One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

[hamerfan]

Re: One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

Uncle Ace does know well.

Personally, my next set of pickups will probably be a set of Pearlies. Of all the clips I have ever heard, they still have the best blend of old-school, cut, grind and aggression. The 59 wasn't my favorite, but it IS one of the better all-around sets. Personally, I thought the neck was a little boomy in my own LP and the bridge lacked a bit of personality. Who knows, some different magnets could have solved that. So, tell you what: If you get the 59s and they rule, then rock them hard, man. If you DO want to try some mags for a swap, I have two RC A2 magnets and two A5U magnets that I will lend/give/donate whatever if you feel the need. I was thinking about trying the A5U in the Seths that I am test-driving, but I don't think I want to disturb them.

If your friend could sell you a PGb for cheap, maybe he can let you test drive it for a bit? Try that, see if you like it and if so, we can help you find a neck PU to match. If the PG isn't your thing, then give the 59s a whirl.

I have 3 Les Paul and some other humbucker guitars and a dozen spare humbuckers (most of them duncans of all kinds). I can support Soulcrusher, but should say the 59s are a magnificant set for 9 lb mahogany guitar as a Les paul. Everyone who needs bark and growl should try one.
With the recommendation of Dr Barlo (long time member in this forum) i ended with Antiquities an Seths as a basis for all my gibson LPs. They are great pickups that can easily formed with magnets and come with different dcr readings. In my bass boomy Gibson 1982 Heritage Elite i use a low reading neck Ant with an A4 magnet and a RC A5 in the bridge. My very compressed and thinner sounding LP Classic now employs a high reading Ant neck with an A5 (not so scooped as 59 neck, also loved a T-Top in this spot and JazzN did also well)and ant bridge with a A8. My full and warm sounding 58 Historic has a seth neck (lower wound than Ant) with an Ant magnet (yield a woody tone) with low reading Ant bridge with RCUO a5.

My take on this is to listen to the guitar and understand what it needs for that certain player/music/amp configuration.

[blueman335]

Re: One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

My take on this is to listen to the guitar and understand what it needs for that certain player/music/amp configuration.

+1. You don't know where to go unless you know where you are.

[JohnZAH]

Re: One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

Great advise guys. Thanks for all the replies. I think I will get a 59 set (hopefully used) and listen to see if it needs a change. I haven't tried enough pickups in my LP to know if what I'm listening to is the guitar or the pickups. If I had to guess, I'd say it is on the bright side, but I can always try a 250k pot for the bridge.