I have an ‘06 Gibson Les Paul Studio Vintage Mahagony. Igor those who are unfamiliar, it’s all mahogany with no maple cap. It came with Burstbucker Pros and for a while I’ve had a Hotrodded Humbucker set in it. Both sound harsh. When I turn down the tone, it sounds muddy. I’m looking for a set that will be clear and smooth. I was thinking maybe a custom shop set of Eclairs based on the description, but I can’t find any good recordings of them. Thoughts? Suggestions?
Les Paul Vintage Mahogany
- Thread starter Nero
- Start date
beaubrummels
Well-known member
I'd put a Jazz set or Pearly Gates set in all mahogany.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
A Seth Lover set is similar output to Burstbucker Pros, but has slightly boosted mids in comparison and a little less high end. They can squeal if you play higher gain stuff at high volumes because they're unpotted.
You mention things getting too muddy when turning down the tone knob though. What value capacitors are you using in your tone control? A smaller value cap can help make the tone knob much more usable through it's range . . . try something like a .022 for the neck and a .015 or even .01 for the bridge.
You mention things getting too muddy when turning down the tone knob though. What value capacitors are you using in your tone control? A smaller value cap can help make the tone knob much more usable through it's range . . . try something like a .022 for the neck and a .015 or even .01 for the bridge.
do you want vintage output or something with more push? vintage output, id try an aph1 set. hotter, id go for a aph1 neck, cc bridge. smooth and clear.
as far as losing clarity as you turn down the tone, check the cap value like stv said. i dont know if id go as small as .01 since thats a pretty subtle roll off but .02 or .015 are good values. im guessing you have a .047 in there now
as far as losing clarity as you turn down the tone, check the cap value like stv said. i dont know if id go as small as .01 since thats a pretty subtle roll off but .02 or .015 are good values. im guessing you have a .047 in there now
I do like having a little more push out of my bridge. I used a JB for years. I play a fair mix of low gain and high gain with different groups. I changed out the bridge cap years ago for something else, and I’m wondering if I may have had some hair-brained idea at the time to use s larger value to tone it down. I’ll check. It looks like most are suggesting something with an AlNiCo 2 magnet. I’ll probably go in that direction. I appreciate all the feedback. Keep it coming.
chadd
New member
If you still have the BBPros, throw A2 magnets in them. That will turn them into BB1&2 and give you a better idea if A2 pickups will work for you.
Update: I lack the patience to wait for delivery, and I was unable to find a Seth Lover or Antiquity in stock at my local dealer. However, they had an APH-1. I installed it along with the JB I had. I converted the 50s wiring to modern wiring with .022uf orange drops as advised here, and I couldn’t be happier. The wife came downstairs to compliment the tone of the old beast.
misterwhizzy
Well-known member
I'd suggest trying an A2 in the JB first, and if that doesn't work to your liking, step down to a Custom Custom. I have a Les Paul Studio from 2006 that does have the maple cap, and Custom Custom sounds like it was made for it.
Wound_Up
New member
Try Amazon next time. I can usually get packages within 48 hours of ordering from there. Much better than the 7-10 days it takes using anyone else.
JamesPaul
Well-known member
I used to own one, but sold it to a kid in the neighborhood. I got mine from a forum Bro here. Gibson went bright on the pups. Maybe to bright? The previous owner even went with a treble tamer package. Just darken it down a bit. It will be fine. I occasionally jam with the kid and he kicks my arse most days.
alex1fly
Well-known member
A bit off topic, but good to support small businesses when you can. Amazon's convenience comes at a price. I get not wanting to wait, though.
Wound_Up
New member
I do when it's available. The bad thing is that lately, nothing I've needed has been available except strings. Couldn't find a Switchcraft LP-style 3-way switch, a creme tip, a set of creme humbucker rings, etc...all at different times. And after wasting time and gas to drive to both of the local places, one being Guitar Center and the other said to be one of the oldest music shops in Louisiana, and never finding anything, I've started buying online instead. Ironically, when I went in the old music store, most of the stock of those kinds of parts that they did have looked like it was 5 or 10 years old in ratty, beat up packaging covered in 2mm of dust.
Believe me, I try to support the real local place as much as I can and I only use GC as a last result because a family friend used to have a music shop here for decades. Then GC came and they had to close for lack of business. What used to be their customer base became GC's.
