Pure P.A.F.
$160.00 – $320.00
Experience what a humbucker should really sound like and get inspired by the Pure P.A.F’s beautiful tone. Lindy’s favorite humbucker, the Pure P.A.F. is a 50’s P.A.F. clone, using real Butyrate Bobbins and all USA-Made parts. Featuring a clean, clear tone with incredible versatility and dynamics and expertly crafted using 100% USA-Made materials, we guarantee the Pure P.A.F. will inspire you for years to come.
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| SPECIFICATION | VALUE |
|---|---|
| Neck Ohm Reading (Stock): | 7.8K |
| Bridge Ohm Reading (Stock): | 8.2K |
| Neck Polarity: | Reversible with 3-Conductor or 4-Conductor Lead |
| Bridge Polarity: | Reversible with 3-Conductor or 4-Conductor Lead |
| Magnet: | USA-Made Alnico 2 |
| Wire: | USA-Made 42-Gauge Plain Enamel |
| Bobbin Material: | USA-Made Butyrate |
| Baseplate Material: | Nickel Silver |
| Cover Material: | Nickel Silver |
| Slug / Pole Piece Material: | Steel |
| Recommended Pot Value: | 500K* |
| Baseplate Leg Depth: | 6mm |
* You can experiment with pot values for a different tone. This pickup will sound dark and warm on 250K pots
The Ultimate In Vintage PAF Tone
Want to learn more about our Pure P.A.F.? Here's all the information you'll need:
Pure P.A.F. FEATURES:
- Our Best-Selling Humbucker – low output, vintage tone
- Original Gibson PAF® specifications: low output, with modern clarity
- Clean and clear, smooth grind and a sharp attack
- USA-made Alnico 2 Magnets for vintage tonal balance and output
- Compensated Overwound Bridge for even volume across all pickups
- Hand-wound with our “Sectioning” technique for unique, dynamic tone
- Hand-built for unrivaled quality control
- 10-Year Warranty on manufacturing defects
Overview
Are you ready to cut through in the mix? The Lindy Fralin-designed Pure P.A.F. is our best-selling humbucker. Based on the specifications of the original 50’s Gibson® P.A.F. pickups, this model features a clean, articulate tone that’s incredibly versatile.
The Pure P.A.F. is a lower output humbucker, which is more dynamic and expressive than higher output pickups. It’s more articulate and cleaner than our Modern P.A.F., but beefier than our P-92. Lindy’s passion for the sound of vintage 50’s humbuckers led us down the road to design and create the Pure P.A.F., and it’s easy to see why – this pickup sounds incredible.
Sound
How does it sound? Clean and articulate!
The Pure P.A.F. stays clean and features a late break-up and a smooth grind. This pickup is perfect if you’re trying to restore life to your guitar. Don’t let the term “vintage” fool you – you’ll find that it’s loud and versatile enough to play with modern-voiced pickups; it just features more clarity than modern humbuckers.
Built with USA-Made AlNicCo II and 42-gauge Plain Enamel wire, the Pure P.A.F. pickup is a gateway to instant vintage tone. When playing without distortion, you’ll find that this pickup sings what you put into it: it’s dynamic and warm. Highs are accentuated with a medium attack. With distortion, you’ll find that the grind is nice and smooth.
Our manufacturing process allows us to achieve unparalleled quality control. When Lindy designed this pickup, he wanted it to be as close to the originals as possible. Pure P.A.F.’s consist of USA-Made Butyrate bobbins, baseplates, magnets, and wire. We wind each pickup by hand, one at a time, using our proprietary “Sectioning” technique. Doing this gives the pickup a sweet, clear tone, reminiscent of the early Gibson Humbuckers/
Finally, we assemble each pickup one at a time, by hand, which allows us to achieve unbeatable attention to detail. After assembly, we wax-pot the pickup to prevent microphonics and preserve the pickup for years to come.
Video
FAQs
- What’s the difference between this model and the Modern P.A.F.? The Pure P.A.F. has fewer turns per coil and uses a slightly weaker magnet, giving this pickup a clearer and more articulate tone than the Modern P.A.F. In a nutshell, this pickup has a clearer midrange and snappier highs than the Modern P.A.F.
- Can you Coil Tap this model? Yep! Choose 3-Conductor Lead and use our diagrams here. You may want to use a Partial Tap Resistor as this is a medium-output humbucker.
- Which Lead should I choose? If you have a Gibson style instrument with separate volume pots for each pickup, go with the Gibson Shielded Braided lead. Fender style instruments or players with coil-tapping or phase reversing needs, go with 3-Conductor. If you want the maximum options, go with 4-Conductor.
- Which Output should I choose? Our most popular set is our 7.8K neck and our 8.2K bridge. If you want a stronger and darker tone, go with a higher output. If you want a clearer and more open tone, go with a lower output.
- Which String Spacing should I choose? Gibson-style instruments use 49.2mm on the neck and bridge. Fender-style instruments use a 52mm Bridge and a 50mm neck.
Options
Choosing the Spacing:
- 49.2mm: Choose this for Gibson Standard Spacing
- 50mm: Fender Neck Spacing
- 52mm: Fender Bridge Spacing
CHOOSING THE LEAD:
- Gibson® Braided Shielded: Most popular. Use this if you have no special requirements (Coil tapping, Phase Reverse, or Series / Parallel). Do not choose this lead if you’re current pickups are wired into a switch first.
- 3-Conductor With Shield: Use this if you have Coil Tapping or Phase Reverse needs.
- 4-Conductor With Shield: Use this if you have Coil Tapping, Phase Reverse, Series or Parallel needs.
Sizing
WIRING DIAGRAMS:
We do not offer installation help or guidance, but we do have easy-to-follow, beautiful Wiring Diagrams! Click below:
Pure P.A.F. Questions And Answers:
Have a question about our Pure P.A.F.? Leave it here! We will answer your question within 24 hours.
- Our Best-Selling Humbucker – low output, vintage tone
- Original Gibson PAF® specifications: low output, with modern clarity
- Clean and clear, smooth grind and a sharp attack
- USA-made Alnico 2 Magnets for vintage tonal balance and output
- Compensated Overwound Bridge for even volume across all pickups
- Hand-wound with our “Sectioning” technique for unique, dynamic tone
- Hand-built for unrivaled quality control
- 10-Year Warranty on manufacturing defects
Are you ready to cut through in the mix? The Lindy Fralin-designed Pure P.A.F. is our best-selling humbucker. Based on the specifications of the original 50’s Gibson® P.A.F. pickups, this model features a clean, articulate tone that’s incredibly versatile.
The Pure P.A.F. is a lower output humbucker, which is more dynamic and expressive than higher output pickups. It’s more articulate and cleaner than our Modern P.A.F., but beefier than our P-92. Lindy’s passion for the sound of vintage 50’s humbuckers led us down the road to design and create the Pure P.A.F., and it’s easy to see why – this pickup sounds incredible.
How does it sound? Clean and articulate!
The Pure P.A.F. stays clean and features a late break-up and a smooth grind. This pickup is perfect if you’re trying to restore life to your guitar. Don’t let the term “vintage” fool you – you’ll find that it’s loud and versatile enough to play with modern-voiced pickups; it just features more clarity than modern humbuckers.
Built with USA-Made AlNicCo II and 42-gauge Plain Enamel wire, the Pure P.A.F. pickup is a gateway to instant vintage tone. When playing without distortion, you’ll find that this pickup sings what you put into it: it’s dynamic and warm. Highs are accentuated with a medium attack. With distortion, you’ll find that the grind is nice and smooth.
Our manufacturing process allows us to achieve unparalleled quality control. When Lindy designed this pickup, he wanted it to be as close to the originals as possible. Pure P.A.F.’s consist of USA-Made Butyrate bobbins, baseplates, magnets, and wire. We wind each pickup by hand, one at a time, using our proprietary “Sectioning” technique. Doing this gives the pickup a sweet, clear tone, reminiscent of the early Gibson Humbuckers/
Finally, we assemble each pickup one at a time, by hand, which allows us to achieve unbeatable attention to detail. After assembly, we wax-pot the pickup to prevent microphonics and preserve the pickup for years to come.
- What’s the difference between this model and the Modern P.A.F.? The Pure P.A.F. has fewer turns per coil and uses a slightly weaker magnet, giving this pickup a clearer and more articulate tone than the Modern P.A.F. In a nutshell, this pickup has a clearer midrange and snappier highs than the Modern P.A.F.
- Can you Coil Tap this model? Yep! Choose 3-Conductor Lead and use our diagrams here. You may want to use a Partial Tap Resistor as this is a medium-output humbucker.
- Which Lead should I choose? If you have a Gibson style instrument with separate volume pots for each pickup, go with the Gibson Shielded Braided lead. Fender style instruments or players with coil-tapping or phase reversing needs, go with 3-Conductor. If you want the maximum options, go with 4-Conductor.
- Which Output should I choose? Our most popular set is our 7.8K neck and our 8.2K bridge. If you want a stronger and darker tone, go with a higher output. If you want a clearer and more open tone, go with a lower output.
- Which String Spacing should I choose? Gibson-style instruments use 49.2mm on the neck and bridge. Fender-style instruments use a 52mm Bridge and a 50mm neck.
Choosing the Spacing:
- 49.2mm: Choose this for Gibson Standard Spacing
- 50mm: Fender Neck Spacing
- 52mm: Fender Bridge Spacing
CHOOSING THE LEAD:
- Gibson® Braided Shielded: Most popular. Use this if you have no special requirements (Coil tapping, Phase Reverse, or Series / Parallel). Do not choose this lead if you’re current pickups are wired into a switch first.
- 3-Conductor With Shield: Use this if you have Coil Tapping or Phase Reverse needs.
- 4-Conductor With Shield: Use this if you have Coil Tapping, Phase Reverse, Series or Parallel needs.
WIRING DIAGRAMS:
We do not offer installation help or guidance, but we do have easy-to-follow, beautiful Wiring Diagrams! Click below:
Have a question about our Pure P.A.F.? Leave it here! We will answer your question within 24 hours.
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hey guys how are you i going to replace my 335 pickups with your awesome pure paf humbuckers and wont to know if there is any problem with the fact i canceld the tones and left only master volume for clearer and simple pure tone[and also for matter of convenient ?is there is optimal and right [tone vise] way or i can leave it like that? i can change it back but need to know before i change the pickups/so il be greatful and very happy to hear your expert input and thanks for your great products i adore you shaul ling[israel]
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
119 reviews for Pure P.A.F.
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Outstanding pickups
The Fralin team did it again! Already the proud owner of a blues special set on my tele, I decided to give myself a treat with these pure PAF pups on my les Paul standard in replacement of the stock burstbuckers, which were quite good, but I wanted perfection for this beautiful guitar. I was looking for clarity and articulation to fit the style of music I play (jazz-blues mostly) and the pure PAFs deliver! I ordered a vintage zebra set that just looks awesome on my unburst LP model. You can’t go wrong with Fralin pups.
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These pickups really woke up my Epi LP Standard. The tone is now so full and beautiful. Highly recommended.
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Epiphone Dot – Blown away.
I bought this guitar used from my guitar teacher who had it in the studio where it was used by various students for several years. Totally stock Samick electronics. But you could tell that the bones were good. I put a matched set of the Pure P.A.F. pickups along with a complete set of Emerson pots, orange drop capacitors with a treble bleed set up, and now I have the best sounding poor man’s 335 in the Hudson Valley. Everyone in the studio is just amazed at the tone, sustain, and versatility of this guitar. Best investment I have ever made in terms of the sound improvement of any guitar I own. So much so that I am now waiting for the Firebird Mini and another Pure P.A.F. to round out the sound in another guitar that needs a bit of love. Very, very satisfied. This Dot hasn’t seen the inside of the case since I put these pups in. Just do it already. Get the Pure P.A.F.
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Customer added no additional comments
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Awesome. Fat sound love my new Fralins
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Amazing sound
Crystal clear, amazing sound. Replaced burstbuckers on LP standard and what a difference! Even better was the customer service from Lindy and team. I asked a question on the order form and Lindy called personally to make sure I was squared away. Extremely satisfied! -
Perfect clarity!
Put Pure PAFs in my Gibson SG ’61 re-issue. The Gibson ’57s weren’t bad, but these are fantastic! Perfect clarity and articulation. They sound a bit brighter than I expected, which I believe is simply their truly communicating the thinner body shape of the SG vs, say, a Les Paul or ES339. I’ve got Fralin pickups in 13 of my 16 guitars, everything from Teles, Strats, Jazzmasters, ES339, Les Paul, and semi-hollow and hollow bodies and they are all SUPERB! Pure PAF, hum-cancelling Fender styles and P90s, P92s, Big Singles, etc. Love ’em all! -
Customer added no additional comments
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I placed the Pure P.A.F. pickup into the neck position of my “Barncaster” (Tele) build. It’s very versatile, I can get nice deep tones that lend to Jazz and Hard Rock really well. The look of joy when I put my new the guitar through a valve amp – well it had both me and my luthier smiling. Make sure you team up the pickup with decent electronic hardware, infact use a Fralin kit, it all matches really well.
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Pure as pure gets
These are amazing pickups. My customers always love them. Always! -
Customer added no additional comments
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I wish I did this sooner
Oh man they sound SOOOO good. I put them in my epiphone dot I’ve had forever. It always sounded good but these pickups took it to a whole new level!!! Thanks!!! -
Love them
I’m a professional New Orleans musician who like everyone else in the industry has been sidelined by covid, so I took advantage of the down time and decided to ordered the Pure PAFs stock pickups for my 2016 335. It took a few months before I was able to play a live gig so I could really hear these babies in action. Wow! I’m impressed. Plugging straight into my Quilter Reverb 101 and runing through a 1×12 cab with a Celestion GM 12 65 Creamback, and OMG. I highly recommend these pickups. The output is amazing and the tone is perfect for the variety of genres I play, especially for Funk and blues. Yeah you right! -
Major upgrade!
Two Lindy’s P.A.F.s transformed my Schecter Custom Solo-II into a Les Paul killer! The sound transformation was absolutely magical! Also, when you call Fralin, there is a chance you speak with Lindy himself, which I find very special. Lindy is a pickup genius and one of the most humble people I ever spoke with. Do yourself a favor – call them and get yourself some magic tone! Warning: You will be sorry you didn’t do it sooner… -
First of all, I doubt you’ll find better customer service and attention to detail in a pickup maker than Fralin Pickups.
I recently purchased one of the new Gibson Original 50s Les Pauls (non-weight relieved, excellent attention to detail). Gibson hit a home run on this guitar, acoustically it sounds amazing even without being plugged in. Mark of a fantastic guitar. Burstbuckers were ok. But I ordered a Fralin set of Pure PAFs unpotted (like they would’ve been in the 1950s). After installing and playing…I can’t imagine different pickups in this guitar. These pickups match this guitar like ketchup to french fries. They are the perfect projections of the tone wood of the the Les Paul. I can’t imagine a better pickup for these type of guitars. If you have a fantastic Les Paul or similar type of guitar, Fralin Pure PAFs will bring your guitar to the next level. You can spend more, but you won’t find better for the price.
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Just what I hoped for. This pickup was exactly what I was hoping to get from a humbucker. It has remarkable clarity, and still plenty of punch. Sweet tone!
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A Classic Redefined: Clean and clear, articulate and not at all boomy or muddy.
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Pure Excellence! I replaced the stock pickups (S58) on my Ibanez AF 155 jazz box with Lindy’s Pure P.A.F’s. Finally I feel happy with my sound – the pickups are very dynamic – they follow my touch smoothly and can go from mellow to sweet bite. Compared to Gibson 57 Classic Lindy’s PAFs have a bit less highs and at the same time are not muddy at all. They look and feel like vintage PAFs. Great pickups for Jazz! Highly recommended!
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Badassery is the word!!! Used my LesPaul last and she sung that pure vintage was exactly the sound and feel for Robert Lee Colemans band thanks so much!!!
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Byrdland type guitar
These pickups are the perfect combination of lush warm tones and screaming face blistering solo tones. The pickups have a transparent ring that sings through no matter what amp tones you are using. Jeffrey Knutson built a custom guitar Like an upgraded Byrdland, but with more modern jazz guitar touches. I owned a 70s Byrdland and this guitar with these pickups sound so much better than the Gibson. -
I have a thinline hollow body guitar, and these are the best pickups I’ve put in it. I got the low winding / lower output version for both the neck and bridge. They’re smooth, dynamic and perfect for my hollow body. They really brought out the guitars natural sound. The guitar sounds really good even when just playing it acoustically. And you can really hear more of that hollow resonance with these pickups, which is what I was looking for. They sound great clean and overdriven. I can get that sweet,
Controlled hollow body feedback with these pickups. This is the third set of pickups I’ve put on this guitar and have finally found the right ones. -
Beautiful! Not too bold, not too bright – just the perfect humbucker sound!
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See above: The P.A.F. is as Lindy said. Great choice in a HSS strat.
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Pure PAF bridge pickup: Excellent tone and clarity, superb with overdrive and clean. Great purchase.
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Customer added no additional comments
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Everything I hoped They Would Be
I put Pure P.A.F.’s in my Gibson ’58 Historic Reissue ES335. The neck pickup is so warm and the bridge is fat and bright. They are everything I hoped they would be. Definitely a major step up from the stock pickups.
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Pure PAF’s in an Ibanez L-5 Copy
The clarity of the new pickups is amazing. No more playing a dull-sounding instrument. High-quality great stuff.
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Worked very well for this build. Thanks so much for a quality product!!
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I put a set in my Ibanez AS153 and all I can say is wow. I spoke with Lindy on the phone and I was considering another set of pickups. He steered me toward the Pure PAFs. I am so glad I took his suggestion. These are warm, yet can be incredibly bright with unimaginable bite, so articulate, but with enough power to really drive my amp. Awesome!
Trying to leave a review for our Pure P.A.F.? Leave one here.
hey guys how are you i going to replace my 335 pickups with your awesome pure paf humbuckers and wont to know if there is any problem with the fact i canceld the tones and left only master volume for clearer and simple pure tone[and also for matter of convenient ?is there is optimal and right [tone vise] way or i can leave it like that? i can change it back but need to know before i change the pickups/so il be greatful and very happy to hear your expert input and thanks for your great products i adore you shaul ling[israel]
Your question is waiting for the answer.