The essence of an exceptional vintage humbucker lies in several key attributes: a gentle magnetic field, a warm tonal quality, a seamless blend clarity, and the remarkable capacity to shift between clean and distorted sounds solely through pick attack. With our PAF 36th Anniversary Neck, we aimed to honor the legacy of trailblazers like Seth Lover, the creator of the original Patent Applied For humbucker. Our goal was to craft pickups that encapsulate all these essential characteristics of classic vintage humbuckers. Rather than mere replicas, we have re-engineered the PAF using innovative technology, taking inspiration from Larry DiMarzio’s iconic 1959 cherry sunburst Gibson® Les Paul. The superb tone produced by Larry’s guitar isn’t attributed solely to the pickups; it is a harmonious blend of various components within the instrument itself.

Despite the weaker magnetic field of these pickups, the clarity of sound is notably crisp, reminiscent of single-coil pickups. This intentional design allows the strings to resonate longer, enhancing the articulation of attack and output. Employing computer-controlled winders, we meticulously layer 42-gauge custom-coated wire to achieve our desired frequency response with precision. Each pickup is then treated with our custom dipping formula to eliminate unwanted squeal and microphonics. Crafted from nickel-silver, the cover features a new plating process that enhances magnetic transparency compared to original designs. The PAF 36th Anniversary Neck delivers a smooth sonic experience without muddiness, performing superbly in both neck and bridge positions, just as the finest humbuckers from the 1950s did. 

Customization options for the PAF 36th Anniversary are extensive, allowing you to select the bobbin style—whether vintage glossy or modern matte—along with your choice of base, including traditional long-legged and standard short-legged types, as well as the cable type, offering either vintage single-conductor or 4-conductor. You can opt for the PAF 36th Anniversary Neck uncovered or choose among three distinct cover types: standard polished and plated, buffed with no plating, or our vintage worn cover that boasts an authentic, well-loved appearance, reminiscent of a piece that has been around since 1959.