les paul too dark

B

brianhj

New member
Ok this has probably been posted 5,432 times, so I apologize in advance.

I have a new les paul studio guitar. The stock pickups are way, way too dark. I have a vox pathfinder 15r amp, and I've heard they are dark, as well. I really want to brighten things up. As far as amps go, are fenders brighter? I'm considering the Fender princeton recording (since it has a build in power attenuator.. i know that might make my tone suffer, but i'd love to be able to crank the tubes at low volume) or the Epiphone valve jr 5 watt head. What do you think?

I feel like the sound isn't coming through, like it's too muddy... I really want to open it up. (I guess I'm kinda missing my strat..) I know I won't get strat sounds. As far as electronics go, I ordered 2 hovland .022 caps and 4 500k pots to help with the brightness.

Now for the pickups. I play hard rock, classic rock, some heavier stuff, some lighter stuff... and it's hard to describe, but I want the sound to cut through the mud, while retaining the bottom end. I feel like my highs are muddy, if that makes sense. Neck I don't care too much about, as I've found with every guitar it's unplayable no matter what I do (too muddy and dark!) Unless of course you know of a pickup that will bring the neck to life. I play from the bridge 95% of the time. I'm considering JB, Custom, Custom 5, and of course PG. Any suggestions?

Thanks
Brian
 
Re: les paul too dark

Some (all?) Les Paul Studios have 300K volume and tone pots and they allow treble to bleed through to ground even when they are turned to "10" resulting in the dull tone you are describing.

Check and see what your pots are...and change them to 500K if they are 300K or less.

Then consider new pickups if you still need 'em.

If you do, I'd recommend the PGn and Duncan Custom.
 
Re: les paul too dark

you know, i considered a phat cat too, since i love the p90 sound pete townsend used to have, like on live at leeds.
 
Re: les paul too dark

The pots are going to help a lot. If you do change pups I would go with a PG or a JB. The PG really let my LP studio open up. I don't find the highs as shrill as some have and it has plenty of bottom end. Personal taste though, you may have to try a few before you hit the sound your looking for.
 
Re: les paul too dark

pots help more than pickups.

get a lower gain pickup if changing up pots doesn't help.

If that doesn't work... get a fender. Guitar and amp ;)
 
Re: les paul too dark

brianhj said:
lower gain (output?) pickup = more treble response?
Click to expand...

Generally, "yes"...but are you listening to what we're telling you about the volume and tone pots in your guitar? If they are 300K, they may be what's wrong...not the pickups. Lew
 
Last edited:
Re: les paul too dark

Yeah I know, I'm gonna try just replacing the pots first... i just want to get all the info i can, i love this stuff. i have just as much fun modding the damn thing as i do playing it! ha.
 
Re: les paul too dark

brianhj said:
Yeah I know, I'm gonna try just replacing the pots first... i just want to get all the info i can, i love this stuff. i have just as much fun modding the damn thing as i do playing it! ha.
Click to expand...

Yep....that's how it starts...:laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:
 
Re: les paul too dark

Pots first, then pups. And...if you go with a hot treble boosted bridge pup...you may want those 300k pots back. Don't throw them away...
 
Re: les paul too dark

I wouldn't recommend a Phat Cat neck for a dark guitar either. It's overwound, should be about 1,200 turns lighter. Phat Cat bridge would be great though.
 
Re: les paul too dark

brianhj said:
Ok this has probably been posted 5,432 times, so I apologize in advance.

I have a new les paul studio guitar. The stock pickups are way, way too dark. I have a vox pathfinder 15r amp, and I've heard they are dark, as well. I really want to brighten things up. As far as amps go, are fenders brighter? I'm considering the Fender princeton recording (since it has a build in power attenuator.. i know that might make my tone suffer, but i'd love to be able to crank the tubes at low volume) or the Epiphone valve jr 5 watt head. What do you think?

I feel like the sound isn't coming through, like it's too muddy... I really want to open it up. (I guess I'm kinda missing my strat..) I know I won't get strat sounds. As far as electronics go, I ordered 2 hovland .022 caps and 4 500k pots to help with the brightness.

Now for the pickups. I play hard rock, classic rock, some heavier stuff, some lighter stuff... and it's hard to describe, but I want the sound to cut through the mud, while retaining the bottom end. I feel like my highs are muddy, if that makes sense. Neck I don't care too much about, as I've found with every guitar it's unplayable no matter what I do (too muddy and dark!) Unless of course you know of a pickup that will bring the neck to life. I play from the bridge 95% of the time. I'm considering JB, Custom, Custom 5, and of course PG. Any suggestions?

Thanks
Brian
Click to expand...

You my friend are asking for a Jazz bridge and Neck. It will cover the territory you want and it is never muddy. Nice tight bottom also.

500K pots are a great idea too. I think you will really like the Jazz set myself from what you have said.
 
Re: les paul too dark

Wow, thanks for the replies everyone. I looked at the jazz too... so many options! I'm leaning towards custom or jazz or a2p if the pots don't help me get what i'm looking for.

I'm using a vox pathfinder 15r... I want to upgrade to a fender princeton... or epi valve jr... i want all tube, and low wattage! since I rarely have the chance to really crank it.
 
Re: les paul too dark

I'd go pearly gates in both positions on a darker sounding Gibson LP. That will open her up, and better obtain, or retain, a more vintage mojo!
 
Re: les paul too dark

Lake Placid Blues said:
I'd go pearly gates in both positions on a darker sounding Gibson LP. That will open her up, and better obtain, or retain, a more vintage mojo!
Click to expand...

Hard to argue with that! PG's are THE Les Paul pickups, IMO...at least for those who want vintage output and the tone of a great late 50's Les Paul. If you wanted a stronger pickup for the bridge position, I'd say try the Duncan Custom...and PGn neck. Lew
 
Re: les paul too dark

With low output pickups, you get a brighter sound... more of a vintage tone... but does it take more to get a distorted sound? Does it make you rely more on the amp/stompboxes to do the distortion instead?

I guess I'm wondering what the disadvantages are to using a pickup with low/medium ouput and low dc resistance, besides the fact that they tend to offer a brighter sound...

Thanks everyone!
 
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