All of our PAF Humbuckers come standard with Vintage Nickel Covers (as seen in photo). If you need a set with Shiny Nickel Covers, Gold Covers or uncovered Black, Zebra or Parchment...then be sure to include that in your order notes. Please allow 2-3 weeks for any non-standard orders.
Great PAF tone is about punch, midrange authority, and control. The way a note hits, holds, and still stays clear without getting harsh or muddy.
This is the tone players chase in the best early-60s PAFs. Strong, focused, and balanced. Enough power to push an amp, but always musical and controlled.
Play lightly and it stays clear and articulate. Dig in and it gives you tight low end, strong mids, and natural compression. That is what makes a great PAF feel alive.
That is what this set delivers.
Most players never get this. But serious players know the difference right away. And when they find it, they usually buy more than one.
-Trusted by Grammy-winning composers -Played by first-call session pros -Built for players who demand more from their gear
You will find these in the hands of players who rely on their tone every day.
And you'll usually find extra sets sitting on their shelf, ready for the next build.
What Players Upgrade From
Through the ToneSpec Trade In Program, we consistently see the same pickups being traded for this set.
-Seymour Duncan (JB, Custom, 59) -Gibson Burstbuckers -DiMarzio Super Distortion and PAF Pro -Bare Knuckle -Lollar Imperials -Fralin Pure PAF -Tom Holmes
These are all respected pickups with strong followings. For many players, they are part of the journey.
With experience, many players start looking for more. More punch, more control and tone that stays tight and defined when pushed.
That is usually when they end up here.
Your Playing Experience
You will notice it right away...
-Notes hit harder but stay controlled. -The low end stays tight, even at high gain. -Mids cut the mix without sounding harsh.
That is what pro-level tone is all about...
Vintage early 60s PAFs command serious money. These 61 Punch PAFs deliver that same authority, with modern reliability and enhanced control, without the five figure price tag.
“You are a Genius. These things make a solid state amp sound like it has Tubes in it. They have this 3-D thing going on. I’ve tried every important pickup upgrade since 1983 & the pickups are the best by far. I want these in all of my guitars.”
"I was knocked out by your pickups! Plugged straight in, it sounds like it was going through a top shelf tube compressor—only better. I’m the luthier/owner of Stonetree Custom Guitars for over 20 years now. My goal is to craft a “brand new old guitar”. I have relied on a couple of the biggest boutique pickup makers for the most part, but your pickups are a game changer. I have built guitars for many pros including Eric ‘Roscoe’ Ambel & Joe Bonamassa."
"These are the best pickups I've ever used. I'm so happy to have these in my guitars. They are better than vintage pickups. I was shocked to discover they are even better than the Arlo's. They just feel & sound amazing. Man you are a Genius. "
“It sounds like the have Tubes in them...almost three dimensional. They just sound really sweet. I don’t how they do it but they even feel sweet. Just like vintage pickups but with more sustain and less noise. They are just amazing”
-Mike Gallaher, Legendary Guitarist - Joe Cocker, Leon Russell
"Just like vintage pickups only better. They have this dynamic thing going on kind of like a great tube amp. I imagine this is what new vintage pickups sounded like back in the 50's & 60's"
-Dani Robinson, Blues Guitarist (Performs Jimi parts w/Billy Cox Experience)
“Fascinating recording the Les Paul Gold Top with the 57/61 Deluxe PAF's and comparing to my other Les Paul with stock pickups! At higher gain levels the Tone Specific's has great definition. There are harmonics coming out of the amp in the room I’m not used to with when using the Tone Specific's & it translate's beautifully when recorded! Interesting!!”
"Your pickups are killer. I've played a lot of guitar in my life but these pickups are the best I've played. I know you've worked hard at your craft but you should be very proud. You deserve all the kudos you get. Thank you very much".
DC Resistance - Vintage Standards True vintage output P.A.F. range, calibrated to deliver stronger midrange presence and tighter low end than late 50s sets. The bridge is voiced for punch and authority, while the neck remains clear and controlled without getting muddy.
Magnet Wire - Vintage Correct Period correct Plain Enamel magnet wire, the same insulation used in early 60s Gibson humbuckers. This wire contributes to focused mids, tight bass response, and the natural compression associated with the most responsive vintage P.A.F. examples.
Magnet Type - Proprietary Tone ToneSpec proprietary Alnico magnets are a key part of what gives this set its punch and control. Voiced to emphasize midrange clarity and low end tightness while maintaining warmth, these magnets deliver a tone that stays articulate clean and holds together when pushed into higher gain.
Matched Sets - Made to Work Together Each pickup is individually calibrated so the neck and bridge function as a true set. Output, magnet strength, and coil balance are tuned to deliver smooth transitions between positions and consistent response across the guitar.
Unpotted Tone without Feedback - Unmatched Feel This is one of the main features that keeps our pro clients coming back. Our proprietary finishing technique delivers the alive feel of unpotted P.A.F.s while eliminating the unwanted feedback commonly found in older unpotted designs.
Every detail is chosen for one reason. How it responds when you play.
