P/up recommendations for Jap Les Paul

[Vincent]

Hi,

I've just managed to procure a wonderful 1999 Les Paul made in the ESP factory in Japan. It's an imitation of a 1960 Goldtop, and I must say the Japs know how to copy EVERYTHING right down to the snot-green kluson tuners!!

The pickups are pretty stock, and although the guitar itself is wonderfully resonant and all, I think it's tone could be improved somewhat.

Can anyone recommend a good set of pickups? I am after something a little hotter than vintage, but not all out X2n or shred-metal hot. I am learning some blues, jazz but still rock out ala Steve Vai & Joe Satriani. So basically I'm looking for something versatile!

Considering: JB / Jazz combo, Custom / 59 combo etc.

Can I swap the nickel covers off the stock pickups onto Duncans? If so, is it a very surgical procedure or is it a simple case of snap off/ pop on? I know that on ebay Duncans w/ nickel covers are expensive.

Thanks guys.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: P/up recommendations for Jap Les Paul

Don't know about the covers, but if you want to cover everything from jazz to hard rock, the Seth Lover at the neck and the Custom st the bridge is a hard combo to beat.

 

[theodie]

Re: P/up recommendations for Jap Les Paul

chances are the covers are soldered on to the back of the pickup. They can be taken off (But not all that easily). To take off the covers I usually use a soldering iron and a solder removing tool such as (braid or a suction tool of some sorts) Do not over heat the pickup. This will melt the wax!!!! I usually do this little by little until I get as much off as I can. I will then use a dremal tool with a cutoff wheel to cut through the rest. Then the covers can be popped off.
As for the pickups I like pearly gates or alnico 2 pro humbuckers for blues. The pearly gates are more versatile for rock and other forms of music and the alnicos are straight blues with a touch of rock.

 

[I_M_Ken]

Re: P/up recommendations for Jap Les Paul

hmm, well not too sure about the covers as well, never tried it b4. but i think the jb jazz combo would be a good choice.
the JB is a very versatile pup and i've been using it for years now. i play everything from pop to metal and as for the jazz, it can perform well for u in a LP as well.

 

[theodie]

Re: P/up recommendations for Jap Les Paul

Pearly gates bridge and an alnico 2 pro neck. If you want a hotter bridge I would go for the custom or the custom 5