PAF Question

[Truth011]

What set of PAF's would be considered more desirable, an early 1957 pair with no stickers and stainless steel covers or a 61/62 short magnet set with nickel covers?

 

[ESchmidt]

Are we assuming they are in the same condition? Unopened covers, no rewinds, or any other things that would make them unoriginal? If yes, then it would be the early no sticker set. There were far fewer of those type made than the later, short magnet variety. It’s simple supply and demand. The later short magnet sets come up for sale far more regularly than the early no sticker variety.

However, if you are asking the question in terms of tonal properties and which variety would sound better, than its six and one half dozen the other. Both can sound great or not very good at all depending on the application.

 

[Truth011]

Yes, same condition.

Would they be similar in outputs?

 

[goldtop0]

The '57 no sticker PAFs are held in high regard by the guys who have played them in GTs.
If I had a choice everything being equal(price) I'd go '57.
Output(k ohm resistance) I suspect may be higher in them from what I've read/heard.

 

[RAG7890]

'57's without a doubt.

 

[jimi55lp]

Output can't be exactly known since the windings weren't exact in 1957?

 

[goldtop0]

Output can't be exactly known since the windings weren't exact in 1957?

They can be individually checked for a reading if you want to do that.

 

[Snappy Joe]

57 PAF are about 7,7 to 7,8 max.

 

[jdmp]

I played a '57 ES 175 with unpolished no sticker PAFs once and I didn't like them. Much weaker and didn't have the PAF characteristics I'm used to. I was there to buy the guitar but I passed. After that experience, I was under the impression that these really early ones were a bit weaker than the '59 and later ones. I'm not really an expert though, but this was my experience.

 

[duaneflowers]

Laylas vs Hot 'Lantas... I'd go for the Laylas... but Duane seemed to favor the 'Lantas...

 

[sws1]

I played a '57 ES 175 with unpolished no sticker PAFs once and I didn't like them. Much weaker and didn't have the PAF characteristics I'm used to. I was there to buy the guitar but I passed. After that experience, I was under the impression that these really early ones were a bit weaker than the '59 and later ones. I'm not really an expert though, but this was my experience.

I had a guitar with early no-sticker pups. Same experience. Almost like playing a tele with hyper-dynamic pickups. In a way, very difficult to play. I think they measured around 7.1k each.

 

[Truth011]

Some interesting observations. A vintage parts seller once told me that when his clients would look for PAF's they had in mind a 8.0 - 8.5 ohm range. He was often surprised when they tried out different sets that they preferred the tone of the lower wind PAF's in the high 6's.

 

[RevWillie]

The vast majority of the music made on PAF Goldtops and '58 Bursts was made with lower wind PAFs, with readings from 6.5 to 8.

Just sayin'

 

[RAG7890]

My PAF sets all measure high 6's to mid 7's, subject to temperature at the time of reading.

They all sound fantastic IMHO.

 

[Phil W]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the variable decline over time of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet in a pickup will radically alter its output and tone, yes?
If so then no 2 late 50s pickups will ever be the same regardless of the windings.

 

[eric ernest]

Hands down the most insane sounding vintage Les Paul I have ever heard. Extremely aggressive sounding. Nickel screw pre-sticker PAFs untouched. It's an Aussie now...

1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar "Goldtop" near mint

1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar "Goldtop" near mint

1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar "Goldtop" near mint

1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar "Goldtop" near mint