Les Paul Upgrade - Which Pickups??

[Streetsleeper]

Hi there, this is my first post... so be gentle.........

I'm upgrading my 57 Reissue Les Paul Goldtop. My plan was to go for the Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro's in neck and bridge positions (Like the Slash signature Les Paul) but having looked at the website maybe I should go for something like the JB in the bridge??

Any thoughts??

I play in a 3 piece band, similar to bands like.... Muse, Foo Fighters, QOTSA, that kind of thing...

Thanks guys!

Jonny

 

[gripweed]

Re: Les Paul Upgrade - Which Pickups??

What kind of amp? Do you downtune at all?

 

[Streetsleeper]

Re: Les Paul Upgrade - Which Pickups??

I use a Marshall 30th Anniversary half stack. Thats the 6100 model

http://www.marshallamps.com/heritage/anniversary/30_anniversary.asp

And yeah we downtune a semitone.

Thanks!

 

[SongRider]

Re: Les Paul Upgrade - Which Pickups??

I tried the Sh-4 Jb in My 1981 Les Paul standard and didnt like it at all. was to thin and shrill sounding. I went to the C-5 in the bridge and an aph1n in the neck and it is absolute heaven for me.

I am fixing to try a custom custom nickel in the rear of my 2002 Les Paul standard and see what that does in there.

It amazes me how different each Duncan pickup sounds in assorted guitars. I sold the sh-4 to my buddy who loaded it into a Ibanez 540 or something like that and its full and thick in there.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Les Paul Upgrade - Which Pickups??

What don't you like about the stock pu's? That would help us zero in tighter.

 

[gripweed]

Re: Les Paul Upgrade - Which Pickups??

I would guess a Custom bridge, Pearly gates neck. A Custom 5 bridge and '59 or Jazz neck might be a nice combo for that style of music too. Some players perceive a mid-scoop with the C5. I don't think that would be a problem with a Paul, as it has plenty of mids anyway.

BTW, went to your myspace site. Great clip that I listened to!

 

[Streetsleeper]

Re: Les Paul Upgrade - Which Pickups??

Thanks guys,

The stock pickups to my ears lack clarity, especially when I'm playing through distortion. Also there is sometimes too much of a "honk" on some amp settings.

I have ordered the Alnico 2 Pro's already, but I can easily change them. How do you guys think they would sound?? Kind of Slash like I guess which isn't a bad thing....

 

[34029324079]

Re: Les Paul Upgrade - Which Pickups??

www.myspace.com/streetsleeper

sounds pretty sweet!

 

[Streetsleeper]

Re: Les Paul Upgrade - Which Pickups??

The Alnico 2 Pro's seem to be more expensive than the JB, Custim, Pearly Gates, etc, etc, so I guess they must be pretty good!

 

[Streetsleeper]

Re: Les Paul Upgrade - Which Pickups??

ok, the pickups have arived, so if anyone has any last minute comments on my decision to put in Alnico 2 Pro's in neck and bridge position make them quickly while I can still change them!

So question 2...... How easy are they to install? I've never touched my guitar's electronics before (I've never needed to) but I like to think I'm not totally stupid or useless with a soldering iron.

Thanks!

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Les Paul Upgrade - Which Pickups??

ok, the pickups have arived, so if anyone has any last minute comments on my decision to put in Alnico 2 Pro's in neck and bridge position make them quickly while I can still change them!

So question 2...... How easy are they to install? I've never touched my guitar's electronics before (I've never needed to) but I like to think I'm not totally stupid or useless with a soldering iron.

Thanks!

You've already got the pups? Then go for it bro!

If you can use an iron and a screw driver you can install a pup.

To me the hardest part is attaching the pup to the ring. Stupid little springs!!

The A2P has a bell like top end and has lots of clarity under gain. The only thing that gives me pause is that you thought the Burstbuckers were a bit honky, so I am afraid you might think the same thing about the A2P.

Regardless you have the SD exchange policy on your side so I say GET TO SOLDERING!

Luke