I've finaly got a Les Paul. And now?

S

symptom

New member
Hello, guys.

A while ago, I've started a thread about replacing my Mean 90 set in my SG. So, the opportunity came and I was able to get a Les Paul from a friend of mine. Then, I decided to keep the p90s in the SG and put some nice humbuckers in my new Les Paul.

The guitar is an Epiphone Les Paul Standard, honeyburst with flame top. My friend had a set of 59s in it, which I didn't like that much in this one guitar. He is selling me withou any pickups and now I have to decide what to buy. I have a Duncan Designed HB102 neck and a Seymour Duncan Custom 5 at home. These 2 pickups will keep the guitar working right now but it's not what I want. Here's some information I can share to help your opinion.

- As I said, I didn't like the 59 set in this guitar.
- Since the 59 neck was kinda boomy, I guess this guitar is not bright. Acoustically, it' considerally darker than my sg.
- I don't want high output (this is the main reason I don't want to use the custom 5 or do a mag swap in it.
- I play classic rock, blues and a little hard rock
- I already have an SG with a Mean 90 set.

My number one choice would be the Alnico 2 pro set. I grew up listen to slash and that tone means a lot to me. But, strangely I don't play slash and it's hard to find any demo without people playing like him.

From everything I've read here, i would stay away from the pearly gates set. Harsh, sizzle, bright, all words used to describe them are characteristcs I don't want. The thing is in every single clip I watch of this pickups, they sound absolutely amazing, so I'm really confused.

I've heard wonders about the whole lotta humbucker set. But, honestly, I think it's kind of a marketing thing and there's nothing I can't achieve with the classic sets, that are cheapef, by the way.

The sets sounds nice, but I think I may have some problems under some gain. Also they cost more and the looks without covers seems nicer to me in this Les Paul's color.

So, after all this, I ask for your help again. Especially the guys experienced in this style and in these epiphones.

Thank you.


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Re: I've finaly got a Les Paul. And now?

Personally I think the Alnico II Pro is a little overrated. I have no doubt that slash has a custom wind in his and even then I'm told he runs the pup side with the tone turned right down to get his sound. Without the right everything else (effects, amps etc) his sound will be hard to match with just pickups alone.

People will probably get sick of me saying this but I stand by it - have a look into the Jazz/JB Hotrodded set.

I put a set into my Epiphone Dot back in 2009 and loved them so much I put another set into a "trash" LP kit guitar I built just recently. They drive gain very well and when wired right you'll get some kickass noises from them.

I grew up listening to Slash, too, and these pups do GNR styles a lot of justice. Start playing with phases splits and series mods and you can get pretty darn close to Jimmy Page sounds too.

If you cruise YouTube you'll find plenty of demos. I'd post one myself but am in the middle of a custom wiring crisis. Kind of like a mid-life crisis for tone fiends.
 
Re: I've finaly got a Les Paul. And now?

I know you weren't thrilled about the idea of the Pearly gates set, but I think they may work nicely in this guitar based on your saying it sounds a little darker acoustically. I have a pearly gates bridge model (paired with a Jazz neck model) in an old Jackson SLS, the original style with the mahogany neck through body and 24.75 scale. I wouldn't characterize it as harsh, or overly bright, but it does have some attitude in the upper kids and nice cut.

Of course, everyone has their own tastes, and it works for me in this guitar.


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Re: I've finaly got a Les Paul. And now?

I think you'd like the Pearlys, and Seths if you want a vintage tone for all around use. I'm also a big fan of the Gibson Burstbucker 1 and 2 set.

You should consider a pot, cap, switch and jack upgrade too. And Straplocks!

Good luck.

Bill
 
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Re: I've finaly got a Les Paul. And now?

As a guy with a bunch of Epi's, who plays classic rock and blues, and loves PAF's, I'd strongly recommend Seth's, WLH's, A2P's, and BB's. They all sound great.

I was disappointed in PG's (warm, rounded neck and bright, thin bridge). I think they're overrated. Don't care for Ant's or '57's either, as both have very dull high-ends in both neck and bridge, which doesn't work for me in warm guitars. I think PG's, Ant's, and '57's do better in brighter guitars. I'd definitely avoid the 'Hot Rodded Set' as JB's can be squirrley in LP's and can be all over the map tonewise.
 
Re: I've finaly got a Les Paul. And now?

Marketing is a very power public opinion shaper. I don't blame you for being jaded - yes some of these pickups are expensive and just beyond our mortal reach.

Here, I'd like to consider one statement you made. "I've heard wonders about the whole lotta humbucker set. But, honestly, I think it's kind of a marketing thing and there's nothing I can't achieve with the classic sets, that are cheapef, by the way."

I have very little experience with SD A2 pickups so I cant compare them to the SD A5 pickups. Please do a thread search on the WLH'ers. As a owner of a SG with this set, I assure you this pickup is not hype. Also, the DMZ 36 Anniversary is a great PAF set and significantly cheaper the new WLHers. It is more open and the WLH set compresses a bit to me.

Others will add their comments I'm sure.
 
Re: I've finaly got a Les Paul. And now?

"From everything I've read here, i would stay away from the pearly gates set. Harsh, sizzle, bright, all words used to describe them are characteristcs I don't want. The thing is in every single clip I watch of this pickups, they sound absolutely amazing, so I'm really confused."

Would you rather trust hearsay or your ears?
 
Re: I've finaly got a Les Paul. And now?

PizzaMaker said:
Personally I think the Alnico II Pro is a little overrated. I have no doubt that slash has a custom wind in his
Click to expand...

Unless you're talking about the APH-2, which just came out a few years ago, I have no doubt you are incorrect.
 
Re: I've finaly got a Les Paul. And now?

APH1 or APH2 sound like the ticket in this situation, and maybe the '78 for the bridge.
 
Re: I've finaly got a Les Paul. And now?

symptom said:
Hello, guys.

My number one choice would be the Alnico 2 pro set. I grew up listen to slash and that tone means a lot to me. But, strangely I don't play slash and it's hard to find any demo without people playing like him.

From everything I've read here, i would stay away from the pearly gates set. Harsh, sizzle, bright, all words used to describe them are characteristcs I don't want. The thing is in every single clip I watch of this pickups, they sound absolutely amazing, so I'm really confused.

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Click to expand...

Guess what guitar I have? One of them anyway. A Honeyburst Epiphone Les Paul Standard. Guess what are the best sounding pickups in it that I've tried? The Pearly Gates set. There.

They have Alnico II magnets for sweetness. Yes they have bite but they ARE NOT harsh. They're simply beautiful pickups. Thou shalt not believe all the people that accuse them of being of being harsh. No.

I tried some Alnico II Pro's also. They sound quite nice but the problem is they have a soft and spongy attack. They can't compete with the Pearly Gates.

The only way you will know for sure is to buy some pickups and try them in your axe. There is no other way.
 
Re: I've finaly got a Les Paul. And now?

i went from a set of 59s to a wlh set in an orville les paul and it was a definite improvement. i love the way they sound. the slash set ive tried and i really like the brisge, it's crunchy and kinda raw sounding, but not harsh at all. the neck was a little bassy for me but i didnt play around with it for too long. but if you like the way the pg set sounds in clips give it a try. the worst advice i can think of (and i am aware of the irony) is to take the opinions of internet forums as gospel.
 
Re: I've finaly got a Les Paul. And now?

Evan Skopp said:
Unless you're talking about the APH-2, which just came out a few years ago, I have no doubt you are incorrect.
Click to expand...

Whoa buddy, calm down. Let's keep it civil, or go outside and get some air or play a guitar. LOL

Ah joking aside I can back that up. When I was there we just shipped him AIIPro Humbuckers straight from stock. It's an easy rumor to get started (artist gets special sauce) but in this case it's not true.
 
Re: I've finaly got a Les Paul. And now?

Wow, some great advice here. Thank you guys.

I have nothing against the whole lotta humbucker or the pearly gates. Just pointed out that the clips sounds really nice and a lot of people say they're overly bright. Regarding the whl set, i just wonder if they worth the extra money.

Oh. Another information that may help. A friend of mine have the new slash set in his gibson and i really dislike it (he doesn't like it too). I think they're hot, grainy and kinda harsh.

Let's keep the discussion going. Lots of kmowledge here. For those who suggested, i'm planning on doing lots of upgrades (as well as i'm planning on doing it in my sg). Just starting with pickups.


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Re: I've finaly got a Les Paul. And now?

There's no getting around P90's if single coil clarity is what you're going for.

I say grab another set of Mean 90's for your Les Paul.

*Better yet,
Install this humbucker -> single coil adapter ring
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Humbucker-Rout-adapter-ring-Fits-Strat-pickup-Straight-THREE-COLORS_p_4348.html

And install a Brighton rock reverse wound
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Brighton-Rock-Reverse-Wound-Alnico-Middle-Pickup-75K_p_1519.html

in the neck position. Creamy Brian May leads and Leslie West rhythm. Mmmm...
 
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Re: I've finaly got a Les Paul. And now?

Try the 59's with A2 or A4 mags. If you're not into magswapping, I'd say go for the WLH set.
 
Re: I've finaly got a Les Paul. And now?

Archer250 said:
Oh the irony XD


Anyway, if this sounds nice and not "Harsh, sizzle", then go for it!
Click to expand...

Wow! That sounds amazing! That is clear and retains all the Les Paul juiciness and beefiness I thought bright PAF-style pickups took away. I guess it depends on how you set it.
 
Re: I've finaly got a Les Paul. And now?

Letus said:
Wow! That sounds amazing! That is clear and retains all the Les Paul juiciness and beefiness I thought bright PAF-style pickups took away. I guess it depends on how you set it.
Click to expand...


I love it as well. Such an amazing tone.
 
Re: I've finaly got a Les Paul. And now?

symptom said:
I've heard wonders about the whole lotta humbucker set. But, honestly, I think it's kind of a marketing thing and there's nothing I can't achieve with the classic sets, that are cheapef, by the way.
Click to expand...
You should reserve making judgements like this until you have actually tried the various sets.

Anyways, what amp are you using?
 
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