"Hot rodded" PAF recommendations

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kyrpajyra
  • Start date Start date
Kyrpajyra said:
Isn't Mule more like a regular PAF?
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Yes, but a little grittier, a little more aggressive.

I'd consider a Duncan Custom. It is in fact, marketed as a "PAF on Steroids". You can get a TB-5 for spacing. Or, a '59 Trembucker. I had one in my Tele.
 
Don't discount the Duncan PATB-3. Great PAF style tones designed for a strat style guitar.
 
There are SO many. Off the top of my head, how about:

Duncan Whole Lotta Humbucker
Duncan '78 or any of the others that make a variation on this (Pariah White, Jalen Origin)
Motor City 2nd Degree Blackbelt or Detroiter
 
I know your just looking for a bridge pickup but the EMG 57/66 set is killer.
 
braintheory said:
Those pickups are not in the paf-ballpark sound or feel wise. From what I understand, with PAF’s, they just used just what they had, so it was kind of random whether it was A2, 3, 4 or 5 (someone correct me if I’m wrong here). Either way, the 6 real ‘50’s PAF’s I’ve gotten to borrow to compare in a few of my own guitars all sounded overall very similar to each other (still had a clear favorite, 2nd best, etc). Many current “paf” type pickups use A5’s in the bridge I think just because they prefer it, but the ones that get talked about on RT don’t sound or feel much at all to me like actual PAF’s, so I think many guys aren’t always getting it right when they think they want a “paf or hotrodded paf type” pickup, I think they often really just want something kinda like their hotter pickups, but lower output and/or DC with just a hint of vintage flavor, which is more what you’ll hear in the BKP, MCP or Wagner models
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Exactly, I don't think my recommendations are good, they are just " hot".. I guess you'd want something that starts as a paf and then is overwound . But then is that a PAF or is it now " hot" and a different beast.
 
Ventura said:
For a bolt-neck superstrat with the usual woods? BKP VHII would get my vote. If you want really hot but not fuzzy undefined sludge slamming the front of your amp, the RYs are amazingly versatile hot pups for all fiddles. But with bolt-neck and common Strat woods, the VHII oughta smack it outta the park.

Good luck!!
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I have a VHII pup in my "bumble bee" I put together. I love it!

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I also like the Suhr SSV+ I just put in my Suhr Koa Modern....

There are a ton of great choices out there...
 
Kyrpajyra said:
According to the clips and description of VHII I think it might be a bit spiky and strident for my taste.
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then steer clear of ceramics if these appear or seem spiky - I've played these - the VHII are incredible - the maple neck will give some sparkle, but not broken glass sibilants.

good luck with the search :rock:
 
I just discovered another hot rodded PAF. Seymour Duncan Saturday Night Special. It’s about 10k and sounds great with a little or a lot of gain behind it and stays uncompressed when you push it. It cleans up really well with the guitars volume too.
 
How hot do you want to go? I like these, in order roughly from lower to higher output.
Thornbucker+
Bareknuckle VHII
Saturday Night Specials
DiMarzio Transition - Lukather
Suhr Aldrich
 
burger said:
How hot do you want to go? I like these, in order roughly from lower to higher output.
Thornbucker+
Bareknuckle VHII
Saturday Night Specials
DiMarzio Transition - Lukather
Suhr Aldrich
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I'd stay under 9k dc probably.
 
Tonenerd Sunset in my hss is great.
@scottosan makes great pups.
Every bit as good as the Godwood in my Eplorer and Motor City Detroiter in my SG.
 
I love the Wolfetone Marshallhead. I don’t think you can go wrong with them if you’re sure you want a hot rodded PAF pickup.

They also have the Timbre Wolf which is a higher output pickup that still keeps some PAF tonality. All great pickups.
 
LP Freak said:
I just discovered another hot rodded PAF. Seymour Duncan Saturday Night Special. It’s about 10k and sounds great with a little or a lot of gain behind it and stays uncompressed when you push it. It cleans up really well with the guitars volume too.
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That purdy geetar it came in doesn't hurt the sound any!
 
LP Freak said:
I just discovered another hot rodded PAF. Seymour Duncan Saturday Night Special. It’s about 10k and sounds great with a little or a lot of gain behind it and stays uncompressed when you push it. It cleans up really well with the guitars volume too.
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I'm dying to to try these in one of my guitars. Alnico IV mags incidentally.
 
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