Ideal hot pickup for a chambered Les Paul ?

[Lorenzar]

Hi guys !

I've got a Les Paul Classic with a Slash set, traditional weight relief (9 hole, swiss cheese, weight 8.8 lbs though) which I like a lot, no problem at all.

Still, I'd like down the road to get another Les Paul and a pretty different one if possible.

I'm actually looking for the kinda controversial 2008 Les Paul model, the totally chambered one, to remove a lot of mahogany and have the maple cap play a bigger influence on tone for having maybe a sharper and brighter kind of Les Paul....and well a lighter one as well !


Now in a guitar like this one, I know I'd remove the BB Pro quickly and go for a hot bridge pickup, Alnico V or Ceramic, for playing old school Metal and hard rock (although the other Les Paul is perfect for hard rock and classic rock to me).


I'm thinking obvious stuffs like JB or Custom.

But do you have any other idea for a chambered Les Paul that needs to be hot and driven under some gain !

 

[Mincer]

Re: Ideal hot pickup for a chambered Les Paul ?

The JB or Custom would be my 2 choices for pickups, certainly. I'd actually lean more toward the Custom. If you want a little vintage-ness, go for the 59/Custom Hybrid. I don't think you should worry if that model is respected or not- I've played them, and love them. I am all for a lighter LP as well.

 

[Lorenzar]

Re: Ideal hot pickup for a chambered Les Paul ?

The JB or Custom would be my 2 choices for pickups, certainly. I'd actually lean more toward the Custom. If you want a little vintage-ness, go for the 59/Custom Hybrid. I don't think you should worry if that model is respected or not- I've played them, and love them. I am all for a lighter LP as well.

Oh I'm not worrying at all about the bad rap the Chambered LP are getting ! Matter of fact, I think many people have an over exaggerated criticism on recent Gibson guitars.

The chambered model or Modern weight relief model would be interesting for me as it would give me another kind of LP, instead of having two times the same instrument kinda.


I'm actually about to install the Hybrid 59/Custom into my SG, so I wouldn't go for this one.


JB and Custom sure looks like safe bet.

 

[SJ318]

Re: Ideal hot pickup for a chambered Les Paul ?

Hi,
I would agree with Mincer on the 59/Custom, "JB like" if needed (boost pedal) but just at the right output to clean up nicely. My Strat is highly chambered and basswood, just so you know. It I sounds rather dull unplugged, but NOT when plugged in. The 59/Custom brings it to killer life.
I grilled Mincer (and the rest of the forum) for a tortuous month or two (for them) finally pulled the trigger and it's been maybe a year or so and I have had a chance to use it on stage in the bridge position of my main Strat and use it at home as my main guitar.
Steve

 

[EmiAba]

Re: Ideal hot pickup for a chambered Les Paul ?

Hi
I'd recommend these two combos: DiMarzio AirNorton/AirZone and SD Jazz/Hybrid. Different sounds I know, but I will give them a chance

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Ideal hot pickup for a chambered Les Paul ?

JB, Custom, or Distortion. But your guitar will not only be lighter, but also brighter. The Custom and Dist with ceramic mags may not be the best choice. And it's hard to predict what you're going to get from the JB in mahogany, esp when it is so weight-relieved.

So, I would use any of those pups, but I'd personally put in an A8 to give them a more beefy tone and smoother high end.

 

[Drunken Bowling]

Re: Ideal hot pickup for a chambered Les Paul ?

Believe it or not, the stock Burstbucker Pros sound great in those guitars.

 

[vinta9e]

Re: Ideal hot pickup for a chambered Les Paul ?

The '08 I've played just wasn't willing to deliver those far beyond driven tones. In the clean and break-up departments it did deliver stunning results. If ya wanna dig into dirt, why use a silver spoon?

I'm telling you straightaway it's the wrong guitar for your purpose. Again, it's not bad, it is fine as it is. Just not recommended for where you wanna take it. Don't one-up the crowd who does not understand.

 

[Archer250]

Re: Ideal hot pickup for a chambered Les Paul ?

To be honest, I'm not a fan of hot pickups in Les Pauls. It kills the character.

That said, the answer is a 59/Custom set close to the strings.

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