DiMarzio Forum
DimarzioForum.Com => The Pickup Place => Topic started by: wxs3 on December 08, 2025, 03:21:54 PM
-
Hi guys, long time no post on my end (happens when we get old). I ordered a Super PAF Ceramic and installed it in my Kiesel Delos which has 2 bridge Cruisers in the neck and middle. It replaced the Air Classic that I was running. The sound, for me, was too compressed (less openness than the Air Classic). I'm currently playing classic rock in my current band and recording progressive rock at home and various jams. It just didn't have the openness that the Air Classic has, and for me, it was an exchange for another (a PAF 7 for the neck of my 7-string Delos with an Air Norton 7 in the bridge). It was just too much squeeze for me, as I find myself going to more vintage pickups these days. Some will like it, but for me it wasn't to be.
Yours in :madness: :madness: :madness: :madness:
Walt
-
First of all, welcome back!
Going from an Air Classic to a Super Distortion type pickup is quite a radical change in output and compression, and it is a substantial volume mismatch to the Cruisers which are quite low output.
If you want a bit hotter than PAF level, Air Norton is worth considering.
Cheers Stephan
-
Hi guys, long time no post on my end (happens when we get old). I ordered a Super PAF Ceramic and installed it in my Kiesel Delos which has 2 bridge Cruisers in the neck and middle. It replaced the Air Classic that I was running. The sound, for me, was too compressed (less openness than the Air Classic). I'm currently playing classic rock in my current band and recording progressive rock at home and various jams. It just didn't have the openness that the Air Classic has, and for me, it was an exchange for another (a PAF 7 for the neck of my 7-string Delos with an Air Norton 7 in the bridge). It was just too much squeeze for me, as I find myself going to more vintage pickups these days. Some will like it, but for me it wasn't to be.
Yours in :madness: :madness: :madness: :madness:
Walt
Thanks for your review.
Nevertheless the result was too obvious; results from air classic to Super PAF are, you know, inevitable :) If i were you i would pick something more "real" PAF oriented like Virtual Hot PAF, Fortitude, PAF 36th bridge ;)
-
First of all, welcome back!
Going from an Air Classic to a Super Distortion type pickup is quite a radical change in output and compression, and it is a substantial volume mismatch to the Cruisers which are quite low output.
If you want a bit hotter than PAF level, Air Norton is worth considering.
Cheers Stephan
Thanks, it’s been awhile. I’ve got several Super Distortions laying around so it was more of a curiosity than anything. I’m kind of an “old”(72 to be exact) school player using the volume knob for various gain strength but using modern equipment (amp modelers) I’m too old to be lugging a tube amp around these days, the seven drunks at the bar yelling “Free Bird” ( yes, they still out there), can’t tell the difference, plus it’s easier to record without pissing off the neighbors at 1:30am.
I exchanged it for a PAF 7 for my Kiesel Delos 7 string (enter newer equipment - GAS never goes away). I’m going to match it up with an Air Norton 7 but can’t seem to find any demos of it in the bridge. Now mind you, homie don’t chug ;D but want to keep the low b in standard tuning and explore the extended range. How does the Air Norton 7 sound in the bridge as it has a ceramic magnet?
FWIW, I took the cruisers out and put an Injector neck in the neck and a 58 in the middle and put a Full strength Norton in the bridge……for now :madness: :madness: :madness: :madness:
-
Hi guys, long time no post on my end (happens when we get old). I ordered a Super PAF Ceramic and installed it in my Kiesel Delos which has 2 bridge Cruisers in the neck and middle. It replaced the Air Classic that I was running. The sound, for me, was too compressed (less openness than the Air Classic). I'm currently playing classic rock in my current band and recording progressive rock at home and various jams. It just didn't have the openness that the Air Classic has, and for me, it was an exchange for another (a PAF 7 for the neck of my 7-string Delos with an Air Norton 7 in the bridge). It was just too much squeeze for me, as I find myself going to more vintage pickups these days. Some will like it, but for me it wasn't to be.
Yours in :madness: :madness: :madness: :madness:
Walt
Thanks for your review.
Nevertheless the result was too obvious; results from air classic to Super PAF are, you know, inevitable :) If i were you i would pick something more "real" PAF oriented like Virtual Hot PAF, Fortitude, PAF 36th bridge ;)
I had replaced the cruisers with an Injector neck and Area 58 middle with a full strength Norton in the bridge. So far/so good, but I due suffer from this disease called "I know how to solder" which seems to help keep Larry DiMarzio in business (all these years of loyalty and not even a Christmas card ;D ;D)
I actually have an original production (not the custom shop ones) Virtual Paf neck and Virtual Hot bridge along with another Virtual Hot with an A2 magnet swap. And I also have another strat that is over due for surgery, what fruits might that bare, time will tell.
BTW, I'm a big Zappa fan
-
Hi guys, long time no post on my end (happens when we get old). I ordered a Super PAF Ceramic and installed it in my Kiesel Delos which has 2 bridge Cruisers in the neck and middle. It replaced the Air Classic that I was running. The sound, for me, was too compressed (less openness than the Air Classic). I'm currently playing classic rock in my current band and recording progressive rock at home and various jams. It just didn't have the openness that the Air Classic has, and for me, it was an exchange for another (a PAF 7 for the neck of my 7-string Delos with an Air Norton 7 in the bridge). It was just too much squeeze for me, as I find myself going to more vintage pickups these days. Some will like it, but for me it wasn't to be.
Yours in :madness: :madness: :madness: :madness:
Walt
Hi Walt. As a Zappa fan, glad to meet you :)
Virtual Hot PAf with A2 is something i really like to hear yet i'm afraid to spoil the pickup somehow. Did you leave the "airbucker" tech or took the ring out and put spacers?
Thanks for your review.
Nevertheless the result was too obvious; results from air classic to Super PAF are, you know, inevitable :) If i were you i would pick something more "real" PAF oriented like Virtual Hot PAF, Fortitude, PAF 36th bridge ;)
I had replaced the cruisers with an Injector neck and Area 58 middle with a full strength Norton in the bridge. So far/so good, but I due suffer from this disease called "I know how to solder" which seems to help keep Larry DiMarzio in business (all these years of loyalty and not even a Christmas card ;D ;D)
I actually have an original production (not the custom shop ones) Virtual Paf neck and Virtual Hot bridge along with another Virtual Hot with an A2 magnet swap. And I also have another strat that is over due for surgery, what fruits might that bare, time will tell.
BTW, I'm a big Zappa fan
-
Yes, it still has the virtual tech in it. It has a similar sound to the Duncan 78 at that time. I can’t remember if I used a special magnet size or not though.
Hi guys, long time no post on my end (happens when we get old). I ordered a Super PAF Ceramic and installed it in my Kiesel Delos which has 2 bridge Cruisers in the neck and middle. It replaced the Air Classic that I was running. The sound, for me, was too compressed (less openness than the Air Classic). I'm currently playing classic rock in my current band and recording progressive rock at home and various jams. It just didn't have the openness that the Air Classic has, and for me, it was an exchange for another (a PAF 7 for the neck of my 7-string Delos with an Air Norton 7 in the bridge). It was just too much squeeze for me, as I find myself going to more vintage pickups these days. Some will like it, but for me it wasn't to be.
Yours in :madness: :madness: :madness: :madness:
Walt
Hi Walt. As a Zappa fan, glad to meet you :)
Virtual Hot PAf with A2 is something i really like to hear yet i'm afraid to spoil the pickup somehow. Did you leave the "airbucker" tech or took the ring out and put spacers?
Thanks for your review.
Nevertheless the result was too obvious; results from air classic to Super PAF are, you know, inevitable :) If i were you i would pick something more "real" PAF oriented like Virtual Hot PAF, Fortitude, PAF 36th bridge ;)
I had replaced the cruisers with an Injector neck and Area 58 middle with a full strength Norton in the bridge. So far/so good, but I due suffer from this disease called "I know how to solder" which seems to help keep Larry DiMarzio in business (all these years of loyalty and not even a Christmas card ;D ;D)
I actually have an original production (not the custom shop ones) Virtual Paf neck and Virtual Hot bridge along with another Virtual Hot with an A2 magnet swap. And I also have another strat that is over due for surgery, what fruits might that bare, time will tell.
BTW, I'm a big Zappa fan