Les Paul Suggestions wanted

[RevJToad]

Hey folks. After years of playing single coils exclusively, I've finally acquired my first Les Paul - a ridiculously good deal on a '94. The sustain on this thing was shocking (not to mention extremely gratifying) when I brought it home and plugged it in.

But as is to be expected, there's trouble in paradise: the pickups are microphonic. This is a problem, cause my current gigging band is punk, and there's a couple of songs that call for extended feedback bursts, which means cranking it, which results in that nasty microphonic screaming.

So I've been debating potting the pups on it now (I haven't opened it up yet, so I'm not sure whether they're stock or something else - I got it at a pawn shop). The instructions at guitarnuts.com seem fairly straightforward. That said, I've had good experiences with various Duncan pickups in the past, so I'm also considering just replacing them. Problem: I dont really have a clue what to put in there.

What I want is for this thing to do it all. I know I won't get that, so I'm looking for the closest approximation. It's been suggested by several people that I should put something hot in the bridge and something more mellow in the neck, which makes sense. I actually have a '59 neck pup right now, so before I buy anything new for the neck I'll try that one out there, so I'm after suggestions for the bridge.

While I do play punk, I'm by no means a shredder, so I don't really want anything too insane in there, but I do want something that can snarl some. I'm a big fan of Billy Gibbons (Tush is one of the covers we do), so the Pearly Gates is the first thing I looked at, and currently the only thing in the running. Anyone got any other suggestions for something that can sound good clean, but push my tubes a bit when it's called upon to do so?

 

[Lee_L]

Re: Les Paul Suggestions wanted

The Pearly Gates sounds great, in fact a PG/59 combo would sound good. What you could also do is install a coil tap a few different ways. I'd consider having a coil tap for the neck pickup only, and you can have the volume down a bit on it also, so that you can switch pickups and have a TOTALLY different sound.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Les Paul Suggestions wanted

Welcome to the forum. The PG was my first thought when you mentioned the Reverend Gibbons. The 59 bridge is another option. If you want something hotter, the Custom, Custom 5 or Custom Custom would work really well too but the Custom Custom has less highs than either the PG and 59 and some pronounced lower mids. Sounds good in a Les Paul though.

I think the PG would fit the bill for you though.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Les Paul Suggestions wanted

I think a 59' in the bridge and an APH in the neck is a fantastic combo, or a C5 in the bridge if you want a little hotter, but still vintage. I was not a fan of the 59' in the neck of my LP, I found it a little boomy and not articulate enough, but YMMV on that.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Les Paul Suggestions wanted

I've got a '94 LP Standard with a '59 in the neck and a JB in the bridge. Both have single coil taps. I'm pretty happy with the tone, especially when I hook into my Mesa. I've thought about putting something hotter in the bridge but fear that everything will sound like Zakk Wylde. (Not a bad thing but not what I want 24/7.)

And yes, welcome to the forum!

- Keith

 

[Aceman]

Re: Les Paul Suggestions wanted

Based on what you said, I'd go 59n and PGb - That would be a nice paul combo - classic neck, zingy bridge. If you wanted to kick it up a notch, my personal fave (and popular with many) is a PG neck with A Custom Custom bridge. PG is an extremely respected neck pup, and the CC will have the extra juice you may want for the bridge. And at those feedback levels, it shouldn't be too harsh on the high end.