Royal Mount's PAF'58 (Prototypes)

So.. constnantly looking for something More, (or Simply something different than normal)

more than one Year ago I came across an Italian nerd of hardware and tone research.

We got in touch talking about old hardware specs, materials, myths ..snake oil, and all that world.

At the end of last year he asked me if I'd been interested testing his own version of PAF '58 an '59 still at prototype state now a day,

YES! Of course ! Why Not!?!

I've did a quick demo on my LP Custom '91 ''pre-historic'' that were aready been modded with 500K pots, 50's wiring and PIO Bumblebees caps (NOS.. Not 50's)

This guitar came out originally with a pair of Gibson '57 Classic (not the 57+ at bridge that came out later)

and, due to its electronic, I thoguht it is the Right one to test them.

these are the '58 Set, AlNiCo IV, ..prolly next week I'll also test the '59 Set in AlNiCo II, We'll see.

The Audio is just straight from my mobile and I already know YouTube is not the best platform for this kind of Demo Videos

(thats's why You can find a better audio version in description)

But I guess You can aready get a good Idea of thier kind of tone and dynamic respons.

Take a look If You're searching for something like this.

PS Yes the track is still ''Bronks''... it won't leave me alone...

..and the Profile is a Marshall too!

a '71 by msujis (look in description)

I choose something I really Like from Rig Exchange so You Keperians could maybe get a better and more concrete Idea.

I know it's not easy at all to understand how a pickup sounds without actually mouting on your own guitar but, in this way, I though in this way the demo is a lil usefull.

Quote from waraba

looking for the alnico II version, please record on a DAW

yeah yeah, AlNiCo II are on their way.

Here's the WAV 44100 16 from the daw of that video

Royal Mount Test 58.wav

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Royal Mount Test 58 più Base.wav

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Please let me know if you have any problem to listen on dropbox or to download

Yes I get what You mean.

About strings (EB 10.46), at the time of recording the demo, they were 1 week old, they had already lost that sparkling brightness when brand new.

For sure I can say it's a Good vintage style PU, with a great respect of dynamics and touch (Yes, the Profile itself is a great one in this Too)

Great attack and They Sound honest and clear.

And this is something you can feel Instantly, it's not necessary to Compare with anything.

I've also compared some samples later, days after that video, an Audio comparison inside the DAW with Gibson '57 Classic (stock on that LP) an arpeggio and a few chords, something really easy to be played again, with the same Intention (as far as possible) for 2 or 3 takes.

In the end The Output Level is pretty low: they sound a bit quiter, a couple of dB, not a lot.

(I Know it's not Math, but they are 7,5K , both Neck and Bridge, as far as my 57 classic)

and they are also a lil less compressed.

Beside the comparison per se, I would have tried to compensate this lil Gap reducing the string's distance.

About the frequencies, the EQ, they are basically the same!...a part from a lil less mids than 57. (circa 1,5 dB aroud 2K).

This Last detail made me think that they would have sound better on a LP standard, or anyway another guitar but not This LP Custom, 'cause it already sounds Mid Scooped by nature.

This is Basically my opinion about this test.

Ok So.. I've also tested the '59 Version (AlNiCo II)

This Time I moved to a rehersal room in Varese and the Guitar was't mine, the same for Amps (LANEY AOR and The Twin)

The idea I got from this test is They are really Close to 58's, same imprint, same character.

Prolly A lil more ''in Your face'' as frequencies (more Mids) and also, I guess, with a lil more Volume.

So basically a Gibson 57 but less compressed, more Clear. Bright but Full.

A Lot if Dinamic and respect of the touch.

Sorry that we didn't rec Anything, I just have the Mobile Phone Audio in the room.

(not bad on YT)

Ciao