guitar player here, directly, who had his hands on the stuff as a first person experience kind of thing (which can't be discounted, btw...), and you could probably take up the point(s) with the guitar magazine at-large as well. I encourage you to do both, if you haven't already.
Not a tone wood fiend by any stretch but every Gibson I own or have owned sounded exactly the same acoustically as it did plugged in. The electronics only acted as an EQ. My current one is loud and jangly but has a pronounced midrange that you can absolutely hear when plugged in. Others have been really dark and muddy or really bright. Personally I subscribe to the Gary Moore method: pull guitar off rack in store, strum it hard a few times and you'll know if its a winner or not.
Larry, innovators like you make our country great. As others have said, nothing like an original 59. But kudos for bringing the sound close so that I could afford/enjoy it as well. Thank you.
Hi, I agree. Over the years I've experimented with a variety on electronic parts and have come to feel that physical construction plays a big part in how things sound. LOL This week I received guitar cable samples from two different mfgs made to DiMarzio specks (strands, insulation and dimension) and they sound different. I would love to say that I knew why but I don't. I just trust my ears and keep making notes hoping I'll figure it out eventually. Hope that helps, Larry DiMarzio
Hi Phi, Thanks for the kind words and I am really happy that you like the new PAFs. We worked really hard to do something new yet vintage. All the best, Larry DiMarzio
Powerful pickups can easily overdrive amps and possibly cause them to sustain more easily than vintage pickups, but sustain originates with the guitar itself. If a guitar sustains well acoustically it will also sustain well through an amp.
Totally, the loudest most resonant unplugged guitar I have (which is a Les Paul) also has the most natural unaided sustain of all my guitars. The pickups are medium output to.
Wow, the difference between the two are amazing. I've personally never played an actual 59' Les Paul, but the reissue one's I've tried were awesome in my opinion. After hearing this though, the magic in them are pretty much gone to me now haha.
@LarryDiMarzio Thank you very much for these pickups! I ve got a 59 replica built of the same wood to the very specifications of an original 59 burst! I tryed 10 different PAF models from different manufacturers. I payed between €200,- and €799,- I saw this video maybe 300 times and finally gave your 36 th anniversary model a try! I m really blown away! You really nailed that famous pickup! I m impressed so much! I feel whole lotta love for these!!!!
My first good guitar was a 1971 Les Paul Deluxe that somebody had hogged out for humbuckers. I went out straight away and bought a pair of zebra DiMarzio PAFs. To this day (been playing for 30 years now), I have YET to find a humbucker that sounds as good as those DiMarzios. I am not surprised in the least that these new versions are excellent. Now I'm jonesing for another Les Paul just so I can pick up a set of these PAFs. Way to go, DiMarzio! Y'all rock!
@Whicol2 Hi, You are right. I asked Paul to compare the two guitars unplugged because part of the sound is the guitar. I wanted people to hear how good this original sounds. However, pickups make the biggest single difference in the sound of an electric guitar. Hope that helps. Larry DiMarzio
Thank You Larry for the reply. I really enjoy your history and pickups and great measures taken in your manufacturing processes to include your ear. I too have had the cable issues as well. Same manufacturer and different results. I think that the fundamental frequencies come direct from the wood and its is up to the pickups to capture that...everything else is beneath that. I ahve set an amp for recording and came back the next day and even it sounded different due to temp and humidity.
Hey Larry, I just put a set of the 36th Anniversary PAF's in my EB Petrucci and they absolutely smoke. I just wanted to say thanks for making another set of amazing pickups. I love everything you guys make. -Phil
Totally agreed. Why? I don't know. Lots of theories. Gibson's QC is horrible Old wood. I think the pickup thing is bogus. There are great ones. There are shitty ones. I had a pair. Not the great ones. My favorite guitar is a Gibson Custom Shop 336. It's incredible. This is the SIXTH one I tried. Bad tone, twisted neck, orange peel finish. Gibson makes lots of bad guitars. And some brilliant ones. Some of the cheap ones far outperform the others. The only pickup comparisons, IMHO, that are valid is swapping out pickups in the same guitar. And even then you can have synergy issues.
I think the amp was driven a bit too hard and the RI is loaded with much better magnetized and higher conducting pickups, I think they pushed the amp into a harsher compression because, having an AC30 HW to compare, when I go from an LP Jr to my 75 LP Std this happens, the amp gets pushed harder and the tone gets mushy and quacky. The '59 has a much lower magnetization and likely a lower output as well so the tone is much smoother and articulate and complex, in its inefficiency it's more well rounded, the modern pickups might age gracefully but our biggest fault in all these PAF pickups is comparing them to 50 year old magnets, bobbins, wirings and 50 year old pots and capacitors.
anarchypickle there's a lot more to it than that it's the glue for starters proper neck angle. Age has nothing to do with it. They were good Guitars right off the bench don't forget when Clapton and Page used those guitars and Bloomfield they were new. When we compare to those tones we are comparing New guitar to a new guitar. A good piece of wood is a good piece of wood you can find it anytime Paul Reed Smith picks the best wood for his private stock guitars those things vibrate your whole body when you play them, and as loud as that 59 acoustically. I have a set of PAF clones that were wound with the original vintage wire that has a ton to do with it magnets don't mean as much
I'm seriously considering a 36th Ann PAF for the bridge of my HSS-Floyd-rose Strat... a True Velvet Middle and a '61 for the neck. Larry, what do you think? Good dynamic/tonal combo? I kinda want a cross-pollination of Gib and Fender... crunchy at the bridge and twangy up top and all subtleties in between.
The DP103 will be pretty bright and clean in a Strat. The bridge model (DP223) will be a little louder and warmer, and this is the one we usually recommend for a Strat . WIth either model, be sure to get the F-spaced version so the polepieces line up correctly with the strings.
Hi, The F spaced in the bridge position lines up better with the strings and using the standard in the neck should work great for a vintage tone. Hope that helps, Larry
@LFWOL The original pickups were not potted. They did have covers. I removed them years ago, but I still have them. The anniversary pickups are wax potted, but we took this into account when we designed them. The potting does not have a negative effect on their performance.
We like to use Alnico 5 when we can because it's generally more consistent and stable than Alnico 2. The 36th Anniv. models incorporate our patented airbucker design, which produces the kind of bloom usually associated with AL 2.
the original 59 sounds much more clear and bright to me, and the reissue sounds a little dull to me when compared to the original, but then again the 50 year old wood probably helps . Anyhow, great to be able to hear the real thing, thanks Larry and Paul for giving us the chance to hear them both.
I have these pickups in several of my HSS formatted Fender Highway One Stratocasters and absolutely LOVE them!!! They have wonderful vintage/classic rock tones flowing out of them!! Thank You Larry!!!
Thank you for your advice. That was what I had in mind. The alternative possibilities currently under consideration are a Gibson Burstbucker 1 and a TV Jones Classic Plus. Very good of you to reply so quickly. I really appreciate it.
the 59 sounds much better!!! amazing!!the balance is there..the attack, warmth and everything..and that's why people love Gibson! I haven't bought one...I'm planning..and now I'm thinking like it's a loss if I get one of the newer ones...but of course I couldn't afford the vintage ones...poor me...poor us... poor our generation...aaarrggghhhhhh
kenminerva 59 sounds much better, but this is the best sound I found from a 59 copy paf. Old gibsons were a treasure, now they are complete garbage. Owner of a flying V X factor
Fun review, thanks for taking out your personal guitars for this Larry and Paul. I'll take both of them.... At least the pickups (which I did) and am very happy with. Paul makes a lot of excellent points here and I wonder how many of the commenting viewers actually listened to them. Maybe I'll put some in my PRS and give it some personality or just off it as I never pick it up, (it does need some kind of "pick up"). Paul's guitar has totally got the "vibe", the rest is up to the player.
Hi, The bridge model can be used in either position and has more output but I'm a fan of the DP 103 in combination with the Super Distortion. REgards, Larry DiMarzio
@MrCptGonzo Hi, Glad you noticed. One of the things that I have always done is make DiMarzio pickups more responsive to compensate for the shortcomings of the newer guitars. All the best, Larry DiMarzio
Sorry, but I'm a bit puzzled. Are you looking to get a neck or bridge pickup? An Air Classic bridge model in the neck position is a good substitute for a T-top, if that is what you are asking.
Totally agree on this. The DiMarzio sounds alot more focused but the original is much warmer. The original just acoustically superior and that probably is a good reason why the plugged in sounds so much warmer. If they put the pickups in the same guitar, I wouldn't think the guitar will sound that far apart.
@GrandZeppelinBand Hi and thanks for your kind comment. I am glad that you are happy with our work and I will pass your message along to our design team. All the best, Larry DiMarzio
Thank you. Most vintage humbuckers don't split very well, but the PAF 36 has some internal design improvements that make the split sound hotter and less brittle.
I have this very pickup and 2 DiMarzio Area 67's in my 2007 Daphne Blue Fender Highway One Stratocaster HSS and I can't tell you how unbelievably PLEASED with the organic/orgasmic tones eminating from this guitar. Larryy...what can I say.....I'm SPEECHLESS!! For the longest time you put Strat players on the backshelf....BUT you have MORE than made up for it with the AREA series!!! My favorite Strat Replacement pickup!!
We have a specific sound in mind every time we design a pickup. If the sound requires a particular magnet alloy, we will use it, but there are many ways to produce different characteristics that are better than simply using different grades of Alnico.
@vss555 The neck pickup is DP103 and the bridge pickup is DP223F. You will need to specify the color you want. You can see all of the available color options on the DiMarzio website.
Man this is like the mecca of everything electric! Thanks for this holy grail of a guitar and working to let us try and duplicate it through your pickup!
As wood ages, the moisture in the wood decreases, and thus is denser or "harder" which makes it resonate and vibrate better and longer. It will be louder and sustain longer. The moisture in the wood has a natural dampening effect. That is the magic behind a Nitro Cellulose finish, it allows the wood to breath, and age better than a more air tight finish.
It's a very good all-around pickup that works well in different guitars. However, the sound will obviously be brighter & tighter than it would be in a typical Les Paul Standard. Whether this is a good thing depends on the sound you're looking for, and we do make warmer-sounding pickups if you're concerned the guitar will be too bright.
Since the day of it's introduction the anniversary model has become my all time favorite humbucker . That's why comes standard on my signature model Lipe The Ivo. Thanks to Larry and Steve my dream humbucker has become true love it,love it,love it.............
I won't disagree with your friend, but the final sound depends a lot on the specific guitar and amp you play, so it's impossible to be certain about the sound in advance. However, they do a good job of coil- tapping, and there's a good chance you will like them
I'm blown away by these!! These are one of my favorite humbuckers out there! I just put the 36th Anniv. P.A.F. into yet another one of my guitars....this makes 4 of them!
1) The Super might be best in terms of cutting through the band. 2) It's impossible to be certain, because the guitar itself is also part of the sound, but the AT-1 is one of our smoother-sounding pickups.
The 61s are only a little louder and warmer than the 58s, and you can use them in any position. Considering there's a humbucker in the bridge position, the additional out of the 61 will balance better.
People complain about Paul's ability to review, but I think he's pretty good! He uses different styles of playing that accentuate what ever he's reviewing.
@kokybhakta Hi, Thanks for your comment. You are right, part of the sound is the guitar, it is louder and fuller than the re-issue. This is one of the reasons that DiMarzio just doesn't just copy the pickups. We alter them to deliver more of the original '59 overall tone. This way they are closer to the sound of my original. All the best, Larry DiMarzio
@maidencobhc The pickup in the video is the vintage version of the PAF, which has square holes in the bobbins. The standard version does not have these holes, but the actual performance of the pickup is identical.
@Punkdebutique Hi, Thanks for your kind comment. Regarding the truss rod cover, no reason, I just never put it back on after adjusting it at one day. All the best, Larry DiMarzio
It should be OK for what you described, although you might look at an Area 67 in the neck position if you want some twang. It's brighter than the 61. Also make sure to get an F-spaced bridge pickup.
My ES-335 sports an Air Classic in the neck and a 36th Anni PAF in the bridge. From Blues to British Invasion pop to Bakersfield C&W, this P/U combination can do it all. I'm pleased.
I'm wanting to upgrade and I want a neck pickup that is beautifully clean and will scream forever with some gain and a bridge pickup slightly hotter than PAF, but still pretty much clean. I would like them to have a vintage sound on top of that as well. Ive looked at your site, SDs site and about ten others and can't find exactly what I'm looking for. Do you have any recommendations based on what's above?
Hi, I think you'll be happy the PAF 36th Anniversary models. If you have any doubts, just start with the bridge model first. It will make a nice difference. Go with an F spaced version because it will line up with the strings better. Hope that helps, Larry DiMarzio
@The1970sInfatuate Your problem with the AIr Classic is a little puzzling because the magnetic field of the Air Classic performs like AL II rather than like AL V, and a mid range scoop usually produces a less muddy overdriven sound. You might want to check the control values, since some Les Pauls use 300K pots, and 500K will be brighter and more open with overdrive.
@99centstore A coil-tap won't cause any compromise in performance (assuming it's installed correctly, of course). In an Epi, the bridge pickups should be F-spaced and the neck pickup should be standard-spaced.
Hi Larry, I've been a faithful DiMarzio user since the mid 90's. I've equipped all my guitars with Freds, a little bit louder and "middier" than these PAFs. Thanks for providing and making these wonderful pick-ups throughout the years! Keep the Faith!
Hi, Yes, both pickups are the PAF 36th Anniversary. We make two versions a standard (that can be used in both positions) and a bridge that we recommend for the bridge. (LOL) The guitar in the video is using the standard in the neck and the bridge version by the bridge. (my personal preference). Please check out the DiMarzio website for additional info. Hope that helps, Larry DiMarzio
If 2 pickups sound nasally together, it's often because they are out of phase. You can do this by reversing the red and green connections on either of the humbuckers (it doesn't matter which). However, you stated that the neck pickup sounded nasally by itself, which might indicate one coil had shorted out and the pickup was only working as a single-coil. You can also wire any of our humbuckers for single-coil operation, but you'd probably want to use a push/pull to switch from humbucking mode.
@Manaslash . It's impossible to make direct comparisons because I don't know what your current pickups are, but I think these PAFs have very good dynamics and work well with the volume control.
Hi, The reason that I asked Paul to play my guitar un-plugged was that the originals are just so different. It is like two different singers behind the mic, one is better than the other. It isn't the mics fault. Hope that helps, Larry DiMarzio
Our pickups come standard with 4-conductor. It doesn't make any difference in terms of performance, but 4-conductor is more useful if you decide in the future to use push/pull pots for coil-splitting or other options.
What we prefer and what is technically better are not always going to be the same. Technically speaking SACD should be more than a match for vinyl and yet most of us prefer the sound of vinyl to that of hi-res digital recordings. I don't think there is anything wrong with Paul's LP or indeed the pickups - it's just that my brain for whatever reason hears a 59 Gibson and goes yep thats the one we like.
@MitchRulzWorld I am not certain what he is using today, but for the last few years he was using a Fast Track 1 in the neck and a Virtual Vintage Blues in the middle position.
Hi,
Yes they do. One of my earliest discoveries was that removing the Gibson covers changed the sound and then the pickup could be moved closer to the strings (more output). DiMarzio covers have much better signal properties but still effect the tone a bit.
Hope that helps,
Larry Dimarzio
If you say so I believe it..I never tried except with the super distortion humbuckers in 70's..I may pop them off my SG's If not it'll be some mDFiMarzio for me..(again)
Do the DiMarzio gold tops effect the tone too?
Thanks, It's amazing. I have always kept because it was one of the best Pauls I ever heard.
All the best,
Larry DiMarzio
Yes. All of our humbuckers are wax potted. Our covered humbuckers are potted twice, before and after the cover is installed.
The original '59 is seriously one of the greatest sounding guitars ever. That tone is fantastic.
One of the best demos I've ever seen simply because it's smart: One of the very few demos I've ever seen that clearly acknowledge the ACOUSTIC properties of an electric guitar, and how that makes a difference in, or affects the sound of the pickups and of the guitar amplified. I'm glad someone brought this most-overlooked detail to the attention of the viewer.
Plenty of web and internet chatrooms, groups and user forums and countless bandwidth devoted to the topic. You'll find people that share my sense of it. You'll find people that share your sense of it. No need to repeat it here. Plus, those web and internet chatrooms, groups and user forums are much better platforms for that debate.
In addition, if you're so inclined, I certainly think you could take up the point(s) with the guitar player here, directly, who had his hands on the stuff as a first person experience kind of thing (which can't be discounted, btw...), and you could probably take up the point(s) with the guitar magazine at-large as well. I encourage you to do both, if you haven't already.
Not a tone wood fiend by any stretch but every Gibson I own or have owned sounded exactly the same acoustically as it did plugged in. The electronics only acted as an EQ. My current one is loud and jangly but has a pronounced midrange that you can absolutely hear when plugged in. Others have been really dark and muddy or really bright. Personally I subscribe to the Gary Moore method: pull guitar off rack in store, strum it hard a few times and you'll know if its a winner or not.
Hi,
Thanks for the kind words and your support.
All the best,
Larry DiMarzio
'59 makes the U$4k R9 sounds like a Epiphone
The 400k '59 makes the 4k Gibson sound like a $400 Epiphone. Probably.
It’s also that vox, it doesn’t breathe at all, and no dynamics.
Its the sunglasses
Actually his historic wasn’t too far off.
Good enough for me. Just ordered a set today for my '03 Studio Premium Plus and this video was helpful in my decision. Thanks for posting.
Larry, innovators like you make our country great. As others have said, nothing like an original 59. But kudos for bringing the sound close so that I could afford/enjoy it as well. Thank you.
Hi, I agree. Over the years I've experimented with a variety on electronic parts and have come to feel that physical construction plays a big part in how things sound. LOL
This week I received guitar cable samples from two different mfgs made to DiMarzio specks (strands, insulation and dimension) and they sound different. I would love to say that I knew why but I don't. I just trust my ears and keep making notes hoping I'll figure it out eventually.
Hope that helps,
Larry DiMarzio
Hi Phi,
Thanks for the kind words and I am really happy that you like the new PAFs. We worked really hard to do something new yet vintage.
All the best,
Larry DiMarzio
Powerful pickups can easily overdrive amps and possibly cause them to sustain more easily than vintage pickups, but sustain originates with the guitar itself. If a guitar sustains well acoustically it will also sustain well through an amp.
Totally, the loudest most resonant unplugged guitar I have (which is a Les Paul) also has the most natural unaided sustain of all my guitars. The pickups are medium output to.
Wow, the difference between the two are amazing. I've personally never played an actual 59' Les Paul, but the reissue one's I've tried were awesome in my opinion. After hearing this though, the magic in them are pretty much gone to me now haha.
ikr! the '59 sounds so much better here it's not even funny imho
The Dimarzios sound sensational. I'm putting some in my Epiphone.
I've just done the same. They sound incredible!
Hi Pierre,
Back in the early '70s.
All the best,
Larry DiMarzio
@LarryDiMarzio
Thank you very much for these pickups!
I ve got a 59 replica built of the same wood to the very specifications of an original 59 burst!
I tryed 10 different PAF models from different manufacturers. I payed between €200,- and €799,-
I saw this video maybe 300 times and finally gave your 36 th anniversary model a try!
I m really blown away!
You really nailed that famous pickup!
I m impressed so much!
I feel whole lotta love for these!!!!
My first good guitar was a 1971 Les Paul Deluxe that somebody had hogged out for humbuckers. I went out straight away and bought a pair of zebra DiMarzio PAFs. To this day (been playing for 30 years now), I have YET to find a humbucker that sounds as good as those DiMarzios. I am not surprised in the least that these new versions are excellent. Now I'm jonesing for another Les Paul just so I can pick up a set of these PAFs. Way to go, DiMarzio! Y'all rock!
Hi, Thanks, good idea.
All the best,
Larry DiMarzio
Had those Dimarzios in my old les paul custom, and i loved them soo much, totally buying a set for my new ESP ecplise :)
i love how the middle position has just enough natural phase cancellation going on to dull the treble a bit and make things quack a bit more
Absolutely.
Hope that helps,
Larry DiMarzio
all of the 59 led pauls sound huge unplugged.
@Whicol2 Hi, You are right. I asked Paul to compare the two guitars unplugged because part of the sound is the guitar. I wanted people to hear how good this original sounds. However, pickups make the biggest single difference in the sound of an electric guitar.
Hope that helps.
Larry DiMarzio
that bridge tone from the original 59.. THAT is what I've been missing in my life! Gotta get one of these sometime..
Hi,
Paul had a real problem going back to his re-issue Gibson after the original. We talked about it several times.
All the best,
Larry DiMarzio
Thank You Larry for the reply. I really enjoy your history and pickups and great measures taken in your manufacturing processes to include your ear. I too have had the cable issues as well. Same manufacturer and different results. I think that the fundamental frequencies come direct from the wood and its is up to the pickups to capture that...everything else is beneath that. I ahve set an amp for recording and came back the next day and even it sounded different due to temp and humidity.
Hey Larry, I just put a set of the 36th Anniversary PAF's in my EB Petrucci and they absolutely smoke. I just wanted to say thanks for making another set of amazing pickups. I love everything you guys make.
-Phil
i cant get over how much that 1959 les paul sings.....i am honestly blown away
Hi, We used a VOX AC 15 (Paul's choice). The guitars were plugged straight into the amp with no effects or distortion.
Hope that helps,
Larry DiMarzio
that 59 puts the reissue to shame
Totally agreed. Why? I don't know. Lots of theories. Gibson's QC is horrible Old wood. I think the pickup thing is bogus. There are great ones. There are shitty ones. I had a pair. Not the great ones. My favorite guitar is a Gibson Custom Shop 336. It's incredible. This is the SIXTH one I tried. Bad tone, twisted neck, orange peel finish. Gibson makes lots of bad guitars. And some brilliant ones. Some of the cheap ones far outperform the others. The only pickup comparisons, IMHO, that are valid is swapping out pickups in the same guitar. And even then you can have synergy issues.
I think the amp was driven a bit too hard and the RI is loaded with much better magnetized and higher conducting pickups, I think they pushed the amp into a harsher compression because, having an AC30 HW to compare, when I go from an LP Jr to my 75 LP Std this happens, the amp gets pushed harder and the tone gets mushy and quacky. The '59 has a much lower magnetization and likely a lower output as well so the tone is much smoother and articulate and complex, in its inefficiency it's more well rounded, the modern pickups might age gracefully but our biggest fault in all these PAF pickups is comparing them to 50 year old magnets, bobbins, wirings and 50 year old pots and capacitors.
I agree having an older stratocaster from early 70's the magnets change in time....you can't fake "time".
OMG the resonance of the original is unreal!
anarchypickle there's a lot more to it than that it's the glue for starters proper neck angle. Age has nothing to do with it. They were good Guitars right off the bench don't forget when Clapton and Page used those guitars and Bloomfield they were new. When we compare to those tones we are comparing New guitar to a new guitar. A good piece of wood is a good piece of wood you can find it anytime Paul Reed Smith picks the best wood for his private stock guitars those things vibrate your whole body when you play them, and as loud as that 59 acoustically.
I have a set of PAF clones that were wound with the original vintage wire that has a ton to do with it magnets don't mean as much
I'm seriously considering a 36th Ann PAF for the bridge of my HSS-Floyd-rose Strat... a True Velvet Middle and a '61 for the neck.
Larry, what do you think? Good dynamic/tonal combo?
I kinda want a cross-pollination of Gib and Fender... crunchy at the bridge and twangy up top and all subtleties in between.
The DP103 will be pretty bright and clean in a Strat. The bridge model (DP223) will be a little louder and warmer, and this is the one we usually recommend for a Strat . WIth either model, be sure to get the F-spaced version so the polepieces line up correctly with the strings.
Hi, The F spaced in the bridge position lines up better with the strings and using the standard in the neck should work great for a vintage tone.
Hope that helps,
Larry
I'll have them both, thank you.
@LFWOL
The original pickups were not potted. They did have covers. I removed them years ago, but I still have them.
The anniversary pickups are wax potted, but we took this into account when we designed them. The potting does not have a negative effect on their performance.
We like to use Alnico 5 when we can because it's generally more consistent and stable than Alnico 2. The 36th Anniv. models incorporate our patented airbucker design, which produces the kind of bloom usually associated with AL 2.
the original 59 sounds much more clear and bright to me, and the reissue sounds a little dull to me when compared to the original, but then again the 50 year old wood probably helps . Anyhow, great to be able to hear the real thing, thanks Larry and Paul for giving us the chance to hear them both.
I have these pickups in several of my HSS formatted Fender Highway One Stratocasters and absolutely LOVE them!!!
They have wonderful vintage/classic rock tones flowing out of them!!
Thank You Larry!!!
My god that old Gibson sounds way good who would have thought that made that much of a difference
Thank you for your advice. That was what I had in mind. The alternative possibilities currently under consideration are a Gibson Burstbucker 1 and a TV Jones Classic Plus. Very good of you to reply so quickly. I really appreciate it.
the 59 sounds much better!!! amazing!!the balance is there..the attack, warmth and everything..and that's why people love Gibson! I haven't bought one...I'm planning..and now I'm thinking like it's a loss if I get one of the newer ones...but of course I couldn't afford the vintage ones...poor me...poor us... poor our generation...aaarrggghhhhhh
kenminerva 59 sounds much better, but this is the best sound I found from a 59 copy paf. Old gibsons were a treasure, now they are complete garbage. Owner of a flying V X factor
Fun review, thanks for taking out your personal guitars for this Larry and Paul. I'll take both of them.... At least the pickups (which I did) and am very happy with. Paul makes a lot of excellent points here and I wonder how many of the commenting viewers actually listened to them. Maybe I'll put some in my PRS and give it some personality or just off it as I never pick it up, (it does need some kind of "pick up"). Paul's guitar has totally got the "vibe", the rest is up to the player.
Hi, The bridge model can be used in either position and has more output but I'm a fan of the DP 103 in combination with the Super Distortion.
REgards,
Larry DiMarzio
@StagemasterHSH Hi, Thanks for the good idea, I will get on to my list.
All the best,
Larry DiMarzio
@MrCptGonzo Hi, Glad you noticed. One of the things that I have always done is make DiMarzio pickups more responsive to compensate for the shortcomings of the newer guitars.
All the best,
Larry DiMarzio
Sorry, but I'm a bit puzzled. Are you looking to get a neck or bridge pickup? An Air Classic bridge model in the neck position is a good substitute for a T-top, if that is what you are asking.
Totally agree on this. The DiMarzio sounds alot more focused but the original is much warmer. The original just acoustically superior and that probably is a good reason why the plugged in sounds so much warmer. If they put the pickups in the same guitar, I wouldn't think the guitar will sound that far apart.
Thanks Larry, it really did help and was interesting to hear the difference between a 50+ year old guitar and a new one.
@GrandZeppelinBand Hi and thanks for your kind comment. I am glad that you are happy with our work and I will pass your message along to our design team.
All the best,
Larry DiMarzio
Clear winner here is that Vox!
Thank you. Most vintage humbuckers don't split very well, but the PAF 36 has some internal design improvements that make the split sound hotter and less brittle.
I have this very pickup and 2 DiMarzio Area 67's in my 2007 Daphne Blue Fender Highway One Stratocaster HSS and I can't tell you how unbelievably PLEASED with the organic/orgasmic tones eminating from this guitar.
Larryy...what can I say.....I'm SPEECHLESS!!
For the longest time you put Strat players on the backshelf....BUT you have MORE than made up for it with the AREA series!!! My favorite Strat Replacement pickup!!
We have a specific sound in mind every time we design a pickup. If the sound requires a particular magnet alloy, we will use it, but there are many ways to produce different characteristics that are better than simply using different grades of Alnico.
oh man that original 59 is just awsome sounding ! that 2002 sounds like shit beside
@vss555
The neck pickup is DP103 and the bridge pickup is DP223F. You will need to specify the color you want. You can see all of the available color options on the DiMarzio website.
Man this is like the mecca of everything electric! Thanks for this holy grail of a guitar and working to let us try and duplicate it through your pickup!
I got a 36th Anniversary Neck in the neck, WOW! Best Neck pickup I've ever heard and played!
Chris Horton I too man
Hi, Thanks for your comment, I agree, I'm a fan of both pickups, especially the 36th Anni PAF.
Happy Holidays,
Larry DiMarzio
Hi,
Thanks for your kind words. I will continue to try my best.
Best regards,
Larry DiMarzio
As wood ages, the moisture in the wood decreases, and thus is denser or "harder" which makes it resonate and vibrate better and longer. It will be louder and sustain longer. The moisture in the wood has a natural dampening effect. That is the magic behind a Nitro Cellulose finish, it allows the wood to breath, and age better than a more air tight finish.
It's a very good all-around pickup that works well in different guitars. However, the sound will obviously be brighter & tighter than it would be in a typical Les Paul Standard. Whether this is a good thing depends on the sound you're looking for, and we do make warmer-sounding pickups if you're concerned the guitar will be too bright.
I'm sorry for the delay answering your question. The bobbins are normally black on the covered pickups.
@LarryDiMarzio
Thank you very much. I'll get the pickups and pots as soon as possible.
Since the day of it's introduction the anniversary model has become my all time favorite humbucker . That's why comes standard on my signature model Lipe The Ivo. Thanks to Larry and Steve my dream humbucker has become true love it,love it,love it.............
I won't disagree with your friend, but the final sound depends a lot on the specific guitar and amp you play, so it's impossible to be certain about the sound in advance. However, they do a good job of coil- tapping, and there's a good chance you will like them
I'm blown away by these!! These are one of my favorite humbuckers out there!
I just put the 36th Anniv. P.A.F. into yet another one of my guitars....this makes 4 of them!
1) The Super might be best in terms of cutting through the band.
2) It's impossible to be certain, because the guitar itself is also part of the sound, but the AT-1 is one of our smoother-sounding pickups.
@NunkaOlvidar
Both pickups can be installed in either direction. It will not affect their performance.
The 61s are only a little louder and warmer than the 58s, and you can use them in any position. Considering there's a humbucker in the bridge position, the additional out of the 61 will balance better.
People complain about Paul's ability to review, but I think he's pretty good! He uses different styles of playing that accentuate what ever he's reviewing.
@kokybhakta Hi, Thanks for your comment. You are right, part of the sound is the guitar, it is louder and fuller than the re-issue. This is one of the reasons that DiMarzio just doesn't just copy the pickups. We alter them to deliver more of the original '59 overall tone. This way they are closer to the sound of my original.
All the best,
Larry DiMarzio
The 59 sounds so open and nice in both positions!!!
Hi,
Yes.
All the best,
Larry DiMarzio
The actual cap. value is .02mFd. The standard value today is .022mFd, but it was .02 in the 50s and 60s.
@maidencobhc
The pickup in the video is the vintage version of the PAF, which has square holes in the bobbins. The standard version does not have these holes, but the actual performance of the pickup is identical.
The dimarzio pups are fabulous in my opinion.
@Punkdebutique Hi, Thanks for your kind comment.
Regarding the truss rod cover, no reason, I just never put it back on after adjusting it at one day.
All the best,
Larry DiMarzio
@theamericanpsycho79 Thanks fo your comment, that is one of my favorite combos.
Thanks,
Larry
It should be OK for what you described, although you might look at an Area 67 in the neck position if you want some twang. It's brighter than the 61. Also make sure to get an F-spaced bridge pickup.
Thank you for sharing the new video !
Guitar World
John
Hi Larry,
I ended up buying a pair if these for my -59 'burst replica and I couldn't be more satisfied with them.
Great job!!
My ES-335 sports an Air Classic in the neck and a 36th Anni PAF in the bridge. From Blues to British Invasion pop to Bakersfield C&W, this P/U combination can do it all. I'm pleased.
I'm wanting to upgrade and I want a neck pickup that is beautifully clean and will scream forever with some gain and a bridge pickup slightly hotter than PAF, but still pretty much clean. I would like them to have a vintage sound on top of that as well. Ive looked at your site, SDs site and about ten others and can't find exactly what I'm looking for. Do you have any recommendations based on what's above?
@LarryDiMarzio
Yes, it's the bridge pickup. It came yesterday in the mail, I'm excited to get it installed. Thank you for your reply!
Hi, I think you'll be happy the PAF 36th Anniversary models. If you have any doubts, just start with the bridge model first. It will make a nice difference. Go with an F spaced version because it will line up with the strings better.
Hope that helps,
Larry DiMarzio
Hi,
Trust me, what you really want is the guitar not just the pickups. They don't make them like that any more.
All the best,
Larry DiMarzio
@TheFrostyDealer
The video shows the 36th Anniv. PAF (DP103) in the neck and the bridge model (DP223) in the bridge position.
@The1970sInfatuate
Your problem with the AIr Classic is a little puzzling because the magnetic field of the Air Classic performs like AL II rather than like AL V, and a mid range scoop usually produces a less muddy overdriven sound. You might want to check the control values, since some Les Pauls use 300K pots, and 500K will be brighter and more open with overdrive.
Thanks for the reply Larry. Yes the 1991 SG Special is totally stock, nothing's been changed. Will be getting the standard spaced then. Cheers
@99centstore
A coil-tap won't cause any compromise in performance (assuming it's installed correctly, of course). In an Epi, the bridge pickups should be F-spaced and the neck pickup should be standard-spaced.
Hi Larry, I've been a faithful DiMarzio user since the mid 90's. I've equipped all my guitars with Freds, a little bit louder and "middier" than these PAFs. Thanks for providing and making these wonderful pick-ups throughout the years! Keep the Faith!
Hi, Yes, both pickups are the PAF 36th Anniversary. We make two versions a standard (that can be used in both positions) and a bridge that we recommend for the bridge. (LOL) The guitar in the video is using the standard in the neck and the bridge version by the bridge. (my personal preference). Please check out the DiMarzio website for additional info.
Hope that helps,
Larry DiMarzio
If 2 pickups sound nasally together, it's often because they are out of phase. You can do this by reversing the red and green connections on either of the humbuckers (it doesn't matter which). However, you stated that the neck pickup sounded nasally by itself, which might indicate one coil had shorted out and the pickup was only working as a single-coil. You can also wire any of our humbuckers for single-coil operation, but you'd probably want to use a push/pull to switch from humbucking mode.
@Manaslash
. It's impossible to make direct comparisons because I don't know what your current pickups are, but I think these PAFs have very good dynamics and work well with the volume control.
Hi,
The reason that I asked Paul to play my guitar un-plugged was that the originals are just so different. It is like two different singers behind the mic, one is better than the other. It isn't the mics fault.
Hope that helps,
Larry DiMarzio
Our pickups come standard with 4-conductor. It doesn't make any difference in terms of performance, but 4-conductor is more useful if you decide in the future to use push/pull pots for coil-splitting or other options.
What we prefer and what is technically better are not always going to be the same. Technically speaking SACD should be more than a match for vinyl and yet most of us prefer the sound of vinyl to that of hi-res digital recordings.
I don't think there is anything wrong with Paul's LP or indeed the pickups - it's just that my brain for whatever reason hears a 59 Gibson and goes yep thats the one we like.
and this is why i am holding on to my strat and PRS until the end of time.... they will only get better.
Most of Pauls' guitars with full-size humbuckers use 500K controls. The guitars with the Area pickups use 250K controls.
@MitchRulzWorld
I am not certain what he is using today, but for the last few years he was using a Fast Track 1 in the neck and a Virtual Vintage Blues in the middle position.