Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

[CustomCustom]

Hey, i currently have a LP Standard Faded as my main guitar. It has a Van Zandt Trubucker in the bridge and a WCR Crossroads in the neck.

I've had this guitar for 5 or 6 years so maybe i just got used to it, but lately im finding the tone is way too middy/dark/hot. I was considering a Peter Green set from the custom shop, what do you guys think?

(I have a set of Classic 57 on my Traditional and i like those as well)

 

[blueman335]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

For a dark guitar, I'd try a Jazz set, and wire the neck for spin-a-split and the bridge with a push-pull for coil cut.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

I would go with a Jazz neck and an Alnico II Pro bridge. This is one of my all time favorite pickup combos for a warm Les Paul.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

'59 set or Custom 5/'59.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

The PG pickups generally are on the hotter side for PAF's, and if Duncan winds them to the original spec of 8.6/8.2 then you'll have a dark PAF tone again. I think your only recourse is to go open/low output/vibrant.

I'd be going for a slightly underwound PAF creation.....not potted as potting makes them lose that sparkle on top and liveliness. I'd go for a small winder again, one who does the true PAF type coil offset for an uncluttered mids.....maybe the ElectricCityPickups low output set - the Electric Flag.

http://www.electriccitypickups.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=62_72&product_id=93

or the ReWind Low Output Set

http://www.re-wind.net/Buckers.html

 

[CustomCustom]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

Great suggestions guys.

I do have an Alnico II pro bridge around here, that i got for another guitar i have. Maybe its worth trying in the Standard Faded?

 

[AlexR]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

^ Maybe, but its mid heavy. So the pickup itself will be middy and dark (ish) as its nature.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

^ Maybe, but its mid heavy. So the pickup itself will be middy and dark (ish) as its nature.

The Alnico II Pro is mid heavy?

I use a A2P set in a middy/warm Les Paul and it shines. The Alnico II Pro is not mid heavy but rather brings balance to mid-heavy instruments by giving it smooth highs and fat lows.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

If you are using a tube amp....

How long since you've re-tubed your amp?

Bill

 

[CustomCustom]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

If you are using a tube amp....

How long since you've re-tubed your amp?

Bill

Hi Bill. I am using a DSL and maybe the tubes have something to do with it, but i had the same "too middy" feeling when recording thru a JCM 800.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

Demon in the neck, Custom in the bridge.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

I like the Seths I have in two of my Les Pauls....warm, yet clear..vintage. The Antiquity set I have is excellent, with a sweeter top end and a very complex mid-range...like a great Pinot Noir red wine sitting on your tongue.

The Classic '57 set I have in a LP Elegant are similar to the Seths and Ants, but they can be a bit grainy on the top end...and muddy at the same time. But I like them.

The Burstbucker 1 and 2 sets I have in my LP Historics are good too. They can twang like a tele...a tele on steroids. Great all around pickup for classic rock, blues jazz and country. Not a muddy as the '57s, a little more definition and edge. I like the BBs when I'm doing harder rock...but I take the '57 Classics when I know I going to be doing softer rock...or play in to an older crowd.

The Seths and the Ants just seem to work well in any situation. BTW, I use Mesa amps, but don't use metal-type gain. We're a G/B/K/D band doing a really wide variety of music.

I hope this is helpful.

Bill

 

[eggman]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

Howdy,

'59s are "bright". Seems to me they'd be a good fit on a "dark" Les Paul.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

Yes, 59's are bright but they also have a lot of low end which compromises the bright in the neck position of a dark Paul. If you want the brightness of the 59 without the big low end then it's all about the Duncan Jazz.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

But low end can be tamed with pole/pickup height. And the OP said it is mostly the mids that are darkening up the guitar, something the '59 neck will counteract.

At least there's the 21 day exchange policy if the '59 doesn't work out (assuming the OP is in the US). If the '59 doesn't work out, then yeah try the Jazz. I wouldn't try the Alnico II Pro, because I also think it has accelerated mids, but I know SnakeAces disagrees, so there's that. Also, I've seen the Seth Lover described as having a nice honk sometimes, so I don't know how it'd work out for the OP, but who knows - it could be the right fit. I'd try the cheaper '59 or Jazz first though.

I'm also thinking, Custom 5 in bridge, but if that has too much output despite the mid scoop, try the '59 bridge.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

But low end can be tamed with pole/pickup height. And the OP said it is mostly the mids that are darkening up the guitar, something the '59 neck will counteract.

At least there's the 21 day exchange policy if the '59 doesn't work out (assuming the OP is in the US). If the '59 doesn't work out, then yeah try the Jazz. I wouldn't try the Alnico II Pro, because I also think it has accelerated mids, but I know SnakeAces disagrees, so there's that. Also, I've seen the Seth Lover described as having a nice honk sometimes, so I don't know how it'd work out for the OP, but who knows - it could be the right fit. I'd try the cheaper '59 or Jazz first though.

I'm also thinking, Custom 5 in bridge, but if that has too much output despite the mid scoop, try the '59 bridge.

This is the second time in the last few days I have seen somebody say the Alnico II Pro has "accelerated mids" or has been referred to as a "middy" pickup. This is simply not true.

Folks, if you have never used an Alnico II Pro pickup please do not comment on what it is or is not! The Alnico II Pro has about a 4 from 1-9 on mids. It has a big low end with smooth treble.

As far as the 59 versus Jazz conversation goes, I would have to strongly suggest starting with the Jazz and not the 59 for a middy Les Paul based on my own experience with middy Les Pauls when using the 59. Yes, you can tame the bass with pole and pickup height adjustments but the Jazz is simply the way to go as a neck pickup in a middy or dark Les Paul 10 times out of 10.

I am an experienced 59, Jazz and Alnico II Pro player and I play Les Pauls. I am not just pulling these suggestions out of my ass.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

*NVM double post*

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

FWIW, I'd recommend the Burstbucker Pro over the '59 if you want a spanky, lively, bright, open, rude PAF without a doubt. Had both.

Go for 500K pots too.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

This is the second time in the last few days I have seen somebody say the Alnico II Pro has "accelerated mids" or has been referred to as a "middy" pickup. This is simply not true.

Yeah, I'm with you.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Humbucker recommendation for dark/mid heavy Les Paul

I have played the Alnico II Pro. Maybe it just has noticeably more mids than a Jazz or '59, giving it the impression of greater mids.

But I definitely hear an upper midrange bite/push in those pickups. If you disagree, fine, I'll agree to disagree.

And Snake, no said you were pulling your opinions out of your ass. Calm down, I even agree that the Jazz would still be a great choice - I just think the 59 would work too.