Les Paul Pickup Combo... Rock & Blues

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I've been toying with the following pickup combos.

APH2 & 59-Hybrid - neck or bridge on either
SH-PG1 & 59-Hybrid - neck or bridge on either.

Hoping to avoid a boomy neck or bridge that's too bright (notice there's no JB on the list... :) )

The guitar will be a new build - Mahogany body & neck, maple cap.
500k pots \ .022 caps

Open to other suggestions as well, but a correct pairing from these pickups should get me a solid player.
If you one of these combos installed let me know what you think.
 
Re: Les Paul Pickup Combo... Rock & Blues

I'd go Pearly Gates bridge and APH2 neck. However, it depends what pots you're using (300k or 500k?).
 
Re: Les Paul Pickup Combo... Rock & Blues

PGB's are well known for being bright, as are '59/Custom hybrids; doesn't sound like they'll be what you want.

What are your goals for a neck PU? Warm or bright? PGN's, A2P's, and Seths are on the warm side and not bassy (due to the A2's). JazzN is bright and clear (A5). The '59N is the one notorious for being bassy in some guitars, especially LP's & 335's; if you're open to mag swapping, an A3 or A4 will fix the boominess.

For the bridge, are you looking for a PAF or a higher output PU? For PAF's, nothing beats a pair of Seth's. They're unpotted with unbalanced coils which gives them a more open, alive sound; magic in an LP. '59's have a very bright bridge and a bassy neck (due to the A5's), so they're out. Between PG's and A2P's, I much prefer A2P's, as the bridge is warmer and fuller than a PGB, and the neck has a little more treble and cut than a PGN (not so smooth and mellow, tendencies an LP will bring out because of it's fat mahogany body). Antiquities have aged A2 magnets which means they have even less treble and output than a full-charged A2, which doesn't have much to begin with.

Like you, I play blues and rock, and love LP's. I have all of these PU's, and like Seth's and A2P's best, for their warmer bridges & added textures and dynamics.
 
Re: Les Paul Pickup Combo... Rock & Blues

Thanks for the replies guys -
The clips I've heard of the 59 hybrid didn't come across as super bright. If that's the case though, it isn't what I'm after in the neck.
I can handle more top end in the bridge but the warm neck is what I like. A2P\Seth sound good here... Possibly a Seth neck and A2P bridge.
I can always play with the bridge pickup if output seems a little low.

BTW, no issue with magnet swapping here. I've done it a few times and an A3\A4 in a 59n would be a great test.
I can see myself buying $400 worth of pickups to test out and then selling a few off :)
 
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