These days, it seems as if everyone's looking for the legendary sound and dynamics of the original “Patent Applied For” pickups. Utilizing Larry DiMarzio's 1959 Cherry Sunburst Les Paul® for reference, DiMarzio used the same materials as 1959, gifted ears, and decades of winding experience to create the new PAF® 59 pickups.
Larry says the PAF® 59 Neck and Bridge models were built following an “old family recipe.” We started with a 2-½-inch degaussed Alnico 5 magnet. The 42 AWG enamel wire coils are un-dipped and scatter wound. They're tuned to capture the guitar's voice and dynamics without coloring it.
The PAF® 59 Neck and Bridge models feature Double Cream™ butyrate bobbins on our long-leg nickel/silver base plate just like the originals. They are also available with black or black & cream butyrate bobbins.
All materials are made in the U.S.A. to the tolerances of the best of the 1959 pickups.
The PAF® 59 Neck and Bridge models have the open dynamics, bright attack, smooth midrange, and rich bottom end, along with the creamy distortion of the original “Patent Applied For” pickups
Like the vintage “Patent Applied For” pickups, the PAF® 59 Bridge model has perfect harmonic range with exactly the right amount of oomph. It has a subtle roll off on the top end that sweetens the highs in the bridge position.