Comparing humbucker pickups like the Seymour Duncan ’59 and those from DiMarzio involves understanding subjective tonal qualities. At COMPARE.EDU.VN, we delve into these nuances to provide you with the information needed for informed decision-making. Considering factors like bass response, mid frequencies, and high-end richness, we can help you find the ideal pickup for your guitar and musical style. Whether you prioritize vintage warmth or modern clarity, our comparisons will guide you to your perfect tone, exploring various tonal profiles and output levels for discerning guitarists.
1. Understanding the Seymour Duncan ’59 and DiMarzio PAF Pickups
The Seymour Duncan ’59 and DiMarzio PAF (Patent Applied For) pickups are both designed to capture the essence of vintage humbucker tones, but they achieve this with different approaches. The Duncan ’59 is known for its balanced frequency response, offering a blend of warmth, clarity, and moderate output, making it versatile for various musical styles. DiMarzio’s PAF, on the other hand, often focuses on specific tonal characteristics, sometimes emphasizing certain frequencies or output levels to cater to different player preferences. Understanding these fundamental differences is crucial when comparing the two brands.
1.1 What is the Seymour Duncan ’59 Known For?
The Seymour Duncan ’59 is celebrated for its vintage-inspired tone, characterized by a balanced frequency response, clear articulation, and moderate output. It is designed to replicate the sound of late 1950s humbuckers, offering warmth in the lows, clarity in the mids, and smooth highs. This pickup is versatile and suitable for various musical genres, including blues, rock, and jazz. Players appreciate its ability to deliver classic rock tones with a touch of vintage sweetness.
1.2 What Makes DiMarzio PAF Pickups Unique?
DiMarzio PAF pickups distinguish themselves through innovative design and a focus on specific tonal characteristics. While aiming for vintage-inspired tones, DiMarzio often incorporates modern techniques and materials to enhance clarity, output, or tonal balance. They offer a variety of PAF-style pickups, each with unique features such as different magnet types, coil windings, and EQ profiles, catering to a wide range of player preferences. This allows guitarists to fine-tune their sound and achieve distinct tonal colors.
2. Key Differences Between Seymour Duncan ’59 and DiMarzio PAF Pickups
When comparing the Seymour Duncan ’59 and DiMarzio PAF pickups, key differences emerge in their tonal characteristics, output levels, and design philosophies. While both aim to capture vintage humbucker tones, the Duncan ’59 is often praised for its balanced and versatile sound, while DiMarzio offers a wider range of PAF variations, each with distinct tonal flavors. Understanding these differences helps guitarists choose the pickup that best suits their playing style and tonal preferences.
2.1 Tonal Characteristics: A Detailed Comparison
Seymour Duncan ’59 pickups typically provide a balanced frequency response with warm lows, clear mids, and smooth highs, making them versatile for various musical styles. In contrast, DiMarzio PAF pickups come in various models, each with unique tonal characteristics. Some DiMarzio PAFs may emphasize specific frequencies, such as a stronger midrange or brighter highs, while others may focus on higher output or enhanced clarity.
2.2 Output Levels: How Do They Compare?
The Seymour Duncan ’59 is known for its moderate output, providing enough power for rock and blues while maintaining clarity and dynamics. DiMarzio offers PAF pickups with varying output levels, ranging from vintage-accurate lower output to more modern, high-output designs. This range allows players to select a pickup that matches their desired gain level and amplifier settings.
2.3 Design and Construction: What Sets Them Apart?
Seymour Duncan ’59 pickups typically feature traditional construction methods, including Alnico 5 magnets, vintage-correct coil windings, and classic bobbin materials. DiMarzio often incorporates modern design elements and materials, such as different magnet types (e.g., ceramic or Alnico blends), custom coil windings, and innovative bobbin designs. These differences in design and construction contribute to the distinct tonal characteristics of each brand.
The Seymour Duncan ’59 humbucker pickup is known for its vintage-inspired tone and balanced frequency response, making it a versatile choice for various musical styles.
3. Popular DiMarzio Pickups Comparable to the Seymour Duncan ’59
DiMarzio offers several pickups that can be considered comparable to the Seymour Duncan ’59, each with its own unique characteristics and strengths. These include the DiMarzio PAF 36th Anniversary, the DiMarzio Air Classic, and the DiMarzio Humbucker from Hell. Each of these pickups provides a vintage-inspired tone with variations in output, frequency response, and overall feel.
3.1 DiMarzio PAF 36th Anniversary: A Vintage-Inspired Option
The DiMarzio PAF 36th Anniversary is designed to capture the essence of vintage PAF pickups from the late 1950s. It offers a warm, balanced tone with moderate output, making it similar to the Seymour Duncan ’59. However, the DiMarzio PAF 36th Anniversary often features a slightly more focused midrange and a smoother high-end response, providing a unique flavor for players seeking a vintage-inspired sound.
3.2 DiMarzio Air Classic: Open and Airy Tone
The DiMarzio Air Classic is designed to deliver an open and airy tone with vintage-style warmth and clarity. It features DiMarzio’s patented Airbucker technology, which reduces string pull and increases sustain, resulting in a more dynamic and responsive pickup. Compared to the Seymour Duncan ’59, the Air Classic often has a slightly brighter and more articulate sound, making it a great choice for players who want a vintage tone with enhanced clarity.
3.3 DiMarzio Humbucker from Hell: Bright and Articulate
Despite its name, the DiMarzio Humbucker from Hell is not a high-output, metal-oriented pickup. Instead, it is designed to be a bright and articulate pickup with a focus on clarity and detail. It has a lower output than the Seymour Duncan ’59 and a brighter overall tone, making it suitable for players who want a vintage-style sound with enhanced treble response.
4. Detailed Comparison Table: Seymour Duncan ’59 vs. DiMarzio Alternatives
To provide a clear comparison, here’s a detailed table outlining the key specifications and tonal characteristics of the Seymour Duncan ’59 and the DiMarzio PAF 36th Anniversary, Air Classic, and Humbucker from Hell:
| Feature | Seymour Duncan ’59 | DiMarzio PAF 36th Anniversary | DiMarzio Air Classic | DiMarzio Humbucker from Hell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnet Type | Alnico 5 | Alnico 5 | Alnico 5 | Ceramic |
| Output Level | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Low |
| Treble | 6.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.5 |
| Mid | 7.0 | 7.5 | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Bass | 6.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| DC Resistance | 7.6k ohms | 7.3k ohms | 8.0k ohms | 5.82k ohms |
| Tone Description | Balanced, Vintage | Warm, Smooth | Open, Airy | Bright, Articulate |
| Recommended For | Rock, Blues, Jazz | Rock, Blues, Classic Rock | Classic Rock, Fusion | Country, Clean Tones |
This table offers a quick reference for comparing the key features and tonal characteristics of each pickup, helping guitarists make an informed decision based on their individual preferences and playing styles.
5. Factors to Consider When Choosing a Humbucker Pickup
Choosing the right humbucker pickup involves considering several factors, including your guitar’s tonewood, your playing style, the music genre you play, and your personal tonal preferences. Each of these factors plays a crucial role in determining which pickup will best complement your instrument and help you achieve your desired sound.
5.1 Guitar Tonewood: Matching Pickup to Wood
The tonewood of your guitar significantly influences its overall sound. For example, guitars made of mahogany tend to have a warm, rich tone with strong sustain, while guitars made of alder often have a brighter, more balanced sound. When choosing a humbucker pickup, consider how it will interact with your guitar’s tonewood. A brighter pickup might complement a mahogany guitar, while a warmer pickup could enhance the natural resonance of an alder guitar.
5.2 Playing Style: Versatility vs. Specialization
Your playing style also influences the type of humbucker pickup you should choose. If you play a wide variety of musical styles, a versatile pickup like the Seymour Duncan ’59 might be a good choice, as it offers a balanced frequency response and moderate output. However, if you specialize in a particular genre, such as metal or jazz, you might prefer a pickup that is specifically designed for that style.
5.3 Music Genre: Matching Pickup to Style
The music genre you play is another important factor to consider. High-output pickups are often preferred for hard rock and metal, as they provide the necessary gain and aggression. Vintage-style pickups with lower output are often favored for blues, jazz, and classic rock, as they offer warmth, clarity, and dynamic response.
5.4 Personal Tone Preferences: Defining Your Sound
Ultimately, the best humbucker pickup is the one that sounds best to you. Consider your personal tonal preferences and experiment with different pickups to find the one that matches your desired sound. Some players prefer a warm, smooth tone, while others prefer a bright, articulate tone. Understanding your preferences is key to making the right choice.
The DiMarzio PAF 36th Anniversary humbucker pickup offers a vintage-inspired tone with a warm, balanced sound, similar to the Seymour Duncan ’59.
6. Installation and Setup Tips for Humbucker Pickups
Installing and setting up humbucker pickups correctly is crucial for achieving optimal performance and tone. Proper wiring, pickup height adjustment, and pole piece adjustment can significantly impact the sound and responsiveness of your pickups. Understanding these factors will help you get the most out of your new pickups.
6.1 Wiring: Ensuring Proper Connections
Proper wiring is essential for humbucker pickups to function correctly. Follow the wiring diagram provided by the pickup manufacturer to ensure that the pickups are wired in phase and that the coil splitting (if applicable) is configured correctly. Incorrect wiring can result in weak output, thin tone, or unwanted noise.
6.2 Pickup Height Adjustment: Finding the Sweet Spot
Adjusting the height of your humbucker pickups can dramatically affect their output and tone. Raising the pickups closer to the strings generally increases output and sustain, while lowering them reduces output and increases clarity. Experiment with different pickup heights to find the sweet spot that balances output, tone, and dynamic response.
6.3 Pole Piece Adjustment: Fine-Tuning String Balance
Adjusting the pole pieces of your humbucker pickups allows you to fine-tune the balance between individual strings. Raising the pole pieces under the weaker strings (typically the B and high E strings) can increase their output, while lowering the pole pieces under the louder strings can reduce their output. This helps create a more balanced and even sound across all six strings.
7. Achieving Specific Tones with Different Pickups
Different humbucker pickups excel at producing specific tones, making them ideal for various musical styles and playing techniques. Whether you’re aiming for a warm, vintage tone for blues, a high-gain sound for metal, or a clear, articulate tone for jazz, choosing the right pickup is essential.
7.1 Vintage Warmth: Recreating Classic Tones
To achieve vintage warmth, look for humbucker pickups with Alnico 2 or Alnico 5 magnets, moderate output, and balanced frequency response. The Seymour Duncan ’59 and DiMarzio PAF 36th Anniversary are excellent choices for recreating classic rock and blues tones. These pickups provide a warm, smooth sound with rich harmonics and a touch of vintage character.
7.2 High-Gain Aggression: For Rock and Metal
For high-gain aggression, choose humbucker pickups with high output, ceramic magnets, and a pronounced midrange. Pickups like the DiMarzio Super Distortion or Seymour Duncan JB Model are popular choices for rock and metal, as they provide the necessary power and aggression for heavy riffs and soaring solos.
7.3 Clear Articulation: Ideal for Jazz and Fusion
To achieve clear articulation for jazz and fusion, opt for humbucker pickups with lower output, Alnico magnets, and a balanced frequency response. The DiMarzio Air Classic and Seymour Duncan Seth Lover are great choices for players who want a clear, articulate tone with warmth and dynamics. These pickups provide excellent note definition and responsiveness, making them ideal for complex chords and intricate solos.
8. Real-World Examples: Artists Who Use These Pickups
Many famous guitarists have used Seymour Duncan ’59 and DiMarzio pickups to achieve their signature tones. Exploring these real-world examples can provide valuable insights into the capabilities of each pickup and help you determine which one is right for you.
8.1 Seymour Duncan ’59 Users: Classic Rock Legends
The Seymour Duncan ’59 has been a favorite among classic rock legends such as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. These guitarists have used the ’59 in various guitars to achieve a balanced, versatile tone that is suitable for a wide range of musical styles. Its warm lows, clear mids, and smooth highs make it a great choice for recreating classic rock tones.
8.2 DiMarzio Users: From Rock to Fusion
DiMarzio pickups have been used by a diverse range of artists, from rock icons like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani to fusion masters like Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin. These guitarists have chosen DiMarzio pickups for their unique tonal characteristics, high output, and innovative designs. DiMarzio pickups are known for their versatility and ability to deliver a wide range of tones, making them a popular choice for professional musicians.
The DiMarzio Air Classic humbucker pickup is designed to deliver an open and airy tone with vintage-style warmth and clarity, making it ideal for classic rock and fusion.
9. Upgrading Your Guitar: When to Consider New Pickups
Upgrading your guitar’s pickups can be a significant improvement, but it’s essential to know when it’s the right time to make the change. Factors such as dissatisfaction with your current tone, the desire to explore new sonic possibilities, or the need to address specific tonal issues can all be valid reasons to consider upgrading your pickups.
9.1 Dissatisfaction with Current Tone: Identifying the Problem
If you are unhappy with your guitar’s current tone, upgrading the pickups can be a great way to address the issue. Before making a change, identify the specific problems you are experiencing. Is the tone too muddy, too thin, too bright, or lacking in sustain? Understanding the problem will help you choose the right replacement pickups to achieve your desired sound.
9.2 Exploring New Sonic Possibilities: Expanding Your Sound
Upgrading your guitar’s pickups can also be a great way to explore new sonic possibilities. If you are looking to expand your tonal palette and experiment with different sounds, consider trying out a new set of pickups. Different pickups can provide unique tonal characteristics that can inspire new musical ideas and enhance your creativity.
9.3 Addressing Tonal Issues: Fixing Specific Problems
If your guitar has specific tonal issues, such as excessive noise, weak output, or uneven string balance, upgrading the pickups can help address these problems. High-quality pickups with improved design and construction can often provide a cleaner, more powerful, and more balanced sound.
10. Budget Considerations: Balancing Cost and Quality
When choosing humbucker pickups, budget considerations are essential. Prices can range from affordable to high-end, and it’s important to balance cost with quality to ensure you get the best value for your money. Consider your budget and explore options within that range to find the pickups that best meet your needs and preferences.
10.1 Affordable Options: Great Tone on a Budget
There are many affordable humbucker pickups that offer excellent tone and performance. Brands like Wilkinson, GFS, and Dragonfire offer budget-friendly options that can provide a significant improvement over stock pickups. These pickups may not have all the features and refinements of high-end models, but they can still deliver a great sound at a reasonable price.
10.2 Mid-Range Pickups: Balancing Price and Performance
Mid-range humbucker pickups offer a good balance between price and performance. Brands like Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio, and Bare Knuckle Pickups offer a wide range of mid-range options that provide excellent tone, quality construction, and reliable performance. These pickups are a great choice for players who want to upgrade their sound without breaking the bank.
10.3 High-End Pickups: Investing in Premium Tone
High-end humbucker pickups represent the pinnacle of tone and quality. Brands like Lollar, Fralin, and Suhr offer premium pickups that are hand-made with the finest materials and meticulous attention to detail. These pickups provide exceptional tone, dynamic response, and clarity, making them a worthwhile investment for serious guitarists who demand the best.
11. Maintaining Your Pickups: Ensuring Longevity and Performance
Maintaining your humbucker pickups is essential for ensuring their longevity and optimal performance. Regular cleaning, proper storage, and careful handling can help keep your pickups in good condition for years to come.
11.1 Cleaning: Removing Dust and Grime
Regularly cleaning your humbucker pickups can help remove dust, grime, and other contaminants that can affect their performance. Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe the surface of the pickups. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as these can damage the finish.
11.2 Storage: Protecting from Damage
When storing your guitar, protect your pickups from damage by keeping the guitar in a case or gig bag. Avoid exposing your guitar to extreme temperatures or humidity, as these can damage the pickups and other components.
11.3 Handling: Avoiding Physical Damage
Handle your guitar and pickups with care to avoid physical damage. Avoid dropping your guitar or subjecting it to excessive force, as this can damage the pickups and other components. When changing strings, be careful not to scratch or damage the pickups with the string ends.
A Seymour Duncan pickup wiring diagram illustrates the proper connections for optimal performance, ensuring that the pickups are wired in phase and the coil splitting is configured correctly.
12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Humbucker Pickups
Here are some frequently asked questions about humbucker pickups to help you better understand their features, functions, and applications:
12.1 What is a Humbucker Pickup?
A humbucker pickup is a type of guitar pickup designed to reduce or eliminate hum and noise. It consists of two coils wired in series or parallel, with opposite magnetic polarity, which cancels out unwanted noise while retaining the desired guitar signal.
12.2 What are the Benefits of Using Humbucker Pickups?
The benefits of using humbucker pickups include reduced noise, higher output, and a warmer, fuller tone compared to single-coil pickups. They are often preferred for rock, metal, and other genres that require a powerful and aggressive sound.
12.3 How Do I Choose the Right Humbucker Pickup for My Guitar?
To choose the right humbucker pickup for your guitar, consider factors such as your guitar’s tonewood, your playing style, the music genre you play, and your personal tonal preferences. Experiment with different pickups to find the one that best complements your instrument and helps you achieve your desired sound.
12.4 Can I Mix and Match Humbucker Pickups from Different Brands?
Yes, you can mix and match humbucker pickups from different brands. However, it’s essential to ensure that the pickups are compatible in terms of output level, wiring, and tonal characteristics. It’s often recommended to use pickups from the same brand for a more consistent and balanced sound.
12.5 How Do I Adjust the Height of My Humbucker Pickups?
To adjust the height of your humbucker pickups, use a screwdriver to turn the height adjustment screws located on either side of the pickup. Raising the pickups closer to the strings generally increases output and sustain, while lowering them reduces output and increases clarity. Experiment with different pickup heights to find the sweet spot that balances output, tone, and dynamic response.
12.6 What is Coil Splitting and How Does It Work?
Coil splitting is a wiring technique that allows you to disable one of the coils in a humbucker pickup, effectively turning it into a single-coil pickup. This can provide a brighter, more articulate tone that is similar to a single-coil pickup. Coil splitting is typically activated using a push-pull potentiometer or a mini-toggle switch.
12.7 What are Alnico Magnets and How Do They Affect Tone?
Alnico magnets are a type of magnet made from aluminum, nickel, and cobalt. They are commonly used in guitar pickups due to their warm, smooth tone and vintage-inspired sound. Different types of Alnico magnets (e.g., Alnico 2, Alnico 5) have different magnetic strengths and tonal characteristics.
12.8 What are Ceramic Magnets and How Do They Affect Tone?
Ceramic magnets are a type of magnet made from ceramic materials. They are often used in high-output pickups due to their strong magnetic field and aggressive tone. Ceramic magnets typically provide a brighter, more aggressive sound with enhanced clarity and punch.
12.9 How Do I Clean My Humbucker Pickups?
To clean your humbucker pickups, use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe the surface of the pickups. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as these can damage the finish. For stubborn dirt or grime, you can use a slightly damp cloth with a mild soap solution.
12.10 Can I Replace My Guitar’s Pickups Myself?
Yes, you can replace your guitar’s pickups yourself if you have some basic soldering skills and a good understanding of wiring diagrams. However, if you are not comfortable with soldering or wiring, it’s best to have a professional guitar technician or luthier do the job for you.
13. Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Humbucker Match
Choosing the right humbucker pickup is a personal journey that depends on your individual preferences, playing style, and musical goals. Whether you opt for the balanced versatility of the Seymour Duncan ’59 or explore the unique tonal flavors of DiMarzio’s PAF offerings, the key is to experiment and find the pickups that inspire you to create your best music.
Remember to consider factors such as your guitar’s tonewood, your playing style, the music genre you play, and your budget when making your decision. With careful consideration and a bit of experimentation, you can find the perfect humbucker match that unlocks your guitar’s full potential.
Ready to explore more pickup comparisons and make informed decisions? Visit COMPARE.EDU.VN today to discover detailed reviews, specifications, and expert insights. Our comprehensive resources will help you find the perfect gear to elevate your sound. Contact us at 333 Comparison Plaza, Choice City, CA 90210, United States. Whatsapp: +1 (626) 555-9090. Let compare.edu.vn be your guide in the quest for tonal excellence.
