New pickup help...

Gerr

Gerr

New member
I am in the market for a new set of pickups as the set that came with my 60's Tribute Les Paul are just not hot enough for my needs. While I mainly play 80's rock, ie AC/DC, Van Halen, GnR, Motley Crew, etc, I sometimes will play some blues and 70's classic rock on the lighter side to Metallica on the heavier side and everything in between. My current pickups can do most of that, but struggle on the heavier stuff, so looking for something just a bit hotter.


Before making any recommendations, consider that my amp is a little on the dark side, so brighter pickups might work better. My guitar has a mahogany body/neck with a maple cap, so it's neither dark nor bright, more middle of the road.


I have done some research on the topic and this is the general feeling I get on various pickups...


Neck:

Jazz - Good general use pup, good cleans, but how good is it on the dirty side?

A2P - Good general use pup, good cleans, but how good is it on the dirty side?

Slash A2P - Hotter version of the A2P. Probably better on the dirty side, but can it nail the vintage crunch tones I use at times?

59 - Good PAF style pup, one of the better choices for neck use. But how good are it's cleans?

Pearly Gates - Good PAF style pup, one of the better choices for neck use. But how good are it's cleans?


Bridge:

Slash A2P - While hotter than the standard A2P, can it get to the distortion level I want in the bridge?

59 - While one of the better neck choices, can it get to the distortion level I want in the bridge?

Pearly Gates - While one of the better neck choices, can it get to the distortion level I want in the bridge?

JB - classic sound of the 80's, but some think it's too hot for anything but hard rock and metal.

59/Custom Hybrid - really don't know much about this pup.

Custom - seems like a good choice, but worried that a ceramic magnet might be too hot.

CC - says it's warm and better used in bright guitars, so too warm for my needs?

C5 - one of my leading choices as it seems to have the right balance I need.

Distortion - too hot for my needs?


Without additional info, I am leaning towards one of 3 sets...
59/Custom
PG/C5
Slash Set


So, what would you recommend and why? I am open to just about any combo that would best suit my needs.
 
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Re: New pickup help...

Please explain any recommendations you give as simply saying "JB/Jazz" doesn't tell me why that's a good set what would fit my needs.
 
Re: New pickup help...

I can't speak for Darth, but because of your requirements (blues - 70's - 80's - Metal), the JB/Jazz combination is Seymour's all around recipe for handling that broad a spectrum of music. The description of the PUPs kind of reads like your requirements:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/sets/hot_rodded_humb/

(Note, I have not used this set personally. I don't do shredding/metal, so I'm using Seths Lovers and Pearly/59/PAF type PUPs in my guitars.)
 
Re: New pickup help...

Gerr said:
I am in the market for a new set of pickups as the set that came with my 60's Tribute Les Paul are just not hot enough for my needs. While I mainly play 80's rock, ie AC/DC, Van Halen, GnR, Motley Crew, etc, I sometimes will play some blues and 70's classic rock on the lighter side to Metallica on the heavier side and everything in between. My current pickups can do most of that, but struggle on the heavier stuff, so looking for something just a bit hotter.
Click to expand...
The JB is on the hot side, but cleans up decently depending on the amp (a 6L6 based amp will probably complement the clean side better than solid state or EL34 IMO).
Before making any recommendations, consider that my amp is a little on the dark side, so brighter pickups might work better. My guitar has a mahogany body/neck with a maple cap, so it's neither dark nor bright, more middle of the road.
Click to expand...
The JB is often renowned for being kinda bright, not so much high treble as outstanding upper mids. It should work well with a darker amp and balanced guitar.
I have done some research on the topic and this is the general feeling I get on various pickups...


Neck:

Jazz - Good general use pup, good cleans, but how good is it on the dirty side?

A2P - Good general use pup, good cleans, but how good is it on the dirty side?
Click to expand...
I use an Alnico II Pro in the neck opposite a Duncan Distortion in one guitar and a Dimebucker in another. I think it works really well in a mohogany body guitar, a nice mellow/warm contrast to the Dimebucker. In my guitar with the Duncan Distortion, I have considered upping the neck pickup to an Alnico II Pro Slash for the extra bit of mid punch.
Slash A2P - Hotter version of the A2P. Probably better on the dirty side, but can it nail the vintage crunch tones I use at times?

59 - Good PAF style pup, one of the better choices for neck use. But how good are it's cleans?
Click to expand...
A 59 bridge in the neck position (or even a 59/custom hybrid) actually sounds great if you need a bit of punch without losing the ability to pull PAF type tones.
Pearly Gates - Good PAF style pup, one of the better choices for neck use. But how good are it's cleans?


Bridge:

Slash A2P - While hotter than the standard A2P, can it get to the distortion level I want in the bridge?

59 - While one of the better neck choices, can it get to the distortion level I want in the bridge?

Pearly Gates - While one of the better neck choices, can it get to the distortion level I want in the bridge?

JB - classic sound of the 80's, but some think it's too hot for anything but hard rock and metal.

59/Custom Hybrid - really don't know much about this pup.
Click to expand...
I have heard the 59/custom used as a neck pickup opposite a high output Alternative 8 and was impressed with the overall sound. It was not as bland to my ears as I find the 59n pickup.
Custom - seems like a good choice, but worried that a ceramic magnet might be too hot.

CC - says it's warm and better used in bright guitars, so too warm for my needs?

C5 - one of my leading choices as it seems to have the right balance I need.

Distortion - too hot for my needs?
Click to expand...
I use the Distortion a lot. It is probably my favorite pickup overall. It is crisp but has a nice throaty crunch too. It can clean up fairly well, but if Metallica is the heaviest you ever play, the Distortion might be a touch hot. Overall it is a bit hotter than the JB, which is already a decently high output pickup.
 
Re: New pickup help...

Not sure if this makes a difference or not, but most of my playing in the near future will be AC/DC and most reviews I have read about the JB say it doesn't do AC/DC well. I have heard of people putting an A2 in a JB to tame it some, but not sure I want to go that route. Also might just stick with my current pups for now and hold off on the higher gains stuff until I get better as they do AC/DC well. This post is more of a fact finding thread to see what my options are.
 
Re: New pickup help...

If you want to do AC/DC, stick with your current pickups--you did say your current pickups do that well.

If you aren't happy with just doing AC/DC, then try out a few pickups. SD does have a return policy on trying pickups. If you want something that is lower output than a JB, but higher than your current pickups, maybe the 59/custom hybrid would be more your speed in the bridge.
 
Re: New pickup help...

In that case I prefer Slash Set...no covers.

The Jazz neck is very 80's.
The PG neck is to bassy and too ZZtopish but i do like it in the bridge sometimes.
The JB bridge should be hotter but its good.
The 59 Neck is to rich and vintagey.
The Custom is good in all directions.
C5 is probably what you want if you think your amp is to dark.
 
Re: New pickup help...

Gerr - I think you are asking for too much out of one pickup set.

HAs to be clean, but dirt up, has too be hot, but not too hot. Has to do crunch, but sing - everything.

My personal recommendations are:

#1 Learn to accept compromise in some areas
#2 Get a set of 59's
#3 Run a POD into the Amp and get the sound from the Amp - not the pickups.

Seriously, for "everything" and afraid of too hot I say 59's and a more flexible amp. No pup will make a dark amp feel the high end AC/DC crunch or Metallica.

Alternately, if I'm doing that much AC/DC I get a cheap SG and a set of Pearlies, and then another guitar for everything else
 
Re: New pickup help...

Details on pups I know below


Neck:

Jazz - Good general use pup, good cleans, but how good is it on the dirty side?
- As good as your amp can make it. And articulate.

A2P - Good general use pup, good cleans, but how good is it on the dirty side?
- As good as your amp can make it. See GnR for examples.

Slash A2P - Hotter version of the A2P. Probably better on the dirty side, but can it nail the vintage crunch tones I use at times?
- NOT hotter, just tweeked for Slash. See A2P above.

59 - Good PAF style pup, one of the better choices for neck use. But how good are it's cleans?
- Fantastic if your guitar is not muddy or a neck boomer. My fave cleans of all of these.

Pearly Gates - Good PAF style pup, one of the better choices for neck use. But how good are it's cleans?
- Every listen to Old Billy Gibbons? A more earthy, natural clean IMO, but as clean as you need them. Very cool tapped also.


Bridge:

Slash A2P - While hotter than the standard A2P, can it get to the distortion level I want in the bridge?
- Only if your amp is able to. Any amp today should easily be able to over-gain a popsickle stick with a single wind of wire and a fridge magnet, let alone an A2P

59 - While one of the better neck choices, can it get to the distortion level I want in the bridge?
- See above. What distortion level do you want? Pantera???????

Pearly Gates - While one of the better neck choices, can it get to the distortion level I want in the bridge?
- I don't remember having any difficulty getting AC/DC with ANY pup I've had, let alone Metallica with any amp since 1990....

JB - classic sound of the 80's, but some think it's too hot for anything but hard rock and metal.
- Igmore Blueman. He's a poosey when it comes to high output and anything louder than Tal Farlow. There is a volume knob on that guitar. Use it! I have used hotter (including the X2N) for less and they work fine. Might be a gain knob on the amp too.

59/Custom Hybrid - really don't know much about this pup.
- Me neither, but it might be what you want.

Custom - seems like a good choice, but worried that a ceramic magnet might be too hot.
- If you don't want hot, this is not for you. NOT a goto AC/DC or Metallica pup for me. But I love it a lot.

CC - says it's warm and better used in bright guitars, so too warm for my needs?
- Yes. Too warm. Stay away.

C5 - one of my leading choices as it seems to have the right balance I need.
- Nothing has the balance you want. I say try it. But Not any personal experience. This is the ultra scooped mid pup for the bridge. I'm not feeling it for you or AC/DC

Distortion - too hot for my needs?
- In your imagination, yes. But it WILL get the amp to the distortion level you need. And it WILL do AC/DC AND Metallica. My #1 pup for all things hard rock and metal. Cleans up better than you would think. Great Chicago Blues sting also...


Without additional info, I am leaning towards one of 3 sets...
59/Custom
PG/C5
Slash Set


In all seriousness - these are kinda all over the place. I would recommend a lot more discussion. I still say 59 set and a POD. Or a PG/59.

Work with us Gerr, you are all over the place and your research is a bit...let's say surface level. Tell us more about this amp and your fx. We can get you there!
 
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Re: New pickup help...

Gerr said:
Please explain any recommendations you give as simply saying "JB/Jazz" doesn't tell me why that's a good set what would fit my needs.
Click to expand...

See what beaubrummels says:


beaubrummels said:
I can't speak for Darth, but because of your requirements (blues - 70's - 80's - Metal), the JB/Jazz combination is Seymour's all around recipe for handling that broad a spectrum of music. The description of the PUPs kind of reads like your requirements:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/sets/hot_rodded_humb/

(Note, I have not used this set personally. I don't do shredding/metal, so I'm using Seths Lovers and Pearly/59/PAF type PUPs in my guitars.)
Click to expand...

Additionally, the more you over think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the sink...which I can be guilty of myself when I try to get my head wrapped around too many options with all the specs and so forth. in all honestly, the '59 or the Jazz would be fine in the neck...the '59 has a smidge more grind and the Jazz has a smidge more clean and both are fine when split. If the '59 seems a bit woofy I'm the lows on dirty tones, maybe the WLHn.

Now if I'm done explaining the awesomeness of my rationale, I have to get back chasing down a few rebellious kids that hang out with a giant Sasquatch and a fussy gold robot...I swear I'm going to lop off someone's hand.




Sent from my armored space station using Tapatalk on iPad
 
Re: New pickup help...

I would love to have more than one guitar, but I threw all my money into one really good guitar and amp and the wife would kill me if I got another one. I just want this one guitar to be a little more versatile than it is. All I want is a set similar to the BB1/2 I currently have, but just a little hotter so it can do the heavier stuff just a tad better, but not lose much if any of the ability on the other side. Not looking for a set that can go from perfect cleans to death metal, I would say from 70's classic rock to Metallica with it's best sound being 80's rock. I don't do any other metal than Metallica, and if I had to buy a pedal for that, I can.

I did more research on that 59/Custom Hybrid and it does sound like what I want in the bridge, so starting to lean towards it. Just not sure what I could pair it with in the Neck to give me the most tonal range. Jazz? 59? AP2? PG? I know the 59/Custom Hybrid has an A5 magnet, so do I need to match a neck with the same magnet, or is a pup with an A2 ok as I really like the PGn?
 
Re: New pickup help...

Gerr said:
59 - Good PAF style pup, one of the better choices for neck use. But how good are it's cleans?

Distortion - too hot for my needs?
Click to expand...

The only pickups that I have any experience with are these. I like them, but the DD is waaaaaay too hot for your needs. If you are willing to spend a little more, I would say a 78 model would do you well. It's designed to be EVH's pickup when he was using SDs. That in the bridge of your guitar could do very well with a 59 in the neck (it's cleans are awesome).
 
Re: New pickup help...

I like 59s for classic rock, alternative, blues, and do'n my thing.
I'm thinking about trying some Whole Lotta Hunbuckers.
I use the JB also. I find it versatile but If I was going to point to a player and say "that's the sound of the JB" in would not be Angus.... It would be Steve Stevens.
If you do mostly 80s rock I would say JB & 59 or Custom & 59

Neck:

Jazz - good cleans, articulate singing lead tone. nothing like most folks would consider a "Jazz sound"

A2P - haven't tried, but sounds good to me on records

Slash A2P - haven't tried

59 - Good PAF style pup, one of the better choices for neck use. But how good are it's cleans? the cleans are OK, more full & woody than the JAZZ. luv it with overdive and the 59neck and bridge together have a nice sparkle.

Pearly Gates - haven't tried


Bridge:

Slash A2P - haven't tried

59 - I like it. at first switching from a JB I thought the 59 did not have enough power but the feeling that I'm really hearing the wood in the guitar more than the electronics has grown on me. 59 can AC/DC, ZZtop, blues, classic rock, alternative. metal??? so so... 59b wouldn't be my first choice for mostly metal.

Pearly Gates - haven't tried, Rev BG sounds good to me

JB - I like it, very versatile for me with volume and dynamics, super sustain lead tone, but it sounds like a JB not classic PAF.

59/Custom Hybrid - haven't tried, all the clips I've heard sound fuzzy buzzy to me, but lots of folks around here say it's great.

Custom - tight, good 70s rock to metal, still taste a bit PAF but maybe not enough wood flavor for AC/DC, killer rock tone. cleans not great for me.

CC - haven't tried

C5 - the honeymoon was over very fast for me with this pickup. I felt this had an OK 90s Rock big power chord sound "think creed :eek13:" but the lead tone was flat and the whole sound lacked harmonics & zazZ, clean was sort of lumpy.

Distortion - haven't tried
 
Re: New pickup help...

Assuming you have a modern style amp with plenty of gain on tap, I would go with a demon/jazz combo. A friend of mine has been using Demons in the bridge of his guitars for 20 years or so and covers the same stuff you are talking about. The Jazz should pair well in the neck with the Demon.
 
Re: New pickup help...

Hmm, had not considered the Demon. The DC Resistance is 10K, which places it closer to the 8K of most vintage/PAF pups and it's even less than the 59/Custom Hybrid I am considering. Will have to research it as I don't know much about it.

And yes, I have a good amp, a Blackstar 5W tube combo(HT-5C) and have a good Tube Overdrive pedal on the front of it, Hardwire CM-2.
 
Re: New pickup help...

Don't know if I missed something or just don't know my Gibsons but according to your sig you have a LP 60's tribute. Doesn't that have P-90's? If that's the case you'll either have to get out the router to use a standard humbucker like what's been mentioned or go for a hotter P-90 http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/specialized/p90/ You did mention the BB1/2 which I assume is the Burstbuckers. Now I'm real confused.

Back on humbuckers I agree with the Custom or Demon. I think both would cover as much stuff as you would need.
 
Re: New pickup help...

The 50's Tribute has the P-90's, the 60's Tribute has the BB1/2 pups. And this is for the new 2013 models as it was likely different in previous year models.
 
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