1

The Pickup Place / Re: My review of the Super PAF Ceramic

« on: December 22, 2025, 09:39:41 PM »

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 
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  )
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

2

The Pickup Place / Re: My review of the Super PAF Ceramic

« on: December 19, 2025, 12:15:28 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 
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  )
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

3

The Pickup Place / Re: My review of the Super PAF Ceramic

« on: December 19, 2025, 10:53:39 AM »

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  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

4

The Pickup Place / My review of the Super PAF Ceramic

« 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 
Walt

5

The Pickup Place / VHPaf now available from custom shop

« on: November 10, 2025, 03:46:26 PM »

been away for a number of years now but I check in every once in a while.  So if this is old news, forgive me.

Walt (wxs3)

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News & New Guys / Re: Hi Bud, long time, no see

« on: August 03, 2021, 12:08:14 PM »

Bud, Mini Stroke??  Hope you're recovering ok.  I have a little more free time now that I'm retired (key work is little).  I've had a total knee replacement and had rotator cuff surgery this past spring.  In physical therapy now, remodeling the house etc.  Will try to check in and contribute when I can. 

I resently completely rewired 2 of my strats with this:

https://madhatterguitarproducts.com/

Completely soderless and in some cases will double the selection of tones.  Pretty cool stuff.  I highly recommend them.

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News & New Guys / Hi Bud, long time, no see

« on: July 17, 2021, 11:18:14 AM »

Hi Bud!!
Been away for awhile, lots of changes.  Thought I'd stop by and see how everyone is.  I see you still have my "Madness" icon.  Nice to see I left something to be remembered by.  Anything new??

Old Timer
wxs3 (Walt)

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The Pickup Place / Area 61 neck and middle with AT-1

« on: November 20, 2018, 06:31:05 PM »

Happy Thanksgiving!!  I was wondering about this set up with a pair of 61's neck and middle with an AT-1 bridge, 250k pots in a parts caster.  Anyone tried this?

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The Pickup Place / Re: Evh frankenstein humbucker - dimarzio equivalent?

« on: October 23, 2018, 09:59:22 PM »

Norton gets my vote. Easy harmonics. It’s like a hot rodded PAF

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The Pickup Place / Re: Bridge HB to go with Chopper in the neck

« on: October 03, 2018, 11:42:52 AM »

Bumblfoot from Sons of Apollo uses a chopper neck with a Tone Zone bridge. His toned sound pretty good.

11

The Trading Post / HS-2

« on: September 24, 2018, 06:03:25 PM »

Been awhile since I've been here.  Glad to see my madness icon is still on board!  Looking for an HS-2 for a project strat.  Who's got one to sell?   

12

Gear Closet / Re: Amp choices

« on: June 12, 2018, 11:25:10 AM »

Now I find myself looking at a Hughes and Kettner 40 watt GrandMeister Deluxe.  Everything I’ve read tells me this is the one work horse for recording tube tones direct into my DAW.  Just when you think the journey is complete, there’s another turn in the road.


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Gear Closet / Amp choices

« on: June 05, 2018, 11:43:48 AM »

When I started playing guitar I wanted a Marshall amp, nothing else would do, had to Marshall or bust.  I bought a JCM900, 100watt combo and I thought I was in heaven.  I’m new Day in a local music store, I found a silver face deluxe reverb that needed work. I bought it for $100.00.  I started reading articles on how to hotrod them into something completely different, found an amp tech who told me I would fall out of love with my Marshall when he was done.  That little 20 watt fender embarrassed my Marshall and a number of other Marshalls that other players had.  I had that amp for about 2 years when I asked for a custom built pre amp based on my deluxe reverb. Again not disappointed.  Now in my 60’s, I now own a fender Super Sonic, 60 watt. I find myself playing thru the Bassman channel with an Overdrive, Distortion, Delay, and Chorus ( yes I use the spring reverb).  I love the versatility, richness of my sound. How many others have had this revaluation??


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14

The Pickup Place / Re: 36th Anniversary bridge in neck position.

« on: May 07, 2018, 11:16:58 PM »

Have you tried adjusting the pickup height or the poles on the bass side of the pickup?

Yeah I’m thinking it’s time for a fret job.


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15

The Pickup Place / Re: 36th Anniversary bridge in neck position.

« on: April 30, 2018, 02:46:11 PM »

I currently have the VPAF neck in that guitar with a Tone Zone in the bridge.  The D, G,B, and E strings sound very fluid and articulate. The low E and A strings sound like they slightly flub out at times.  It might be my eq on the amp needs adjusting. I’m very happy with the reaper hp 55 speaker as it seems to have opened the amp up considerably over the V30 that was in there.   The Friedman BE OD pedal is awesome in this setup.  I find it interesting that I don’t have any issues with the TZ’s low end but do with the VPAF in the neck.


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