I just picked up a LP Goldtop Deluxe with Mini-Humbuckers... Question?
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Simon_F
Super Moderator
Re: I just picked up a LP Goldtop Deluxe with Mini-Humbuckers... Question?
Congratulations!
I used to have a 1971 Goldtop LP Deluxe with the mini humbuckers. Selling it was one of the stupidest things I've ever done.
In my experience, the mini-humbuckers have slightly less output than classic PAF-style humbuckers and are brighter. They make for a very versatile guitar, provided you use the volume and tone knobs and have all the gain you need in your amp and/or pedals.
If you want to hear Les Paul Deluxes put to great use listen to Thin Lizzy's "Fighting" (1975) and "Jailbreak" (1976) albums. Those guitar tracks were almost exclusively Deluxes.
Congratulations!
I used to have a 1971 Goldtop LP Deluxe with the mini humbuckers. Selling it was one of the stupidest things I've ever done.
In my experience, the mini-humbuckers have slightly less output than classic PAF-style humbuckers and are brighter. They make for a very versatile guitar, provided you use the volume and tone knobs and have all the gain you need in your amp and/or pedals.
If you want to hear Les Paul Deluxes put to great use listen to Thin Lizzy's "Fighting" (1975) and "Jailbreak" (1976) albums. Those guitar tracks were almost exclusively Deluxes.
Re: I just picked up a LP Goldtop Deluxe with Mini-Humbuckers... Question?
I am really excited to get this guitar home. I am such an IDIOT for leaving at the tech over the holiday weekend! I could be PLAYING it.
I only had a few minutes on the guitar before buying it. A 2007 in mint condition for 1K... couldn't pass on it. It seemed a bit brighter sounding than others, and a great sounding neck PU (unusual IMHO). I've been told they are a little more versatile tone-wise. GREAT neck and action. I am really looking forward to spending some time with this one. It will be a keeper.
I am kicking around placing an L.R. Baggs T-Bridge in it to replace the stock bridge and maybe an EMG afterburner circuit (neither of which will be a permanent alteration).
I am really excited to get this guitar home. I am such an IDIOT for leaving at the tech over the holiday weekend! I could be PLAYING it.
I only had a few minutes on the guitar before buying it. A 2007 in mint condition for 1K... couldn't pass on it. It seemed a bit brighter sounding than others, and a great sounding neck PU (unusual IMHO). I've been told they are a little more versatile tone-wise. GREAT neck and action. I am really looking forward to spending some time with this one. It will be a keeper.
I am kicking around placing an L.R. Baggs T-Bridge in it to replace the stock bridge and maybe an EMG afterburner circuit (neither of which will be a permanent alteration).
S
Skarekrough
Guest
Re: I just picked up a LP Goldtop Deluxe with Mini-Humbuckers... Question?
I would wait until you get some real time on the instrument until you make any decisions to modify it.
Mini-hums are what they are, and that can be for the best or it can be for the worst depending on how you look at it. You can get them to get a good range of sounds but some things it just isn't going to do.
I own an original 73' and it is what it is. The minis sound like hum-less hopped-up P-90's to my ears most times. They don't drive an amp like any of my other axes due to both design and age, but they are their own dog in that respect.
I can get alot of places with them but I know if it isn't working for me and I find I'm looking for something specific I'm best served by going and grabbing one of my Les Pauls or the Dot Studio depending on what I'm looking for.
They are what they are and I've seen alot of folks regret getting to routing out the body for full-sized hums to try and make it sound like something different.
Have a blast with it...enjoy it....but before you start tinkering give it the proper time it should have to get an idea for what it is capable of.
I would wait until you get some real time on the instrument until you make any decisions to modify it.
Mini-hums are what they are, and that can be for the best or it can be for the worst depending on how you look at it. You can get them to get a good range of sounds but some things it just isn't going to do.
I own an original 73' and it is what it is. The minis sound like hum-less hopped-up P-90's to my ears most times. They don't drive an amp like any of my other axes due to both design and age, but they are their own dog in that respect.
I can get alot of places with them but I know if it isn't working for me and I find I'm looking for something specific I'm best served by going and grabbing one of my Les Pauls or the Dot Studio depending on what I'm looking for.
They are what they are and I've seen alot of folks regret getting to routing out the body for full-sized hums to try and make it sound like something different.
Have a blast with it...enjoy it....but before you start tinkering give it the proper time it should have to get an idea for what it is capable of.
Re: I just picked up a LP Goldtop Deluxe with Mini-Humbuckers... Question?
Thinner but in a good way. I had a couple of LP Deluxe models ... my favorite was a cherry sunburst ... I miss it. I know it dates me but I always think of the Atlanta Rythym Section as a good example of that tone.
Thinner but in a good way. I had a couple of LP Deluxe models ... my favorite was a cherry sunburst ... I miss it. I know it dates me but I always think of the Atlanta Rythym Section as a good example of that tone.
EveryMn
New member
Re: I just picked up a LP Goldtop Deluxe with Mini-Humbuckers... Question?
I love the mini-HBs. One of my fave pickups.
Through a Hiwatt stack, they seem bright and kinda harsh. Good hard rock tone, I think. Beautiful looking, too. A cherry sunburst is one my list of dream guitars. Now, here's The Who in England c. 1974, featuring an LP Deluxe.
I've toyed with the idea of someday putting some (w/ black rings) in my SG (see profile pic), but I think I'll keep the P-90s aand just get an LP Deluxe someday later...
I love the mini-HBs. One of my fave pickups.
Through a Hiwatt stack, they seem bright and kinda harsh. Good hard rock tone, I think. Beautiful looking, too. A cherry sunburst is one my list of dream guitars. Now, here's The Who in England c. 1974, featuring an LP Deluxe.
I've toyed with the idea of someday putting some (w/ black rings) in my SG (see profile pic), but I think I'll keep the P-90s aand just get an LP Deluxe someday later...
Re: I just picked up a LP Goldtop Deluxe with Mini-Humbuckers... Question?
Les Paul gas. It almost sounds more fenderish to me than most pauls, i like it alot.
Les Paul gas. It almost sounds more fenderish to me than most pauls, i like it alot.
B
BigDaddy
Guest
Re: I just picked up a LP Goldtop Deluxe with Mini-Humbuckers... Question?
Mini's make great neck pickups and the Duncan antiquity's are what I use.
As for using them in the bridge, some people like them there I don't.
If you are going to change the pups think about using a P-90 in the bridge they fit the same rout.
Mini's make great neck pickups and the Duncan antiquity's are what I use.
As for using them in the bridge, some people like them there I don't.
If you are going to change the pups think about using a P-90 in the bridge they fit the same rout.
Captain Tightpants
New member
Re: I just picked up a LP Goldtop Deluxe with Mini-Humbuckers... Question?
I love the mini as a neck pickup, it's got a sound all it's own. But the only bridge mini I've played was the Duncan SM-3 that was in my Deluxe when I got it, and I've never gotten along with it. I ended up routing the deluxe for a '59, cuz I couldn't afford to buy a replacemnt then, and that's what I had. Later I built a Warmoth Tele to put it in, but I recently took it out in favor of a Gibby 490t, although I'm going to try a more vintage flavored mini sometime down the road. I just don't really like that darned SM-3, it's too bright. Always loved that old stock neck mini, tho!
I love the mini as a neck pickup, it's got a sound all it's own. But the only bridge mini I've played was the Duncan SM-3 that was in my Deluxe when I got it, and I've never gotten along with it. I ended up routing the deluxe for a '59, cuz I couldn't afford to buy a replacemnt then, and that's what I had. Later I built a Warmoth Tele to put it in, but I recently took it out in favor of a Gibby 490t, although I'm going to try a more vintage flavored mini sometime down the road. I just don't really like that darned SM-3, it's too bright. Always loved that old stock neck mini, tho!
80's_Metal
Underglazed Hair Metalologist
Re: I just picked up a LP Goldtop Deluxe with Mini-Humbuckers... Question?
I don't know anything about mini's, but congrats on a sweet axe.
I don't know anything about mini's, but congrats on a sweet axe.
Re: I just picked up a LP Goldtop Deluxe with Mini-Humbuckers... Question?
Well... there seems to be almost universal feelings of admiration for the Mini neck pickup. The bridge... not so much. I will play this thru either a Line 6 Flextone III Plus or a Fender Blues Jr. Man, I cannot wait to get at this thing. It will be at the tech 'til Friday.
Well... there seems to be almost universal feelings of admiration for the Mini neck pickup. The bridge... not so much. I will play this thru either a Line 6 Flextone III Plus or a Fender Blues Jr. Man, I cannot wait to get at this thing. It will be at the tech 'til Friday.
Jeffrec
New member
Re: I just picked up a LP Goldtop Deluxe with Mini-Humbuckers... Question?
+1
I sold my '69 GT, but had routed it for humbuckers, which obviously reduced it's value in today's market, but I still loved the guitar. Was never too crazy about the mini's.
+1
I sold my '69 GT, but had routed it for humbuckers, which obviously reduced it's value in today's market, but I still loved the guitar. Was never too crazy about the mini's.
metallicaxlxl
New member
Re: I just picked up a LP Goldtop Deluxe with Mini-Humbuckers... Question?
i have a '59 goldtop which i put mini's in. i love the neck pickup, not so much the bridge. i have to agree with all the other guys, bridge mini's are just way too bright and weak, not a lot of tonal versatality in it. but i love the sm-1 neck, amazing pickup, one of the best ive heard. (i just needa raise mine a tad, its too weak), but ive been too lazy lately, so thats that, love the sm-1 neck, hate the sm-2 bridge. would putting the crappy epiphone p90 back in help at all?
Edit:
oh yeah, and POST SOME PICS!!!! i wanna see it
i have a '59 goldtop which i put mini's in. i love the neck pickup, not so much the bridge. i have to agree with all the other guys, bridge mini's are just way too bright and weak, not a lot of tonal versatality in it. but i love the sm-1 neck, amazing pickup, one of the best ive heard. (i just needa raise mine a tad, its too weak), but ive been too lazy lately, so thats that, love the sm-1 neck, hate the sm-2 bridge. would putting the crappy epiphone p90 back in help at all?
Edit:
oh yeah, and POST SOME PICS!!!! i wanna see it
SteelPastor
New member
Re: I just picked up a LP Goldtop Deluxe with Mini-Humbuckers... Question?
With only a few PU choices in a mini-humbucker, is it possible to get other SD pickups (Custom or Custom 5, etc.) in a mini-humbucker? Through custom shop? Would the tone be pretty close... even though the poles would be closer together?
With only a few PU choices in a mini-humbucker, is it possible to get other SD pickups (Custom or Custom 5, etc.) in a mini-humbucker? Through custom shop? Would the tone be pretty close... even though the poles would be closer together?
JimmyQ
New member
Re: I just picked up a LP Goldtop Deluxe with Mini-Humbuckers... Question?
I have a 2005 Les Paul Deluxe gold top, and I absolutely love it...
The mini-humbuckers cover a lot of ground, you can get a very close PAF tone by easing back the tone controls and maybe boosting a bit of bass on the amp. The bridge pickup is great for leads, has bags of sustain and cuts through nicely. The neck pickup is smooth and creamy. Lovely!
In fact, what I would say overall about the mini-humbuckers tone, that they simply cut through the mix really nicely. Loads of mids and sparkling high end, but you can also dial in plenty of grit and balls!
Congrats on the new axe, you get a lot of axe for your money with a deluxe!
Jim
I have a 2005 Les Paul Deluxe gold top, and I absolutely love it...
The mini-humbuckers cover a lot of ground, you can get a very close PAF tone by easing back the tone controls and maybe boosting a bit of bass on the amp. The bridge pickup is great for leads, has bags of sustain and cuts through nicely. The neck pickup is smooth and creamy. Lovely!
In fact, what I would say overall about the mini-humbuckers tone, that they simply cut through the mix really nicely. Loads of mids and sparkling high end, but you can also dial in plenty of grit and balls!
Congrats on the new axe, you get a lot of axe for your money with a deluxe!
Jim
sosomething
Seymour Duncan Customer Support
Re: I just picked up a LP Goldtop Deluxe with Mini-Humbuckers... Question?
First thing I'd do is pull those mini-buckers and drop in some nice soapbars. They're a direct replacement, so it'd be a no-brainer for me.
First thing I'd do is pull those mini-buckers and drop in some nice soapbars. They're a direct replacement, so it'd be a no-brainer for me.
Re: I just picked up a LP Goldtop Deluxe with Mini-Humbuckers... Question?
yes and no. just like youll never get a single coil sized bucker to sound like a full size, youll never get a mini to sound like a full size. but if you go custom shop they can get alot of the flavor of a production pup in the smaller size. the custom mini bridge has a good amount of grunt
yes and no. just like youll never get a single coil sized bucker to sound like a full size, youll never get a mini to sound like a full size. but if you go custom shop they can get alot of the flavor of a production pup in the smaller size. the custom mini bridge has a good amount of grunt