I got a new Les Paul and I need pickup advise.

buckerlover

New member
Hey Everyone,

I got a new Les Paul that came with some old Duncan Alnico 2's like Slash plays. I love the neck pickup, but I am used to my other (3) Les Pauls bridge sound (which all have real PAFs). Now, I want to keep it with Duncans in it, so what would be a good midrange beefy bridge pickup? A friend recommended the Seymourizer II since it is midrangy and will not excessively over power the lower output neck pickup. Another swears by a JB or Duncan Distortion. Yet another screams Tim White Ed A Bridge Pup for it (even tho that is a hot pickup). I like midrange screaming powerful hard rock tones. The Alnico 2 in the bridge just aint cutting it for me. So, What do you fine folks suggest? Much Appreciated!!
 
Re: I got a new Les Paul and I need pickup advise.

welcome

well, i'd normally say custom custom or PG if you want a bit 'more' midrange to go with the AIIP in the neck ...

i suppose a 59 would do a nice job ... or a custom 5

have you tweaked the pickup height or pole piece height with the AIIP before you pitch it?


good luck
t4d
 
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Re: I got a new Les Paul and I need pickup advise.

I'm partial to Antiquity & Seth Lover's in a Les Paul. Both are in PAF territory, with the Seth Lover having a bit more midrange & an initial bite to the attack. Both are great.

P.S. Welcome to the Forum!

Jeff
 
Re: I got a new Les Paul and I need pickup advise.

Get yourself a hot antiquity bridge and swap its degaussed a2 with a full strength a5!

Or better yet ask MJ to wind you a Brobucker.

B ;)

PS. mag modded ant would be beefier than a Ed.A. Timbucker and Rolph's 59s. It would have more lowermids than the timbuckers but less than the rolphs. It would have tons of harmonics, but less than those with timbuckers. It won't have that honky PAF sound tho, would sound more flat (which I think is not a bad thing at all considering that almost all them boutique winders are going for that uppermid heavy honk). I have 5 timbuckers and a set of rolph's 59s, and I love my mag modded antiquities. ;)
 
Re: I got a new Les Paul and I need pickup advise.

Pearly Gates + if you can live with the parchment colour, or, just slap a nickel cover on it. ;)
 
Re: I got a new Les Paul and I need pickup advise.

A brobucker would sound very nice in the guitar, but it would a trip to the SD Custom Shop. Seymourizer II? I think that later became the Distortion, I remember one of the Seymourizers did though....just can't remember the number.

The Antiquity will get you closest to the quacky real PAF sound with no wax potting and the aged look/feel/sound.

A Pearly Gates would give you more midrange and a presence push.

Also Duncan can build a pup to order from a dealer so say you went through...
www.lewsguitars.com or www.blackrosecustom.emerchantpro.com (both knowledgeable forum guys) they can order you a pup with or without wax potting, logo, cover, etc.

Luke
 
Re: I got a new Les Paul and I need pickup advise.

Thanks Everyone!!!! I appreciate the welcomes and advise.

I am interested in these "Mag Mods." Only problem, being the newbee that I am, I do not know who Mag is and how to contact her. I will try a search. Thanks!!! Best, Chris

**EDIT**

I just found out she works at Seymour Duncan, and I left her a message. Thanks!
 
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Re: I got a new Les Paul and I need pickup advise.

buckerlover said:
Thanks Everyone!!!! I appreciate the welcomes and advise.

I am interested in these "Mag Mods." Only problem, being the newbee that I am, I do not know who Mag is and how to contact her. I will try a search. Thanks!!! Best, Chris

**EDIT**

I just found out she works at Seymour Duncan, and I left her a message. Thanks!

By "Mag mod", they're talking about swapping magnets (A-2 for A-5, etc). The person who does the Custom Shop windings is MJ, who works at Duncan. You can contact the Custom Shop through the SD website.


Good luck,

Jeff
 
Re: I got a new Les Paul and I need pickup advise.

For the ultimate in mids - get a Custom Custom.
For a closer to PAF - Go Pearly Gates
 
Re: I got a new Les Paul and I need pickup advise.

I also reccomend the Custom Custom. I have an Ibanez Artist with a Custom Custom in the bridge and an Alnico II in the neck and I just can't get over how great it sounds now.
 
Re: I got a new Les Paul and I need pickup advise.

I just want to thank everyone for the suggestions and help. This forum is obviously full of great, experienced people, which is a wonderful asset.

I ordered (2) sets of Brobuckers today from MJ. She is very cool. Thanks again. I will report my opinions when I get them in. All The Best, CC


***EDIT**** I got a custom custom coming too... ;-)
 
Re: I got a new Les Paul and I need pickup advise.

buckerlover said:
I just want to thank everyone for the suggestions and help. This forum is obviously full of great, experienced people, which is a wonderful asset.

I ordered (2) sets of Brobuckers today from MJ. She is very cool. Thanks again. I will report my opinions when I get them in. All The Best, CC


***EDIT**** I got a custom custom coming too... ;-)

Good choice/s?

Being they are CS pups if you don't like them you can pretty much get your money back, especially here on the forum! LOL

Did you look at the Brobucker reviews? Very insightful. The history of the pup is a bit crazy too.

Keep us updated, we're all ears! <pun intended>

Luke
 
Re: I got a new Les Paul and I need pickup advise.

buckerlover said:
I just want to thank everyone for the suggestions and help. This forum is obviously full of great, experienced people, which is a wonderful asset.

I ordered (2) sets of Brobuckers today from MJ. She is very cool. Thanks again. I will report my opinions when I get them in. All The Best, CC


***EDIT**** I got a custom custom coming too... ;-)

Good luck. I hope they match well with your LP. Would appreciate your report, especially comparing contrasting the Brobucker to your real PAFs.

B :)
 
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