One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

Re: One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

Do they make an Alnico 9 magnet? I think I would have to use them exclusively since it shares a number w/ my screen name and amount of fingers I have. I mean after all, Seymour and MJ have no clue how to pick magnets for the thousands of pickups they've wound and all the R&D they've done over the last 35+ plus years.
 
Re: One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

:haha:

So, the number one recommendation in this thread is to modify the stock pickup and void the warranty. Did I get that right?

I've used several production and custom shop pickups from SD. I've NEVER swapped magnets. I swapped a couple of pickups to get what I wanted, but never the mags.

Do that if you like, but realize that MOST people have no desire to do so.
 
Re: One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

Also, this is the first time I've heard anyone complain that there was not enough treble in a PG. Interesting.

Next you'll tell me that a JB won't work in a mahogany guitar. No, wait...:chairfall

\/\/\/\/\/\/(Mahogany guitar with JB/Jazz set)
 
Re: One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

Mr 9finger said:
Do they make an Alnico 9 magnet? I think I would have to use them exclusively since it shares a number w/ my screen name and amount of fingers I have. I mean after all, Seymour and MJ have no clue how to pick magnets for the thousands of pickups they've wound and all the R&D they've done over the last 35+ plus years.
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Yes, there is Alnico 1 thru 12. PU makers pick a magnet they're used to working with (which is almost always A5 and A2, they're typically reluctant to try other ones) and try different winds with it. As to how that PU-magnet pairing will work in your guitar and wood, thru your amp/speakers/pedals is a different matter; even Seymour can't predict that. That's where mag swapping can get you the tones you want. It's like buying off the rack versus getting a tailored suit.

They can't afford to produce or market several magnet variations for most of their PU's; it has nothing to do with a magnet's tonal merit in a PU. It's a cost-based decsion. Many members here feel that C8's are the best of the Custom family. But since Duncan already has 3 Custom versions in production now, I imagine that they think that adding a fourth would muddy the waters, even if it is better than the first three.
 
Re: One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

Different strokes I guess. It's a cheap and easy mod though
 
Re: One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

Save the cork - you're going to need it to fill the cavity back up you just routed.
 
Re: One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

I am posting on my iPhone. If I were at home, I could post a pic of the routing template that I just received in the mail. The template is for a "no ears" mount TV Jones 'Tron.

Yes, Pigbacon, I am obsessed … with TVJ pickups. :)
 
Re: One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

Funkfingers said:
I am posting on my iPhone. If I were at home, I could post a pic of the routing template that I just received in the mail. The template is for a "no ears" mount TV Jones 'Tron.

Yes, Pigbacon, I am obsessed … with TVJ pickups. :)
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I've actually been wanting to build a guitar with some TVJ's in it. What's your favorite flavor?
 
Re: One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

TVJ Classic. Also digging a Dynasonic neck position single coil.
 
Re: One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

Do you ever have issues in volume when switching between guitars at a gig if one has TVJ's in it?
 
Re: One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

Let me get this straight, we're talking about mods to pickups that the OP hasn't even tried yet?
 
Re: One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

Powdered Toast Man said:
Let me get this straight, we're talking about mods to pickups that the OP hasn't even tried yet?
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I was originally asking about 59's, which I use to have in my LP but I was never completely happy with, which lead me to the magnet swap option.
 
Re: One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

There are SO many things wrong with this thread I don't even know where to start:

#1 OP: You have decided to get 59's for your LP, even though you know they will need "fixed" out of the gate. Write that on the wall a few times and read it until you can tell me what's wrong with that.

#2 OP: You then decide on a 59n and a PGb. Interesting combo, not often selected. The PGn and 59b is definitely the more "popular" set in these parts overall for an LP. Avoids THE most common problem mentioned with each pup in the other positions (the combo you mentioned; 59n/PGb)

My personal suggestion:

#1 What pups are in there? What don't you like about them? Please specify in terms of too much/little bass/mids/treble and output. Please identify other qualities you seek.

Then, what music are you playing and through what gear? Then we can maybe talk about what pups will work for you.

And how is the guitar itself? I've played a lot of Les PAuls. SOme are dark, some boomy. Some are awesome and balanced. Every now and again you get a really bright one. TAlk to us.


But EVEN then...live with the 59 set a while. You may hate them day one, not because they are bad - but because they are different. If you have had a particulalr pup in there a while - give the new ones some time to show you what they have.

Also - I would like to point out some things -

There are people here that are recommending mag changes right out of the gate without knowing ANY of the things that I just asked about. If you want advice from people who will give that sort of info to you I suggest that:
a) You hang out on the psychic friends board and
b) You buy some land in a swamp from me

I have played over half a dozen LP's with 59 sets in them over the past ~30 years at least. Not including one of my own! And it wasn't boomy at all w/ 59's Only ONCE did I actually encounter this "boomy" neck. But it happens enough to acknowledge that it COULD be an issue. But I wouldn't expect it as some have portrayed it.

For all of Blueman's Anti-PG or any A2P neck propaganda, I have PG's in most of my guitars necks, or have had them there at some time. And You can listen to him or you can listen to recording of Slash and Billy Gibbons - both of whom seem to have no problems with A2 magnets in the neck.

And there is absolutely no basis for the "ANyone who has played a Seth prefers it to a PG" I venture to say Billy Gibbons, again, has played more REAL "Seths" than he has ever seen. He seems to dig the PG. Hmmm :scratchch

Blueman has no ear for two things: A2 mags and serious rock. He may have neglected to mention those things. So if you think they are important, keep that in mind. Again, GnR seemed to do ok sonically with A2's in the guitar.

SO talkl to me guy - what is it you REALLY want out of this Les Paul? MAybe you need a blackout. I can't tell from the little bit you gave me. SO instead of spouting off BS about swapping mags in a perfectly decent set of pickups that satisfy a whole effing lot of people, whithout knowing jack about what YOU need, I'm gonna ask a couple of questions first.

Sit down, tell Uncle Ace all about your tone problems....
 
Re: One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

Ok. Where to start...

Am I correct in assuming that this forum is a cool place to ask people about their opinions, because that's what I thought it was supposed to be. I don't understand when it turned into the "I'm way F***ing better than you" members club. I'm just interested in other peoples input especially since most of the frequent posters on here have a lot of knowledge and experience to share. I'm sorry I didn't create the best post in the world.

I thought 59's were a good choice because I'm broke and I can find them for cheap as opposed to PGs or Seths. I mentioned the PGb option because I could get one cheap from a friend, but I realize that may be a strange pairing... that's why I asked.

Ace: Thanks for the input and you make a lot of good points, but I didn't feel like taking the time to write a book on here. I'm certain that nobody cares enough to even read it and I was hoping people would actually respond. That being said, I play music that sounds a lot like Thrice on "beggars" and "Major/Minor". I use my volume knob to go from cleanish to dirty most of the time and I have amps that have more gain than I would need so I want a good "All-arounder" set that will still have character and not sound sterile.
 
Re: One little les Paul in a world filled with so many pickups...

JohnZAH said:
Ok. Where to start...

Am I correct in assuming that this forum is a cool place to ask people about their opinions, because that's what I thought it was supposed to be. I don't understand when it turned into the "I'm way F***ing better than you" members club. I'm just interested in other peoples input especially since most of the frequent posters on here have a lot of knowledge and experience to share. I'm sorry I didn't create the best post in the world.
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There has been a lot of discussion about that lately. IS this a cool place to ask people about their opinions? Lately a large number of people seem to feel that a lot of innappropriate advice is being flung about casually as if it is fact. Lot's of "opinions" being, shall we say, over-stated.

That said - it really is impossible to shoot out any decent opinion even without a few basic facts. And you shouldn't trust anyone who doesn't ask. And people who care know that if you take random advice it may likely be BAD advice. And that will lead to the perception that this is NOT a cool place for such advice. And I am very clear about the difference between truth and opinion. Most tone advice is purely opinion.

I thought 59's were a good choice because I'm broke and I can find them for cheap as opposed to PGs or Seths. I mentioned the PGb option because I could get one cheap from a friend, but I realize that may be a strange pairing... that's why I asked.
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My rec still stands. Get the 59's and live with them for a bit. They ARE a great all around set. I personally am a huge fan of the PG bridge - but a number of people have said that they are a bit bright in the bridge. Now I generally have a regular Gibson 300k pot in the bridge too, so that takes a touch off the top.

Ace: Thanks for the input and you make a lot of good points, but I didn't feel like taking the time to write a book on here. I'm certain that nobody cares enough to even read it and I was hoping people would actually respond. That being said, I play music that sounds a lot like Thrice on "beggars" and "Major/Minor". I use my volume knob to go from cleanish to dirty most of the time and I have amps that have more gain than I would need so I want a good "All-arounder" set that will still have character and not sound sterile.
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Ouch! Nobody would read it!?!?!? Yes we would!!!! But I hear you. Some days you just don't feel like typing. But the more you say, the better feedback you'll get. And if $ is low, typing time is free...

My favorite combos, for what you are talking about in LP's would be:

Pearly Gates set - MY favorite PAF type with personality. slightly lower bass, nice mid/upper mid boost for cut, and sweet highs. Like a PAF with some tude, but works well with volume/tone too. Earthy cleans and gnarly grind. Just the right amount of icing on top for sweetness to take the harsh off.

DiMarzio PAF's - the classic PAF I like best is the DiMarzio. Just a bit more even IMO than the 59's. But it's a subtle thing.

PGn/59b - Puts the pup with great cut and slightly less bass in the neck, and puts the pup with the biggest bass and sharpest highs in the bridge. This would be my next choice. I think a PG is simply the best standard PAF style LP neck pup period. Tone is more than the mag. The wind of that pup is magic also. You might put that PG bridge in neck position. Lot of fans of that too.

59/59 - can't hate - they ARE great all around pups! Honestly, the above pairs while my preferences, are really just a little different. They are ALL classic PAF style. slightly more/less bass, slightly more/less mids-highs. Outputs are all practically the same IMO.

If I'm you, I try the 59 pair. I bet you'll REALLY like them (Be sure to set-adjust them properly/well!) I'll post a link to my height adjustment thread.

If the neck isn't working for you (boom) I'd try to get that PGb and put it in there.

But - for cheap - the mag swap is an option. Conisder that it is super cheap. I'm about to put a UOA5 in an el cheapo korean pup myself, just to do it for a change. But live w/ the 59 a bit, and be clear about the bass/mid/treble issue you are having so they can get the right mag your way.

:bigok:
 
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