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  • Pickup advice for a Les Paul Classic please

    I bought a 2005 Gibson Les Paul Classic a few days ago, got it cheap because it's had a headstock break (quite nicely repaired though).
    Anyway, it came with black pickups (500T/496R) which sounded okay but, to me, didn't look right with this guitar.
    So I put in some double cream Dimarzios (Super D/PAF). These sound fantastic but, again...it just doesn't look right, so I've ordered some chrome/nickel covered pups from ebay. Two sets actually, cos I made an offer I didn't think would be accepted, bought a different set, then had the first offer accepted!

    So, coming in a couple of days are a set of 57 Classics, and also a 498T/490R both with the chrome/nickel covers I think will look best on this guitar.

    My question is: which ones will work best for a higher gain sound? I generally don't like vintage style pickups in the bridge position - Seths, 59's, PAF's - not a fan. I much prefer the likes of the JB, Duncan Distortion, Super D etc. I'm guessing the 57 Classic won't really work for that? But, would the Super D be so much better than either the 57 Classic or 498T that I should just leave that where it is and get that "Jimmy Page" kinda vibe with the covered neck pickup/open-coil bridge.....???

    Also, I DO like PAF-types in the neck position, so would the 57 classic be a nicer sounding pup than the 490R?

    Here's some pics of the guitar - I've ordered a pickguard because the colour is very bright and I think a pickguard will look great.

    I have to say, I LOVE this guitar - it plays great, sounds great and just feels right. I love the plain top although I'm not overly taken with the bright cherry burst, it's a bit bright for me - any way to tone that down, fade it a bit?

    20190421_190527 by stormwatch1977, on Flickr

    [/url]20190421_180442 by stormwatch1977, on Flickr

    [/url]20190421_190646 by stormwatch1977, on Flickr
    Last edited by Wolfshead; 04-22-2019, 02:18 AM.
    My website - https://stevenamckay.com/

    My gear - Gibson- Les Pauls - 2 x Classic (sunburst and ebony), Slash Standard, DC Special Tribute, SG Standard, Explorer, Flying V. 1980 Hamer Sunburst.
    MIM Fender Strat. MIK Squier Tele. Jackson JDR94, Kelly, Concert Bass. Fender acoustic. Mandolin.
    Spark Mini, Marshall DSL20HR, 1912.

  • #2
    Re: Pickup advice for a Les Paul Classic please

    With my two Classics, I went with Custom Shop Seths and Antiquitys on the other. Couldn't be happier.

    Bill
    When you've had budget guitars for a number of years, you may find that your old instrument is holding you back. A quality guitar can inspire you to write great songs, improve your understanding of the Gdim chord while in the Lydian Mode, cure the heartbreak of cystic acne--and help you find true love in the process.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Pickup advice for a Les Paul Classic please

      I play Metal on my 2010 Trad with a '57+ on the bridge. It fits my sound perfectly.
      Guitars:Gibson LP Trad ('57 Classics); Ibanez SEW761FM (TB-16/STK-S7 m&n); Charvel DK24 (TB10/SSL-6/A2Pn), DK22 (HRb/SSL-6 m&n), SoCal Style1 (Distortion set) & SoCal Style2 24 2PT (Fluence OCC); ESP LTD MH-1000HS (TB-14/Lil59n); Effects: Line 6 Helix Floor, Digitech Drop & FreqOut, ME EP-1L6,Shure GLXD16, Headrush MX5;

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Pickup advice for a Les Paul Classic please

        Originally posted by Synapsys View Post
        I play Metal on my 2010 Trad with a '57+ on the bridge. It fits my sound perfectly.
        Interesting...maybe I should give it a shot. I have tried 59s and PAFs in the bridge of guitars before but always end up changing them for something hotter like a JB.
        My website - https://stevenamckay.com/

        My gear - Gibson- Les Pauls - 2 x Classic (sunburst and ebony), Slash Standard, DC Special Tribute, SG Standard, Explorer, Flying V. 1980 Hamer Sunburst.
        MIM Fender Strat. MIK Squier Tele. Jackson JDR94, Kelly, Concert Bass. Fender acoustic. Mandolin.
        Spark Mini, Marshall DSL20HR, 1912.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Pickup advice for a Les Paul Classic please

          ...you know you can just buy covers for a few bucks???
          "New stuff always sucks" -Me

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Pickup advice for a Les Paul Classic please

            Ummm - a 500T is essentially/practically a Duncan Distortion. I'd never swap that if a Distortion sound is what I wanted. There was nothing wrong with the SuperD/PAF combo either!

            You know - you can order pickup covers and just put them on with a spot of solder....


            Nice guitar, love to see a pic of the neck repair.
            Originally posted by Bad City
            He's got the crowd on his side and the blue jean lights in his eyes...

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Pickup advice for a Les Paul Classic please

              I just picked up an Edwards John Sykes model. I have a pair of double creme air classics kicking around, or I may put a '59 and Custom in. I know that doesn't help you out right now, but I'll report back my findings. I usually stick with the JB/Jazz combo, but I've heard the '59/Custom is nice in a Les Paul.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Pickup advice for a Les Paul Classic please

                Originally posted by Wolfshead View Post
                I bought a 2005 Gibson Les Paul Classic a few days ago, got it cheap because it's had a headstock break (quite nicely repaired though).
                Anyway, it came with black pickups (500T/496R) which sounded okay but, to me, didn't look right with this guitar.
                So I put in some double cream Dimarzios (Super D/PAF). These sound fantastic but, again...it just doesn't look right, so I've ordered some chrome/nickel covered pups from ebay. Two sets actually, cos I made an offer I didn't think would be accepted, bought a different set, then had the first offer accepted!

                So, coming in a couple of days are a set of 57 Classics, and also a 498T/490R both with the chrome/nickel covers I think will look best on this guitar.

                My question is: which ones will work best for a higher gain sound? I generally don't like vintage style pickups in the bridge position - Seths, 59's, PAF's - not a fan. I much prefer the likes of the JB, Duncan Distortion, Super D etc. I'm guessing the 57 Classic won't really work for that? But, would the Super D be so much better than either the 57 Classic or 498T that I should just leave that where it is and get that "Jimmy Page" kinda vibe with the covered neck pickup/open-coil bridge.....???

                Also, I DO like PAF-types in the neck position, so would the 57 classic be a nicer sounding pup than the 490R?

                Here's some pics of the guitar - I've ordered a pickguard because the colour is very bright and I think a pickguard will look great.

                I have to say, I LOVE this guitar - it plays great, sounds great and just feels right. I love the plain top although I'm not overly taken with the bright cherry burst, it's a bit bright for me - any way to tone that down, fade it a bit?

                20190421_190527 by stormwatch1977, on Flickr

                [/url]20190421_180442 by stormwatch1977, on Flickr

                [/url]20190421_190646 by stormwatch1977, on Flickr



                So you need a set of crome covers for your cream coloured pickups

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Pickup advice for a Les Paul Classic please

                  Another thought: i was on a long travel to get the right pickups for my 1999 Classic. It came used with some asian generic pickups. Since i am the third owner, the second owner was double-dealed by the first owner selling the stock pickups to someone else to make extra money out of the guitar. I said what the heck, i make a blues machine out of it. That didn't work. The classic with a heavy body and a thin neck doesn't work that way. I got a 500T and tried that. Not bad, but the Duncan Distortion was still better. Less compression and more beef. Then i read about a mod, yanking out one side magnet and making a wood shim. Together with a 490R with an A5 its the right combo for that guitar.
                  Last edited by hamerfan; 04-22-2019, 11:12 AM.
                  I get the feeling the A8 will blow your skirt up more so - Edgecrusher

                  Smooth trades with Jerryjg, ArtieToo, Theodie, Micah, trevorus, Pierre, pzaxtl, damian1122, Thames, Diocletian, Kevinabb, Fakiekid, oilpit, checo, BachToRock, majewsky, joyouswolf, Koreth, Pontiac Jack, Jeff_H

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Pickup advice for a Les Paul Classic please

                    490r/498t set is more suited for metal, though both sets will do it just fine. To my ears, the 57 Classic neck and 490r are basically a wash. There are subtle differences, but they are fundamentally in the same tone camp. I find swapping the magnet on the 490r helps open it up a bit, so if I had to give an edge stock, it would be the 57 Classic. Having said that, neither is my preference for a nice, open PAF style neck. For metal, the 490r with an A5 would be very, very nice.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Pickup advice for a Les Paul Classic please

                      OMG - who are you people?

                      Get nickel or chrome or whatever covers for the current set - done!

                      Or...go with the 500T and maybe a Duncan 59 - add covers and done!
                      Originally posted by Bad City
                      He's got the crowd on his side and the blue jean lights in his eyes...

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Pickup advice for a Les Paul Classic please

                        I put a 500T/496R in my LP Studio once and then I realized why they were in old LP 1960s/Classic (cant recall which) and the earliest Jimmy Page reissue. That set covers a lot of ground. Nice and even tone at all volume settings, plays well with all kinds of amps, covers all kinds of music with the twist of the volume and a flick of the pickup switch.

                        I haven’t played a DiMarzio SuperDist + PAF neck before, but if you like the sound just run with it.

                        I would either get over the aesthetics or just put covers on (though you might lose a little top end/chime off the neck and a touch of bite off the bridge that way)
                        Last edited by beaubrummels; 04-23-2019, 09:22 PM.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Pickup advice for a Les Paul Classic please

                          I have a zebra 496R/500T set in my 1996 Classic Premium Plus. Mine are 4 wire, and I wired the tones push/pull to split the pickups into single coil mode. Covers a lot of ground.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Pickup advice for a Les Paul Classic please

                            Originally posted by Adieu View Post
                            ...you know you can just buy covers for a few bucks???
                            I've gone down that route before and it was more hassle than it was worth. First, the covers are pretty expensive over here in the UK (looking at about £15 each), THEN you have to get ones that properly fit your particular pickup which I found harder than expected on previous occassions. And then you have to fit them properly so they don't cause feedback.

                            I thought it better to just buy ones that come with covers fitted stock. I got a really good deal on the 57's in particular, and the ones I don't use will just be sold again (hopefully at a small profit!) so it's not much trouble.
                            Last edited by Wolfshead; 04-24-2019, 08:22 AM.
                            My website - https://stevenamckay.com/

                            My gear - Gibson- Les Pauls - 2 x Classic (sunburst and ebony), Slash Standard, DC Special Tribute, SG Standard, Explorer, Flying V. 1980 Hamer Sunburst.
                            MIM Fender Strat. MIK Squier Tele. Jackson JDR94, Kelly, Concert Bass. Fender acoustic. Mandolin.
                            Spark Mini, Marshall DSL20HR, 1912.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Pickup advice for a Les Paul Classic please

                              Originally posted by Aceman View Post
                              Ummm - a 500T is essentially/practically a Duncan Distortion. I'd never swap that if a Distortion sound is what I wanted. There was nothing wrong with the SuperD/PAF combo either!

                              You know - you can order pickup covers and just put them on with a spot of solder....


                              Nice guitar, love to see a pic of the neck repair.
                              Here you go!

                              [/url]20190421_180532 by stormwatch1977, on Flickr
                              My website - https://stevenamckay.com/

                              My gear - Gibson- Les Pauls - 2 x Classic (sunburst and ebony), Slash Standard, DC Special Tribute, SG Standard, Explorer, Flying V. 1980 Hamer Sunburst.
                              MIM Fender Strat. MIK Squier Tele. Jackson JDR94, Kelly, Concert Bass. Fender acoustic. Mandolin.
                              Spark Mini, Marshall DSL20HR, 1912.

                              Comment

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