UberMetalDood
New member
I installed a set of P51's in my Gibson Les Paul Traditional and I freaking love them. These are the epitome of 50's PAF tone. They are not high output, not weak either, and have a slightly degaussed kind of quality. The P51 *feels* slightly loose which gives it a response like a higher output pickup. It's better with high gain than most PAF pickups I have tried. I really like Seymour Duncan's PAF offerings, especially the Seth Lover, but the P51 is what the Duncan 59' wishes it could be. The P51 and 59' are actually similar in some ways, but whatever the 59 does, the P51 does better. My Les Paul with Seth Lovers is a great compliment to this Les Paul so it's great to have either in my arsenal.
I also have a set of D Allen Tomcats. They're great, great pickups, but I like the P51 a little more. The Tomcats suffered from dullness in the high end because of the pickup covers. I removed the covers and now they're great. The Tomcat is supposed to be hotter than the P51 I think, but it feels a little weaker.
Funny thing is that I was a big fan of UOA5 for a long time but realized lately that it is very limited for my uses. A4 is has become my favorite magnet, and after some experimenting, I find it to be quite useful. Contrary to what I've heard, A4 seems to like every pickup I put it in. With A4 under the hood, the P51 sings beautifully. I'm replacing the UOA5 in my Tomcats with A4.
As for EQ and tone, well the P51 has a good bottom end and a really nice high end. Sorry to pick on the 59, but it's the easiest reference to make on this forum. The P51 is not boomy like the 59 and the high end is kind of bright too but more pleasing. There is something in the mids of the P51 that the 59 just doesn't have.
That all being said, given that some guitars benefit from a boomier low end, the P51 neck goes great with a 59' bridge. Moreover, if you have a JB/59 set and find the 59 too boomy in the neck, the P51 pairs really well with the JB.
Now, without further ado, here are a couple of audio demos. These are not professional recordings. They're just raw, improvised melodies and solos over backing tracks.
Ah, I also used a Soldano Hot Rod 25 which I bought a few months ago. You don't hear very many demos of that so this is what I sounds like in the hands of an amateur.
Blues Instrumental Test
Metal Instrumental Test
I also have a set of D Allen Tomcats. They're great, great pickups, but I like the P51 a little more. The Tomcats suffered from dullness in the high end because of the pickup covers. I removed the covers and now they're great. The Tomcat is supposed to be hotter than the P51 I think, but it feels a little weaker.
Funny thing is that I was a big fan of UOA5 for a long time but realized lately that it is very limited for my uses. A4 is has become my favorite magnet, and after some experimenting, I find it to be quite useful. Contrary to what I've heard, A4 seems to like every pickup I put it in. With A4 under the hood, the P51 sings beautifully. I'm replacing the UOA5 in my Tomcats with A4.
As for EQ and tone, well the P51 has a good bottom end and a really nice high end. Sorry to pick on the 59, but it's the easiest reference to make on this forum. The P51 is not boomy like the 59 and the high end is kind of bright too but more pleasing. There is something in the mids of the P51 that the 59 just doesn't have.
That all being said, given that some guitars benefit from a boomier low end, the P51 neck goes great with a 59' bridge. Moreover, if you have a JB/59 set and find the 59 too boomy in the neck, the P51 pairs really well with the JB.
Now, without further ado, here are a couple of audio demos. These are not professional recordings. They're just raw, improvised melodies and solos over backing tracks.
Ah, I also used a Soldano Hot Rod 25 which I bought a few months ago. You don't hear very many demos of that so this is what I sounds like in the hands of an amateur.
Blues Instrumental Test
Metal Instrumental Test
