PAF Pro to Virtual Pro?

[candid_x]

I've a 2000 and 2001 SS, HSS. It may just be the different fret board material (maple/rosewood), but the humbuckers on these two guitars sound different.

Can anyone say exactly when the SS bridge humbucker changed from PAF Pro to Virtual PAF?

 

[mhorse]

You can tell which ones you have by looking at them. Virtual ones have solid poles, and Paf Pro's have allen head ones.

 

[candid_x]

You can tell which ones you have by looking at them. Virtual ones have solid poles, and Paf Pro's have allen head ones.

Both of mine have half solid poles (toward the neck) and flathead slotted poles (toward the bridge). Neither have all solid poles nor allan head ones.

What gives?

 

[candid_x]

I just checked the DiMarzio site, and both of these appear to be Virtual PAF pickups. Their site wouldn't let me pinch a picture to post here.

 

[mhorse]

Yep, that's what I meant - half solid, half slotted, sorry. Those are Virtual Vintage.

 

[candid_x]

Yep, that's what I meant - half solid, half slotted, sorry. Those are Virtual Vintage.

Thanks! I'm still curious to know when MM switched to these from the PAF Pro.

I'm surprised at how different they sound in each SS. On the maple neck guitar, they seem wider and fuller sounding (3-D, as their advertisement says) than on my rosewood board model, where they're very focused sounding. Surprising, seeing how it's usually just the opposite with maple vs rosewood. This is why I asked about it here. Btw, poles of both humbuckers are adjusted to the same height: all the way down.

I don't know why so many players change out these pickups, unless perhaps they're looking for hi-gain. I think they sound great, especially on the maple board axe, where there actually is a 3-D quality to them.

 

[robelinda2]

agree 100%, they sound amazing. i never see the need for an ultra high gain humbucker, they almost always sound like crap. i love the humbucker in my silo special, it has so much clarity and tone. and it sounds good clean too! the single coils aint bad either, the BEST i've ever heard!

 

[candid_x]

Hi-gain does what it's supposed to do: cut through the mass. But forget about 'vintage' tones. I notice this also when raising/lowering pickups.. as they get higher, the gain goes up but the sustain and vibe of the guitar itself go down. If the pickups are over wound and hot enough, it doesn't matter if you drill holes and handles in the body. I’ve never had and always wanted to try EMG’s. From everything I hear, you can still get vintage tone from them.

 

[robelinda2]

dunno about vintage tone from the Luke EMG humbucker, its pretty powerful, i guess its versatile enough if ya good enough, the single coils are nice and vintagy!

 

[candid_x]

It's hard to tell by listening to clips cuz most have their amps' distortion pretty cranked up, to the tune of chunka chunka chunka. But from what little I've heard, they do seem pretty edgy-hot.

I've been sorta jonezin for a Luke.

 

[robelinda2]

well as soon as i get my new recording gear i'll post you a clip of my Luke. got big plans.....

 

[candid_x]

Looking forward then, mate.