I did a lot of research before buying that vintage PAF.
Here's some trivia on PAF's:
Gibson Pickup Information: 1956 to Fall 1957: Original PAF. Long magnet, *no* PAF sticker, purple bobbin wire, black leads on both coils, phillips screws on base, ohms can run from 7k to high 9k ohms, black bobbins PAF style bobbins ("circle in a square"), "L" shaped tool marks on feet. PAFs were first installed on lapsteels in 1956. The long magnet dimensions are 2.5" long, .5" wide, about .125" thick. Fall 1957-1960: Original PAF. Long magnet, "Patent Applied For" (PAF) sticker, purple bobbin wire, black leads on both coils, nickel covers, phillips screws on base, ohms can run from low 7k to high 9k ohms, black bobbins PAF style bobbins ("circle in a square") until 1959 cream colored pickup bobbins are often seen, 'L' shaped toolmarks on feet. 1961-1962: last PAF pickups. Short magnet (starting July 1961), PAF sticker, purple wire, black leads on both coils, nickel covers, phillips screws on base, both bobbins are black again, PAF style bobbins ("circle in a square"), "L" toolmarks on feet. The short magnet dimensions are 2.37" long, .5" wide, about .125" thick (decreased magnet length 1/8"). 1962-1965: Early "patent no." sticker, nickel cover, short magnet, PAF style bobbins ("circle in a square"), redish/copper colored bobbin wire (probably happened in 1963), some point in here bobbin lead wires change to one black and one white, phillips screws on base. Plastic on bobbins more durable and bobbins are flat (PAF style pickups often have bowed pickup bobbins), "L" toolmarks on feet. Note the last version of the PAF (1961-1962) is basically identical to the nickle plated 1963 Patent# pickup (and on guitars with gold parts, probably as late as 1967 Patent# pickups are equivalent to 1961-1962 PAFs, since Gibson used less gold plated parts and inventories lasted longer). Because the wire color changed around 1963 from purple to a redish/copper color (and some other changes, listed above), technically the 1964-1965 Patent# pickups are different than the 1963 Patent# and late PAF pickups (though the tone is very similar). Also keep in mind gold plated PAFs used in archtop electric guitars (especially varitone guitars) can be seen as late as 1965 (yes PAFs as late as 1965!) The reason for this was simple - Varitone guitars had gold plated pickups with one pickup having a reversed magnet. This style of pickup was used far less than a nickel plated pickup. Hence these gold plated varitone equipped archtops are sometimes seen with one or two PAF pickups into 1965. 1965: Late "patent no." sticker with no T-top, covers are now chrome, orange wire, one white bobbin lead, short magnet, phillips screws on base, "L" toolmarks start to disappear off feet (but can be seen as late as 1972), ohms run pretty consistent at 7.5k ohms.
My PAF, technically a Patent # pick-up I guess, has the reddish copper wire with the black and white leads. In my travels the closet thing to that neck pick-up in my LP DC is a Bare Knuckles Stormy Monday (which sits in the bridge position of my PRS CU22). Here's what they have to say:
Authentically vintage in both voicing and output, the Stormy Monday humbucker is completely handwound with vintage correct 42 AWG plain enamel wire and handcrafted with butyrate bobbins, calibrated sand cast Alnico II magnet, solid nickel silver baseplate and cover.
As with the early 'Patent Applied For' humbuckers, the coils are wound asymmetrically for extended frequency response and touch sensitive feel. The Stormy Monday faithfully reproduces the tones of the brighter '57 & '58 era PAFs with smooth natural sustain, wonderful pick dynamics and string separation. Low notes have warmth and fullness; the highs are sweet and mellow while the mids are slightly scooped producing a soft, percussive vintage tone.
The owner of BKP emailed me right back when I enquired about the Stormy Monday, produced a version that would drop right in my PRS and it was at my door in a little over a week from England. Great service!
The one thing they say about vintage PAF's is the magnets mellow with time given them that ever so harmonically rich tone. But I think there are a lot of faithful recreations of the vintage correct PAF's out there. I just happen to like BKP's and really dig the tone of the true vintage pups (I have a T Top in my 1967 SG Junior that is also pretty sweet and true to the old school tone).
Peace,
James
