Humid Tropics - PAF style with a modern twist

Humid Tropics - PAF style with a modern twist

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Solderless setup with all required wiring available here.

 

These are a close recreation of the fabled PAF’s of the late 50s, with a little modern twist to improve them. True to the original, the neck pickup is wound with off-set coils. When humbuckers were first created they were wound on machines which were controlled by timers. These timers would regularly malfunction, winding the wrong amount. Not too concerned with quality control, the ladies controlling the machines would just slap the bobbins together and not think twice about it. This, by sheer coincidence, created the PAF as we know it today. Now that we understand the effect on this, we desire it. Off-set coils gives the pickup advantages over a conventional humbucker; the resonant frequency of each bobbin is different, meaning that the pickup results in having a wider frequency response and increased treble detail and response – critical for keeping mud out of the neck position. Wound to emphasise the beautiful vocal, singing quality that can only be found in a quality 42 gauge humbucker, these will fulfil your PAF cravings.

 

The bridge is everything that a high quality PAF should be; bright, snappy and very organic. To keep the wind from being overly harsh in the treble end of the spectrum, the coils are matched on the bridge, this is still faithful to the original PAF's - some came out the way they were intended to! The touch responsivity is of vital importance to a PAF bridge, and this one is calibrated to maximise the responsivity of the pickup to the picking attack. But it has enough output to allow it to really growl when the dirt is turned up.

 
Normal PAF's were wound with plain enamel wire. This insulation is thinner than the type I use - meaning they were warmer. I use a modern poly wire to create wider, more spaced out winds. This gives them a brighter, cleaner and more airy quality - perfect for removing mud from the neck position and a perfect combination with the sweet, but sometimes mushy alnico 2 magnets. This tweak makes these pickups far more versatile than your typical PAF by providing enough clarity to take any level of distortion with ease.
Rumour has it that these humbuckers reach their tonal plateau when their user wears a top hat and leather trousers. We cannot confirm nor deny this.

Specifications (neck/bridge):

Resistance (ohms): 7.6k/8.3k

Magnet: alnico 2
Spacing: 50/52mm
Lead wire: braided single conductor
Baseplate: short legged nickel silver
Wax potted

 

Supplied with mounting screws & springs.

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P
Paul Kennedy
Humid Tropics Set

Put a set into an early 2000s Epiohone Dot. I didn't really mind the stock pickups, there were ok and did almost 20 years with no problems. I did always feel, however, that there was more to be had and could never quite get the sound in my head. I took a punt on these having heard good things. No reviews though so here I go!

Brilliant! Arrived quickly and well packaged. As you probably know, a 335-style pickup change is not the easiest job but, after much string and washer action, they were in. Immediate change was the balance in highs and lows. I could hear everything clearly, can't think of a better was to describe it. individuals the pickups are great, plenty of bite in the bridge if required. The in-between sound is just like I imagined it could be, really warm and lovely of BB King-esque lines. Flat out they drive amps and pedals really well, I use an old Guv'nor and it hits is hard enough for 'that' sound. Alex says 'clarity' in the description, he's absolutely spot on.

Definitely amazing value too given other British handwound pricing, spec clearly not pure vintage like others may be, but they sound fantastic regardless!