Here are the characteristics that make a great vintage humbucker: a soft magnetic field, a sweet tone, a perfect balance between warmth and clarity, and the ability to transition from clean to distorted simply through the attack of the pickup. For our PAF® 36th Anniversary Neck, we wanted to continue in the footsteps of pioneers like Seth Lover (the designer of the original Patent Applied For humbucker) and create pickups that combine all the characteristics of vintage humbuckers. These pickups are not just clones. We redesigned the PAF® using our patented technology and the Gibson® Les Paul®, produced by Larry DiMarzio, from 1959 as a reference. Larry's Gibson® Les Paul® has an amazing unique sound, and it is not just due to the pickups, but is 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 more, as well as to focus and articulate the attack and output. We use computer-controlled winders to consistently layer our custom 42 gauge coated wire, achieving the exact frequency response we desire. It is then 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 original. The PAF® 36th Anniversary Neck is smooth but not muddy. It works just as well in the neck or bridge, like the best humbuckers of the 50s. We will build the PAF® 36th Anniversary as you wish. Choose the coil style — vintage glossy or modern matte, the base type — traditional, long leg or standard, short leg, and the cable type — vintage with a single conductor or with 4 conductors. The PAF® 36th Anniversary Neck is available uncovered, and we also offer three types of covers: standard polished and plated, unplated polished, and our aged cover that looks so authentic and worn that you would swear it was left over from 1959.
