Looking for a neck pickup for an Epiphone Les Paul

[blueman335]

Re: Looking for a neck pickup for an Epiphone Les Paul

For a six month period I looked at the posts where members said '59N's were bassy/boomy in their guitars. All but one was in an LP. If you don't want a lot of low end, '59N's aren't the way to go. They certainly sound like a Strat neck.

 

[beaubrummels]

Looking for a neck pickup for an Epiphone Les Paul

My choices for necks with a Custom in a Les Paul are:

Jazz
496R
Black Winter
Pearly Gates

Other options like Full Shred and Sentient etc. I do not have experience with.

Also, FWIW, just this morning I put hex heads in a 59 neck and it immediately sweetened up in an interesting way, at least with heavy distortion. Nice and even, by comparison it lowered a high mid/low treble spike the 59 had that is either chimey or peaky (depending on amp and level of distortion) with filisters. Clean it sounded darker and missing a little bass, certainly not boomy. Reminded me of my Whole Lotta Humbuckers but not quite as detailed as they are. But it was very sweet with heavy distortion. Sounded like a produced recording.

 

[357mag]

Re: Looking for a neck pickup for an Epiphone Les Paul

I hated the Jazz. It's way too clean. So far the '59 sounds fairly good. Because I love Malmsteen and I've always loved the fluid neck tone of a Strat, which would get me closer: The Pearly Gates or the Sentient?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Looking for a neck pickup for an Epiphone Les Paul

I actually don't think it is possible with either, as either is just as far away from the neck tone of a Strat. It might be closer split or parallel, however.

 

[357mag]

Re: Looking for a neck pickup for an Epiphone Les Paul

I actually don't think it is possible with either, as either is just as far away from the neck tone of a Strat. It might be closer split or parallel, however.

I don't agree. My last Les Paul got a Malmsteen like tone with the neck pickup. If you use the correct presets and amps and effects you can get a tone which is reminiscent of his. I can't remember what I used though in the neck.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Looking for a neck pickup for an Epiphone Les Paul

I'd love to hear something if you have a clip. I am all for changing my opinion; I love that tone.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Looking for a neck pickup for an Epiphone Les Paul

Personally I like the 59N in Les Pauls - only once have I found it too boomy for a particular guitar (I think it's more of an issue for guys who play with a lot of gain). But if you want a brightish humbucker with a more modern attack, the Jazz is probably a better choice in this case.

Neither really sounds like Strat neck tone, though - that's a very particular kind of sound. If you really want Strat neck tone:
https://www.guitarfetish.com/assets/images/SS_C.jpg

And even with an actual Strat pickup, in a Les Paul it'll be a bit different. It's the nature of the beast.

.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Looking for a neck pickup for an Epiphone Les Paul

I wonder if the custom shop would make a stag mag neck model? If you dream it they build it, right?

 

[Condemnedsoul]

Re: Looking for a neck pickup for an Epiphone Les Paul

"I don't agree. My last Les Paul got a Malmsteen like tone with the neck pickup. If you use the correct presets and amps and effects you can get a tone which is reminiscent of his. I can't remember what I used though in the neck."

Put a 36 Anniversary in the neck of the Epiphone [ previous suggestions: Jazz, 496, Black Winter, Sentient, PG, maybe a 36 Anniversary or a WLH ] and the the Epiphone be a LP.

Unless Malmsteen has swapped out equipment, I thought he uses a Strat. So wouldn't getting a Strat be a great place to start?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Looking for a neck pickup for an Epiphone Les Paul

I wonder if the custom shop would make a stag mag neck model? If you dream it they build it, right?

They will. Contact them.

 

[357mag]

Re: Looking for a neck pickup for an Epiphone Les Paul

"I don't agree. My last Les Paul got a Malmsteen like tone with the neck pickup. If you use the correct presets and amps and effects you can get a tone which is reminiscent of his. I can't remember what I used though in the neck."

Put a 36 Anniversary in the neck of the Epiphone [ previous suggestions: Jazz, 496, Black Winter, Sentient, PG, maybe a 36 Anniversary or a WLH ] and the the Epiphone be a LP.

Unless Malmsteen has swapped out equipment, I thought he uses a Strat. So wouldn't getting a Strat be a great place to start?

Most of my life I have in fact used Stratocasters. But I moved away from them because they are in fact more difficult to bend on and the sound is more thin. Les Pauls are way easier to play and the sound is perfect for heavy metal.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Looking for a neck pickup for an Epiphone Les Paul

I've always loved the fluid neck tone of a Strat, which would get me closer: The Pearly Gates

Going the wrong direction. Too warm for me, and I'm a LP/HB guy.

 

[Supernut]

Re: Looking for a neck pickup for an Epiphone Les Paul

Pearly Gates is the only option. Ok, maybe there are a couple of others. I just know I have the Pearly Gates in the neck and SH-11 in the bridge and I love it. It gives me exactly what you described you were looking for. I do have a push/pull pot for coil split on it though.