I have an early Les Paul Classic, gorgeous guitar, great neck, really like it....but the sound is pretty bright....I've tried BKP Mules, SD 59's and JB's....and it just stays bright, I have a few of these, so I know it's probably partially the wood tone....I've never tried fat cat P90's or P Rails before....I was just thinking if I can't get it done with Buckers, I do like P90's....think that might add some lower end growl to it? If I can't figure it out, she's going up for sale, which would be a shame. Running a modded Blackstar HT60 and a Splawn Quickrod btw.
Need Help Dialing a Les Paul in.....looking at possibly Phat Cats or P Rails
- Thread starter BlueMagic
- Start date
Welcome to the forum!
Phat Cats can still sound pretty bright. P-Rails might be a good choice, but there are certain settings (of used with Triple Shots) which might make your problem worse. I might look at a set of Alnico II Pros, which sound like 2 sticks of butter. Not bright at all.
Phat Cats can still sound pretty bright. P-Rails might be a good choice, but there are certain settings (of used with Triple Shots) which might make your problem worse. I might look at a set of Alnico II Pros, which sound like 2 sticks of butter. Not bright at all.
LRS
New member
LP Classic 1960 owner here. Got one with the snot green inlays. I swapped the original pickups for a pair of Gibson Classic ‘57 (+). Some people consider these to be dark and lifeless due to combination of wax potting, even wound coils and Alnico II magnets; but I found these to be a perfect match with my LP Classic for old school LP sounds. I left the wiring harness stock, just a pickup swap.
hamerfan
Well-known member
'99 LP Classic Owner here. My classic is an oddball among my 3 other LPs. It's bright but compared to the others it lacks growl and a fundamental tone. If you cut the highs, you get a more dull/lifeless than warm tone. In my book it's the skinny lightwheight neck combined with a heavy body (over 10 lb).
Some folks suggested to add a brass stoptail piece with steel studs and heavier tuners like Grovers.
Some folks suggested to add a brass stoptail piece with steel studs and heavier tuners like Grovers.
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Is there a specific model you would recommend?
Ok, so you were recommending the Alnico 2 Pro I take it....I also see that the Pearly Gates is an Alnico II.....I have those in another Les Paul and they are quite nice....Is there a huge tonal difference between the two?
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Basically what Mincer said. I hear a little more grind in the high/high mids of the PG's that I don't hear in the APH. I also hear a little less low end in the PG. The APHn is pretty creamy in comparison.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
+1 on a 250K volume pot. You can clip a 470K resistor between the outside lugs of the stock 500K pot to try it out.
250K doesn't simply dampen treble, it actually alters a pickup's overall character slightly, lowering the resonant peak.
Usually gives better cleanup when you roll back, too, an often overlooked benefit.
As for pickups, I wouldn't choose the PG bridge for a bright thin-sounding LP.
If you're modding, you might try an A6 magnet in your 59B or the Mule bridge.
Myself, I'd be tempted to consider the CustomCustom for a guitar like that.
250K doesn't simply dampen treble, it actually alters a pickup's overall character slightly, lowering the resonant peak.
Usually gives better cleanup when you roll back, too, an often overlooked benefit.
As for pickups, I wouldn't choose the PG bridge for a bright thin-sounding LP.
If you're modding, you might try an A6 magnet in your 59B or the Mule bridge.
Myself, I'd be tempted to consider the CustomCustom for a guitar like that.
BluesMan335
New member
I prefer warm, full tones...for me A2P & WLH work well for that. A great bridge pickup with high output is a Custom with an A8 magnet, aka Custom 8, C8.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Another vote for the WLH set. Here is a review I wrote up on them
http://www.tmrzoo.com/2014/63700/review-seymour-duncan-whole-lotta-humbucker-im-gonna-give-love
ThreeChordWonder
New member
Tried P-Rails in my SG. Didn't like them. Just didn't sound right in my highly technical explanation. I Went back to a 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and a Jazz neck.
Explorer84
Active member
I'd have to second the suggestion of installing a set of '57 Classics. They're great pickups.
Gtrjunior
New member
I’m a LP into a Quickrod owner too.
I’ve got a Duncan Custom Custom in the bridge and a Dimarzio Bluesbucker in the neck.
I removed the stock pcb board and wired it up with Gibson branded 500k pots and it sounds amazing. I don’t find it bright at all.
But keep in mind that the QR, at least to my ears is an inherently bright(er) amp too.
I’ve got a Duncan Custom Custom in the bridge and a Dimarzio Bluesbucker in the neck.
I removed the stock pcb board and wired it up with Gibson branded 500k pots and it sounds amazing. I don’t find it bright at all.
But keep in mind that the QR, at least to my ears is an inherently bright(er) amp too.
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