Pickup for Gibson Custom Les Paul Axcess Standard Stop tail version

[maxime1122]

Hi

I'm looking to maybe swap the pickups (the bridge one, at least) on that guitar. Currently, it has Gibson 498T in the bridge and 496R in the neck. The 496R is kinda good, but the 498T lacks bass and body to it, it sounds a bit bright/thin (keep in mind that the Axcess guitar I have is brighter acoustically than my other LPs). What do you guys recommend from SD, BKP, Dimarzio, etc.?

My favorite set is the APH2 that I have on 3 LPs, but for this one I want to keep with something a bit hotter.

I did a comparison quickly to give you an idea. At the beginning of the clip, I'm using a LP Traditional with APH-2 and the Axcess has the 498T. The 498T is not as bad as I was thinking, but it's definitely thinner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GafnfbF55y4&feature=youtu.be

Thanks!

 

[orpheo]

Re: Pickup for Gibson Custom Les Paul Axcess Standard Stop tail version

A classic vibe but with more power is what you're looking for? 59/Custom hybrid bridge + sentient neck. Otherwise, I'd go with a Whole Lotta humbucker set (like a hotter PAF but not really that hot) or if you wanna smoke like crazy, an Alt8 in bridge and a sentient neck. (see a recurring theme? the sentient is epic in a les paul, regardless of style: it's the best neck pickup SD has to offer).

 

[maxime1122]

Re: Pickup for Gibson Custom Les Paul Axcess Standard Stop tail version

A classic vibe but with more power is what you're looking for? 59/Custom hybrid bridge + sentient neck. Otherwise, I'd go with a Whole Lotta humbucker set (like a hotter PAF but not really that hot) or if you wanna smoke like crazy, an Alt8 in bridge and a sentient neck. (see a recurring theme? the sentient is epic in a les paul, regardless of style: it's the best neck pickup SD has to offer).

Thanks! But, I want to make sure which pickup is good for a bright guitar?

 

[Securb]

Re: Pickup for Gibson Custom Les Paul Axcess Standard Stop tail version

Thanks! But, I want to make sure which pickup is good for a bright guitar?

If your Paul is too bright then I would suggest the WLH set, it got rid of my harsh highs and made the mids more pronounced. But that is for me. It is difficult making suggestions without knowing what kind of music you are playing and what your amp rig is.

 

[maxime1122]

Re: Pickup for Gibson Custom Les Paul Axcess Standard Stop tail version

If your Paul is too bright then I would suggest the WLH set, it got rid of my harsh highs and made the mids more pronounced. But that is for me. It is difficult making suggestions without knowing what kind of music you are playing and what your amp rig is.

Well, it's not "too bright", but brighter than my other LPs for sure! I'm using Marshall amps (plexi, jcm 800, jcm 2000, etc.). I really like rock/hard rock tones from '80s (GnR, Van Halen, etc.).

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pickup for Gibson Custom Les Paul Axcess Standard Stop tail version

A JB will certainly work. But I am with Orpheo in suggesting the Hybrid. It doesn't compress as much, and still has power and eq geared toward hard rock. You still get touch sensitivity, though.

 

[maxime1122]

Re: Pickup for Gibson Custom Les Paul Axcess Standard Stop tail version

I did a comparison quickly to give you an idea. At the beginning of the clip, I'm using a LP Traditional with APH-2 and the Axcess has the 498T. The 498T is not as bad as I was thinking, but it's definitely thinner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GafnfbF55y4&feature=youtu.be

Let me know what you think!

 

[Demanic]

Re: Pickup for Gibson Custom Les Paul Axcess Standard Stop tail version

A classic vibe but with more power is what you're looking for? 59/Custom hybrid bridge + sentient neck. Otherwise, I'd go with a Whole Lotta humbucker set (like a hotter PAF but not really that hot) or if you wanna smoke like crazy, an Alt8 in bridge and a sentient neck. (see a recurring theme? the sentient is epic in a les paul, regardless of style: it's the best neck pickup SD has to offer).

Ooooouuu! Alt8 and Sentient! I bet that would smoke!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pickup for Gibson Custom Les Paul Axcess Standard Stop tail version

A Custom and Sentient is a good combo...if your guitar is really really bright, a Custom Custom works too (and switches to a regular Custom with a magnet swap).