Anyone use Dimarzio Air Classics or 36th PAFs?

[fakeplastic]

Wanting to hear any opinions on either of these pickups. I'm thinking Air Classic for the neck, and a 36th neck model in the bridge. The reason for that being I hear the 36th bridge model has a lot of midrange and is a little hot, so I'm hoping the neck model is a bit more balanced.

Wanting balance yet lively high-end from these, will these do the job? The Air Classic seems to have a lot of fans, but I'm wondering if it's too tame and polite?

Anyhow, let me know if you have thoughts.

 

[Mark the Moose]

Balance is key. I have EJ customs. The neck is killer but the bridge is weak and anemic. I considered trying to pair it with a 36th Anniv or Air Classic Bridge. The Fortitude also looks interesting.

 

[uriah1]

Yep. Like the paf anniv. Got cream and black no cover. Have in lp Standard. Nice traditional voice.

 

[naveed211]

I’ve had the anniversaries. Good pickup, much better without a cover on it. Had a lot more bite and liveliness without it, the midrange is exaggerated a bit more with a cover and it loses the liveliness. Still a good amount of midrange, but not honky.

A good pickup, not my fave, but a good pickup.

 

[BCblues55]

Not so familiar with the Air Classics, but I’ve heard a lot of good things about it.

I tried a 36th Anniversary Bridge a couple of years ago and thought it was “fine.” Not much character but it worked okay. Eventually swapped another pickup in there.

FYI, I play mostly clean blues and rock, and if I need a new pickup, I’ll generally start by looking at Duncan. If I can’t find something there I’ll go to one of the other winders.

good luck!

 

[Jakedog]

I have used both. You’re correct. The Annis have a little more oomph and midrange presence. I have no issue with a Classics. I’ve used them in the bridge of Les Pauls. I had a pair in a Flying V.

Short story- it depends on the guitar.

I bought a Les Paul. It had the ‘57 Classic Neck, ‘57 Classic Plus pickup set. I loved the neck, hated the bridge. It was awful. I had. A Duncan JB in my parts drawer so I tried it. It was way too hot and honky for me. Just not useable for what I do.

I also had a Flying V, which had the classics in it. In that guitar, I loved the classic in the neck, the bridge didn’t sound good. It was kind harsh and thin. Knowing that pickups can sound quite different depending on the guitar, I swapped them.

As it turns out, that Air Classic bridge sounded killer in the Les Paul. Loads of clarity, but not too thin. Turned it into a great sounding Paul. It’s now one of my automatic go-to pickups for a Paul.

I love the Annis as well. They are a little more in your face. Which... shouldn’t put you off them. They’re still low output and vintage voiced. It’s not like they’re Super Distortions or something. They’re just a little more kickin’ than the classics.

 

[sudogeek]

I tried the 36th Ann (as well as the stock ones and 57 Classics) in my Sheraton. I settled on Toneriders Alnico IIs. Never tried the Air Classic.

 

[Blues Twanger]

I had an Air Classic in an HH strat and didn't like it at all. The Air design is meant to reduce attack and such to mimic an aged pickup but to meet went to far and it felt like I had to play unnaturally hard to get the tone I expected.

 

[mikestearns]

I have a 36th Anniversary neck in the bridge position of my strat. I like it, but not enough that I'd buy another.

 

[fakeplastic]

I have a 36th Anniversary neck in the bridge position of my strat. I like it, but not enough that I'd buy another.

What do you have in the neck position?

 

[mikestearns]

What do you have in the neck position?

Neck and middle are Bootstrap '54 Vintage Pros. They sound great, but lately I'm thinking of swapping them with '54 Vintage Sparkles.

 

[cuccumusic]

just installed a gold air classic neck in a single neck humbucker carved top eastman. very good pick up for responsiveness and sustain, transparent with a lot of airy detail. excellent for finger styles. wes montgomery purists would want a 047 caps instead of mine 022. to be noted treble bleed jnstalled with 500kohm pots. a 250 on tone could do. very useable parallel wiring. 8kohm and Alnico 5 but little meaning since the non conventional build. nb the lead is no more than 11 inches and can be an issi on big jazz boxes. best with valve amp. to my taste, I would easily install on whaterever guitar still matching with something rounder at the bridge: air zone, 36th, etc... to compare: closer to SD59 but less spikey; rounder and less acoustic than sd jazz, clearer and more detailed than gibson bb, and without the hint of compression of 57 and of the darker 490 (wich remains to me a great hard rock and traditional jazz neck pu) . nb I am partial to dmz since trying their dual sound 40 yrs ago as factory option in my top top eko m24.

 

[fakeplastic]

just installed a gold air classic neck in a single neck humbucker carved top eastman. very good pick up for responsiveness and sustain, transparent with a lot of airy detail. excellent for finger styles. wes montgomery purists would want a 047 caps instead of mine 022. to be noted treble bleed jnstalled with 500kohm pots. a 250 on tone could do. very useable parallel wiring. 8kohm and Alnico 5 but little meaning since the non conventional build. nb the lead is no more than 11 inches and can be an issi on big jazz boxes. best with valve amp. to my taste, I would easily install on whaterever guitar still matching with something rounder at the bridge: air zone, 36th, etc... to compare: closer to SD59 but less spikey; rounder and less acoustic than sd jazz, clearer and more detailed than gibson bb, and without the hint of compression of 57 and of the darker 490 (wich remains to me a great hard rock and traditional jazz neck pu) . nb I am partial to dmz since trying their dual sound 40 yrs ago as factory option in my top top eko m24.

How's the bass response on the lower strings? is it more spongey and loose like an alnico 2, or is it more defined and focused?

 

[fjblair]

I really like the 36th in the bridge on my '79 LP, but it is the bridge version.

 

[cuccumusic]

How's the bass response on the lower strings? is it more spongey and loose like an alnico 2, or is it more defined and focused?

very equilibrate on the whole spectrum. basses on E and A strings are warm and strong, round, but very articulate, springing off with great dynamic to touch. never "tele" snappy though. lot of sustain if desired but staying defined, definitely not wholly. could remember some Al IV. note that I am listening a carved spruce top and ebany fingerboard which can contribute.

 

[sluglas]

I am currently changing the humbuckers in Univox Ripper Custom tribute guitar to all Dimarzio Air Classic Neck DP190's.
It's a mahogany body with maple neck and fretboard.
A 5-way mega switch wired
Pos.1 bridge hum
Pos.2 bridge south coil + mid north coil in series
Pos. 3 mid hum
Pos. 4 mid south coil + neck north coil in series
Pos. 5 neck hum
All positions humbucking.
One 300k vol.
No tone knobs
I have found I don't like over wound pups ( no sparkle) so I like to used neck pups in all positions.
I have cheap pups in the guitar now but will get back to you when all the Dimarzio's are in.

 

[sluglas]

I have all the Dimarzio DP190 Air Classics installed in my Univox Ripper Custom.
I used all neck pickups in every spot with the one for the bridge position being f-spaced.
Though all 5 switch positions are humbucking it still gets the great quack on positions 2 + 4.
I am still making slight adjustments on pickup height but the guitar sounds great.