? about Les Paul Deluxe pickup setup...

[75lespaul]

I just got a Les Paul Deluxe off of ebay (somewhere between a 1970 & 1975) that had the original bridge pickup removed and a JB put in its place. The original neck mini-humbucker is still there. To get a more classic rock to metal sound (Priest, Maiden, early Zeppelin etc...) which would be the best choice. I'm also looking for that "quacky" sound from bridging both pickups in the middle toggle position. I already have these pickups so it's going to be one or the other.

1) put in a 59

2) leave the JB and get a push/pull volume to tap it for single coil.

The 59 "quacks" pretty well in a Epiphone Les Paul I have mixed with a Dimarzio super II in the neck. I love the sound of both pickups but before I started ripping pickups out and soldering all hours into the night, figured I'd get some opinions. :smoker:

 

[rhmcfarland]

Re: ? about Les Paul Deluxe pickup setup...

That's the type guitar I use. 1970 Les Paul Deluxe. I put a JB in the bridge a long time ago, and left the minihumbucker in there. The JB is pretty ballsy. I have used a Pearly Gates (which I still have), and am now using an Antiquity. The Antiquity is great for the classic rock type of thing. I'm sure the '59 would do quite well also. Great score, by the way!

BTW, I talked with MJ in the custom shop about a Firebird Phat Cat. Lately, I'm using brighter tones with less distortion, and that could be a good one to have.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: ? about Les Paul Deluxe pickup setup...

Yep...that's exactly how I modded my LP Deluxe, only the JB I used was one Seymour made for me 20 or 25 years ago out of an old Gibson paf. The guy I sold it to did install a full size neck humbucker. The 59N would be a fine choice or a Duncan Jazz N. Coil splitting is a great idea for that set. The 59N or Jazz N and JB bridge split really well in a Les Paul and the tones are very usable. I'd replace the tone pots with 500K push/pull pots and leave the volume pots normal. I would check tho to make sure you have 500K volume pots...some are 300K from what I've heard, tho I've never encountered anything except 500K in the Les Pauls I've done work on. Lew

 

[75lespaul]

Re: ? about Les Paul Deluxe pickup setup...

Thanks for the opinions guys. I was leaning towards keeping the JB because I think this will become my main guitar and I like the idea of split coils, which I've never had. The JB does heavier stuff great also and since I have a 59 in my Epiphone Les Paul (surprisingly great guitar! Had two before and they stunk but this one plays like a "real" Les Paul, no s**t) and I'm putting Antiquities in my 75 LP custom, I should really be able to get any LP sound I wish.

I got this Les Paul Deluxe for $850 with shipping. It has a repaired headstock, but it's a great repair and it has that nice darker cherry sunburst, not that bright candy looking sunburst. Has some nicks, worn paint etc... lotsa mojo! Only got it cuz I'm 40, told my wife look, it's either the exotic sports car or a few guitars which I've always wanted. Guess which she agreed to? (What she didn't know is I meant a plastic MODEL exotic--like I could afford a real one!)

Anyway, I also got a 1977 Gibson cherry doubleneck coming. The six string pickups are a mystery so I can't wait to get that and pull them. From the photo it looks like it's a Dimarzio X2N. May have to get a second job for awhile to pay for them, but it's worth it. My grandpa always said, "you're gonna be dead for a long time--enjoy it now!"

Later! And thank you. :smoker: