'78 In an LP style guitar?

[Displayname]

First time poster here, glad to find this community!

I've been drawn to the sound and idea of the '78 set, but most of the demos are just ripping through VH riffs (naturally) and they are almost all put into strat style guitars. I have liked the 1 or 2 videos where I've heard them in Les Paul's but I'm curious if anyone here has experience or even clips of the 78 in a set net mahogany guitar.

I'd be putting them into an LTD EC, so natural sound would fall somewhere between a Les Paul and an SG. Les Paul style with a thinner body.
Appreciate any input!

 

[beaubrummels]

Welcome to the forum.

I've used the '78 in my SG before. For me, it had a bright, thin signature sound, and paired well with other PAF neck types; being a PAF based pickup itself. Mine sounds like a Pearly Gates with the bass rolled off a bit. I haven't used a set. I have the original Custom Shop bridge version.

 

[Displayname]

Welcome to the forum.

I've used the '78 in my SG before. For me, it had a bright, thin signature sound, and paired well with other PAF neck types; being a PAF based pickup itself. Mine sounds like a Pearly Gates with the bass rolled off a bit. I haven't used a set. I have the original Custom Shop bridge version.

Any chance you've compared them to the Slash pickups? Based on the description and specs I was thinking they might be close-ish to those but with 4c for coil splits.
This is probably the best demo I've seen of the set in an LP: https://youtu.be/d18UtfJCKVM?si=7qV0s4YqNz_Te7e-&t=333

 

[Mincer]

To me, the 78s are brighter than the Slash pickups, which are based on a darker sounding pickup, the Alnico II Pro. I can see 78s working well in an LP, especially if it needs a little more high end.

 

[Displayname]

To me, the 78s are brighter than the Slash pickups, which are based on a darker sounding pickup, the Alnico II Pro. I can see 78s working well in an LP, especially if it needs a little more high end.

That’s good to know. I’m not sure that brighter is what I’m really after so maybe the 78s aren’t for me. I was starting to think maybe I was settled, but maybe not. Option paralysis is killing me!

 

[Mincer]

Yeah, 78s are brighter than most people think they are.

 

[Securb]

My favorite sets for my Les Paul are my WLH set and my Black Winter Set. Both sets cover a lot of ground outside of their target audiences. The WLHs are slightly scooped, and the BWs are mid-forward, so they give me a lot of tonal options for my LPs.

 

[ErikH]

I haven't used the 78 in a Les Paul but will say the '59 set is fantastic, as is the Alnico II Pro set and Pearly Gates. If the guitar is naturally brighter, the '57 Class/'57 Classic + is great (IME,IMO). Not everyone likes them but I love the '57 Classics. Had I not come across the '59 set in my Goldtop for a steal of a deal (new), I would have gone after the '57 Classics.

 

[beaubrummels]

Any chance you've compared them to the Slash pickups? Based on the description and specs I was thinking they might be close-ish to those but with 4c for coil splits.
This is probably the best demo I've seen of the set in an LP: https://youtu.be/d18UtfJCKVM?si=7qV0s4YqNz_Te7e-&t=333

Yes, actually. I've had the Slash in the same guitar. Different animals. The Slash sounds unique in the Duncan line to me. It's tone profile was like some union intersection between a Custom, a 59 and and a JB to me; just a great all around rock pickup with solid mids that hit the amp just right and a controlled top and bottom end IME. Hard to compare - I haven't experienced another pickup like the Slaah. The Slash set is something like taking a Jimmy Page PAF set and making it louder. Or also like taking the 500T/496R that was in the first Jimmy Page Sig and turning them down a bit and making them smoother, more organic (not the biting ceramic of the 500/496)

I don't know how that guy is getting it darker and warmer, the 78 wasn't like that in my SG.

 

[uOpt]

The moment I find my '78 I'll put it into my #1 Les Paul like.

 

[Masta' C]

I love the '78, but you can't go wrong with the Slash set!

 

[Displayname]

Yes, actually. I've had the Slash in the same guitar. Different animals. The Slash sounds unique in the Duncan line to me. It's tone profile was like some union intersection between a Custom, a 59 and and a JB to me; just a great all around rock pickup with solid mids that hit the amp just right and a controlled top and bottom end IME. Hard to compare - I haven't experienced another pickup like the Slaah. The Slash set is something like taking a Jimmy Page PAF set and making it louder. Or also like taking the 500T/496R that was in the first Jimmy Page Sig and turning them down a bit and making them smoother, more organic (not the biting ceramic of the 500/496)

I don't know how that guy is getting it darker and warmer, the 78 wasn't like that in my SG.

Appreciate all the feedback even if it’s kind of pivoting this thread into a Slash thread, lol.
I guess now I should think about the Slash set vs Slash 2.0.

I am slightly bummed because while I do like the sound of the Slash set, I was really hoping to get a 4c option for coil splits and a phase flip. But maybe I can’t really have it all unfortunately.

 

[Mincer]

Appreciate all the feedback even if it’s kind of pivoting this thread into a Slash thread, lol.
I guess now I should think about the Slash set vs Slash 2.0.

I am slightly bummed because while I do like the sound of the Slash set, I was really hoping to get a 4c option for coil splits and a phase flip. But maybe I can’t really have it all unfortunately.

There is always the Alnico II Pro as well, which comes stock with 4 conductor cable (it is what Slash used on his most famous recordings). You might also be able to order the Slash sets with 4 con cable through the Shop Floor Custom program.

 

[Displayname]

There is always the Alnico II Pro as well, which comes stock with 4 conductor cable (it is what Slash used on his most famous recordings). You might also be able to order the Slash sets with 4 con cable through the Shop Floor Custom program.

Awesome tip, thank you! I think a 4c Slash 2.0 might be just the ticket!

 

[Mincer]

Awesome tip, thank you! I think a 4c Slash 2.0 might be just the ticket!

Remember, you have to order through an authorized dealer.

 

[Displayname]

Remember, you have to order through an authorized dealer.

Any idea if GC can do this? I only ask because I have some store credit with them at the moment.

 

[Mincer]

Any idea if GC can do this? I only ask because I have some store credit with them at the moment.

Yes, they are an authorized dealer. You might have to let the salesperson know about that program, though. And expect a hard sell for what they currently have in stock. But they should do it.

 

[Displayname]

After reaching out to SD, I’m even more confused. I know people here reported the 78 to be brighter, but that doesn’t seem to line up with what SD is suggesting.

“78 model and Slash 2.0 are rough cast Alnico II magnet which are less powerful than standard magnets and have a slightly softened treble response.”

“The Slash (APH-2) is based on the APH-1 and a little hotter and will have a little boost of mid-range.
The 78 model is slightly hotter in wind and has a little smoother treble and more bass response.”

 

[Mincer]

Well, to my ears, the 78 is brighter than anything I've ever heard come out of any of Slash's guitars.

 

[uOpt]

Yeah, the 78 is brighter than the APH-1. Or rather, more aggressive.