Robert Delahunt
Showmasterologist
What's the best low-budget stock Les Paul pickup set? Please vote accordingly. Thanks!
Best low-budget Les Paul stock pickup set?
- Thread starter Robert Delahunt
- Start date
Robert Delahunt
Showmasterologist
Re: Best low-budget Les Paul stock pickup set?
I'm not rich, and I don't want to swap the pickups out this time (contrary to my normal behavior). I'm thinking I want to be happy with the sound when I get it. I don't want to hurt resale (at least not yet).
The existence of this forums Trading Post makes discount Duncans a reality. Just get the "real" thing.
I'm not rich, and I don't want to swap the pickups out this time (contrary to my normal behavior). I'm thinking I want to be happy with the sound when I get it. I don't want to hurt resale (at least not yet).
Re: Best low-budget Les Paul stock pickup set?
tough call. do you like the way 59's sound in a les paul? if so youll like the bb pros better of those two sets. i dont like the bbpros as much as the 59's but there are some similar qualitys.
i have a lp special that came with the 490/498 setup. now there is a rewound 496r/phat cat bridge setup that is way better. the stock set never really seemed to balance. if you only use the neck for cleans and only use the bridge for dirty tones it can work ok
tough call. do you like the way 59's sound in a les paul? if so youll like the bb pros better of those two sets. i dont like the bbpros as much as the 59's but there are some similar qualitys.
i have a lp special that came with the 490/498 setup. now there is a rewound 496r/phat cat bridge setup that is way better. the stock set never really seemed to balance. if you only use the neck for cleans and only use the bridge for dirty tones it can work ok
hanumanlangur
New member
Re: Best low-budget Les Paul stock pickup set?
The only new LP's I've heard with really nice stock tone have been ones with Burstbucker 1/2 sets, or with P90's (not sure which ones specifically). But of the two sets, I'd go with the A5 Burstbuckers.
Having a nice set of aftermarket pickups tends to increase the value of a guitar. I always see used guitars selling for more because they have Duncans or EMG's in them.
But you can always swap pickups later.
The only new LP's I've heard with really nice stock tone have been ones with Burstbucker 1/2 sets, or with P90's (not sure which ones specifically). But of the two sets, I'd go with the A5 Burstbuckers.
Having a nice set of aftermarket pickups tends to increase the value of a guitar. I always see used guitars selling for more because they have Duncans or EMG's in them.
But you can always swap pickups later.
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Jazz Rock
New member
Re: Best low-budget Les Paul stock pickup set?
I voted BBpros because I loved to play the LP I tried in shop with this combo and have been trying for a while to like the 490/498 combo in my LP Studio, and apartfrom the fact that the 490 sounds good with A5 and A4 mags,the combo doesn't really do anything for me.
I voted BBpros because I loved to play the LP I tried in shop with this combo and have been trying for a while to like the 490/498 combo in my LP Studio, and apartfrom the fact that the 490 sounds good with A5 and A4 mags,the combo doesn't really do anything for me.
Robert Delahunt
Showmasterologist
Re: Best low-budget Les Paul stock pickup set?
I don't know. I seemed to like them in the store, but again, to me Les Pauls don't have enough highs (but I admit that I never tried playing with the amp EQ, so I need to do a better test).
I have a '59 neck in my Showmaster, with PG+ bridge. Not a fair comparison, but the '59 is too warm in the neck for me: I'd greatly prefer a Jazz (hence my "trade me for a Full Shred / Jazz set" thread in trading post).
Would a more logical swap be to get a non-LP of equivalent quality and slap the '59/PG+ in that guitar, then buy a Full Shred or Jazz set for the Showmaster? (I consider it my "shred" guitar)
I don't know. I seemed to like them in the store, but again, to me Les Pauls don't have enough highs (but I admit that I never tried playing with the amp EQ, so I need to do a better test).
I have a '59 neck in my Showmaster, with PG+ bridge. Not a fair comparison, but the '59 is too warm in the neck for me: I'd greatly prefer a Jazz (hence my "trade me for a Full Shred / Jazz set" thread in trading post).
Would a more logical swap be to get a non-LP of equivalent quality and slap the '59/PG+ in that guitar, then buy a Full Shred or Jazz set for the Showmaster? (I consider it my "shred" guitar)
Re: Best low-budget Les Paul stock pickup set?
if you think the 59 is too warm for a strat neck, then you may not like either of those pups in the guitars you mentioned. you wont like the 490r, it is fairly smooth and dark, put that pup in the neck of a darker les paul and youll think its mud.
if you think the 59 is too warm for a strat neck, then you may not like either of those pups in the guitars you mentioned. you wont like the 490r, it is fairly smooth and dark, put that pup in the neck of a darker les paul and youll think its mud.
Robert Delahunt
Showmasterologist
Re: Best low-budget Les Paul stock pickup set?
I don't have a '59 in a Strat neck. I have a '59 in my Showmaster. It's warm, not too warm, but still not as "dynamic" as I like. I like a Jazz neck sound better, yes, but in mahogany (Schecter C-1 Classic) and with a cover, it's not as scooped as I remember.
I don't know, maybe it's my ears, or my tastes.
Anyways, I'm just wondering which set people like best stock in a sub-$1000 LP.
I don't have a '59 in a Strat neck. I have a '59 in my Showmaster. It's warm, not too warm, but still not as "dynamic" as I like. I like a Jazz neck sound better, yes, but in mahogany (Schecter C-1 Classic) and with a cover, it's not as scooped as I remember.
I don't know, maybe it's my ears, or my tastes.
Anyways, I'm just wondering which set people like best stock in a sub-$1000 LP.
martin6string
New member
Re: Best low-budget Les Paul stock pickup set?
Based on the poll options, you are talking about 2 very different guitars so the comparison isn't quite fair. There's a good bit more wood involved with the Vintage Mahogany Vs. the LP Special, so the same pickups wouldn't sound quite the same in either guitar. I would concentrate on what guitar you like better first. The pickups should be 2nd priority.
Based on the poll options, you are talking about 2 very different guitars so the comparison isn't quite fair. There's a good bit more wood involved with the Vintage Mahogany Vs. the LP Special, so the same pickups wouldn't sound quite the same in either guitar. I would concentrate on what guitar you like better first. The pickups should be 2nd priority.
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Mr. B
New member
Re: Best low-budget Les Paul stock pickup set?
???
Considering that you will pay well over 1000.00$ for even a LP Studio from Gibson, I wouldn't consider any of them "Low Budget". Buying a 400.00$ Epiphone plain top and installing a used set of Seymour Duncans would be "Low Budget".
???
Considering that you will pay well over 1000.00$ for even a LP Studio from Gibson, I wouldn't consider any of them "Low Budget". Buying a 400.00$ Epiphone plain top and installing a used set of Seymour Duncans would be "Low Budget".
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