Les Paul Pickup Choice - Please Help

[The Usual]

My first post on this forum, so here goes.

I have a 92 LP Studio with ebony fretboard. I have spent a while swapping and trying lots of SD pickups in it. I am left with the APII in the neck and the Seth in the bridge. From an output standpoint, they just don't match up for me, regardless of the hight of the pickup, and the tones are a little too distant from one another. They both have qualities I really like. I love the growling mids of the Seths, but I also like the top end you get with the AP IIs. I tried the Pearly Gates and hated them - too harsh all over.

I am wondering if I should consider a Custom Custom in the bridge to go with the APII. I really like the vibe of Alnico 2 magnets. Anything I've tried with 5s just didn't feel right. I would really appreciate any advice from those of you who have been through this.

The ideal sound would be the smooth spongy bottom and growling mids of the Seths, with the clarity and high end of the APIIs. Will a Custom Custom get me there? Am I dreaming?

Thanks in advance.

 

[MikeS]

Re: Les Paul Pickup Choice - Please Help

The CC has a very "loose" bottom end (but is smooth) and a great low-mids spike that really cuts. The highs are not quite all there, but there are still plenty of them. Despite what the tone chart shows, I think it's a little more balanced than the graph shows, but it definatly does have a very big mid section.

One thing you may watch, though, is that the output is considerably higher than the pickups you are accustomed to. Sometimes higher output is associated with "harshness," so be mindful of the higher output. The best thing about the CC is the fact that the highs are rolled back a bit, which really keeps the pickup from being harsh (if there's one thing I can't stand it's a medium-high and high output pickup with a pronounced top end). You don't have to worry about that with the CC.

 

[The Usual]

Re: Les Paul Pickup Choice - Please Help

Thanks. I have been doing some more reading. It seems that it may be too much output to match with the APIIs. I guess I am going to be left with the choice between a set of APIIs or a set of Seths.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Les Paul Pickup Choice - Please Help

It's output is fine with the APII in the neck. Not a problem at all. You want a hotter pickup in the bridge to compensate for the lack of string vibration there as compared to the neck position. An APII, PGn or even the A5 magnet Jazz neck work really well with the CC. You're halfway to a great sounding LP.

 

[The Usual]

Re: Les Paul Pickup Choice - Please Help

What about going with the AP2 in both positions. I've heard that the bridge can sound weak in relation to the neck. Can hight compensate for this?

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Les Paul Pickup Choice - Please Help

What about going with the AP2 in both positions. I've heard that the bridge can sound weak in relation to the neck. Can hight compensate for this?

I have Alnico II Pros in both positions in my LP Standard and they balance fine. I have the neck model adjusted slightly lower than the bridge, but not a lot. Having said that, the Alnico II Pro bridge doesn't have any more output than the Seth bridge - they sound quite similar, except the Alnico II Pro has a bit more top end than the Seth and less honk (to my ears).

 

[Stevo]

Re: Les Paul Pickup Choice - Please Help

the Alnico II Pro bridge doesn't have any more output than the Seth bridge - they sound quite similar, except the Alnico II Pro has a bit more top end than the Seth and less honk (to my ears).

I feel the same way.
I really like the Seth Lover / a2pro combo. Currently, I hava a Custom/A2pro in my Les Paul. It might be more balanced than the SL. It's a killer hard rock combo, but the Custom bridge is not as articulate as the SL.

Regarding the CC, I don't seem to agree with many opinions on this pickup. I think its pretty killer, but it's not quite my style. It has lots of character. It's great for clean tones, big chords, and it really screams on the solos when you play up on the neck. From country tones to 80s metal, it's definitely a cool pickup.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Les Paul Pickup Choice - Please Help

I have a Dean Hardtail with the APH/AHP combo. I really love it in that guitar. The APH bridge does just what I want for classic rock. I tend to let my amp handle the distortion, so I like the clarity of the APH. I also have the CC/APH combo in a double fat strat.....no balance issues at all, one of the best sounding guitars I have, and it's a parts o' mut.

In a my LP Standard, I didn't care for the bridge version of the APH....not quite enough bite for me. I tried several combo's, and ended up with a 59'(N) in the bridge, and an APH in the neck. Best of both worlds.

If you dislike the A5 vibe, then the CC/APH might be just the ticket for you. Also, give the 59'(N) a try in the bridge if you get a chance. If you want to hear the CC/APH combo, click on my soundclips in my sig, and listen to Heavens Door. CC for the dirty rythym, APH for the cleans and leads.

 

[The Usual]

Re: Les Paul Pickup Choice - Please Help

Thanks for all the help folks. I had a chance to play some more at gig volumes this weekend. I have to say that I love the vibe of the Seth, very cool. The honk in these things rocks. But the lack of potting is a real problem for me. I don't play metal by any means, but I am getting sqealing at louder volumes.

I play a modded YBA 40 watts, and it squeals every time I'm not actively playing. I know I can work the volume, but there are parts of our tunes where this isn't feasable.

I have heard that some people wax pot them, but I've also heard this will kill the awesome growl/honk and vibe of these pups. Anyone have a solution?

I have the 21 period to make up my mind, so if you have any ideas, I'd really love to hear them.
Thanks again.

 

[The Usual]

Re: Les Paul Pickup Choice - Please Help

Just an update for everyone. I ended up with a solution for the lack of potting on the Seths that didn't sacrifice the tone. I took off the cover, and put 2 pieces of double sided tape between the cover and the pickup. Not where the screws are, but the other side. I pressed really tight and soldered them back together. I also replaced the mounting springs with closed cell foam, similar to that found in sandals. I cut it into small chunks and drilled holes in it. I didn't have any surgical tubing or I would have used it.

These things together really did the trick. It will still go microphonic, but you have to have the amp cranked and the pup directly in front of the speakers. And the best part is that the pickups still have the open airy honk that I bought them for. I totally recommend doing this before potting them. It may not work for you, but it is well worth a shot before you drastically change the tone.

I'd like to thank the people who pointed me in this direction, in particular Lewguitar for the idea of using tape, and Reiner from Guitar Works in London Ontario (who incidentally makes killer custom guitars), for the double sided tape idea.

 

[Jeff5]

Re: Les Paul Pickup Choice - Please Help

CC APH combo is outstanding. Its one of those classic Duncan combos imo, like the JB/59 JB/Jazz etc. I don't think you can go wrong if you decide to try that.