Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

[ExplorersRock]

I have friend who's looking for some new pickups for his Gibson Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's. Here's a link:
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Les-Paul-Studio-Deluxe-60s-Exclusive.aspx

It's a weight relieved mahogany body with maple top, mahogany neck with baked-maple fingerboard, 500k audio taper pots all around. He's looking for pickups that will be versatile, but mostly center around classic rock. He'd like it if they can play metal, but that is not the focus. Classic Rock and rock are the idea, with trying to hit the classic LP style tone. Here's a clip of Joe Walsh he sent me when I asked for an example:

To me it sounds like we're looking for a PAF sound with some teeth. He asked about using a Custom 5/'59 set, but I think the C5 would have too much compression and sound too modern. My personal recommendation is the Whole Lotta Humbucker set. Other ideas I would throw out there are a Seth set, a '59 set, and the Pearly Gates set. What do you guys think? Any other suggestions for my bro?

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

Oh, one last combo I thought might be good was the Custom/'59 Hybrid with a '59 in the neck. I am currently playing this set in my Gibson LP Traditional, and so far the results have been pretty good.

 

[audiocheck]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

well that is a pretty thick sound. What is your friend's amp setup? Speakers and such?

Does he have an amp with pre-amp gain? or a Marshall with no master volume?

This will determine if he needs a hot pickup or can live with a PAF Vintage output.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

What is wrong with the stock pickups?

IMO, the 490R would go fine with a simple magnet swap to Alnico 4.

All that the Burstbucker needs to extract a "Metal" sound is a bucketload of gain. Buy an distortion pedal with a built-in 3-band EQ.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

Either a CustomCustom or a Custom hybrid for the bridge and a PG or 59 for the neck.

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

well that is a pretty thick sound. What is your friend's amp setup? Speakers and such?

Does he have an amp with pre-amp gain? or a Marshall with no master volume?

This will determine if he needs a hot pickup or can live with a PAF Vintage output.

He has a combo Marshall JVM210C. Has great built-in distortion; so he really only use pedals for super-heavy distortion (i.e. Slipknot). Currently has a modded MT-2 Metal Zone. He's got gain, just wanting a more class I LP sound.

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

What is wrong with the stock pickups?

IMO, the 490R would go fine with a simple magnet swap to Alnico 4.

All that the Burstbucker needs to extract a "Metal" sound is a bucketload of gain. Buy an distortion pedal with a built-in 3-band EQ.

He said he feels that the stock pickups sound too jack-of-all-trades, that there isn't a definitive Les Paul character to his ear. Hope that helps

 

[GI-45]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

Hi guys. I'm the friend in question. Thanks to ExplorersRock for starting this thread on my behalf. As he said I mainly do classic rock and the occasional metal. Can't say I dislike my pickups, but I confess I'm a classic tinkerer, trying to make the guitar more "my own." Also have Seymour Duncans in my Strat and love their sound.

Lots of great suggestions here. Never thought about swapping the magnet out of my 490R. Currently leaning towards the SH-18 Whole Lotta Humbucker and the SH-5 Custom 8.

Thanks again. :smokin:

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

I worked on two Les Paul Studio Lite's over the last couple of months.

Gutted and completely rewired both: new pots, new caps, new wiring and even rewired the pick ups in one to vintage 50's style single conductor shielded cable.

One had Pearly Gates pickups. One had Alnico 2 Pro pickups.

Both sounded GREAT and had a terrific sound for classic rock stuff: Led Zep, Joe Walsh, Cream, Jeff Beck Group, etc.

I liked the PG's, especially the PG neck, a little better than the A2 Pro's.

But it's hard to recommend one set over the other since both sounded so good!

I'd go for a set of PG's myself.

But since some guys b#tch about the PG's being to bright (nonsense, IMO) I'll say the A2 Pros just because no one seems to complain about those being to bright, and they really did sound wonderful in the LP Studio Lite I worked on a few months ago.

Slash sure seems to like them.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

Slash is partially deaf.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

Slash is partially deaf.

So what?

Every rock guitarist who has actually performed professionally is probably partially deaf.

I'm about 80% deaf myself.

 

[GI-45]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

How about an SH-5 Custom 8 in the bridge and an SH-18 Whole Lotta Humbucker in the neck? Best of both worlds? (Classic rock & some metal.)

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

How about an SH-5 Custom 8 in the bridge and an SH-18 Whole Lotta Humbucker in the neck? Best of both worlds? (Classic rock & some metal.)

Doable. I think the C8 might not be the best for classic rock. It's a little higher in output. I think a lot is gonna depend on how much work your amp is gonna do. My Carvin V3 can get metal from an SH-18b and my Gibson Busrtbucker 3 (the SH-18 drives the amp more). Other C8 owners, any thoughts?

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

I can vouch for the Pearly Gates set. That or maybe a set of Phat Cats?

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

The only custom I would go for is the original ceramic Custom SH5 it's great for rock & metal.
Joe Walsh is known as a vintage Les Paul guy but a lot of his tones make me think Dimarzio Super Distortion,
although when I had a Custom SH5 in my guitar it did make want to play Rocky Mountain Way all day

I like 59s , and Whole Lotta Humbuckers.
Custom bridge or Whole Lotta HB bridge with an Alnico2 neck pup (SethLover/PearlyGates/etc...) would be awesome.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

As a C8 owner it will do classic rock and metal with ease but it can be very aggressive at times and a bit too much depending on the situation. It will crunch very nicely and still retain a vintage vibe but it won't let you forget that it has a whole lot of power ready to rip at any moment.

 

[SFW]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

Without a doubt I can recommend the Slash set. It will cover so many great tones. From Classic Rock to metal without any issues. I love mine. Very vintage Les Paul when desired, and able to handle over the top gain with ease.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

Honestly, a pair of 59s will rock it just fine.

Might kick it up a notch to a 59 and a 59/custom hybrid. Haven't done the 59/custom before. But, it seems a better choice than a full on Custom for "occasional" metal.

59's will do metal just fine with a gainful amp or stomp.

 

[GI-45]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

Lots of great suggestions here. Thanks again guys. :smokin:

 

[Condemnedsoul]

Re: Classic Rock Pickups for a Les Paul Studio Deluxe 60's

Just freaking don't care for the 59's in most guitars.

Here is what is working in my SG's:

WLH set
Jazz neck and 59/Custom hybrid - swapped out a Custom
36 Anniversary - just seems overall darker than the WLH set an have to readjust the amp

Here are two combinations that I have not yet tried and seem to be worth suggesting:

WLH neck and a 59/Custom Hybrid
WLH neck with a Custom