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 |
| Recommended Cap Value**: | 0.02mfd |
**We recommend a 0.02mfd Cap Value on most guitar and bass pickups. The exception is a Magic Cap, which Lindy prefers on the Bridge Pickup of Fender® guitars only. Learn More about Caps Here.
* You can experiment with pot values for a different tone. This pickup will sound dark and warm on 250K pots
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:
Notice:
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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Do you guys offer the quick connect for installation on Epiphones? Mine just plug into the guitar for what seems to be easy switching.
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Q Do you guys offer the quick connect for installation on Epiphones? Mine just plug into the guitar...... Read moreThere are no answers for this question yet.
I am looking to replace my 57 classics in my 2015 Gibson traditional, which has 57 classics, I like the classics but had an issue with the bridge pickup having a bad coil. My question is that would these be brighter than a 57 classic? I find those pickups to be a little dark for me.
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Q I am looking to replace my 57 classics in my 2015 Gibson traditional, which has 57 classics, I li...... Read moreA
Hey Todd, the Pure P.A.F.'s are a touch brighter. They also feature an overwound bridge which balances better than the 57 Classics.
What do you see most purchased for a replacement pickup set for a Gibson or Epiphone SG? And your recommendation for the same for a classic sound both clean and overdriven. Lastly would this be the same to get the sound similar of Derek Trucks' SG? Thank you for your knowledge. Your web site is extremely informative.
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Q What do you see most purchased for a replacement pickup set for a Gibson or Epiphone SG? And your...... Read moreA
Hey Cory, thanks for your question - we recommend our Stock Output if you're looking for a balanced tone - it will be clean, pretty, and open-sounding, but will break up nicely as well.
Hey there, I'm going to get a pair of Pure PAFs for my 2002 PRS McCarty Hollowbody I. Are there any specs you would recommend? I'm unsure about the correct string spacing and if it would need a long lead length. Thank you for your time.
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Q Hey there, I'm going to get a pair of Pure PAFs for my 2002 PRS McCarty Hollowbody I. Are there a...... Read moreA
Hey Mike, thanks for your question. Regarding string spacing, PRS splits the difference between Gibson and Fender spacing. I'd recommend a 50mm Bridge and 49.2mm Neck. You can add these to cart separately. You will be fine with our normal length lead.
I've got a new Epiphone SG Standard. What do you recommend as far as output goes for a set of PAF's? What benefit would I get with a hotter 7.8k 8.4k wiring? Also, understanding that not potting the pups would void the warranty. How does that affect the harmonic quality having them lightly potted compared to not potted? Lastly, I would assume that I would need to order the braided shield for correct wiring. Would that be the case? Thank you!
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Q I've got a new Epiphone SG Standard. What do you recommend as far as output goes for a set of PAF...... Read moreA
Hey Cory, thanks for your question. Compared to the Stock Output, the 7.8K / 8.4K features a bit more output and a thicker tone that's a bit warmer and "beefier". Lightly potted vs no potting is really hard to tell the difference, in my opinion. You'll get a tiny bit more microphonics and touch sensitivity without potting, but the difference is incredibly subtle. If wiring like a Gibson, you'll need the Gibson Braided Shield wiring.
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Lindy Fralin is one of the nicest and most knowledgeable people in the pick up world. I have a set in a custom guitar I have and they are the best I have tried. I bought a set for my ES335 also but have not installed them yet. I have no doubt they will sound fantastic as well. If you want a really good PAF pick up look no further.
I recently installed a set of Lindy’s Pure P.A.F.’s in a 40 year old Aria Pro II Les Paul guitar that I have owned since new . I put in 7.8k neck and 8.2k bridge pickups. Amazing the cleanness and responsiveness of these pickups. The pickups transformed this old guitar to one that sounds like a $3000 Gibson . I don’t want to put it down . Extremely pleased with the quality and service I received. Glad to buy American owned and American made !!!
I definitely recommend Lindy’s pickups . If you want to upgrade your guitar to the best pickups made , here they are .
After installing these in my Les Paul , I HAD to order a set for my G&L S500 . I just received those and am in the process of changing them out now .
Amazing pickups!
Worth every penny!!
Completely and totally transformed my Les Paul (in a great way)
Totally exceeded my already-high expectations. Best humbuckers money can buy!
Amazing pickups. Beautifully voiced – classic, creamy that go well with any guitar. I have a set in a Gibson Les Paul that has a real 50’s classic sound. Also have one in a Jackson with two single coil Blues Specials – real nice combination. Able to get that 80’s metal sound. Also have two in an Ibanez with a Split Rail in the middle – again, an amazing sound combination.
I put these pickups in a baritone guitar of mine that I had put together out of a fender tele body and baritone neck from fender and it turned out absolutely incredible. Not too many people think of humbuckers when they think baritone, but match that with the single coil split with these pickups and you have the most diverse instrument. The pures were an absolute perfect choice. As always, they were built perfectly and have plenty of clarity and richness, but all the fat punch I need.
I just wanted to share how much I love my new Pure PAF!!!
It sounds so, so good in its new home, (my Sadowsky SS).
More balanced, richer, darker. It sounds like liquid gold.
A real upgrade to my sound.
Very happy. Many thanks!
Best,
KS
Very articulate, great mid range tones! The neck pickup is heaven! Believe everything you read about these pickups!
Ordered a Fender-spaced 3-wire PAF to drop into a Tele Ultra. No fuss, works with the S1 switching, and simply transformed the guitar. The neck pup has a deep warm growl that sounds more like a Les Paul. It’s the perfect balance for the Noiseless single coil bridge. Amazing PUP
I put a set in a 2019 Gibson 335, and it came to life. Clear and articulate clean or with gain, these pickups are amazing! It made my 335 sound the most genuine to a 1960 335 than I’ve ever heard or tried. Gibson should be using these!