DiMarzio DP196 Virtual PAF Neck Position Humbucker Pickup

In the past there were no high-gain amps, no home recording studios, no computer monitors. Single-coil pickups were okay, and so were unpotted humbuckers. Who knew? Times have changed, but the clean, bright-yet-warm tone of the best vintage pickups still sets the standard for electric guitar sound. The Virtual PAF captures the finest qualities of 50's and early 60's humbuckers to create a great sound. Patented Airbucker and Virtual Vintage(TM) technology permit the use of an Alnico 5 magnet to generate the same low string-pull that an Alnico 2 or 3 produces, and combine 2 of the most sought-after tonal characteristics: low note clarity and high note warmth. The neck model has a pure, bell-tone chime and the bridge model has a thicker, woody sound. The Virtual PAF comes with 4-conductor cable for all coil-access combinations.

Recommended for all positions.

Tech Talk
An obvious question is the differences between the Virtual PAF and models like the PAF(TM) and Air Classic. The Virtual Vintage(TM) technology in the Virtual PAF adds a subtle, 3-dimensional presence to the overall tonality. It's particularly noticeable in the tonal balance between high and low notes: the high E string doesn't get brittle-sounding on the high frets, and the low E string doesn't "mud out" on the lowest frets. This characteristic makes the Virtual PAF neck model equally effective in both neck and bridge positions where sonic clarity is most important.

Technical Info

Wiring: Standard 4-conductor

Magnet: Alnico 5

Output: 210mV

DC Resistance: 7.96K

Year of introduction: 2001

Patent #: 5,399,802 and 5,908,998