Pure P.A.F.
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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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:
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.
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
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.
Tech Specs
See below for the estimated DCR and Polarity Information for our Pure P.A.F..
| SPECIFICATION | VALUE |
|---|---|
| Neck Ohm Reading (Stock): | 7.5K |
| Bridge Ohm Reading (Stock): | 8K |
| 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
Looking for humbucker wiring codes? You can find them here.
Sizing
Humbucker Lead Color Codes
See below for our Humbucker Lead color codes. For help with matching to other manufacturers, check out this resource here.
Gibson Braided Lead:
2-Conductor Lead:
3-Conductor Lead:
4-Conductor Lead
Pure P.A.F. Questions And Answers:
Have a question about our Pure P.A.F.? Ask it here. Your Question will be publically visible.
If you want to ask a Private Question, please contact us through our Contact Us Form.
If you have multiple questions, please call us at (804) 358-2699.
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Which String Spacing should I choose?
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Q Which String Spacing should I choose?A Gibson-style instruments use 49.2mm on the neck and bridge. Fender-style instruments use a 52mm Bridge and a 50mm neck.
Which Output should I choose?
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Q Which Output should I choose?A Our most popular set is our 7.5K neck and our 8K bridge and has a clear and open tone. If you want a stronger and darker tone, go with a higher output.
Which Lead should I choose?
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Q Which Lead should I choose?A 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.
Will these pickups fit inside the mounting ring on a 2019 Gibson Les Paul Classic? Thanks!
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Q Will these pickups fit inside the mounting ring on a 2019 Gibson Les Paul Classic? Thanks!A Yes these should fit any standard sized humbucker mounting ring. We have dimensions available if you would like to check measurements.
Can the Pure P.A.F.s be ordered unpotted?
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Q Can the Pure P.A.F.s be ordered unpotted?A Yep! Please request it in the “Notes” field on the checkout screen.
How an you identify,a Lindy Fralin P.A.F. humbucker pick up?
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Q How an you identify,a Lindy Fralin P.A.F. humbucker pick up?A Last year (2020) we started stamping our logo onto the baseplates, but prior to that, there were no specific features that gave it away. All pickups will have a sticker with our logo output for each position.
In the sound files you have a file Pure PAF – Jazz with Chris Whiteman. What is the Neck and Bridge output for the guitar Chris is playing…thanks!
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Q In the sound files you have a file Pure PAF – Jazz with Chris Whiteman. What is the Neck and Brid...... Read moreA That is out 7.8K / 8.2K Set.
I want to change the pickups in my ’93 PRS custom 24. I really like the sound of the McCarty pickups currently in PRS guitars. I think your Pure PAF would be the way to go. I am open to your suggestions. I will split the coils so I will need 4 conductor wire. I have replaced the 5 way switch with push pots. What spacing would you suggest should I order the Pure PAF set? Lastly could you tell me a little about the partial split resistor.
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Q I want to change the pickups in my ’93 PRS custom 24. I really like the sound of the McCarty pick...... Read moreA The best way to determine the string spacing is to measure. Here’s how to measure. Regarding the Choice of Lead, all you need is 3-Conductor, not 4-Conductor (more on that here). Lastly, I highly recommend the Partial Split Resistor with our Pure P.A.F.’s as it gives you a much stronger single coil tone w... Read more
Hello Wondering if these Pure P.A.F. pickup set is potted. Will I get that high feedback ?
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Q Hello Wondering if these Pure P.A.F. pickup set is potted. Will I get that high feedback ?A Yes – all of our pickups are potted to prevent microphonics.
I just picked up an LP style guitar and I’m thinking of upgrading the pickups. I run a 65 Bassman and a Traynor YBA-1 and stack a few low gain overdrives for a crunchy yet open and uncompressed tone. Having been a Fender low output single coil kinda guy for years, I’m looking forward to something different tonally but don’t want to lose that uncompressed open sweetness. Do the Pure PAFs fit that description? How much of a difference would i...
Read more
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Q I just picked up an LP style guitar and I’m thinking of upgrading the pickups. I run a 65 Bassman...... Read moreA Absolutely! Our Pure P.A.F.’s feature an open, clear midrange and a vintage sag that stays dynamic. We always recommend getting our pickups potted as unpotted pickups do not come with our 10-year warranty as corrosion can eat away at the coil wire.
Can you Coil Tap this model?
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Q Can you Coil Tap this model?A
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.
What’s the difference between this model and the Modern P.A.F.?
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Q What’s the difference between this model and the Modern P.A.F.?A 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.
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Great tone and clarity
I haven’t actually replaced the pickups yet. Have to hard wire the guitar. Life sometimes gets in the way. But I have the pure PAFs I love them and that was the reason I ordered these. I also have some bass P/u’s and Tele Sets. I don’t get to do builds or mods as much as i like but your pickups are the ones i use. They are the music to my ears.
Once again, I’m completely blown away from the tone on my new Lindy Fralin pickup. This time I purchased a Pure PAF for an archtop guitar. It sounds amazing, and exactly what I was hoping for. I’ve purchased a few different Fralin pickups and they are all fantastic. Thanks again for the great pickups!!!
We have just installed Pure PAF on our new Alchemy model – and once again Fralin Pickups have proved their class. The dynamic range, sustain, beautiful, pure timbre … The set is perfectly balanced. This is our number one choice!
OK: In my last review I was happy about the swift delivery and great customer service. Now I have installed and played these awsome pickups. They have the perfect tone that I have seeking. I owned a 59 Gibson Reissue that came close to the sound Dwayne Allman had…but these pickups are the exact tone I have been looking for. I built a $200 Kit Guitar as an experiment. It’s not the brand of guitar that makes the biggest difference, it’s the pickups for certain!
Michael Near
Lindy took almost an hour discussing different variations of tone that he seeks to provide in his pickups. He listened to what I want in a guitar and made suggestions on what it might take to get there. I finally settled on the PAF’s with low output neck and medium output bridge. I’ll be wiring them with Emerson oil & paper capacitors in the same manner as a 59 Les Paul. I’ll report back after I’ve played them a while.
I had a great experience with Linday, his wife and the rest of the crew. I called a few times talking about the order and had questions on the control plate options I was also ordering. I received great advice and was definitely in good hands.
I have the Pure PAF neck in a Telecaster matched with the High Output Tele bridge and 500k pots. To me, the Pure PAF really shines playing with just a touch of breakup. You can get such great tones out of this and it’s very responsive.
Both are amazing pickups and with the great customer service, you guys have a customer for life.
After consulting on the phone with Lindy, I ordered this for the bridge position of a 2010 Gibson RD-Standard. With the tone rolled off a bit, through an Xotic RC Booster into a clean Roland JC-40, it’s one of the best slightly overdriven electric guitar sounds I’ve ever heard! Tight and sustaining, with just the right amount of rudeness. I had heard that the original ’50s PAF’s were actually pretty bright and articulate, and now I see what they were talking about. But it’s still smooth and full. Love it.
Absolutely wonderful! Warm, clear and authentic!