Pure P.A.F.
The Ultimate PAF Replacement
$160 – $320
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:
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.
Sound Samples for Pure P.A.F.:
Compare Outputs
We have 2 outputs of our Pure P.A.F.. Compare them below.
About these Sound Clips:
All sound samples are played from Neck Position First and Bridge Position Last.
Tonal Graph For Pure P.A.F.:
The tonal graph below for our Pure P.A.F. features Lows, Midrange, Highs, and general Output.
Attack: Soft & Round
Videos for Pure P.A.F.:
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:
Gibson-Style instruments
Phase Reversible
Coil Splitting
3-Conductor Lead:
Phase Reversible
Coil Splitting
4-Conductor Lead:
Phase Reversible
Series Parallel Wiring
Coil Splitting
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 1 |
| Bridge Ohm Reading (Stock): | 8K 1 |
| 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 2 |
More Information:
1 Ohm Readings can vary due to a multitude of factors, including ambient temperature, multimeter calibration, different wire batches, and other factors. Due to this, ohm readings are approximate. Learn more about Ohm Readings here.
2 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
Covered Humbucker
Uncovered Humbucker
Pure P.A.F. FAQ's
General FAQs
Here are quick answers to common questions we get:
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What Ohm Readings does your Pure P.A.F. have?
Navigate to our Tech Specs Tab for complete Ohm Readings and more useful information.
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Will this pickup fit my instrument?
Check our "Sizing" tab for the size of the pickup. No Sizing tab? Check under the product image gallery for dimensions.
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Is your Lead Time of 3-4 Weeks accurate?
It really depends on the shop capacity at the moment, and the size of your order. Feel free to give us a call for an accurate lead time. We always try to underpromise and overdeliver.
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What pickup height do you recommend setting your Pure P.A.F.s to?
Our recommended Pickup Height is 1/8" (3.175mm) on the Bass Side and 1/16"( 1.5875mm) on the Treble Side. Measure by holding the corresponding side down at its highest fret and measure from the bottom of the string to the top of the pole piece.
Get It Prewired
Get our Pure P.A.F. prewired into a Prewired Pickguard!:
Customer Reviews
228 Genuine Reviews for Pure P.A.F.
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I have a Gibson Les Paul Standard Custom Shop R8 Reissue. The Custom Buckers that cam with it were ok, but I wanted the same Vintage Tone but with some more Balls more of a Medium Output. I emailed you guys and described what sound I was after, then suggested I get the Pure PAF with 7.8 in the Neck and 8.2 on the Bridge. I just go them back from installation and I’m glad to say I am Pleased! Wow! I was knocked out! It has the Vintage Sound and the Balls I wanted! Thanks for making Great Pickups! Kudos! To all of you!
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I have a Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Standard R8 and I like the Custom Buckers that came with it but, something was missing! I emailed Fralin and described the sound I was looking for, and suggested Pure PAF with 7.8 on the Neck and 8.2 on the Bridge. Well I just got my Les Paul back from Emerald City Guitars in Seattle, and got the sound I asked for. The Vintage Les Paul sound but with some Balls! Kudos to The Fralin Team!
George
Seattle -
Customer added no additional comments
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Amazing
I had a set wound to the Jimmy Page specs and man do they sound spot on. These were put into a Gibson Midtown. It is now a Les Paul Killer. Thank you for the excellent customer experience.
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Excellent Pickups!
I own a 1979 Gibson Kalamazoo Les Paul that I bought new nearly 41 yrs ago. It was time for a pickup upgrade and I called and spoke with Lindy who showed a caring and helpful attitude. My guitar sounds better now than it did when I purchased it. If your guitar needs new pickups you have to check out the Fralin Line…I assure you…you will not be disappointed. Thanks, Lindy, Tim Killion
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Exceptional
Full disclosure, I’m a novice guitarist. So why would anyone listen to my opinion? If I can appreciate these pickups, imagine how much you would. String definition is top-notch with beautiful vintage humbucker tone. The cleans are so very detailed and the dirty tones are just as good. There is no midrange spike to make them harsh or piercing. This is the fourth set of pickups I’ve gotten from Lindy and I’m getting more. You don’t have to listen to the opinion of a novice, but you should.
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I couldn’t be happier with the Pure P.A.F. humbucker! It’s everything I had hoped for and more! Thank you!
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Sounds great! Great pickup, great customer service.
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SWEET
Put 7.8k neck/8.2k bridge in a Gibson 2012 ES-339. Third different pup set I’ve had in it, and these are the keepers. The cleans are the cleanest, and the overdriven tones are much better than I expected. The pinch harmonics leap out effortlessly. The slightly scooped quack sound is incredible. These are incredibly refined humbuckers. Kudos. -
Humbucker tone at all volume levels clear single coil with minimal noise when split awesome combination with split rails in HSS configuration
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Customer added no additional comments -
Amazing set of pickups. I replaced humbuckers on a blacktop Tele and the sound is amazing. Powerful and soulful pickups, they turned my Tele into my number one. Fralin pickups have a soul…I’m serious..will purchase again when the situation arises…
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Very happy with Pure PAF pickups.
I am delighted with the Pure PAF humbuckers from Lindy Fralin. I installed them on my Hagstrom Viking, an ES-335 style guitar. It’s quite well built but suffers from a muddy, poor-quality tone. The Pure PAFs were the perfect choice for this guitar. It now sounds as good or better than any Gibson ES-335 I’ve ever played. I don’t know how Lindy does it, but these PUPs are both fat and really clear, at the same time. I couldn’t be happier. Highly recommended. -
Absolutely worth it. I tried many different pickups before landing with these. It took really just one strum and I made that mean impressed frown face. They’re so inspiring. The first pickup I’ve played on that when I really dig in it actually punches back at me. Perfect EQ balance. Amazing.
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Amazing pickup! Amazing all-around experience, to ally and delivery time. Always a pleasure, thanks to Lindy and his staff!
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Unreal Bridge PAF!
I have tried Lollar, Wolfetone, Electric City, Sheptone, and these win hands-down! Every time I have used different brands or Bridge humbucker pickups the tone has been insanely off on my Gibson ES-333. The Pure PAF is never harsh or dull. It is SO dynamic and the perfect EQ. Honestly, my mind is blown. I had ventured off and tried different PAF’s and came back to these, and I will never bother with others again. -
Wow! I put a pair of Pure PAF’s in a 1990 Orville Les Paul. Its a gorgeous instrument and plays great but it lacked something in its tone. After replacing the originals which were blah. I tried a set of Iron Gear, Tesla Sharks from a UK builder. Not bad but they had a bit of a coarse breakup and were a little noisy. Then I tried a pair of Gibson 57s. The 57 in the neck and a 57+ in the bridge. Much better. After a year or so, I decided to try the Pure PAF’s. I feel like the guitar came to life. Super nice cleans and a really smooth breakup coming out of a Marshal amp. Just love it!!
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Got them in just in time for a gig. Got multiple compliments on my tone from other musicians and people in attendance. They sound great. I will be a repeat customer. Our other guitarist played my guitar for 10 minutes and decided to order some.
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Clean and Clear!
Great sounding PAF’s. Clean and crisp. Very versatile. -
They sound beautiful as do all your pickups. They are not quite balanced in volume and I make up for that by putting the bridge pickup a little closer to the strings.
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