Does Ron Ellis wear the PAFs crown?

[mikeymikey]

I've never approached the world of boutique pickups before, but since I discovered there are hundreds of them, I have been thinking about it: "What if I could upgrade my R0? Why not?"
I tried to read as much as possible on the internet, there are so many boutique PAFs loved by guitarists all over the world. In a previous thread I asked you for opinions on some PAFs, this time I thought I'd ask you what do you think about Ron Ellis PAFs

I know well that it'is a "one man business", so that the waiting list is long, and that sometimes he doesn't even reply to emails. But also I've read people loving his pickups.
Have any of you owned, tried or even just listened to them?
What do you think about these PAFs?
Thanks for your kind attention guys

 

[mdubya]

Well, here we go again.

 

[duaneflowers]

I have a set of Ron's LRPs and they are excellent. They are not your traditional PAFs though and I'm not sure they even qualify as PAFs. Ron reverse-engineered the PAF pickup to come up with his own unique take on them. So as for wearing the 'PAF crown' I don't think he would even be up for consideration. He didn't even want to comment on them for Mario & James PAF book. :salude

 

[renderit]

Maybe it's more of a tiarra that sys 'I am special today'. I am more of a jaunty cap fellow, but I don't judge...

 

[sgtones75]

I have a set of Ron's LRPs and they are excellent. They are not your traditional PAFs though and I'm not sure they even qualify as PAFs. Ron reverse-engineered the PAF pickup to come up with his own unique take on them. So as for wearing the 'PAF crown' I don't think he would even be up for consideration. He didn't even want to comment on them for Mario & James PAF book. :salude

Duane allmans pickups from his 1957 gold top were obviously PAF’s. What I heard was that Ellis had Duane’s actual pickups in his hands and reverse engineered them to exact specs including using a million dollar spectrometer. Not sure if that’s 100% true. If it is, I’d say that’s as close to an original PAF as you’re going get.

 

[fernieite]

Can't comment on his pickups, but he was a damn good hockey player!

 

[sgtones75]

Can't comment on his pickups, but he was a damn good hockey player!

View attachment 25395

Haha

 

[gmann]

Changing pickups is not necessarily an upgrade, there’s probably nothing wrong with the one you have. Of course, after doing it, everybody hears a vast improvement.

 

[NickiC]

Can't comment on his pickups, but he was a damn good hockey player!

View attachment 25395

Haha! I can relate. What’s the +/- on those pups?

 

[Mustardc Caps]

Lots of good winders out there.

My personal favorite?

TOM HOLMES.

Tom, is also a 1 man operation.

He stamps his own baseplates. Does all the Electroplating. Makes his own Bobbins, Pickup Covers ect. I dont think anyone does a better job, than Tom, and hes probably been doing it longer than anyone. since 1971.

And while expensive. He hasnt raised prices in at least 10 years. For me. With all the work, attention to detail, and basically making almost all the parts himself. Tom gets my vote. And when he passes, his pickup prices, will go through the roof.

And YES, Tom, is still winding. Ive got 6 sets, and am on his list, to buy 2-3 more sets. But am about 8 months away. 12 months wait.

For the $$$.

Fralin Pure PAF, ae great pickups. Gary Moores second favorites vs Tom Holmes.

 

[sgtones75]

Changing pickups is not necessarily an upgrade, there’s probably nothing wrong with the one you have. Of course, after doing it, everybody hears a vast improvement.

I can say that without a doubt the switch to Ellis’s pickups was a massive improvement. It’s crazy how much better they sound with a good harness of course. Make me wonder why Gibson can’t produce pickups like this in this day and age especially since they did years ago.

 

[Red Baron]

Does Ron Ellis wear the PAFs crown?​

I've never owned a set of Ron's PAF's, but he definitely owns the Tele pickup crown (IMO).

 

[Mustardc Caps]

Id have to put Don Mare, up there for Tele Pickups.

 

[river251]

Duane allmans pickups from his 1957 gold top were obviously PAF’s. What I heard was that Ellis had Duane’s actual pickups in his hands and reverse engineered them to exact specs including using a million dollar spectrometer. Not sure if that’s 100% true. If it is, I’d say that’s as close to an original PAF as you’re going get.

Yes but something people don't realize is that the tritium that Gibson used in the 50s in their gold paint has an electrical flux characteristic that results in a field effect interacting with the magnetic field of alnico that creates a large part of the tone of those guitars including his. No paint like that has been produced since, which is another reason it's pointless to try to recreate the sound of those guitars. Some of the sunburst LPs received some tritium and some didn't.

 

[gmann]

I can say that without a doubt the switch to Ellis’s pickups was a massive improvement. It’s crazy how much better they sound with a good harness of course. Make me wonder why Gibson can’t produce pickups like this in this day and age especially since they did years ago.

How much of the improvement could be attributed to the harness you think?

 

[Origins]

Pretty good. I prefer a few Wizz sets to Ron Ellis.

 

[TheArchitect]

Lots of good winders out there.

My personal favorite?

TOM HOLMES.

Tom, is also a 1 man operation.

He stamps his own baseplates. Does all the Electroplating. Makes his own Bobbins, Pickup Covers ect. I dont think anyone does a better job, than Tom, and hes probably been doing it longer than anyone. since 1971.

And while expensive. He hasnt raised prices in at least 10 years. For me. With all the work, attention to detail, and basically making almost all the parts himself. Tom gets my vote. And when he passes, his pickup prices, will go through the roof.

And YES, Tom, is still winding. Ive got 6 sets, and am on his list, to buy 2-3 more sets. But am about 8 months away. 12 months wait.

For the $$$.

Fralin Pure PAF, ae great pickups. Gary Moores second favorites vs Tom Holmes

I am more of a Seth lover guy.. Great winders but are beyond what I can spend on pickups.

 

[TM1]

Has anyone tried the P.eter A. Flynn's?

Pickups By Pete A. Flynn | The Music Gallery​