Description
This set pairs two very different DiMarzio philosophies at neck and bridge, and that contrast is the whole point. The DP103BK 36th Anniversary PAF in the neck position was built by reverse-engineering Larry DiMarzio’s own ’59 Les Paul, chasing that weirdly weak magnetic field vintage PAFs are known for. A softer Alnico 5 pull lets strings ring out longer, giving you a clean, almost single-coil-like clarity that cleans up beautifully on volume swells and dynamics-driven playing. Custom-coated 42-gauge wire, wound on computer-controlled equipment for consistency, keeps the output civilized at 250mV output and 7.31k DC resistance, while a wax dip kills squeal before it starts. The nickel-silver cover is DiMarzio’s newer, more magnetically transparent plating, so you get vintage vibe without the vintage muddiness — smooth in either position, honestly.
At the bridge, the DP160FBK Norton (F-spaced for aligning with trem-equipped guitars) takes a completely different approach. It splits the difference between FRED’s snarly harmonic bite and the Tone Zone’s midrange muscle, using the same dual-resonance design as both. Output climbs to 352mV with 12.62k DC resistance — hot enough to push an amp into breakup, but stopping short of full distortion-pickup territory, so you keep articulation under gain. DiMarzio calls it one of their most versatile bridge pickups for good reason: it plays well with all kinds of neck partners, not just this PAF.
- DP103BK Neck: 4-conductor wiring (1-conductor optional), Alnico 5, 250mV output, 7.31k DC resistance
- DP160FBK Bridge: 4-conductor wiring, Alnico 5, F-spaced, 352mV output, 12.62k DC resistance
- Black covers, nickel-silver construction
- Includes a free set of D’Addario EXL145 Heavy strings
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