duncan '59 vs. Dimarzio PAF in neck

reckless abandon · #1 02-04-2006, 01:10 PM

????????????????? Going in alder

frankfalbo · #2 02-04-2006, 03:09 PM

Good topic!

I think the Duncn 59 kills the Dimarzio PAF. I like the Virtual Vintage models, but their PAF model is lackluster. It lacks any presence and dynamics usually associated with a vintage PAF. The Duncan is the way to go regardless of the body wood. There's no body wood that would make me change my mind.

But if you were going for the Virtual PAF for example, then it's a toss-up between them. If you want to be true to vintage you still take the 59, but if you want that kind of sound with some extra overtones and lighter magnetic pull, you take the Virtual PAF.

Toto · #3 02-04-2006, 03:28 PM

do not know about dimarzios but SD59 is extremely versatile and beautiful sounding pickup, no matter clean or dirty. my fav PU for neck!

reckless abandon · #4 02-04-2006, 03:59 PM

thanks

RSVampire · #5 02-04-2006, 08:59 PM

I think seymour duncan's definetly have that "vintage feel" more than most pickups out there. So if you're going for a classic sound I would stay with dunans, dimarzio's seem to be a little more fusion'y. Even their vintage stuff seems a bit on the fusion side of things. But they both sound great.

So to answer your question, a duncan '59 will probably sound definetly more classic and a little sweeter than a dimarzio paf. Paf still sounds great though. Just depends on what type of sound you want.

**jim777** · #6 02-04-2006, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reckless abandon

thanks

Listen to Frank. He's forgotten more than most of us know

reckless abandon · #7 02-04-2006, 11:08 PM

I ordered the PAF with the exchange policy before I posted this question. The tech suggested it. Now I am worried I will not like it. I just wanted something clean. I have no channel switching on my '84 JCM800. So I was going to flip to this for some clean work. I do not like clean cleans anyway so the single channel causes no problems. I just wanted to avoid the volume know some for quick switching

frankfalbo · #8 02-04-2006, 11:56 PM

No big deal. If you don't like the PAF, or if you hear some of the same things I'm describing, just exchange it for the Virtual PAF neck model and you should be satisfied.

reckless abandon · #9 02-05-2006, 02:48 PM

thanks a million

RT · #10 02-25-2006, 07:35 AM

I completely rewired my '81 Destroyer II and put a 59 in the neck position and a C5 at the bridge. I shielded the control cavity with copper tape, replaced the stock pots with CTS 500k pots and used .015 orange drop caps on both pups. I love the results. The 59 in the neck slot sounds so woody and cool. That guitar had gotten almost unusable over the years but it is definitely born again hard now.

SwirlJem · #11 02-25-2006, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankfalbo

Good topic!

I think the Duncn 59 kills the Dimarzio PAF. I like the Virtual Vintage models, but their PAF model is lackluster. It lacks any presence and dynamics usually associated with a vintage PAF. The Duncan is the way to go regardless of the body wood. There's no body wood that would make me change my mind.

But if you were going for the Virtual PAF for example, then it's a toss-up between them. If you want to be true to vintage you still take the 59, but if you want that kind of sound with some extra overtones and lighter magnetic pull, you take the Virtual PAF.

Frank, or anyone else,
How does the little 59'er (single coil size) compare to the fullsize 59?