how to scatterwind a good PAF replica ???

[fjgaston]

Hello.
I tried a PAF and bought a good replica that kicks, scatterwound by valve art technology http://www.valveart-tech.com/.
I now hope I can wind a PAF replica.
I wound few stratocaster pickups, the last one just kicks
I wound one humbucker but with heavy formvar wire. It sounds really too "dry"
I'm going to buy some plain ennamel here : http://www.mojomusicalsupply.com/ite...809&id=2113767
Do you think this wire is good for PAF replica ?
Which magnet should I use. Where can I buy it /import to France?
Are the pole piece important in the sound of the pickup? are these part good enough : http://www.montreuxguitars.com/produ..._parts_us.html ????
What in the way I wind should I care about?
I heard the tension in the wire is very tight in the PAF because of the tensioner they used on the leesona 102.
Are there some advices you can give me to succeed in winding good PAF replicas.

Thank you very much for this forum.

[David Schwab]

PAF's weren't scatterwound.

[fjgaston]

I know it, I red the posts here about the leesona 102.
But How can I try to reproduce the same sound than a PAF.
Can you give me some advice ?
(I hope this question has not been asked a thousand times)
Thank you.

[EtLa]

But How can I try to reproduce the same sound than a PAF.

Au préalable il faudrait établir ce qu'est un PAF et ensuite définir les règles à suivre pour sa fabrication. Pour l'instant le PAF demeure un mythe.

[David Schwab]

Au préalable il faudrait établir ce qu'est un PAF et ensuite définir les règles à suivre pour sa fabrication. Pour l'instant le PAF demeure un mythe.

I agree. What does a PAF really sound like? It's just a Gibson humbucker, same as the ones that later had patent decals.... just wind one that sounds good to your ears.

[fjgaston]

A PAF, or at least the one I used is a humbucker that just sound the way I like.
What I like on the PAF I tried is : much dynamic, no lack of harmonics, a pickup very faithful to the acoustic of the guitar.
What would you advise for me to succeed in winding such pickups?
Thanks.

[Ruel]

To be able to wind something that you may like, you just have to kep on trying till you find what you are looking for. Everybody here could give you all the tips in the world but only you would know what would be right for you. If you could read all the threads here plus the ones posted at the old ampage forum, you will get a general idea on how to go about winding a good sounding pickup. Then using all the information you can digest, you can develop your own formula in due time.

[HJM]

What I like on the PAF I tried is : much dynamic, no lack of harmonics, a pickup very faithful to the acoustic of the guitar.

That's a pretty good description of a good PAF - but they weren't all that good. Buy the wire and get winding, everything you need to know has been covered here before I bet - just bear in mind the variation between PAFs is pretty wide, so get a range of magnets and a spool of decent 42awg and get busy! .

[NightWinder]

hummmm

Well....Don't get too caught up in others opinions either. Take what you can use, use it and see if thats something you like. There is soo many opinions on the subject and variable when it comes to bobbin size, wire size, insulation type, how much insulation, coinical shapes of the coils, ...magnet thickness, length to the era you are trying to replicate. Do you want to replicate of innovate?? Are you looking to take out the thing you hate about Pafs, and replace them with things you personally enjoy? There really is alot of variables. Best I can say is don't limit yourself to anything at all. Don't be afraid to experiment with different componients, wires, etc. Just realize here these are all opinions....Nothing more.

[David Schwab]

Amen to that!

[fjgaston]

Ok, I'll do that.
I receive my schatten Winder soon, I'm fed up with my former "strange" winders, and I can't find any leesona 102 close by
I will receive Plain Enamel, this one :
I will try to do my best. I also bought magnet from Mojo tone and from stemac to compare them.
My new question is : Is there things I should NOT do to wind a good sounding pickup (harmonic, dynamic, etc...) ?????

As I said good sounding humbucker for me is a pickup with much harmonics, much dynamic, faithful to the acoustic, well balanced) not like the "Tim Shaw PAFs" I had on my 1985 Les Paul Custom.

If you have advices don't hesitate

[David Schwab]

I liked the Shaw pickups on my '81 LP Standard. I even put the cover back on the neck pickup.. and I hate covers. I ended up putting an old DiMarzio SDHB at the bridge though.

I have a Shaw here I'm rewinding.

[fjgaston]

I can sell you mine, I really don't like those pickups.
Now I played a 59 Les Paul, 54 stratocaster, and other old guitars with pickup that kicks and now I have good PAF replica on my LP, I really dislike many pickups including my gibsons, fender and TV jones. (I don't even mention the squier and Jim Harley)

[David Schwab]

You know, I always say you should be able to get a good tone out of anything. It might not be the same tone, but every pickup has its tone, unless they truly suck, and I haven't heard that many truly bad pickups. They might be bad at one thing, but great at another.

One of my favorite guitars has some no name Korean DiMarzio clone pickup wound to about 8K. Great sounding guitar.

If you have that many guitars that you don't like, it's not the pickups... honest. Just rethink how you are going about getting a tone out of them.