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
229 Genuine Reviews for Pure P.A.F.
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Put the Pure PAF in the bridge of my Kiesel semi hollow. I really only bought it cause I was going to replace my neck pickup (with a big single) and I had to pay shipping to nz anyway so might as well maximise the shipping cost. After a couple of hours of playing I was incredibly impressed. It is amazing. The review above was straight after I installed them, now they may be my favourite PAF style pickup of all time.
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Put the Pure PAF in the bridge of my Kiesel semi hollow. I really only bought it cause I was going to replace my neck pickup (with a big single) and I had to pay shipping to nz anyway so might as well maximise the shipping cost. After a couple of hours of playing I was incredibly impressed. It is amazing. The review above was straight after I installed them, now they may be my favourite PAF style pickup of all time.
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I have a bridge Pure P.A.F. wound to 8.4k. It really nails the PAF sound. It’s always articulate and responsive; this seems to be the trend with Fralin pickups. If I ever need another pickup I’ll be coming back.
It sounds great out of phase and in a partial split as well.
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Excellent pickup!
I’m a crossover (recovering) jazz guy and I loaded these into my strandberg fusion. I loved the fusion as is but the Suhr pickups were a little hot and “bitey”. The Fralin pure PAF is much more rounded, the sound is frankly quite beautiful: perfect for classic rock, blues, and of course jazz.I recommend this upgrade highly if you find your current humbucker is harsh.
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Until I received the Fralin pure PAF my favorite humbucker was the Gibson 57 Classic Plus. This is better. I put an overwound Pure PAF in the bridge of my Flying V and the punchy yet articulate growl is perfect through my Marshall Studio Classic (mini JCM800). It’s exactly what I was hoping for.
I also had a question about conductor choice on my order form and Lindy himself called me the next day to explain the answer.
Basically, 10/10 service, 10/10 product.
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I bought the Fralin Pure PAF pickups because I have Fralins on a Strat and a Telecaster and really like them. The difference between the Fralins and the stock Fender pickups was very noticeable right away and a huge improvement. As for the Pure PAFs, I bought an Epiphone ES-339 as a platform project guitar. Epiphone has really upped it’s game, putting out a fine product at a very reasonable price, but I wanted to turn the instrument into a high end tone machine and after waiting 8 months for the guitar to deliver, I was finally able to install the Pure PAF pickups. I must say that I was stunned at how great they sound. The note clarity is amazing — you can hear every note in a chord and in all three positions, the sound is distinctive and definitely “PAF” al the way. EXACTLY what I wanted. My expectations were high, but they’ve been surpassed by these outstanding pickups. I highly recommend them. Thanks!
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I’m a Neck Position Strat Player. Lately, I began playing a venue with insane EMI. None of my Guitars had Humbuckers in the Neck. I had Warmoth cut me up a new single Neck Humbucker Pickguard and set out looking for the best P.A.F. I could find. The Fralin P.A.F. is awesome and takes Pedals really well.
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When I order my Pure P.A.F. Fralin pickups, I didn’t know what to expect. In my SG Supreme 2016, I replaced the standard Burst Bucker that were good, but something was missing. Then I ordered quite expensive boutique pickups that were better, but that something was still missing. It is sometime difficult to describe that missing thing. I checked on the Web trying to find that missing thing I cannot describe.
I finally decided to try the Pure P.A.F. Fralin. What a surprise! I got the missing thing in my sound. So I really enjoy my purchase. I don’t need to try to compensate using different pedals. Only a Keely Compressor, the Fender Amp Reverb and a GH Diablo Boost/Distortion pedal when required. No need for other pedals when you got a great sound.
Thanks Fralin! Great pickups… -
I am the proud owner of two sets of LF pickups. I have a set of the High Output singles in my Strat and now the Pure PAF in my PRS Thinline 594. These are some of the finest pickups I’ve ever played. Instead of explaining the satisfaction that I get from playing them, I will just say that I spent a ridiculous amount of time researching, reading reviews, and racking my brain as to which direction to go (kid in a candy shop situation). I could not be happier with both sets that I now own. I was even able to speak with Lindy directly over the phone, and he called me back again to clarify some of my notes that I added when I placed my order. Top-notch all around.
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The difference in sound of my guitars before I put Fralin’s in and after is effectively like the difference between a circle drawn on a piece of paper and holding an actual sphere.
Simply put – they are the most 3 dimensional sounding pickups ive ever heard, and the way they react to different dynamic forms of playing almost makes them an instrument unto themselves. They react as if they were alive.
The only downside to them is that they ruin your other guitars that you haven’t upgraded yet. I have some pretty spectacular sounding instruments, but once my ear got used to the Fralin’s, guitars that I used to think sounded pretty good now sound flat in comparison.
The cherry on the top is the out of this world direct customer service. I can think of few other companies that where you can have a direct conversation with the owner who can help guide you to the best solution to your goals. Lindey is a genius by anyone’s math, and every single interaction I have had with anyone in the company has been an absolute model of the right way to do business at a human level.
I don’t know that I’ll be completely satisfied till all my instruments are swapped up to Fralin’s!
Instruments so far
Gibson Les Paul – Unbuckers
Epiphone Sheraton: Pure PAFs-Buck Down
http://www.buckdown.net -
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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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
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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!
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