Tailoring Your Tone
Guitarist|May 2019

In the fourth part of our PAF focus, Mark Stow of OX4 Pickups explains how customised PAF repros can help you achieve the ultimate tone

Mark Stow
Tailoring Your Tone

Having explored the PAF humbucker’s essential components of magnets and coils in the past two installments of Pickup Lines, we caught up with Mark Stow of OX4 Pickups in Oxford, as he took a break from winding to help us deconstruct the bigger sonic picture.

“Tone is completely subjective,” begins Mark, “and a person’s interpretation of a PAF is personal to them depending on where they got their inspiration. The first PAF I tried was in an ES-345 with a Varitone and in every position, it sounded spanky, tight and warm. But every PAF ES-[series] guitar or ’Burst I’ve tried since has been different. When it comes to PAFs, I like to think it’s the guitar you’re hearing as much as anything else, as if they were mics picking up the sound of the wood.”

Natural variations in materials, construction, and aging provide all guitars with an inherent uniqueness and, according to Mark, the same is true of PAFs.

Bu hikaye Guitarist dergisinin May 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Guitarist dergisinin May 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

GUITARIST DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
BASIC INSTINCTS
Guitarist

BASIC INSTINCTS

The sophisticated range of Swedish-designed guitars made by .strandberg* has lured thousands of players over to the headless side. But the company's new stripped-back Boden Essential model is its strongest play yet for the hearts and minds of mainstream players

time-read
8 dak  |
July 2024
Second String
Guitarist

Second String

As PRS's more affordable USA-made S2 line moves into its second decade, the series gets a revamp with - at last - USA-made pickups and electronics. What took so long?

time-read
8 dak  |
July 2024
PABLO VAN DE POEL
Guitarist

PABLO VAN DE POEL

When a band from The Netherlands describes themselves as 'raw, psychedelic Southern rock', it may take a little cognitive processing to work out what that might mean. One listen to DeWolff, however, and you will be duly transported to the 60s for some fuzzed-out rock 'n' roll

time-read
7 dak  |
July 2024
THE BERNIE MARSDEN COLLECTION
Guitarist

THE BERNIE MARSDEN COLLECTION

With a fabulous collection of the late Bernie Marsden's guitars, amps and other highly collectable music gear going under the auctioneer's hammer on 11 June, we were thrilled to have the chance of a sneak preview

time-read
7 dak  |
July 2024
LENNY KRAVITZ
Guitarist

LENNY KRAVITZ

Some 35 years since the release of his debut LP, for his 12th record, Blue Electric Light, Lenny Kravitz is back again with equal doses of vigour and vibes, using vintage guitars and the purest valve amps

time-read
9 dak  |
July 2024
GEORGE VJESTICA
Guitarist

GEORGE VJESTICA

You may not know him at first glance, but the work of Stoke-on-Trent native George Vjestica has probably impacted some of your favourite albums and movies

time-read
9 dak  |
July 2024
DICKEY BETTS
Guitarist

DICKEY BETTS

Emerging from the shadow of Duane to write signature hit Ramblin' Man, the Allman Brothers guitarist was a hard-living pioneer of Southern rock

time-read
2 dak  |
July 2024
NICK GUPPY
Guitarist

NICK GUPPY

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our highly valued amplifier guru, who died suddenly in April

time-read
3 dak  |
July 2024
Lucky Break
Guitarist

Lucky Break

Alex Bishop blends old wood with new in an attempt to fix a severely damaged guitar headstock

time-read
3 dak  |
July 2024
Tones Behind The Tracks
Guitarist

Tones Behind The Tracks

Cedric Burnside learnt at the knee of his fabled grandfather, but his latest album is a hill country blues masterclass on his own terms

time-read
5 dak  |
July 2024