New to pickups - need advice/help

[timserving]

Hey guys

I've been playing guitar for a while, but this is the first time I am buying pickups for my guitar.

I play an Epiphone Les Paul Standard and I am into alternative/modern rock.

Guitarist/bands that I like are Third Eye Blind, Our Lady Peace, Tonic, Goo Goo Dolls, Incubus, etc.

Can you reccommend any pickups for me - I have no clue there are so many!

Thanks

Tim

PS. I am mainly a strong rythym guitarist but do pick and do other things too.

 

[timserving]

Re: New to pickups - need advice/help

please help! any suggestions would be great!

 

[aldu74]

Re: New to pickups - need advice/help

Welcome to the forum. Since I'm not familiar with some of those bands, before I suggest anything I have 2 questions for you:

1) What would you like to change about your guitar tone? For example: More gain? Clarity? Bass? Mids? Highs? More modern? More vintage? etc.

2) What amp do you play through?

 

[timserving]

Re: New to pickups - need advice/help

I play through a Fender Deluxe 112 amp. Often when I gig I will play through other amps like a Marshall stack, but the Fender is the one I own.

I just simply want to improve the sound of my guitar. I mean to me my sound already sounds pretty good, but I hear it will do good things to add some pickups.

I like to rock out and play a fat distortion! I have a Marshall Jackhammer pedal, Dimebad Darrel wah and DD-20 gigdelay.

I guess I want my sound to be more modern lke bands such as Yellowcard, Green Day, Jimmy Eat World, etc.

I am from South Africa. Our industry is very small compared to the US. We don't have as much access to equipment that you guys do.

Thanks. Hope this helps.

PS. The reason I posted here was because I tried looking on the Seymour Duncan website and I tried out the tone test thing, but there are just so many options and different types of pickups, it's so tough to know what combination to go with. My friend has an Alnico II which I believe is a pretty standard good pickup. I was just wondering what reccomened combos you guys would suggest.

PPS. The reason I mentioned the bands is because I am not into heavy metal and I don't want my tone to become too harsh.

 

[aldu74]

Re: New to pickups - need advice/help

I'd try a vintage set, it will give you more versatility and articulation and a smoother tone. You can still use the Jackhammer to get fat modern sounds. A set of 59's would be a good starting point. If you want something brighter try the Pearly Gates. Something warmer try the Alnico II's. Seth Lovers are great but they would probably squeal like crazy played through a Jackhammer & Marshall stack, since they're not wax potted. Hope this helps!

 

[aldu74]

Re: New to pickups - need advice/help

Also, check these out:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/news/press_archive.shtml#sets

 

[timserving]

Re: New to pickups - need advice/help

Cool thanks. I checked out those sets.

The Vintage Blues set looks really good. Just want to check that it will work well with the Les Paul!?

This is it here right: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Guitar/Accessories?sku=300022

Also, on the tone chart on the Seymour Duncan page, which sectoin does a Les Paul fit under: http://www.seymourduncan.com/compareTones/matrix.asp

Does anyone know a site on the net that shows you guitarists with their setups. i.e. I am looking to see whch artists use these pickups on a Les Paul. I just can't seem to find a site.

Thanks