Neck Pup Replacement to match new Duncan Custom bridge pup for LP

M

musicman67

New member
So I have a 490R in the neck now. My LP is in the shop now having a Duncan Custom put in, in lieu of the Burstbucker Pro. I actually really like the BP pro a lot. I own a new DC pup though and the shop owner won't charge me to put the original back in if I don't like it so what the heck.

Anyway I don't know a thing about neck pick-ups...at all. I have only recently even started using the neck positions. I like rock. Everything from AC/DC to Zakk Wylde and Cantrell.

If anyone knows of a good match for the Duncan Custom on a new LP I would greatly appreciate some advice.


Thanks,

Tony
 
Re: Neck Pup Replacement to match new Duncan Custom bridge pup for LP

The problem with not knowing is we don't know what you mean by "match" Output? Tone curve? Quality?


That said, hard to argue with a Pearly Gates in an LP neck. I have had PG/Custom combo and it is pretty awesome all around.

59 isn't a bad choice either. More of a tone match if the LP isn't boomy/muddy/too dark.
 
Re: Neck Pup Replacement to match new Duncan Custom bridge pup for LP

Thanks for the replies. Aceman, by match I just meant 2 pickups that sound good together/work well together. I am more of a bassist so the finer points of these things are a little greek to me. You helped me make an informed purchase on my Duncan Custom and it worked out well...thanks again. I was looking at a 59 for the bridge at one point but maybe the neck is a good idea. I'll check it out.

Much Thanks,

Tony
 
Re: Neck Pup Replacement to match new Duncan Custom bridge pup for LP

PG, A2Pro, '59, Jazz, Screamin' Demon. Plenty. What don't you like from 490R? I myself have Custom - Demon in my LP.
 
Re: Neck Pup Replacement to match new Duncan Custom bridge pup for LP

Some good suggestions from elelpe.

But I think the best suggestion would be to leave the 490R in it for now and play it for a couple weeks to see how it sounds to you. If, at that point, you have some specific issues with the sound, let us know exactly what you would like to change and we will give you some suggestions to help.
 
Re: Neck Pup Replacement to match new Duncan Custom bridge pup for LP

I use a custom bridge and a jazz neck in one of my les paul and I must say I'm very, very happy with this combo.
 
Re: Neck Pup Replacement to match new Duncan Custom bridge pup for LP

The 490r isn't horrible at all. I thought of replacing it for matching purposes. My LP is honeyburst with ALL black accessories/trim except the cream/black neck pickup. So having 2 Seymour Duncans in black is what I thought would look and sound awesome. Its not like I haven't had mismatched pickups before, but this LP (in my opinion) will look sick with all black. Its a Studio Deluxe II so it doesn't have the cream binding. Another reason for the black.

What a great groups of people in this forum. Thanks to all who have chimed in to help. All your information is important to me and is greatly appreciated.

Tony
 
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Re: Neck Pup Replacement to match new Duncan Custom bridge pup for LP

Ive run a custom in my les paul for years. Im into modding pickups but wont get off on a tangent on that. Sounds like you just want to drop a pickup in and go. Jazz sounds great with the custom especially when using both pickups. 59 does too but it can be boomy and bassy in a les paul. mag swap will fix that. (a4 or a2 will do the trick). A2p would sound nice as well. Currently ive got the custom in my bridge but i swapped the mag from the regular sized ceramic mag to the double thick ceramic that was in a duncan distortion. and my neck pickup is a 59/jazz hybrid. Perfect combo for me. If you want to go gibson route, the burstbucker 1 is a fantastic neck pickup.
 
Re: Neck Pup Replacement to match new Duncan Custom bridge pup for LP

More great information- Definitely between the 59' and the Jazz. I'm not doing mods or anything so maybe now I'm leaning toward the Jazz.?. I don't want boomy or too bassy. That is what I don't like about the Gibson 490R..well that and its muddy. Just got the LP back an hour ago and the Duncan Custom just kicks butt!!
 
Re: Neck Pup Replacement to match new Duncan Custom bridge pup for LP

Whole lotta humbucker, it's brighter for a neck pickup, it has great mids, very evenly voiced and not too much bass in a les paul
 
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