Pickup Advice - LP Burstbucker replacements

[Lorax]

I know its been asked 1000 times...Pickups for a Les Paul - But hear me out as my application is likely different....

I got a 2004 LP with Burstbuckers and I dont like them one bit...they are crunchy, the output is fine, but the highs just sound thin to me and no matter how I dial the amp they just dont respond like I want them too...I like singing highs on my leads and from what I understand that is from mids. I certainly dial in ALOT of mids in my setup....

AMP: 5150II....Low 6, Mid 6, Highs 4.5.....So I like mids in my tone but the burstbuckers do not respond well for me...

Now, part II is that I have other Duncan setups and I would prefer not to replicate them as I am trying to create different tones with different guitars...

EPI LP with a Custom 5 in the bridge
Charvel with JB/Jazz combo

So, I would prefer not to have any of those pickups, These axes sounds terrific and I want to have their place in my arsenal...

Now...the important part desired tone....Classic Rock....I want to replicate stuff like Bad Company, Blackfoot, Zeppelin, AC/DC, ZZ Top....Crunchy Bottom, Singing highs..Overdriven but not necessarily heavily distorted....

So far I have been considering these:
Neck - Alnico Pro II, 59
Bridge - Pearly Gates, Alnico Pro II

Any advice on these or something I may be overlooknig is appreciated...

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Pickup Advice - LP Burstbucker replacements

My favorite hummer combo is an A2Pn and a CCbridge.

Do you like Slash's tone? He uses a set of a2p.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Pickup Advice - LP Burstbucker replacements

APH II sounds exactly like what you're describing. The CC would be great in the bridge as well, but I love my APH II set.

 

[rhmcfarland]

Re: Pickup Advice - LP Burstbucker replacements

You're on the right track. Go for the APH. The Pearly Gates is also excellant, but more edgy, and I think a bit more compressed. Of course, the Antiquity is about as good as it gets.

 

[Tweed]

Re: Pickup Advice - LP Burstbucker replacements

Now...the important part desired tone....Classic Rock....I want to replicate stuff like Bad Company, Blackfoot, Zeppelin, AC/DC, ZZ Top....Crunchy Bottom, Singing highs..Overdriven but not necessarily heavily distorted....

So far I have been considering these:
Neck - Alnico Pro II, 59
Bridge - Pearly Gates, Alnico Pro II

Any advice on these or something I may be overlooknig is appreciated...

If you want to stick with Seymour's tasty recipes, I'd go with Ants. If you want try something a little different, I'd recommend the Fillmores that Jim Wagner builds. Do a search on the Les Paul Forum, you'll find a lot of info about these unique pups. They do what you are describing very well.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Pickup Advice - LP Burstbucker replacements

Alnico Pro II or a CC in the bridge IMO, neck A2P.

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Pickup Advice - LP Burstbucker replacements

Antiqities all the way. I was blown away the first time I installed an Anty set in a LP and I am still amazed at the complexity of the tone and warmth everytime I plug that guitar in.

 

[rspst14]

Re: Pickup Advice - LP Burstbucker replacements

I'd go with a Pearly Gates in the bridge and either a '59 or Alnico II Pro in the neck. The Custom Custom has more output and midrange, but you may not like the lack of bass.

Ryan

 

[gt5litre]

Re: Pickup Advice - LP Burstbucker replacements

What did you not like about the Burstbuckers? I have had 3 sets of the BB Pros, the pickup that comes in the LP STD, and each was tonally a bit different. I have also found that if they do not work for you in one LP put them in another.

I had one set that I put in an LP that weighed over 12 lbs and they were almost mellow, but very full sounding in bass frequencies. That same set went into another guitar, EPI ELITE LP again and they came across as something in between a Antiquity and a 59. Now they are in a very light LP and they can get downright rude and nasty, very crunchy, but they can do clean with the volume control rolled back. I know the weight is not the real factor, but the density of the wood seems to ba a big factor.

gt5litre :burnout:

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Pickup Advice - LP Burstbucker replacements

Weight is a factor BECAUSE density is a factor

Two guitars that are the same shape, with the same routes, that weigh different amounts, aren't gonna have the same density. The lighter one will be less-dense.

-X

 

[Seraphial]

Re: Pickup Advice - LP Burstbucker replacements

How about a pair of Seths? Fantastic classic tone all the way. I'm a big fan of the 59 neck (for a little more brightness in a LP) and the Alnico II in the bridge.

 

[Lorax]

Re: Pickup Advice - LP Burstbucker replacements

What did you not like about the Burstbuckers? I have had 3 sets of the BB Pros, the pickup that comes in the LP STD, and each was tonally a bit different. I have also found that if they do not work for you in one LP put them in another.

I had one set that I put in an LP that weighed over 12 lbs and they were almost mellow, but very full sounding in bass frequencies. That same set went into another guitar, EPI ELITE LP again and they came across as something in between a Antiquity and a 59. Now they are in a very light LP and they can get downright rude and nasty, very crunchy, but they can do clean with the volume control rolled back. I know the weight is not the real factor, but the density of the wood seems to ba a big factor.

gt5litre :burnout:

They are crunchy rhythm wise....but unacceptably thin for lead work.....Around the second string - they just thin out.....Its possible to EQ it out of there I suppose, but I am not having any luck with that....My leads wont sing and full chords are harsh.....Bottom end is GREAT....My PRS, Charvel, Jackson and even my EPI LP do not suffer from such a problem :yell:

So, Duncans rule my other axes - I guess I need to put a set in this one...Oh, the cleans are great, the neck PUP is great....the overdriven lead work and highs are not....

 

[papersoul]

Re: Pickup Advice - LP Burstbucker replacements

If density is a facter....would that mean you would be best to match a more dense or thicker pickup with a les dense and lighter guitar??

Does that also mean that a lighter guitar, hence a lighter LP will have less or more mids? Maybe it still is variable?