How about some classic Les Paul pickups?

papersoul

papersoul

New member
I have a 2004 LP Standard with 1989 Gibson HB-L/HB-R Bill Lawrence designed pickups that are pretty hot and creamy.

I also am buying back my 1994 LP Standard from a a friend and this one has Wolfetone high output pickups. I want lower output, responsive PAFs in this one and 50s wiring.

What do you suggest? Stick with Wolfetones...maybe Dr. Vintage? How about Seth Lovers? Others? Gibson 57 Classics? I don't want a lot of noise and feedback but I want responsiveness and a big open, rich tone. Amps are Mesa, Bogner and PWE.

I am considering a Seth Lover bridge but I know the neck pickup is dark. I also don't like super bright pickups. My bridge volume pots are 300K.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Re: How about some classic Les Paul pickups?

I'd go with a pair of PGs...but tbh any of the Duncan PAFs will do what you want really well.
 
Re: How about some classic Les Paul pickups?

First if you want a classic sounding Les Paul you need to ditch those 300k pots...

Second if you think the Seth neck is dark then you might not want a classic Les Paul sound...

I'm a big fan of Ants and use them in my Les Paul.
 
Re: How about some classic Les Paul pickups?

PG's

500k neck. Leave the 300k bridge for a while. If you don't dig it, go 500k there too.
 
Re: How about some classic Les Paul pickups?

Aren't pearly gates really bright?

I might try antiquities.

Anytime I tried 500k volumes it killed a lot of the warmth I hear in a stock LP.

Truth is, my 2004 LP is naturally bright and acoustically loud. It works great with hotter pickups and a 300k bridge volume with 50s wiring.
My 1994 is over 10 lbs and darker, very dead sounding acoustically, but killer plugged in. I am wrong, this LP has all CTS 500Ks.
 
Last edited:
Re: How about some classic Les Paul pickups?

Pg's are not too bright. I hate piercing thin bridge pickups and one of my explorers is very bright and the PG is great there. The PG also doesn't flub out when you pile on the gain if you need any chunky stuff. Good place to start.
 
Re: How about some classic Les Paul pickups?

papersoul said:
Aren't pearly gates really bright?

I might try antiquities.

Anytime I tried 500k volumes it killed a lot of the warmth I hear in a stock LP.

Truth is, my 2004 LP is naturally bright and acoustically loud. It works great with hotter pickups and a 300k bridge volume with 50s wiring.
My 1994 is over 10 lbs and darker, very dead sounding acoustically, but killer plugged in. I am wrong, this LP has all CTS 500Ks.
Click to expand...

PG's are no brighter than any pother PAF style pickup...don't buy into the "Texas sizzle" crap you read...

500k pots are stock for all vintage Les Pauls...those guitars are known for their warmth...a 500k won't kill that it will just open the guitar up more than 300k pots. The worst thing about new Gibsons IMO are those stupid 300k pots...
 
Re: How about some classic Les Paul pickups?

Well my 1989 and my 2004 both sound better with 300K bridge volume pots. They sound way to spikey and bright with the 500K volume in the bridge.

One of my favorite bridge pickups of all time is the Rio Grande BBQ. I might try it again in my LP Standard. It is just so fat and makes other pickups seem whimpy and thin.

I tend to prefer fat, darker pickups and get my treble from the amp and speakers. That is why I have loved the PRS Dragons, Rio Grande BBQ/Texas and WCR Godwood/Darkburst for so long. :)
 
Last edited:
Re: How about some classic Les Paul pickups?

papersoul said:
I tend to prefer fat, darker pickups and get my treble from the amp and speakers. That is why I have loved the PRS Dragons, Rio Grande BBQ/Texas and WCR Godwood/Darkburst for so long. :)
Click to expand...

So do you want fatter, darker pickups?
Or do you want the classic Les Paul sound?

because they are mutually exclusive...
 
Re: How about some classic Les Paul pickups?

oilpit said:
So do you want fatter, darker pickups?
Or do you want the classic Les Paul sound?

because they are mutually exclusive...
Click to expand...

Quoted for truth.

The "classic" LP sound is still very bright yet middy. Think Zep. In fact, a whole lot of people can't tell the songs on which Page plays his 59 or...a Tele. Think on that...
 
Re: How about some classic Les Paul pickups?

Seths!

I put an A3 in my PGN because the top end was too warm and rounded, but never had to do that with my SethN's.
 
Re: How about some classic Les Paul pickups?

If your not set on SD pups the Dimarzio 36th Anniversary pups are very nice and definitely not overly bright and pack a little punch!
 
Re: How about some classic Les Paul pickups?

I heard the 36th anniversary are really thin. I watched a comparison on YouTube and hated em. Might go back to WCR Godwoods which are the best I have ever played!
 
Re: How about some classic Les Paul pickups?

oilpit said:
So do you want fatter, darker pickups?
Or do you want the classic Les Paul sound?

because they are mutually exclusive...
Click to expand...

OK so give me some classic LP pickups that are bright, yet not harsh. I have spent most of my life using dark pickups and amps and speakers and it all backfired in a band setting. Example, I mostly use V30s now because they sit in the band mix sooooo well.

My burst LP has Gibson HB-L and HB-R and the guitar is balanced but fairly bright. Sits JB a band mix like a beast! The bridge pup is 13.5k.

I want something lower output for the bridge of my 94 LP. Right now it has a Wolfetones Timberwolf and is hot! I talked to Wolfetones and Wolf said I could send them back for a rewind to maybe his Dr. Vintage set.
 
Re: How about some classic Les Paul pickups?

papersoul said:
OK so give me some classic LP pickups that are bright, yet not harsh.
Click to expand...

Almost ANY classic LP recordings...

Beano
Fresh Cream
LZ II
Truth
Beck Ola
Lots of mid 60's Stones
ZZ Top's first album
Most of ZZ Tops other 15 albums

There are more lots more but at this point I have either made my point or I am pissing up a rope...
 
Re: How about some classic Les Paul pickups?

How about these ?


 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

beaubrummels
Factory pickup heights
2
Replies
32
Views
651
marcello252
marcello252
G
Pearly gate height
Replies
12
Views
310
EmiAba
EmiAba
weepingminotaur
Pickup ideas for Les Paul (D standard metal application)
Replies
15
Views
656
STLMTLHD79
S
Aceman
So, talking to AI about pickups...
3 4 5
Replies
90
Views
3K
uOpt
uOpt
K
  • Poll Poll
Jazz JB or Jazz 59
2
Replies
26
Views
1K
ToneFiddler
T
Back
Top