Les Paul Studio - looking for 'Forever' pickups
- Thread starter TeaAt5
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Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Les Paul Studio - looking for 'Forever' pickups
They actually sound quite nice with the right magnets in them. I like an A8 closest to the rail coil and an A4 under the P90 in the bridge, set so that rail is closest to the bridge (I learned that from someone on this forum, I forget who at the moment), then for the neck I keep the same magnets but flip it so the P90 is closest to the bridge, this gives you a more Stratty rail tone and makes all 4 tones more distinct from each other and IMO, improved.
They actually sound quite nice with the right magnets in them. I like an A8 closest to the rail coil and an A4 under the P90 in the bridge, set so that rail is closest to the bridge (I learned that from someone on this forum, I forget who at the moment), then for the neck I keep the same magnets but flip it so the P90 is closest to the bridge, this gives you a more Stratty rail tone and makes all 4 tones more distinct from each other and IMO, improved.
Re: Les Paul Studio - looking for 'Forever' pickups
Thank you all for your advice, especially Jeff_H regarding the Seth set. I can't wait for them to arrive down under in about a month. I will update once I have played around with them a bit, but I know just from descriptions and sound samples that I am going to be very happy.
Now I am agonising over what to do with my pots!
Was going to go nuts with wiring options, but now I want to keep it simple. I have ordered triple shots, but I think they'll be fiddly to operate live, so I will probably use them to find some nice tones and then wire up the ones I like. I am open to drilling holes and adding switches and extra pots, never plan to sell my baby. It's been stolen and recovered once, so I don't think I could ever part with it again.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?329965-Ultimate-mad-professor-wiring
Thank you all for your advice, especially Jeff_H regarding the Seth set. I can't wait for them to arrive down under in about a month. I will update once I have played around with them a bit, but I know just from descriptions and sound samples that I am going to be very happy.
Now I am agonising over what to do with my pots!
Was going to go nuts with wiring options, but now I want to keep it simple. I have ordered triple shots, but I think they'll be fiddly to operate live, so I will probably use them to find some nice tones and then wire up the ones I like. I am open to drilling holes and adding switches and extra pots, never plan to sell my baby. It's been stolen and recovered once, so I don't think I could ever part with it again.https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?329965-Ultimate-mad-professor-wiring
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: Les Paul Studio - looking for 'Forever' pickups
I'm glad I was able to help you with your decision. It's a lot of pressure when you help someone spend their hard earned money, hoping they'll end up liking what you recommended. I'll be holding my breath just a bit, but I'm confident in the Seth's much more than in my ability to recommend something, so I think you'll be fine.
However, I am NOT the one to talk to about wiring issues. I'm barely competent to install my own two conductor pickups. The only thing I recommend is 50's wiring, so you don't lose treble as you roll back the volume pot. It really allows so many more tones to be at your disposal. That's where my wiring advice ends. Wait... no it doesn't. Pots. Make sure whatever pots you order have some resistance to them. I've bought two sets of Bournes pots and they turn far too easily. The CTS pots in my Historic LP offer much more resistance, in a good way. I don't know which pots to steer you to or away from; and you may even prefer a pot that will spin almost all by itself. Just take the resistance into account when choosing what's right to you.
Cheers.
I'm glad I was able to help you with your decision. It's a lot of pressure when you help someone spend their hard earned money, hoping they'll end up liking what you recommended. I'll be holding my breath just a bit, but I'm confident in the Seth's much more than in my ability to recommend something, so I think you'll be fine.
However, I am NOT the one to talk to about wiring issues. I'm barely competent to install my own two conductor pickups. The only thing I recommend is 50's wiring, so you don't lose treble as you roll back the volume pot. It really allows so many more tones to be at your disposal. That's where my wiring advice ends. Wait... no it doesn't. Pots. Make sure whatever pots you order have some resistance to them. I've bought two sets of Bournes pots and they turn far too easily. The CTS pots in my Historic LP offer much more resistance, in a good way. I don't know which pots to steer you to or away from; and you may even prefer a pot that will spin almost all by itself. Just take the resistance into account when choosing what's right to you.
Cheers.
Condemned soul
New member
Re: Les Paul Studio - looking for 'Forever' pickups
Another really good combination is the Jazz neck with the 59/Custom hybrid.
Another really good combination is the Jazz neck with the 59/Custom hybrid.
Re: Les Paul Studio - looking for 'Forever' pickups
Yep, ultimately it is the person who did the hard earning that has to make the call, so don't hold your breath too much! All I needed was a few perspectives to nudge me in the right direction. Just listening to sound samples of the seth set made me go all gooey inside so I'm pretty confident.
Anyway, I know the trap of endless gear tweaking instead of just making music. Once they are installed, I'll just get used to them and pretend they're the only pups that exist!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yep, ultimately it is the person who did the hard earning that has to make the call, so don't hold your breath too much! All I needed was a few perspectives to nudge me in the right direction. Just listening to sound samples of the seth set made me go all gooey inside so I'm pretty confident.
Anyway, I know the trap of endless gear tweaking instead of just making music. Once they are installed, I'll just get used to them and pretend they're the only pups that exist!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
SirJackdeFuzz
New member
Re: Les Paul Studio - looking for 'Forever' pickups
'' I play a Fender HRD which is very boomy so need tighter low-end ''
W O W . . . really ?
I have never encounter this with a 40W Hot Rod !
Looks like i will have to go and re-visit that amp.
'' I play a Fender HRD which is very boomy so need tighter low-end ''
W O W . . . really ?
I have never encounter this with a 40W Hot Rod !
Looks like i will have to go and re-visit that amp.
SirJackdeFuzz
New member
Re: Les Paul Studio - looking for 'Forever' pickups
* Not enough variety... sounds odd playing funk on a gibson.
* I only use one guitar which is unlikely to change. Prefer to get some nice pups than another guitar.
Funk on a Gibson ?
Do look into the following then :
* https://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/stag-mag?__uuid_ref=5b741124de652
-- Strat-like tone when you split it.
* P-Rails for max versatility !
* http://customshop.seymourduncan.com/strat-in-humbucker/
-- Strat in a humbucker spacing.
Hope this helps.
* Not enough variety... sounds odd playing funk on a gibson.
* I only use one guitar which is unlikely to change. Prefer to get some nice pups than another guitar.
Funk on a Gibson ?
Do look into the following then :
* https://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/stag-mag?__uuid_ref=5b741124de652
-- Strat-like tone when you split it.
* P-Rails for max versatility !
* http://customshop.seymourduncan.com/strat-in-humbucker/
-- Strat in a humbucker spacing.
Hope this helps.
Re: Les Paul Studio - looking for 'Forever' pickups
The HRD sounds great with a strat, which I guess is not surprising
Playing a dark LP studio into the stock valves was a bit of an earthquake.
I 'fixed' it by getting JJ valves and using a THD hotplate, as well as an EQ pedal to roll off bass.
I have ordered a Set set with TS rings, looking forward to settling in with those and doing away with the eq pedal.
The HRD sounds great with a strat, which I guess is not surprising
Playing a dark LP studio into the stock valves was a bit of an earthquake.
I 'fixed' it by getting JJ valves and using a THD hotplate, as well as an EQ pedal to roll off bass.
I have ordered a Set set with TS rings, looking forward to settling in with those and doing away with the eq pedal.
Re: Les Paul Studio - looking for 'Forever' pickups
If your favorite setting is the middle position on a Les Paul, a Pearly gates set will do the trick for you. My favorite middle position sound of any of the standard Duncan paf-type offerings. And the bridge kinda has that "Tele on steroids " type thing going, at least to my ears on a cleaner amp. The Saturday night special set has a cool middle setting sound going too.
If your favorite setting is the middle position on a Les Paul, a Pearly gates set will do the trick for you. My favorite middle position sound of any of the standard Duncan paf-type offerings. And the bridge kinda has that "Tele on steroids " type thing going, at least to my ears on a cleaner amp. The Saturday night special set has a cool middle setting sound going too.
Woodeks
New member
Re: Les Paul Studio - looking for 'Forever' pickups
Pearly neck, Seth bridge in my Studio. My friend liked that combo so much, he had me put the same combo in his studio. I had both Seths sent to SD for a 4 wire add for push/pull splits. Pearlies already 4 wire. *almost* a P-90 sound when pulled.
Pearly neck is just a little bass/beefier than the seth neck (not that the seth n is bad). And the Seth bridge is just perfect in the solid maple (RW fret board) tribute studio (8+ lbs). I have the opposite set (Seth n and pearly br) in one of my LP Standards and that works VERY well for that guitar (7.5 lbs), but the Pearly n and Seth br is NEVER leaving my studio.
Pearly neck, Seth bridge in my Studio. My friend liked that combo so much, he had me put the same combo in his studio. I had both Seths sent to SD for a 4 wire add for push/pull splits. Pearlies already 4 wire. *almost* a P-90 sound when pulled.
Pearly neck is just a little bass/beefier than the seth neck (not that the seth n is bad). And the Seth bridge is just perfect in the solid maple (RW fret board) tribute studio (8+ lbs). I have the opposite set (Seth n and pearly br) in one of my LP Standards and that works VERY well for that guitar (7.5 lbs), but the Pearly n and Seth br is NEVER leaving my studio.
Re: Les Paul Studio - looking for 'Forever' pickups
Can't wait to hear how they work for you!
Can't wait to hear how they work for you!
Re: Les Paul Studio - looking for 'Forever' pickups
Well, they are in... it's been a bit like a blind date... so far so good!
They sound very nice, but it's been so long since I had my other pups in that I can't easily compare.
They certainly are low output! I'm struggling to get my HRD to break up on clean, even with the attenuator at -16db. Might have to invest in a line booster?
I really like the single coil / parallel sounds, happy experimenting with the triple shots. Output is noticeably lower in single/parallel, but still usable. However I find that out of all the options I'm really only using one or two, and parallel doesn't sound THAT much different to the single adjustable pickup.
I have found some really nice tonal options so far, but the low output will take some getting used to. I have always run my THD hotplate on the second-lowest setting and relied on picking dynamics for clean/crunch, so I might just have to tune the rig to suit.
Interestingly, I am still finding overwhelming bass on the neck when in humbucker mode. I think I might just have a particularly bassy HRD?? Bass roll-off knob is definitely on the cards.
I need to spend some quality time getting to know them before making a judgement, which will mean playing at louder than bedroom volumes for a start [emoji4]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Well, they are in... it's been a bit like a blind date... so far so good!
They sound very nice, but it's been so long since I had my other pups in that I can't easily compare.
They certainly are low output! I'm struggling to get my HRD to break up on clean, even with the attenuator at -16db. Might have to invest in a line booster?
I really like the single coil / parallel sounds, happy experimenting with the triple shots. Output is noticeably lower in single/parallel, but still usable. However I find that out of all the options I'm really only using one or two, and parallel doesn't sound THAT much different to the single adjustable pickup.
I have found some really nice tonal options so far, but the low output will take some getting used to. I have always run my THD hotplate on the second-lowest setting and relied on picking dynamics for clean/crunch, so I might just have to tune the rig to suit.
Interestingly, I am still finding overwhelming bass on the neck when in humbucker mode. I think I might just have a particularly bassy HRD?? Bass roll-off knob is definitely on the cards.
I need to spend some quality time getting to know them before making a judgement, which will mean playing at louder than bedroom volumes for a start [emoji4]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: Les Paul Studio - looking for 'Forever' pickups
Certainly spend a little time with the, and they are more mid-heavy than many pickups in the PAF-output range. You may have to re-EQ your amp to tame the mids a bit (or maybe your ears will have to adjust). You will, however, gain touch-sensitivity and dynamic range.
Certainly spend a little time with the, and they are more mid-heavy than many pickups in the PAF-output range. You may have to re-EQ your amp to tame the mids a bit (or maybe your ears will have to adjust). You will, however, gain touch-sensitivity and dynamic range.
Laughing Kookaburra
New member
Re: Les Paul Studio - looking for 'Forever' pickups
OP, did you have a 498 in the bridge previously?
OP, did you have a 498 in the bridge previously?
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Re: Les Paul Studio - looking for 'Forever' pickups
A booster or compressor may work to push your amp a bit harder with these new pickups.
Also...what speaker is in your HRD? I found that the stock speaker in those is pretty scopped and has a pretty big low end. This could be the weak link in your signal chain at this point, especially if you're looking for clarity with a LP.
A booster or compressor may work to push your amp a bit harder with these new pickups.
Also...what speaker is in your HRD? I found that the stock speaker in those is pretty scopped and has a pretty big low end. This could be the weak link in your signal chain at this point, especially if you're looking for clarity with a LP.
