Les Paul Classic PU change

J

javimm

New member
Hi.

First post, but I've been lurking and searching the forums for a lot of years now.

I'm writing now because I'm thinking about changing PUs in my Les Paul. A bit of history of my guitar. It's a Gibson Les Paul Classic from '97. I bought a set of EMGs 81/85 back in 2004. I really liked the pickups, great for metal and better overall (IMO) than the 500T/496R that came stock (I liked the 500t/496R, no hate for them. The 500T was a bit harsh, but good overall). In 2010 I wanted (or so I thought :banghead:) a more classic sound out of the guitar, so I bought a Gibson Classic '57+ for the bridge and a Classic '57 for the neck. At first I liked them, but I started to miss the EMGs. Their clarity and punch, so I ended up buying a Schecter Hellraiser with EMGs on them.

Anyway, the Les Paul sees less and less use everyday. I feel that the Classic '57 aren't a good match for this guitar or for me. I feel they are too underpowered, and the oomph I had with the EMGs or the 500T/496R isn't there, so I was thinking about getting something with a bit more power.

Before talking about specific pickups, I'd like to point that I'm using CTS 500K pots with PIO caps, soldered 50s style, and with 0.022uF cap for the bridge and a 0.015uF cap for the neck.

The problem with the neck 57 is that is muddy with no clarity on the neck. It's ok clean, but ugly with any amount of gain. The 57+ in the bridge is better, but lacks punch and bass and it's overally weak. It doesn't hit you as the 500T or 81 did. It's a lot loose too, which I dislike.

After much reading, I think Duncan could be the ticket, and I'm thinking about getting a Custom for the bridge and Jazz for the neck, as I've found them second hand locally (I live in Spain). These pair was my first option when looking into the Duncan catalogue. A hot bridge PU but not as hot as the 81TW in my Schecter to have some variety, and a good clean and not muddy neck PU which the Jazz is famous for.

Any other options?. I was thinking about a Full Shred too, A5. Don't know if it's a better option than the Custom.

Is the Custom versatile enough to get bluesy tones or is it too hot?. How about the Jazz?. Are these PUs a good match for a Les Paul?.

Cheers and thank you.
 
Re: Les Paul Classic PU change

Custom Jazz are a very good set for an LP, plus if you don't like the stock Custom there are lots of great mods for it, I've also heard good things about the A8 Jazz as well....
 
Re: Les Paul Classic PU change

Welcome to the forum man.

Custom/Jazz is a great combo and can do everything you're describing, especially since you're looking for something with more "umph" than the 57 but less output than the 500T or 81. The Custom and that combo fits that bill for the bridge and if you're looking for something for the neck to take gain well and retain clarity the Jazz is perfect.

Custom can do bluesy stuff fine. It's not too hot at all and can either be managed by your amp/gain settings or managing your volume and tone. Very versitile pick and you will be able to do anything from blues to classic rock to metal/thrash/even up to Nu-Metal provided your amp has the gain. It will not push your amp as hard as the EMG 81 or the 500T. It is VERY tight under gain, takes a lot of gain well and just sounds huge and aggressive. Great pick up.

For the neck I prefer a thicker, creamier sound than the Jazz, mostly because I don't use it for shred/fast leads/rhythm that much. That's why I prefer an AII type pick up like the PG or AII Pro. Still, I have the Jazz in one guitar and it is a great pup. You can match the Custom up with a variety of neck pick ups based on your personal preference and be fine. (AII Pro/PG/59/Jazz, all good) Since you can get the Custom/Jazz at your store in Spain used I'd say go for it. You won't be disappointed.
 
Re: Les Paul Classic PU change

JazzN/59B is also a great combo for a Les Paul. I also like the Alnico II pros a lot on Les Pauls. I think a lot of it depends on what you are doing with it. I like a clean to slightly dirty OD tone & that works with these combos.
 
Re: Les Paul Classic PU change

Hi, greetings to Spain.

I have a 99 Classic that have seen too many pups come and go. I got it second hand already with CTS pots and Orange Drops.
I liked the Jazz very much in this guitar. For the Bridge i liked a hotter and a tad middy pup because of the thin neck. I endend with a Custom (modified with an Alnico 8 magnet) and Phat Cat (modified with a A3/A5) in the neck. The Jazz was a great match too.
The Custom with the ceramic magnet is in the realms of the 500T, so i think you care for a magnet swap with A8 to get a less harsher attack, but full mids.

Cheers
 
Re: Les Paul Classic PU change

Hey guys. Thank you so much for the warm welcome and very good recommendations.

I think I'll buy this Jazz/Custom set and try it. Seems that it has what this guitar needs. I'll keep the Classic 57s for some time just in case, but probably sell them if I dig the Duncans (my first Duncans, BTW, as I've been and still I am an EMG fan).

What I love about the Custom is all the magnet options you can use. I'll be ordering some magnets to try in this pickup: A5 to get the Custom 5, A2 to get the Custom Custom or A8 to get the Custom 8. Countless possibilities.

A8 Jazz... How does it sound?.

Thanks again.
 
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