DiMarzio PAF® 57 Neck Humbucker Pickup – Black/Cream

DiMarzio PAF® 57 Neck Humbucker Pickup – Black/Cream

Experience classic humbucker warmth, exceptional clarity, and expressive playing dynamics with the DiMarzio DP308 PAF 57 Neck Pickup. Inspired by the legendary PAF humbuckers of 1957, this vintage-style pickup combines traditional construction methods with modern precision manufacturing to deliver a rich, articulate sound for today’s guitarists.

Introduced in 2024, the PAF 57 Neck was developed to capture the open, responsive character of early humbucker pickups. Its carefully balanced voicing produces creamy warmth, crystalline high frequencies, smooth midrange, and a resonant low end, making it an excellent choice for vintage-inspired and modern guitar performances.

At the heart of the pickup is a 2½-inch Alnico 2 magnet, providing smooth tonal response and expressive sensitivity to picking technique. Its magnetic design contributes to the natural dynamics and clarity associated with traditional PAF-style pickups.

The PAF 57 Neck features computer-controlled scatter winding using 42 AWG enamel wire, with carefully matched coils that enhance harmonic richness and tonal depth. This precision winding process produces a balanced response that maintains excellent note definition during both chord playing and single-note performances.

With a manufacturer-rated 220mV output, the pickup delivers classic vintage-style sensitivity while retaining sufficient power for modern amplification. Clean tones sound warm and open, while overdriven passages retain smooth articulation and musical definition.

The pickup’s carefully designed tonal balance makes it particularly suitable for blues, classic rock, jazz, fusion, and expressive melodic guitar playing. It produces full-bodied neck tones without excessive muddiness, allowing intricate chords, sustained bends, and melodic passages to remain clear.

Featuring nickel-plated pole pieces and studs, along with a traditional maple spacer, the PAF 57 Neck incorporates several construction details inspired by vintage humbuckers. Its wax-potted design helps minimise unwanted microphonic feedback, providing dependable performance when using louder amplifier settings.

Designed specifically for the neck position of compatible six-string electric guitars, the PAF 57 Neck pairs naturally with the DiMarzio PAF 57 Bridge (DP309), creating a complementary pickup combination with vintage-inspired warmth and responsive dynamics.

The pickup features traditional single-conductor wiring for straightforward integration with compatible guitar electronics. Its passive construction requires no battery.

This Black/Cream (Zebra) version combines contrasting bobbin colours for a timeless appearance that complements both vintage-inspired and contemporary electric guitars.

Whether you’re upgrading a Les Paul-style guitar or building a custom instrument, the DiMarzio PAF 57 Neck offers a refined combination of classic humbucker character, expressive dynamics, and exceptional clarity.

Specifications