“The best pickups ever made. Randall, you are a genius! I've tried every important pickup upgrade since 1983 & these pickups are the best by far. I want them in all of my guitars.”
— Mark Whitfield (Recording Artist)“I’ve played vintage guitars for years and nothing compares to these ToneSpec pickups. They sustain forever and feel amazing. I put them in everything, even my old guitars.”
— Wilbert Crosby Jr. (B.B. King Band)“Pro-Level tone is what it’s all about & it’s an honor to build these. Players with good ears hear the difference right away & we can't wait to hear your reaction to your tone improvement.”
— Randall Van Dyke (ToneSpec Founder)Pro-Level PAF Pickups
Our Core Series, often called the Genius Series by our most devoted customers, is led by the 57/61 Deluxe PAF Set. Inspired by the most exceptional PAF humbuckers Randall has ever encountered, these pickups have rare balance and musicality. The 57/61 Deluxe delivers the qualities players search for in a real vintage PAF. The highs are open and sweet, the mids bloom with natural compression, and the lows stay tight without ever getting muddy. The warmth and sustain have made these pickups legendary. Many professional guitarists consider this set the finest PAF humbuckers ever made, and it remains the top choice among our working pro clientele.
Some players rely on a single guitar for every style. Others keep multiple instruments ready for genre specific tones. That is exactly who we created the Blues, Jazz, Twang, and Punch PAF sets for. These sets are designed to solve real world tone challenges. If your guitar is too bright or lacks fullness, choose the Blues or Jazz set. If your guitar feels too dark or needs more top end clarity or cut, choose the Punch or Twang set.
57/61 Deluxe PAF Set
Our flagship PAF humbucker set and the industry standard of pro level PAF tone. Based on the most amazing PAFs Randall ever encountered, the 57/61 Deluxe set delivers warmth, sustain, dynamic feel, and harmonic detail that respond directly to your hands. Professional guitarists consider this the benchmark for PAF tone.
1959 Blues PAF Set
Designed for players fighting excessive brightness or a thin sounding guitar. The Blues Set adds warmth, thickness, vocal mids, and sweet highs while preserving the open and articulate qualities that define a great PAF. Perfect for guitars that sound sharp or lack body.
1957 Jazz PAF Set
The smoothest PAF set we make. Focused mids, round highs, and gentle compression give you a fluid and expressive tone ideal for jazz, soul, fusion, and R and B. Excellent for guitars that feel too stiff or lacking warmth.
1958 Twang PAF Set
Filtertron meets PAF. Created for clarity, snap, and vintage inspired cut without harshness. The Twang Set brings out string definition, top end sweetness, and quick attack while retaining the musical warmth of a true PAF. A great choice for guitars that sound dark or congested.
1961 Punch PAF Set
Built for players who need more authority, projection, and power. Punch delivers firmer lows, increased harmonic energy, and crisp highs that help the guitar cut through dense mixes while staying musical. Ideal for rock, blues rock, metal, fusion, and modern country players who want a stronger voice without losing true PAF character.