Best Pickup Combo For A Gibson Les Paul?

Best Pickup Combo For A Gibson Les Paul?

  • Custom/59'

    Votes: 12 31.6%

  • Custom/Jazz

    Votes: 16 42.1%

  • Distortion/59'

    Votes: 2 5.3%

  • Distortion/Jazz

    Votes: 8 21.1%
  • Total voters
    38
Re: Best Pickup Combo For A Gibson Les Paul?

Ive never tried any of those but i do know Dan Hawkins of the Darkness uses a custom/59 combo in his gibson LP and he has amazing tone!
 
Re: Best Pickup Combo For A Gibson Les Paul?

It really depends on the style of music you want to play (so I haven't voted). The only one of those combos I've tried in a Les Paul is the Custom / '59 - EXCELLENT for hard rock.
 
Re: Best Pickup Combo For A Gibson Les Paul?

I tried JB/'59, JB/Jazz, Custom/Jazz and finally settled on a Custom/'59 combo in my Epi LP. I liked that one the best although the JB/Jazz is awesome too!
Now I need to try a C5/'59 combo.
 
Re: Best Pickup Combo For A Gibson Les Paul?

When I was a kid (1965) I really liked the Rolling Stones and also thr Lovin Spoonful and Keith Richards and also John Sebastion each had a beautiful '58 or '59 Les Paul Sunburst. I wanted one so bad but Gibson wasn't making them anymore. I took a picture of the Lovin Spoonful to a couple of music stores and asked them "what is this guitar?" But no one knew.

Finally I found one that knew what it was, but I thought he said it was a Left Paw!

So I went around for a few weeks looking for a Left Paw guitar. Finally found a '56 Left Paw Gold Top and traded my Fender Jaguar for it.

I think by then I actually did know it was called a Les Paul, but I thought that was kind of funny. Hadn't thought about it for years.
 
Re: Best Pickup Combo For A Gibson Les Paul?

Lewguitar said:
When I was a kid (1965) I really liked the Rolling Stones and also thr Lovin Spoonful and Keith Richards and also John Sebastion each had a beautiful '58 or '59 Les Paul Sunburst. I wanted one so bad but Gibson wasn't making them anymore. I took a picture of the Lovin Spoonful to a couple of music stores and asked them "what is this guitar?" But no one knew.

Finally I found one that knew what it was, but I thought he said it was a Left Paw!

So I went around for a few weeks looking for a Left Paw guitar. Finally found a '56 Left Paw Gold Top and traded my Fender Jaguar for it.

I think by then I actually did know it was called a Les Paul, but I thought that was kind of funny. Hadn't thought about it for years.
Click to expand...

Lew...I love to listen to all your stories...one day we have to get together and have a few beers and just talk a while!

BTW...of the pup combos mentiones...I would go for the Custom/59...but that's only out of the 4 you mentiones.
 
Re: Best Pickup Combo For A Gibson Les Paul?

of those choices i think i like the custom/59 best for my left paw, but i still like a set of pearlys best
 
Re: Best Pickup Combo For A Gibson Les Paul?

Dist/Jazz, but I hate how boomy and bassy the 59 is under gain, and I'm a total metalhead. :)
 
Re: Best Pickup Combo For A Gibson Les Paul?

Those are all nice combos. I have had them all in my Les Paul at one time or another :D

.. but what style of music?
 
Re: Best Pickup Combo For A Gibson Les Paul?

I am a Fralin guy when it comes to Gobsons but I have a Classic with the Custom 5 bridge and an Alnico II in the neck.

That is a wonderful combo.
 
Re: Best Pickup Combo For A Gibson Les Paul?

Stevo said:
Those are all nice combos. I have had them all in my Les Paul at one time or another :D

.. but what style of music?
Click to expand...


Mostly Hard Rock and Alternative Rock, but I would like to have the pickups be somewhat suitable for heavier stuff like Metal also. I want a significant amount of low end but at the same time I would like clarity as well. Maybe I'm asking for too much.... :32: :smack:
 
Last edited:
Re: Best Pickup Combo For A Gibson Les Paul?

i liked the 59's i had in a les paul like guitar at one time but of those combos i have tried none, so i didn't vote, but i think if you want good low end and clarity a 59 in the neck is a good start
 
Re: Best Pickup Combo For A Gibson Les Paul?

GuitarGuy503 said:
Mostly Hard Rock and Alternative Rock, but I would like to have the pickups be somewhat suitable for heavier stuff like Metal also. I want a significant amount of low end but at the same time I would like clarity as well. Maybe I'm asking for too much.... :32: :smack:
Click to expand...

I voted the the Custom/59 combo out of the choices you have up there. I have used the same combo in a Les Paul and an Explorer.

I would prefer a bit more clarity at times out of the neck 59 for chording or playing the lower areas of the neck, but then you sacrifice that sweet sound in the higher frets for leads. The Jazz always sounded a bit weak for metal to me.

The custom though is my fave bridge pickup especially for a glue in/neck thru body guitar. Very versatile, IME and has that awesome low end.
 
Re: Best Pickup Combo For A Gibson Les Paul?

Well, my LP had a 59n and a Custom Custom, but I just swapped out the CC for a 59b and I'm MUCH happier with the tone I'm getting. Actually, it is now the best sounding LP I have ever owned, and not that it's a lot but this is my 5th LP in the past 15 years. I liked it before, but now it is THE one.

So there's my two cents.

;)
 
Re: Best Pickup Combo For A Gibson Les Paul?

The only combos I have tried in mine distortion/distortion and distortion/pearly gates and I loved the way they complimented each other. I could go from cool cleans to gutsy blues, then to some pretty hard stuff and it all sounded sweet to my ear.

Youngpup
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
Gibson Les Paul toggle switch back plate
Replies
0
Views
97
pittbull
P
weepingminotaur
Pickup ideas for Les Paul (D standard metal application)
Replies
15
Views
2K
STLMTLHD79
S
D
Phat Cat Silencer with Gibson Quick Connect
Replies
5
Views
373
jeremy
jeremy
Cobrah
Hells Gate neck with Red Devil bridge?
Replies
0
Views
114
Cobrah
Cobrah
beaubrummels
Factory pickup heights
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
marcello252
marcello252
Back
Top