New pups for DBZ Bolero or just get a Les Paul

[rooted in the blues]

Hey Everyone

I have decided to change the pups in my 2012 DBZ Bolero. It currently has Diamond pups in it (Stock) I think they are alnico 5, but have not been able to confirm.
It sounds ok, but not totally satisfied with it. Doesn't quite have that true LP crunch.
Been looking alnico 2 pups. Alnico 2 pro, pearly gates, seth lovers.......
Was also thinking maybe changing the cap (orange drop, maybe .47?) would help too?

Here's my question, has anyone changed pups in a DBZ Bolero here?
Were you able to get that LP crunch?
If so, what pups did you use?

Or am I better off just finding a Gibson/EPI LP and trading for it?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: New pups for DBZ Bolero or just get a Les Paul

.022 caps for sure.. I don't like .047s in humbucker guitars.
What kinda crunch are you looking for? Like what guitarist tones to you like?
I'll help you the best I can.. If it's mahogany with a mahogany neck and rosewood I will try to get you as Les Paul sounding as I can, I should be able to get pretty close.. Is it 2 volumes and 2 tones with a 3 way or what's the control and switching layout?
I'm not really familiar with these but I have seen them before..

 

[blueman335]

Re: New pups for DBZ Bolero or just get a Les Paul

An LP with Seth's or A2P's is hard to beat.

 

[orpheo]

Re: New pups for DBZ Bolero or just get a Les Paul

I love the Seths. I'd get them over the alnico 2 pro, for sure. I love the slash sig alnico 2 pro, though. those are slightly nastier than the regular version. More my thing.

I'd love to suggest the Whole Lotta Humbucker, but the seth is imho a better pickup.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: New pups for DBZ Bolero or just get a Les Paul

Lots of good options thus far.. Let us know what tones you like, music style, etc and we can help more. As far as getting a LP.. Well, first, only I Les Paul is going to be a Les Paul, BUT... Your Bolero is basically DBZ's version of it and should get you REALLY close. I had a Dean Soltero at one time and could get all the LP tones I needed. So if you like the way the guitar plays and all, pickups should do the trick..

 

[Aceman]

Re: New pups for DBZ Bolero or just get a Les Paul

An LP with Seth's or A2P's is hard to beat.

For "crunch" ??? seths and A2P's are EASY to beat!

 

[Aceman]

Re: New pups for DBZ Bolero or just get a Les Paul

There are practically no differences between a DBZ Bolero and a Les Paul. At least conceptually…

And there is no such thing as "that Les Paul Crunch" A Les Paul is a warm guitar (Mahogany / 23 3/4 scale) with a bright top (Maple Cap) and some punchy mids (??? Just because, don't know why).

And Pickups vary quite a bit in Les PAuls over the years. PAF's of varying styles (and magnets!), T-tops (hardly crunchy) to 490, 496, 498, and the mighty 500t*, to the BB1, 2, 3, Pro's and 57's etc….Need to know just what Les Paul you mean.

A 70's Norlin with a Maple neck is likely crunchier than any of them.

But before we go further down any of those rabbit holes….


What amp and FX are we using? And what settings?

*Which by the way, is essentially Gibson's version of the Duncan Distortion - and will KICK THE @$$ of the A2P or Seth in the crunch department. A2P is like overcooked Macaroni. The Distortion crunches like a fat girl falling onto a mattress stuffed with Fritos.

 

[larryguitar]

Re: New pups for DBZ Bolero or just get a Les Paul

There are practically no differences between a DBZ Bolero and a Les Paul. At least conceptually…

And there is no such thing as "that Les Paul Crunch" A Les Paul is a warm guitar (Mahogany / 23 3/4 scale) with a bright top (Maple Cap) and some punchy mids (??? Just because, don't know why).

And Pickups vary quite a bit in Les PAuls over the years. PAF's of varying styles (and magnets!), T-tops (hardly crunchy) to 490, 496, 498, and the mighty 500t*, to the BB1, 2, 3, Pro's and 57's etc….Need to know just what Les Paul you mean.

A 70's Norlin with a Maple neck is likely crunchier than any of them.

But before we go further down any of those rabbit holes….


What amp and FX are we using? And what settings?

*Which by the way, is essentially Gibson's version of the Duncan Distortion - and will KICK THE @$$ of the A2P or Seth in the crunch department. A2P is like overcooked Macaroni. The Distortion crunches like a fat girl falling onto a mattress stuffed with Fritos.

I need to go wash my head out with soap.....


Larry

 

[blueman335]

Re: New pups for DBZ Bolero or just get a Les Paul

For "crunch" ??? seths and A2P's are EASY to beat!

Judging by the guys forum name 'Rooted in the Blues', a set of good PAF's would seem to the way to go, as that's what the Brit greats used for their famous crunch.

 

[Aceman]

Re: New pups for DBZ Bolero or just get a Les Paul

Meaning they used basically Seths or 59's

But what they DID use were Marshalls 45's, AC15's etc pushed to the brink of destruction. Thus I asked about the amp.

 

[audiocheck]

Re: New pups for DBZ Bolero or just get a Les Paul

There are practically no differences between a DBZ Bolero and a Les Paul. At least conceptually…

And there is no such thing as "that Les Paul Crunch" A Les Paul is a warm guitar (Mahogany / 23 3/4 scale) with a bright top (Maple Cap) and some punchy mids (??? Just because, don't know why).

And Pickups vary quite a bit in Les PAuls over the years. PAF's of varying styles (and magnets!), T-tops (hardly crunchy) to 490, 496, 498, and the mighty 500t*, to the BB1, 2, 3, Pro's and 57's etc….Need to know just what Les Paul you mean.

A 70's Norlin with a Maple neck is likely crunchier than any of them.

But before we go further down any of those rabbit holes….


What amp and FX are we using? And what settings?

*Which by the way, is essentially Gibson's version of the Duncan Distortion - and will KICK THE @$$ of the A2P or Seth in the crunch department. A2P is like overcooked Macaroni. The Distortion crunches like a fat girl falling onto a mattress stuffed with Fritos.

Ok, he probably is not referring to a particular LP, but rather an iconic tone that screams LP. So my most inexpensive suggestion would be a 59b and a PGn. To me these are the most iconic LP pickup tones in each position. When I think LP tone I think Warren Haynes, Dicky Betts, Duanne Allman and BFG. If those are not your idea of iconic LP tone, please specify.

Oh, I should mention too that IMHO there has not been a Gibson pickup, manufactured past 1960, that has been an iconic LP sounding pickup. I have stripped all my Gibson pickups out of my LPs in favor of Duncans. I know that may hurt some feelings, but I am being honest in my opinion.

 

[blueman335]

Re: New pups for DBZ Bolero or just get a Les Paul

- my most inexpensive suggestion would be a 59b and a PGn. To me these are the most iconic LP pickup tones in each position.

- When I think LP tone I think Warren Haynes, Dicky Betts, Duanne Allman and BFG.

- PG's are not an 'inexpensive' PU. A number of members have commented on how bright and scooped '59B's are. There are other PAF's the OP may prefer.

- Then again, for 'iconic LP tones' a lot of people think of Page, Green, early Clapton, early Beck, & Mike Bloomfield. I wonder what direction the OP is heading?

 

[audiocheck]

Re: New pups for DBZ Bolero or just get a Les Paul

- PG's are not an 'inexpensive' PU. A number of members have commented on how bright and scooped '59B's are. There are other PAF's the OP may prefer.

- Then again, for 'iconic LP tones' a lot of people think of Page, Green, early Clapton, early Beck, & Mike Bloomfield. I wonder what direction the OP is heading?

Peter green and Bloomfield maybe for iconic LP tones

But those other cats do not scream LP tone for me. For all of them have spent the bulk of their careers on Fenders! Those players tones are not rooted in LPs. In fact Pages LP was so modified, it very rarely sounds like a LP. Clapton and Beck are you talking Yardbirds? I never thought, man that's an awesome LP tone from any of those recordings.

 

[blueman335]

Re: New pups for DBZ Bolero or just get a Les Paul

But those other cats do not scream LP tone for me. For all of them have spent the bulk of their careers on Fenders! Those players tones are not rooted in LPs. In fact Pages LP was so modified, it very rarely sounds like a LP. Clapton and Beck are you talking Yardbirds? I never thought, man that's an awesome LP tone from any of those recordings.

That's you. The OP may be like many others and have different LP player in mind. We need to hear from him.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: New pups for DBZ Bolero or just get a Les Paul

BTW.. Aceman, your fat girl falling onto a mattress stuffed with fritos busted me up!!

 

[Mincer]

Re: New pups for DBZ Bolero or just get a Les Paul

A set of Seths, and you'd be set. For a more modern sound (with a lil extra output, more early classic rock than blues), a Whole Lotta Humbucker set would be my choice.