CG-MayJun16-ISSUU

REVIEW
AMALFITANO PAF PICKUPS: NEW NAME, PAFS DONE RIGHT Bob Cianci
Key Features
Enameled 42 Gauge Magnetic Wire
Hardwood Maple Spacer Blocks
Alnico 2 Magnets
Nickel/Steel Base Plates
Single Conductor Shielded Lead Wires
Today, the field is crowded with contenders
trying to duplicate the mojo of old Gibson PAFs.
But what is the definitive PAF sound they’re
searching for? The sound of a great old PAF
was one of harmonic complexity and balance;
strong, bright, chiming highs, solid, beefy mids,
and well defined lows. It’s an evenly balanced
would certainly like the tight bottom end and
rich harmonics. With the tone cranked down,
one can achieve a very convincing vintage
Clapton “Woman Tone.”
The bridge pickup was pure sonic joy; crisp,
clean and smooth, with plenty of top end
sparkle and with pleasing harmonic complexity.
Pickup maker Jerry Amalfitano doesn’t believe
sound that’s pure, and lacks the muddiness of
While it certainly didn’t approach Telecaster
much of the hype and marketing voodoo that
certain lesser quality humbuckers.
territory, the Amalfitano PAF was perhaps the
surrounds the products of some of today’s
liveliest, brightest PAF style humbucker this
pickup makers.
In the way of technical information, Amalfitano
writer has ever experienced.
PAFs are comprised of vintage enameled 42
“There’s no magic to making great guitar
gauge magnetic wire, hardwood maple spacer
Kicking on my J. Rockett Archer OD, the bridge
pickups,” he said from his home in Keller, Texas.
blocks, Alnico 2 magnets, nickel/steel base
pickup had sweet, singing sustain, and the neck
“A pickup is just wire, magnets, wood spacers,
plates, and single conductor shielded lead
pickup had the same qualities, but of course,
bobbins and a base plate. The magic is in the
wires. If those ingredients sound familiar, they
with less brightness. Adding compression
way they are wound. I think most people know
should; they’re what Seth Lover used on his
lengthened sustain on both pickups. With my
that. I scatter wind pickups, which is the way
original Gibson PAFs.
Earthquaker Hoof Fuzz, the guitar snarled like
they were made in the old days. That’s the
a beast and pinch harmonics were effortless.
secret.”
I installed the Amalfitano’s in my recent issue
Gibson Les Paul Sunburst Standard, and for
The only downside was a bit of squealing
Amalfitano began experimenting with pickup
this test, used an American-made Fender
feedback produced when sitting close to the
making several years ago. A jet engine
Hot Rod Deluxe, along with my pedalboard,
amp. Both pickups are unpotted, like original
mechanic and tester by profession and a
in order to test the pickups with combinations
PAFs. Fortunately, when I moved away from the
native of Brooklyn, New York, Jerry had a
of compression and a variety of overdrives.
amp, the squealing stopped, and left me with
’79 SG with a dead neck pickup. Utilizing his
Played clean, the Amalfitano’s were everything
nothing but classic PAF goodness.
technical knowledge, Jerry took on the task
of finding the problem and fixing it, and was
happy with the results. Through word of mouth
and his website, the buzz about Amafitano
pickups has spread, and now Jerry keeps busy
in his off hours, winding pickups for boutique
guitar builders and individual customers alike,
including Aerosmith’s Joe Perry. It was a
I expected and then some. The neck pickup
was muscular, yet clear and full, with bottom
end that never grew muddy or less than well
defined. While it’s somewhat doubtful that a jazz
player would find the Amalfitano neck pickup
ideal for his or her purposes, a rock guitarist
No doubt, there are many variations of the
legendary Gibson PAF on the market by
manufacturers large and small. Guitarists would
be well advised to look into Jerry Amalfitano’s
take on this immortal design.
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YouTube video demonstration of his PAF style
pickups that attracted this writer’s attention.
Amalfitano PAF
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10 May June 2016
CollectibleGuitar.com
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