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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It’s alive!! A true Frankenstein story. After gutting my guitar and putting it under a white sheet. A flash of light hit and all of a sudden it started playing itself. No human necessary. What an investment!
Great replacement for stock pickups!
I replaced the stock pickups on my 18-year-old G&L ASAT Deluxe with Lindy’s Pure PAF set. A perfect choice. Original pups were Duncan ’59 and JB combination. They were decent enough, but the JB bridge pickup was a “one-trick” pony. It did one thing extremely well, but nothing else was satisfying to my ears. With Lindy’s PAF’s I immediately noticed the broader frequency response of neck pickup. Better low-end and no more artificial upper-mid bump. But the really shocking thing is the incredible increase in dynamic range — particularly in the bridge pickup. Now I know what a PAF is supposed to sound like! Especially since my G&L ASAT Deluxe is mahogany body with maple cap. And with a rare ebony fretboard, in many respects it should be voiced a lot like the Les Paul Custom. Now it is, and I could not possibly be happier with the switch. Also, a personal thanks to Lindy Fralin. He answered my original phone call to inquire about pickups, and he courteously guided me thru everything to consider, options, etc. If I could give a “ten star” rating I would! Thanks again, James
I wanted to let you know how unbelievably happy I am with my latest purchase from you. I recently purchased a PRS CE 24 that had their standard 85/15 humbuckers in it. Many people like these. Not me. I have many Fralin’s, so I talked to Lindy and he suggested the Pure PAF’s. I ordered them with the nickel covers. I took the guitar to the PRS dealer here and they seemed skeptical to swap out “PRS pickups” until I told them they were Fralin’s. They had told me it would take a week, but he said he wanted to hear the Fralin’s in the PRS so he’d get it done quicker. I’m not kidding. He called the next day to tell me it was done and that it “sounded amazing!”…and…”looked great too”. Not making this up.
He wasn’t kidding. These pickups brought this guitar to life. The clarity and tone and warmth they bring to the guitar is amazing. It’s like a brand new instrument. Even the single coil option sounds better. These pickups have brought out the tone wood and snap of the guitar. It’s unbelievable. Before, the neck pickup was almost unusable with gain. Now, even with gain the neck sounds warm, but clear. These may be the best PAF’s I’ve ever heard.
I put these pickups into my 1984 and my 1990 Tokai Love Rocks, the difference between the stock pickups and the Pure PAFs is impressive. Much nicer tone, better clarity, beautiful highs, perfect mids and enough lows. I play them through a Soldano, and it just sounds amazing. They are definitely a huge improvement and beat the stock pickups by far.
Sounds good! Replaced my stock pickups from my 1980 ES-347. Sounds clean. I’m happy.
The tone quest stops here!
Over the years I’ve had the good fortune of playing some real nice vintage guitars, thankfully. It’s hard for me to imagine a P.A.F. style humbucker that could sound any better than this one. You can stop looking now, and start playing. Thank you, Mr. Fralin and crew!
Awesome!
These pickups are awesome. I put them in my LP Custom and can’t put it down. I highly recommend them!
The Pure P.A.F. brings that classic HB tone that rings like a bell, then cuts through with incredible clarity in overdrive. I love to install it with a pot to adjust coil tapping, giving the player a broad range of tone: http://www.charleston.guitars/
Totally Tonal Triumph- Not much to say. Bigger, warmer and more responsive than many HBs I´ve tried over the years.
Turned my Epi Les Paul into a fire breather! I recently ripped out the wiring, pots, switches, jacks and pick ups on my epiphone. Put a jonesy blues 21 tone rig in there along with pure pafs 8.5k bridge and 7.5k in neck. Both with albino 4 mags…………. my guitar now has everything and more of what was lacking. These pure pafs are so clear and articulate on the cleans and the magic really happens when you hit them with overdrive and gain. Greasy quacky with all the bottom end bang and top end Kerrang.