Another newbie needing help choosing pickups (and more)

H

husker-tim

New member
So this is my first post here. Let me give some background. I had an off-brand Japanese Les Paul stolen 40 years ago; it was a Crown City Imports. I couldn't find another one like it at the time and to be honest didn't have the nostalgia bug for it. However, I spent about the last 25-30 years looking for one just like it. I finally hunted one down (it wasn't easy) that had issues. I bought it anyway since it took me so long to find it I figured I might not find another one, let alone a better one.

So now I need to install new pickups, tuners, pick-up toggle switch, wiring, and pots.

So, I was looking for advise on all of the above. As far as sound goes, I have a Les Paul with BB Pros, and a Strat with noiseless pickups. I also have a hollowbody electric (jazz box style) Ibanez. So I am looking for pickups with a bit warmer sound that will give me some variety from the guitars I already own. I have decided I want to go with Seymour Duncans, but I don't know which would be best. Also, since I am going to be spending WAY too much to refurbish this guitar, I might as well do it with quality parts, so I would like some opinions on the best wiring/pots/switches (I am pretty sure I am going with Grover locking tuners...I am happy with the ones on my Les Paul).

I know I am asking a lot here, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

thanks
 
Re: Another newbie needing help choosing pickups (and more)

What wood are the guitars made out of and what style of music do you play?
 
Re: Another newbie needing help choosing pickups (and more)

I am not sure what wood the guitar is made of. It has a maple finger board.

I play a lot of styles: Classic rock, blues, country, some jazz, punk, pop....I just want something a little warmer sounding than the BB Pros on my Gibson Les Paul, but still with the humbucker sound.
 
Re: Another newbie needing help choosing pickups (and more)

Are you looking to do basic LP wiring? Or split coil, series/parallel, in/out of phase?

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Re: Another newbie needing help choosing pickups (and more)

Wow, I'm not sure. I guess I was thinking basic wiring, but I am asking for advise...would it be better to do one of the alternative wiring options?
 
Re: Another newbie needing help choosing pickups (and more)

The Duncan Distortion has a killer distorted tone and a nice clean tone, very versatile. Check that one out.

I'm actually looking for a pickup as well, a decently versatile one at that, and someone recommended me to the 59/trembucker. I've only watched one demo video of one and it seemed pretty nice, about to watch some more. I advise you to check it out as well!

By the way, I wouldn't mess with the other wiring options that thebingopete is talking about, for your first installation I would go with just a basic wiring.
 
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Re: Another newbie needing help choosing pickups (and more)

One other question (probably the one other of many)...When I go to the section of the web site where the SD pickups are demoed and you can select your type of guitar and style of play, etc. the results give you matching sets. Do those pickups have to be paired or can you mix and match?
 
Re: Another newbie needing help choosing pickups (and more)

Depending on the woods, I'd go for a JB in the bridge and a Jazz in the neck, which is a well known combo for its versatility. If it's a mahogany body and neck, I'd go for a Custom instead of a JB.

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Re: Another newbie needing help choosing pickups (and more)

Greeting new guys! Continue discussing…
 
Re: Another newbie needing help choosing pickups (and more)

husker-tim said:
One other question (probably the one other of many)...When I go to the section of the web site where the SD pickups are demoed and you can select your type of guitar and style of play, etc. the results give you matching sets. Do those pickups have to be paired or can you mix and match?
Click to expand...

You can totally mix and match man, that's just to give you an idea I believe.
 
Re: Another newbie needing help choosing pickups (and more)

I've been on youtube and the Seymour Duncan page where you can compare pickups. I am not sure I want heavy distortion pickups...I like the Jazz pickup for the neck, I'm still not sure about the bridge...I guess I'll keep comparing. This is not an emergency...I'm just trying to get ready for when I get this guitar back together (should be pretty soon though).

I am going to have the installation done for me (I don't want to experiment-I want it done right), so wiring difficulty shouldn't be an issue. I was just wondering if I would get much use out of the ability to split coils and/or go in and out of phase. I really just want a warm clean humbucker sound. I was thinking I could get that with just basic pickups. Thoughts?

Also, did anyone have any suggestion for wiring and which brand of pots and switch I should use? I want to use quality....I just don't even know what brands to research.

Thanks for the replies so far!
 
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