KF Signature
“…undercover of the moonlight”
Trademarks: Full sound. Boosted midrange and attack.
Styles: Classic hard rock & metal
Output: High (both pickups)
Retail price: From 320 Euros (without VAT) per set
The set was designed for Kostis Fouk, lead guitarist of metal icons Rotting Christ. Kostis wished for a set especially for his Les Paul Custom, that would take his favorite tone of the 58 Legend set and hot rod it with more balls in order to achieve a more 80's tonal range.
Based on the 58 Legend set, the KF set features higher output but the same dynamic range. Fits very well on Gibson® and PRS® scale guitars, but also on certain Superstrats.
The KF N is practically a boosted Legend 58N with similar specs (with only different winding profile and wire), which results in a more powerful output. Singing lead tones and Legend-level dynamics. Slightly unbalanced coils in order to fit on any guitar.
The KF B is also based on Legend 58B. We changed the pole screws from 1010 to 1018 steel ones, as well as the winding wire. Using AWG 43 polysol wire, we raised the output, but we kept the transparency and dynamics at the well-known Legend league level by using our UK-made long rough cast bar (made on pre-1964 MMPA specs), here in a full magnetized version. Killing riffs and roaring lead licks — KF B is a traditional hard-rock and metal pickup based on Legend specs and with a more old-school flair.
The KF Custom Legend set is available in double black with a matte finish and with single braided, high-quality hook-up wire and gold plated screws and studs, since it is mainly designed for a LP Custom-style guitar. Upon request, it is also available with German silver covers and/or nickel plated screws and studs. Also available with 53mm spacing on bridge pickup, when it is planned to be installed on a Superstrat with a wider tremolo bridge.
Neck Rdc range 8,2 kOhms Neck Resonance frequency 5,7 kHz Bridge Rdc range 15,0 kOhms Bridge Resonance frequency 4,5 kHz Bar magnet alloy A5 (pre 1964 specs) US & UK 2,5" long Pole screw alloy 1010 (N), 1018 (B) Slug alloy 1215 Hookup wire Single braided Winding wire (AWG, Coating) 42 Red Poly (N), 43 Polysol (B) Coils winding Unbalanced -
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Introduction
For the proper installation and wiring of your GAS Pickups, we strongly recommend letting a professional luthier or electrician perform this job in order for the pickups to be installed correctly and with no damage, which would harm the pickup’s functionality and warranty.
Delivery
All GAS Legend PAFoids are delivered with proper height adjustment screws and springs. GAS Legend PAFoids accept long US 3-48 thread screws.
Wiring
GAS Legend PAFoids come with the typical single braided hook-up wire. The pickup wiring and phase are compatible with Gibson® humbuckers. All Legend PAFoids metal parts are grounded on the braided hook-up wire.
For the desired wiring diagram of your guitar, please refer to the dozens of specialized websites with such diagrams, depending on the desired pickup configuration.
Pickup height or string distance
There is a lot of conversation on this item. The fact is, there is no absolute guidance for a generic pickup height adjustment! The distance of a pickup to the strings is dependent on countless factors, such as pickup output, pickup position, string gauge, the guitar itself, the guitarist’s overall playing technique (string hitting, etc.), and the musical styles that are about to be covered. In the case of a pickup set, usually the pickup height is adjusted so all pickups show a similar output level, but this is not a rule. Our recommendation: The desired pickup height adjustment is a procedure that may last longer than you think; just start with a generic distance of 2mm on the e strings and repeat the procedure (adjust, play, listen, re-adjust) until you are satisfied. Don’t forget to adjust in small steps (e.g., one full turn of the height adjustment screw each time) in order to easily come back one step if you are not happy with the new situation. And, trust us, if you just repeat the whole thing a couple of weeks later, you will probably find yourself re-adjusting the height again. It is something that each musician should go through by himself.
Dimensions
GAS Legend PAFoids are direct replacements for Gibson® guitars and similar models. They come in 49,2mm spacing and with the traditional long-leg base plate. If you intend installing your Legends on a guitar with a shallower profile, please let us know so we may deliver your Legends with short-leg base plates.
The dimensions for the Legend PAFoids (with and without a pickup cover) are as follows (sizes in mm):
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Legend PAFoid sets are mainly named with a year (e.g., 57, 59, 60, etc.). Do the relevant Legend models actually correspond to the original models of those years?
Following our main philosophy, GAS Legends are more "based on" pickups than exact reproductions. To create pickups that offer specific sound qualities, we use specs from particular eras of old, original pickups (we had the opportunity to measure and analyze many old PAFs, PAT sticker- and PAT number pickups in our lab) and finally design them with our own specs. Some sets are closer to the original (as our 59 PE set), and some are more individually designed (as our 58 set).
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Are Legends available with covers?
All Legend sets are available in "open coil" look (double black, zebra, and double cream) or with an unpolished German silver cover. In any version, Legend PAFoids are direct replacements for original Gibson® humbuckers.
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What are the main differences in quality between Legend PAFoids and Standard Humbuckers?
Standard Humbuckers offer our standard GAS quality by using top parts, design, and craftsmanship. Legends offer the same high quality but a higher dynamic range due to the use of exclusively ordered magnet bars, which refer to specific MMPA standards. Further on, we mostly use the standard Poly 155 wire in our standard Humbuckers, whereas in our Legends we use Heavy PVA, red Poly, and Plain enamel wire (with 50’s and 60’s specs).
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