I have a 78 LP custom silverburst. the guitar is pretty dark sounding naturally. i just put in a duncan custom but it sounds a bit too bassy and not enough edgyness to it. I was maybe thinking of switching it for a jb? would the the JB's edgyness and highs balance out nicely for this guitar? I need suggestions. oh and i'm pretty new here on the forum..
pickup for a dark sounding LP custom??
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theodie
Guest
Re: pickup for a dark sounding LP custom??
Swap the magnet in the Custom for a Alnico 5 magnet, it will become a Custom 5. It will cure the problem and a custom 5 works GREAT in dark LP's. $5 and 30 minutes of elbow grease, problem solved.
Welcome to the SD forum BTW.
Swap the magnet in the Custom for a Alnico 5 magnet, it will become a Custom 5. It will cure the problem and a custom 5 works GREAT in dark LP's. $5 and 30 minutes of elbow grease, problem solved.
Welcome to the SD forum BTW.
Re: pickup for a dark sounding LP custom??
I have a 01 les paul standard with a JB in it and while comparing them both, the JB had more of that edgyness to it that I like, but it also sounded thin not enough low end...so what I want is something that has that raw edge of the JB but with a better low end
I have a 01 les paul standard with a JB in it and while comparing them both, the JB had more of that edgyness to it that I like, but it also sounded thin not enough low end...so what I want is something that has that raw edge of the JB but with a better low end
Re: pickup for a dark sounding LP custom??
Theodie's idea is a good one.
However, I always felt that the custom had more bite than the C5 (I'm a big custom fan, which is my favorite bridge pick-up) and that the C5 was still a bit boomy. But then again, most folks like the C5 and I don't so don't base your decision on my opinion only.
I use a '59 set in my custom and it sounds great. Lower output than your custom though (which is why I believe theodie's idea is the best low-cost alternative for you at the moment) but keep the '59 in mind... they are criminally underrated IMHO, especially in the bridge slot.
Have fun
Theodie's idea is a good one.
However, I always felt that the custom had more bite than the C5 (I'm a big custom fan, which is my favorite bridge pick-up) and that the C5 was still a bit boomy. But then again, most folks like the C5 and I don't so don't base your decision on my opinion only.
I use a '59 set in my custom and it sounds great. Lower output than your custom though (which is why I believe theodie's idea is the best low-cost alternative for you at the moment) but keep the '59 in mind... they are criminally underrated IMHO, especially in the bridge slot.
Have fun
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theodie
Guest
Re: pickup for a dark sounding LP custom??
The C5 will have a much better low end than the JB. Nothing quite has the edge of the JB. That is the JB's specialty. It is a shame it has a loose bottom end.
The C5 will have a much better low end than the JB. Nothing quite has the edge of the JB. That is the JB's specialty. It is a shame it has a loose bottom end.
Re: pickup for a dark sounding LP custom??
I have thought about that, but i'm not quite sure...i'm still pretty new to soldering, soo theres always the fear of messing things up. and just thinking about swapping magnets makes me feel uneasy for the same reason.
I have thought about that, but i'm not quite sure...i'm still pretty new to soldering, soo theres always the fear of messing things up. and just thinking about swapping magnets makes me feel uneasy for the same reason.
Re: pickup for a dark sounding LP custom??
but do you think that the guitar's natural lower end response will make up for the JB's loose low end?
but do you think that the guitar's natural lower end response will make up for the JB's loose low end?
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: pickup for a dark sounding LP custom??
Welcome LP 712!
First, let me congratulate yo on the 78 Silverburst. Awesome guitar. You suck!!!! By the way - pics would be appreciated. Is it going green?
As for the pups, I concur on the C5. I'd try that before the JB. Dark + loose bottom pup = yuck. Think about it - are there any dark loose bottoms that are a good thing?
As for the soldering - jump in there and go for it. If you are going to be having these tonal issues, you've got to learn sometime! Very little damage you can do that can't be undone or is expensive to repair.
Welcome LP 712!
First, let me congratulate yo on the 78 Silverburst. Awesome guitar. You suck!!!! By the way - pics would be appreciated. Is it going green?
As for the pups, I concur on the C5. I'd try that before the JB. Dark + loose bottom pup = yuck. Think about it - are there any dark loose bottoms that are a good thing?
As for the soldering - jump in there and go for it. If you are going to be having these tonal issues, you've got to learn sometime! Very little damage you can do that can't be undone or is expensive to repair.
Re: pickup for a dark sounding LP custom??
Thanks man! it truely is an awesome guitar, I'd post pictures of it, but i dont know how to do so. again as for pickups, i really hate deciding on what to do..its either JB, Alternative 8, some other custom, or distortion, choosing a pickup sucks hah
Thanks man! it truely is an awesome guitar, I'd post pictures of it, but i dont know how to do so. again as for pickups, i really hate deciding on what to do..its either JB, Alternative 8, some other custom, or distortion, choosing a pickup sucks hah
hamerfan
Well-known member
Re: pickup for a dark sounding LP custom??
Cmon guys!
First of all check the pots resistance! In those times Gibson use 300k volume pots and 100k tone pots. Every Guitars sound dark with that!
Get some new 500k pots first and then check you current pickups - maybe they will sound decent after the pot change!!
Cmon guys!
First of all check the pots resistance! In those times Gibson use 300k volume pots and 100k tone pots. Every Guitars sound dark with that!
Get some new 500k pots first and then check you current pickups - maybe they will sound decent after the pot change!!
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theodie
Guest
Re: pickup for a dark sounding LP custom??
No, not in this case anyway. The only wood in which a JB's bottom tightens up is maple. In that case, a shorter scale dosent help matters is this regard either.
No, not in this case anyway. The only wood in which a JB's bottom tightens up is maple. In that case, a shorter scale dosent help matters is this regard either.
GoDrex
Riffologist Extraordinaire
Re: pickup for a dark sounding LP custom??
I didn't care for the JB in my all mahogany guitar (and I love the JB in other guitars). it had an annoying buzz saw quality to it that it didn't have in other guitars. I started out with a Custom and then tried a JB and then a Jazz bridge (the Jazz bridge sounded great clean but I didn't care for it distorted). Then I tried a '59 and that worked great. I then tried a magnet swap to make the Custom a C5 and that sounded much better than the Custom. I then made a 59/C5 hybrid and I've stayed with that. To me the 59B and the C5 worked great and the hybrid just gives a mix of those two. I also tried a C8 and that also sounded much better than the Custom, but was a tad too powerful for my liking. I felt it lacked the dynamics that I like in pickups with and A5 magnet. I also tried a Screamin' Demon and that worked well, but felt a little dry and thin by comparison. I think it's the hex heads that do that.
I use a Jazz in the neck position and it works great because it's very bright and clear sounding. I also think a 59n would work but I haven't tried it yet in this guitar.
I didn't care for the JB in my all mahogany guitar (and I love the JB in other guitars). it had an annoying buzz saw quality to it that it didn't have in other guitars. I started out with a Custom and then tried a JB and then a Jazz bridge (the Jazz bridge sounded great clean but I didn't care for it distorted). Then I tried a '59 and that worked great. I then tried a magnet swap to make the Custom a C5 and that sounded much better than the Custom. I then made a 59/C5 hybrid and I've stayed with that. To me the 59B and the C5 worked great and the hybrid just gives a mix of those two. I also tried a C8 and that also sounded much better than the Custom, but was a tad too powerful for my liking. I felt it lacked the dynamics that I like in pickups with and A5 magnet. I also tried a Screamin' Demon and that worked well, but felt a little dry and thin by comparison. I think it's the hex heads that do that.
I use a Jazz in the neck position and it works great because it's very bright and clear sounding. I also think a 59n would work but I haven't tried it yet in this guitar.
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MonkeyDungologist
Re: pickup for a dark sounding LP custom??
i think an A8 will solve your problem; pretty much every p/up mentioned in this thread will tighten up your bottom tho
i'd also like to suggest the DDN with an alnico mag if you want to keep some of that JB juice, it's about halfway between a custom and JB IMO
i think an A8 will solve your problem; pretty much every p/up mentioned in this thread will tighten up your bottom tho
i'd also like to suggest the DDN with an alnico mag if you want to keep some of that JB juice, it's about halfway between a custom and JB IMO
Re: pickup for a dark sounding LP custom??
so i take it that will help a lot for what i'm looking for, the JB's edge plus more low end?, cuz thats what I want. raw aggression with a nice bottom end, not too boomy, cuz to me the custom sounds a little bit boomy and not enough edge for this LP
so i take it that will help a lot for what i'm looking for, the JB's edge plus more low end?, cuz thats what I want. raw aggression with a nice bottom end, not too boomy, cuz to me the custom sounds a little bit boomy and not enough edge for this LP
Re: pickup for a dark sounding LP custom??
i'm sorry, a DDN is that a duncan distortion neck? with an alnico 8 you mean?
i'm sorry, a DDN is that a duncan distortion neck? with an alnico 8 you mean?
