Alnico II Pro for '04 Les Paul Standard

[faltat]

Hi guys,

I have a '04 Les Paul Standard with stock Burstbucker Pros right now. The other day I installed a Burstbucker #2 in the bridge which sounded really cool and big for leads but was a little weak for rythms.

So I started thinking about replacing the pickups. So I guess I'm after a vintage sound that provides me fat leads of the Burstbucker #2 and a little more aggression to do some palm mutes, but with added warmth.

I was thinking of a Alnico II Pro set. The thing is, I would really like to have them with nickel covers. Is it possible to aquire them with covers? Would the Gibson covers fit? Would the covers cause feedback problems? I didn't experience any feedback problems with my covered burstbuckers.

Are there any better options?

I guess you'd also recommend upgrading my pots to 500K ones...

Thank's!

 

[NathanCahill]

Re: Alnico II Pro for '04 Les Paul Standard

Alnico 2 pros are available covered. No gibson covers will not fit quite right.

 

[rspst14]

Re: Alnico II Pro for '04 Les Paul Standard

Yeah, you'll want to upgrade to 500k audio tapered CTS pots and Orange Drop caps for best results. Alnico 2 Pro's are available with covers, and you shouldn't have any feedback problems as most Duncan pickups are wax potted to prevent feedback.

Ryan

 

[faltat]

Re: Alnico II Pro for '04 Les Paul Standard

Thank's for the replies.

How about tone? Do you think they are what I'm looking for? :smack:

Styles: Aerosmith, AC/DC, Black Crowes, Velvet Revolver, Guns n' Roses, Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule, Gary Moore.... :laugh2:

 

[NathanCahill]

Re: Alnico II Pro for '04 Les Paul Standard

Alnico 2 pro is right on for the neck. I would go for a Custom Custom or Seth Lover in the bridge. Just my opinion.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Alnico II Pro for '04 Les Paul Standard

For my money the bass ont he AII Pros is a little spongy. I would go with '59's or Seths. If you want highert output from ther bridge, I would use a custom

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Alnico II Pro for '04 Les Paul Standard

Alnico 2 pro is right on for the neck. I would go for a Custom Custom or Seth Lover in the bridge. Just my opinion.

+1 I have a strong feeling you'd love the CC nickel bridge/APII nickel neck.
My favorite two humbucker combos are C-5/59 (most versatile and powerful)
and also the CC/Seth (fuller sounding, a little less articulate than C-5/59, but great output and growl.)

 

[rspst14]

Re: Alnico II Pro for '04 Les Paul Standard

Not to give you too many differing opinions, but I would suggest either the Alnico II Pro or Pearly Gates for the neck, and a '59 or a Rio Grande BBQ for the bridge. I think one of those two pickups in the bridge spot would be better than the CC. To me, the CC sounds nothing like Aerosmith, AC/DC, Black Crowes, or the Allman Brothers. I've never liked that pickup much to begin with, and I definitely wouldn't use it in a darker sounding guitar like a Les Paul. But I know others love it. The '59 is a good all-around pickup for the tones you mention, so is the BBQ.

For the neck, the Alnico 2 Pro will be warmer with a classic blues sound. It has a strong bass response, warm, sweet highs, and mids that are slightly pulled back but not scooped. The Pearly Gates will be a little brighter, with more emphasis on the upper mids and highs and less bass.

Ryan

 

[Thames]

Re: Alnico II Pro for '04 Les Paul Standard

Not to give you too many differing opinions, but I would suggest either the Alnico II Pro or Pearly Gates for the neck, and a '59 or a Rio Grande BBQ for the bridge. I think one of those two pickups in the bridge spot would be better than the CC. To me, the CC sounds nothing like Aerosmith, AC/DC, Black Crowes, or the Allman Brothers. I've never liked that pickup much to begin with, and I definitely wouldn't use it in a darker sounding guitar like a Les Paul. But I know others love it. The '59 is a good all-around pickup for the tones you mention, so is the BBQ.

+1

 

[NT02]

Re: Alnico II Pro for '04 Les Paul Standard

I put an Antiquity in the neck and a Seth Lover in the bridge of my LP Classic, and get tones like what you're after. The Antiquity might be too smooth, actually. I think the Seth Lover would make you happy. I found 500k volume pot to be too bright for the bridge, stuck with the stock Gibson pot there. Changed to 500k CTS pots for the neck and Hovland caps for both pickups. Loving it.

 

[faltat]

Re: Alnico II Pro for '04 Les Paul Standard

I think I'll stuck with the Burstbucker #2 but and change the pots to 500K ones. If I don't like the sound then I'll go Duncan.

I'm surprised you don't recommend the A2P Bridge :laugh2:

Thank's for your input!

 

[NathanCahill]

Re: Alnico II Pro for '04 Les Paul Standard

You can try the A2p set some like it in the bridge, hey its what Slash uses (custom shop models anyway). Some just feel it is lacking a s bridge pup.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Alnico II Pro for '04 Les Paul Standard

Thank's for the replies.

How about tone? Do you think they are what I'm looking for? :smack:

Styles: Aerosmith, AC/DC, Black Crowes, Velvet Revolver, Guns n' Roses, Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule, Gary Moore.... :laugh2:

Dead on, if those bands are your sound you will love the A2P in an LP.