13 best paf humbuckers
PAF humbuckers, short for "Patent Applied For" humbuckers, are a type of electric guitar pickup known for their warm, clear, and smooth sound. Originally developed by Gibson in the 1950s, PAF humbuckers have become highly sought after by guitarists for their classic tone and vintage appeal.
Key Characteristics of PAF Humbuckers:
1. Humbucking Design: PAF humbuckers are designed to cancel out the hum and interference that is common in single-coil pickups. They achieve this by using two coils wound in opposite directions, which results in a noise-canceling effect. This design leads to a quieter, cleaner signal compared to single-coil pickups.
2. Warm and Articulate Tone: PAF humbuckers are known for their warm and full-bodied tone. They produce a rich midrange, smooth highs, and a tight low end, making them ideal for a wide range of musical styles, including jazz, blues, rock, and classic rock.
3. Alnico Magnets: Most vintage PAF humbuckers used Alnico magnets (Alnico II, Alnico III, or Alnico V) in their construction. The choice of magnet type influences the pickup's tonal characteristics. Alnico II magnets, for example, contribute to a softer, smoother sound, while Alnico V magnets offer a stronger output and more defined highs.
4. Low Output: Compared to many modern high-output pickups, PAF humbuckers typically have a lower output. This characteristic contributes to their dynamic response, allowing players to achieve a wide range of tones by adjusting their picking dynamics and guitar's volume and tone controls.
5. Vintage Reproductions: Due to their popularity, many pickup manufacturers produce PAF-style pickups, aiming to replicate the tone and construction of the original vintage PAF humbuckers. These reproductions often use period-correct materials and winding techniques to capture the authentic vintage sound.
6. Covers and Uncovered Versions: PAF humbuckers can come with metal covers or be left uncovered. The covers can slightly affect the pickup's tonal response, with covered pickups often being a bit warmer and having a slightly rolled-off high end compared to uncovered ones.
Guitarists often choose PAF humbuckers to achieve a classic, vintage sound in their electric guitars. Whether in Les Pauls, SGs, or other guitars, PAF-style pickups remain popular for those seeking a timeless, expressive tone.
Below you can find our editor's choice of the best paf humbuckers on the market
Tonerider AC2 Alnico II Classic Neck Humbucker - Nickel
Product description
The Tonerider Alnico II is a vintage voice humbucker that offers more warmth and sustain than your standard PAF style pickup.
Set Contains:
AC2 humbucker neck pickup with nickel cover;Wiring Guide;Set of height adjustment screws and springs
- Vintage output alnico ii neck humbucker
- Scatterwound for authentic late 50’s tones
- Wax-potted nickel-silver cover for crystal clear tones and low noise
- 4-conductor wiring with an independent ground shield
- Perfect for neck position, pair with ac2b-nk for a great set
User questions & answers
| Question: | I guess it comes with a wiring diagram for coil tap/push pull |
| Answer: | No, these tubes are not compatible with that headphone amp. |
Wilkinson Vintage Tone Alnico 5 PAF Style Humbucker Neck Pickup for Les Paul Style Electric Guitar, Chrome
- This classic PAF style humbucking pickup fits most Epiphone/USA Les Paul ,SG,ES style guitar or many similar guitar, neck position
- Genuine Wilkinson parts. 50mm pole spacing, wax potted
- Classic PAF vintage tone. Alnico V magnets provide incredible focus and dynamics
- Magnet: Alnico V. D.C. Resistance: 7.6K. Four conductor wires, black wire is ground, yellow wire is hot, red and white is for splitting coil
- Package included:1Pc pickup. Note: Our screws maybe will not fit your usage, please use your own if you can
Wilkinson Classic Tone Ceramic PAF Style Humbucker Neck Pickup for Les Paul Style Electric Guitar, Chrome
- This classic PAF style humbucking pickup fits most Epiphone/USA Les Paul ,SG,ES style guitar, Ibanez or many similar guitar. Neck position
- Genuine Wilkinson parts. 50mm pole spacing, wax potted. On the pickup back, N for neck
- Classic vintage tone without noise, deliver an authentic sound
- Magnet: Ceramic ; D.C. Resistance: 7.6K. Four conductor wires, black wire is ground, yellow wire is hot, red and white is for splitting coil
- Package included:1Pc pickup. Note: Our screws maybe will not fit your usage, please use your own if you can
User questions & answers
| Question: | What are the outer dimensions of the pickup? Need to order mounting ring |
| Answer: | Yes, Its a great tube, I use them in my phono preamp |
Wilkinson Classic Tone Ceramic PAF Style Humbucker Pickups Set for Les Paul Style Electric Guitar, Chrome
- This classic PAF style humbucking pickup fits most Epiphone/USA Les Paul ,SG,ES style guitar, Ibanez or many similar guitar. Neck/bridge position
- Genuine Wilkinson parts. 50mm/52mm pole spacing for neck and bridge, wax potted. On the pickup back, N for neck, B for bridge
- Classic vintage tone without noise, deliver an authentic sound
- Magnet: Ceramic. D.C. Resistance: 7.6K neck, 14.1K bridge. Four conductor wires, black wire is ground, yellow wire is hot, red and white is for splitting coil
- Package included:2pcs pickups. Note: Our screws maybe will not fit your usage, please use your own if you can
Wilkinson Vintage Tone Alnico 5 PAF Style Humbucker Neck Pickup for Les Paul Style Electric Guitar, Gold
- This classic PAF style humbucking pickup fits most Epiphone/USA Les Paul, SG, ES style guitar or many similar guitar, neck position
- Genuine Wilkinson parts. 50mm pole spacing, wax potted
- Classic PAF vintage tone. Alnico V magnets provide incredible focus and dynamics
- Magnet: Alnico V; D.C. Resistance: 7.6K. Four conductor wires, black wire is ground, yellow wire is hot, red and white is for splitting coil
- Package included: 1 piece pickup. Note: Our screws maybe will not fit your usage, please use your own if you can
Guitar Parts For Fender Mustang With PAF humbucker pickups Guitar Pickguard (4 Ply White Pearl)
Product description
Guitar Parts For Fender Mustang With PAF humbucker pickups Guitar Pickguard,3 Ply Black/4 Ply Brown Tortoise/3 Ply Vintage Yellow/3 Ply Vintage Green/4 Ply White Pearl/3 Ply Mint Green
- Guitar Parts For Fender Mustang With PAF humbucker pickups Guitar Pickguard
- 100% New.
- High quality and testing is fine.
- Brand new have protective film on the top,anti-scratch to protect the guitar.
Wilkinson Classic Tone Ceramic PAF Style Humbucker Neck Pickup for Les Paul Style Electric Guitar, Gold
- This classic PAF style humbucking pickup fits most Epiphone/USA Les Paul, SG, ES style guitar, Ibanez or many similar guitar. Neck position
- Genuine Wilkinson parts. 50mm pole spacing, wax potted. On the pickup back, N for neck
- Classic vintage tone without noise, deliver an authentic sound
- Magnet: Ceramic; D.C. Resistance: 7.6K. Four conductor wires, black wire is ground, yellow wire is hot, red and white is for splitting coil
- Package included: 1 piece pickup. Note: Our screws maybe will not fit your usage, please use your own if you can
Benedetto PAF Series Jazz Guitar Humbucker Pickup - black nickel
Product description
The Benedetto P.A.F. is a vintage tone Patent-Applied-For (PAF) humbucker. The P.A.F. is a standard size dual coil humbucker with an Alnico V bar magnet with a single row of adjustable pole pieces and a nickel-silver black-plated cover. Can be used in both the neck and bridge positions. Commonly used in the bridge position with the A-6 Jazz model in the neck position for a jazz tone, or in the neck position with the A-6 in the bridge for a more vintage tone. Specifications Magnet: Alnico V bar Cable: 4 conductor shielded DC resistance: 4.00 K ohms per coil (8.00 K total) Inductance: 4.56 H Resonant Peak: 6.25 KHz
- Standard Sized Humbucker Pickup
- Vintage Patent-Applied-For (P.A.F.) Tone
- Black Nickel Cover
- Alnico V Bar Magnets
- Four Conductor Wiring
bangdan Humbucker Vintage PAF Fillister Pole Screws, Gold plated 6 pcs
Product description
Vintage PAF fillister pole screws.
Made in USA.
1010 steel.
Gold plated.
5-40 x 3/4" threaded.
Set of 6.
There are slight differences in shape between these and our standard pole screws that make this one closer to the vintage PAF pole screws. The noticable differences are a slightly smaller "cheesehead", non-tapered not self tapping threads, and a circular indentation on the bottom of the screw.
Fast delivery.
- Humbucker Vintage PAF Fillister Pole Screws Gold plated Qty 6.
- Made in USA. 1010 steel.
- Gold plated.
- 5-40 x 3/4" threaded. Set of 6.
- ***.Fast delivery.***
Wilkinson Classic Tone Ceramic PAF Style Humbucker Bridge Pickup for Les Paul Style Electric Guitar, Chrome
- This classic PAF style humbucking pickup fits most Epiphone/USA Les Paul ,SG,ES style guitar, Ibanez or many similar guitar. Bridge position
- Genuine Wilkinson parts. 52mm pole spacing, wax potted. On the pickup back, B for bridge
- Classic vintage tone without noise, deliver an authentic sound
- Magnet: Ceramic; D.C. Resistance: 14.1K. Four conductor wires, black wire is ground, yellow wire is hot, red and white is for splitting coil
- Package included:1Pc pickup.Note: Our screws maybe will not fit your usage, please use your own if you can
DiMarzio DP103 PAF Humbucker 36th Anniversary Electric Guitar Pickup with Vintage Bobbins Black Regular Spacing
Product description
What makes a great vintage humbucker? A soft magnetic field, sweet tone, a perfect balance between warmth and clarity, the ability to go from clean to distorted by pick attack alone. There are many pickups that capture some of these qualities, but DiMarzio wanted to build them all into one pickup, and this is it. The DiMarzio DP103 PAF Pickup has all the qualities that make a great vintage humbucker: A soft magnetic field, sweet tone, a perfect balance between warmth and clarity, the ability to go from clean to distorted by pick attack alone. There are many guitar pickups that capture some of these qualities, but the 36th anniversary DiMarzio DP103 PAF has them all. Partly based on the pickups in Larry DiMarzio's own 1959 Les Paul guitar and partly on DiMarzio patented technology, the DP103 PAF will perform equally well in the neck or bridge position, just as the best humbucker pickups from the '50s did.
- Tone Guide
- Treble: 5.5
- Mid: 6
- Bass: 5.5
- Partly based on the pickups in Larry DiMarzio's own 1959 Les Paul guitar and partly on DiMarzio patented technology, the DP103 PAF will perform equally well in the neck or bridge position, just as the best humbucker pickups from the '50s did
User questions & answers
| Question: | Would these be good in semihollow also |
| Answer: | The wiring diagram is included with the pickup. |
| Question: | Can this be used as a neck pickup, and also use it as a bridge |
| Answer: | I'd look for a tung-sol gold pin instead. Hi-fi amps have a whole different set of qualifications for what makes them good. These are good for a warm fuzzy sound in a guitar amp, but for hi-fi I would go tung-sol gold for raw clarity. If of course that device uses 12ax7's aka(Ecc83) |
| Question: | is it 4 conductor |
| Answer: | Absolutely, the gain structure might be slightly different...but definitely compatible. The difference I have found in the different brands as well as different pins is pretty obvious to the ear. Nothing in my opinion, in a Fender beats a good “nos” tube. Good luck on the tone quest!! |
Electric Guitar Pickguard for Fender Mustang With PAF humbucker pickups Style (3 Ply Black)
Product description
Electric Guitar Pickguard for Fender Mustang With PAF humbucker pickups Style,3 Ply Black / 4 Ply Brown Tortoise / 3 Ply Vintage Yellow / 3 Ply Vintage Green/ 3 Ply Mint Green/ 4 Ply White Pearl /.Great for replacement part or new build protect.
- Fits Fender Mustang With PAF humbucker pickups Style.If you use it for other Fender style guitar, you may need a modification for line up.
- 100% brand new, high quality and testing is fine.
- Made of quality PVC plastic material.
- Protective films on the front, anti-scratch to protect the guitar.
- Package included: 1 x Pickguard.
FLEOR Electric Guitar Humbucker Pickups Double Coil Guitar Bridge Pickup & Neck Pickups Set - (Black + Cream)
Product description
Specifications:
Position: Neck & Bridge Pickup Set.
Magnet: Ceramic.
Pole Pieces: 6 Non-Adjustable Slug Pole Pieces & 6 Adjustable Screws Pole Pieces.
Pickup Pole Spacing: Neck-50mm, Bridge-52mm.
Resistance:
Neck Pickup - Total is 7-8k ohms, Single Coil Pickup is 3-4 K ohms.
Bridge Pickup - Total is 14-15k ohms, Single Coil Pickup is 7-8k ohms.
Bobbin: ABS Bobbin, Zebra.
Fully Wax Potted and Sealed to eliminate any unwanted feedback and noise.
Package Included:
1 x Neck Humbucker Pickup
1 x Bridge Humbucker Pickup
4 x Screws
4 x Springs
- Compatible with electric guitar which can be installed humbucker pickup.
- Magnet: ceramic humbucker pickup, 6 non-adjustable slug pole pieces & 6 adjustable screws pole pieces.
- Resistance: Neck pick is 7-8K, bridge pickup is 14-15K.
- Fully wax potted and sealed to eliminate any unwanted feedback and noise.
- Color: zebra. Come with screws and springs, easy to install.
User questions & answers
| Question: | What's the difference between these and the other Prime $28.72 set |
| Answer: | I installed a pair of 36th anniversary pickups in my Ibanez semi-hollow body. I found them to be slightly brighter than the Seymour Duncan 59's I had put in my Les Paul's, but not in an unpleasant way. In fact, I think they complimented the woody, airy quality of the semi-hollow quite nicely. |
| Question: | can these be split |
| Answer: | I have used this pickup in both positions - sounds great either way. If you are going for blues tone, this pickup works well in both positions. If you are more rock oriented, there is a slightly hotter version of this pickup designed specifically for the bridge position that you might want to consider - the DP223. |
| Question: | Where is the wiring diagram |
| Answer: | Yes. I have one installed in the neck position of a Les Paul. I have it set up for coil splitting. sounds great! |
| Question: | What is the wiring diagram for these |
| Answer: | This pickup dimentions are identical to the standard 'Gibson Style' humbucker. Obtain mounting rings accordingly. |
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