Gibson LP Classic Pick-Up Help Please - Suggestions

[dptone5]

I know this has been discussed many times before, but please allow me to tell you what I'm looking for and I certainly appreciate your opinions and advice.

Play classic/80's rock, mostly instrumental. Love Satriani, Vai, Zaza, etc. Amps are Marshalls (Plexi, JCM 800, Jubilee, 6100). Speakers - Greenbacks and Classic Lead 80's (fairly dark speaker). Have a number of different guitars and use DiMarzio's in a lot of them. Looking for something different.

I don't like upper mid-heavy, nasally or honky tone. Easy to get with a classic Marshall and greenbacks with the wrong pick-up. Have a 1991 Gibson LP Classic. Here is my experience so far with the bridge pick-up:

1) Gibson Classic 57 - Great tone. Way to weak for lead work.
2) Gibson Classic 57+ - Liked the tone. Seemed mid-scooped which I liked. Nice bite. Wanted more power for pinch harmonics.
3) DiMarzio Air Zone - Thunderous low mids. Works well with Marshall and Greenbacks.
4) Gibson 498T - Good output and smooth. Unfortunately, honky mids with Greenbacks.
5) DiMarzio Air Zone - the lows are too much with the Classic Lead 80's. Plus they have a little bit too much "hair" or "fuzz".

So what am I looking for?

A smooth pick-up, kinda like the Classic 57+ tonally with a little bit more output. I am certainly open to suggestions. What SD pick-ups would fill this need?

For neck pick-ups, I rarely use them. Just want something that matches what I have in the bridge. Started with the Classic 57 and now have a DiMarzio 36th Anniversary PAF (very nice pickup BTW).

Thanks for your help!!

DP

 

[uOpt]

Re: Gibson LP Classic Pick-Up Help Please - Suggestions

Pearly Gator.

The '78 also comes to mind, but it can be aggressive.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Gibson LP Classic Pick-Up Help Please - Suggestions

Sounds like you either want a Custom5 or the new Perpetual Burn humbucker.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Gibson LP Classic Pick-Up Help Please - Suggestions

I'm thinking something along the lines of a C5, Alnico II Pro, or Alnico II Pro Slash model.

 

[formula73]

Re: Gibson LP Classic Pick-Up Help Please - Suggestions

I was reading C5, as well, for both power and tone. If that's a bit too scooped, you could always try the Custom (if you don't want to do a magnet swap from A5 to Ceramic).

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Gibson LP Classic Pick-Up Help Please - Suggestions

Help a brother out....bump.

 

[dptone5]

Re: Gibson LP Classic Pick-Up Help Please - Suggestions

Thanks guys for all your help and suggestions. The Custom 5 (SH-14) always seems to rise to the top for a LP/Marshall combination.

How does the Custom 5 compare to the Duncan Custom (SH-5) or the 59 Custom Hybrid (SH-16) for what I'm trying to accomplish?

Also, how does the Custom Custom sound in an LP (SH-11)?

 

[Aceman]

Re: Gibson LP Classic Pick-Up Help Please - Suggestions

It seems to me, that based on the 498T being pretty ok the C5 recs are spot on. m C5 won't have a honky mid at all.

I will say OP - I do not understand your ears. I would not describe any of those pups that way…..

The Custom is going to have extreme bass (and tight) and screaming highs, and likely more kids than you'll want. Plus, it is hot hot hot. The 59 Hybrid will be less bass/treble output than the Custom and more mids I believe.

Again - a C5 is a mag swap away from a Custom or a Custom Custom or a C8….

 

[dptone5]

Re: Gibson LP Classic Pick-Up Help Please - Suggestions

BTW - the SH-14 Sound Clip on the Seymour Duncan page does not sound very good compared to the SH-5 or SH-11.

 

[dptone5]

Re: Gibson LP Classic Pick-Up Help Please - Suggestions

It seems to me, that based on the 498T being pretty ok the C5 recs are spot on. m C5 won't have a honky mid at all.

I will say OP - I do not understand your ears. I would not describe any of those pups that way…..

The Custom is going to have extreme bass (and tight) and screaming highs, and likely more kids than you'll want. Plus, it is hot hot hot. The 59 Hybrid will be less bass/treble output than the Custom and more mids I believe.

Again - a C5 is a mag swap away from a Custom or a Custom Custom or a C8….

Thanks for your help and yes, I'm sure my ears are off (can't hear anything above 4000 Hz). Too much loud music for too many decades!!

 

[Aceman]

Re: Gibson LP Classic Pick-Up Help Please - Suggestions

Thanks for your help and yes, I'm sure my ears are off (can't hear anything above 4000 Hz). Too much loud music for too many decades!!

Yeah - I hear a 59 as much more mid scooped than it really is - that's a dip in the eq of my ear!

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: Gibson LP Classic Pick-Up Help Please - Suggestions

Norton bridge PGn neck for hot duncan on dimarzio action......

 

[tubecrunch]

Re: Gibson LP Classic Pick-Up Help Please - Suggestions

A2pro or slash. Less honk than a 57 and spongier low mids.