"Tele On Steroids" - What Does This Mean For PAF Tone?

Today, we'll be looking at a #ForumFavourite (of sorts). There's a phase that's commonly used to describe PAF pickups: they sound like a "Tele on steroids". We all kinda know what that means...but is it actually an apt description? What is the difference between a modern humbucker and a PAF? Can a PAF twang like a Tele?

I'll be wheeling out my old Ibanez Jem replica for modern humbucker duties, as well as two guitars loaded with top-tier PAF replicas: my Les Paul with ThroBak SLE-101s, and my Bailey Curve Special with Wizz Premium Clones. How to they all compare? Let's find out :-)

What do you think? "Tele on steroids"? Or 'just another' humbucker? Comment below!

Guitars (bridge p'ups only):
1996 Fender MIJ Tele w/ Monty's '53
Sims Custom Shop Jem w/ DiMarzio Evolution
1992 Gibson Les Paul Standard w/ ThroBak SLE-101s
Bailey Curve Special w/ Wizz Premium Clone PAFs

Amp is a Vajra JTM45 clone running into a Zilla Studio Pro 2x12 cabinet loaded with Scumback S75-PVC AlNiCo and Celestion AlNiCo Gold speakers. Recorded with Aston Spirit Condenser, '70s Sennheiser MD441 and sE RNR1 ribbon mics, with a Schoeps CMC6 room mic.

0:00 Intro
1:10 Tele vs. Modern Humbuckers
5:37 Tele vs. PAFs
10:27 A Word On Wax Potting
11:12 Pickup Covers (& Uncovered PAFs)
13:44 So, Is It An Apt Description?


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