pickup help for my Les Paul

[Push to Shuv]

I have a Gibson Les Paul studio. I only use bridge pickups. The stock 498t isn't horrible but it lacks clarity under high gain. It tends to get muddy, especially the bottom end. I want to replace it and was thinking of a JB, C-5, or a Pearly Gates. Any suggestions? i want the most clarity possible with more mids and lows than the 498t.

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: pickup help for my Les Paul

Might wanna try a Sh-6 (duncan distortion) its got plenty of mids and lows, but still has enought highs to be articulate. Jb's are massively overly bright in maple topped guitars (from what I hear), So if yer looking for less treble I'de steer clear of the Jb. I know nothing about the Pg, or C-5 so I can't say anything about those.
Although If the neck pickup in the Studio is a 490r, its got an alnico II mag. I'de suggest swapping the alnico II (from the 490) into the 498t (which has an alnico V) and that might help ya lose some treble and gain some mids/lows. Doubt it would do much for the articulation though. Ed

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: pickup help for my Les Paul

I wouldn't totally rule out the JB. There's tons of killer sounding Pauls with JBs out there

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: pickup help for my Les Paul

A2P's, Seths and Ants, PG's depending on how round you want your tone to be.

 

[rinse_master]

Re: pickup help for my Les Paul

I wouldn't totally rule out the JB. There's tons of killer sounding Pauls with JBs out there

I can vouch for that (Studios have thinner maple tops = less brightness)

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: pickup help for my Les Paul

I tried a C5 in my old LP custom and I thought it sounded weak and anemic compared to the 498T. In the end I put an A2 mag in the 498 to make it sing but I still wasn't amazing. In my Heritage 150 (akin to a LP historic) I tried a JB and it was too bright and although it was supposed to be high output it didn't seem like it to me. I ended up going with an A2pro bidge and it really does the job. If you want a really singing lead tone and warm rythym I suggest A2 mags PG, Seth ,A2P, CC will all fit the bill. For a searing lead tone and crunchy rythym I'd tell you to go with ceramic mags Distortion, Custom, Dime, Invader. In between is the A5 area.

Luke

 

[Jeff5]

Re: pickup help for my Les Paul

I'd say for clarity under high gain I'd go:

JB
Distortion
Dimebucker
Custom (not sure about teh 5 or CC)

I would avoid the Invader, very muddy pup to me. I have a JB in my Epi and its not too bright, but then again my Epi probably has an even thinner maple top (if any!), than your studio so that may be why. If the JB is too bright though, you could always put a 300K pot in there too to darken it up a bit.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: pickup help for my Les Paul

Clarity under high gain? Go vintage like Dr. Barlo suggested.

Antiquity, Seth Lover, Pearly Gates, 59N & 59B, Alnico2Pros, ....etc.

Lew

 

[Push to Shuv]

Re: pickup help for my Les Paul

Which has more clarity under high gain, the C-5 or the JB?

 

[psychodave]

Re: pickup help for my Les Paul

In my 2003 R8 LP I have a Distortion in the bridge and a JB in the neck (both from the 80's wound by MJ) and my 2001 R7 LP I have a 500T in the bridge and 496R in the neck.

Both have clarity, balls and tone! The 500T is a little brighter than the DD, but it cleans up a lot more. The DD has more tone than the 500T. I play mostly metal through late 60's early 70's Marshalls (and a JCM 800) and I always get compliments with my tone.

If you are playing a high gain amp...use a PAF type and let the amp do the work!

 

[thez0rk]

Re: pickup help for my Les Paul

I use the Distortion in my Samick LP copy and I love it...sounds great under high gain situations and picks up a ton of harmonics.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: pickup help for my Les Paul

I was going to say Custom untill I saw that you have a C5 in your schecter. If you like that one you will probably like it in your LP or maybe a regular custom.

The JB sounded amazing in my Epi LP Custom, thick lead tone, cuts through, great cleans, clear under high gain but maybe a little murky in the mids departement. IMHO a great do it all pickup with a very complex and dynamic voice, but there are other pickups out there that will do the clarity/high-gain/low end thing better.

 

[Push to Shuv]

Re: pickup help for my Les Paul

The c-5 isnt what im looking for, i love the sound of it but it gets muddy with over drive, i want a similar sound but with more clarity. what am i thinking of? PG? SL?

 

[mrfjones]

Re: pickup help for my Les Paul

well since your amp has plenty of gain i would go with a PAF like humbucker, 59, seth, PG or PG+. But my favorite PAF is the antiquity. Good luck to you

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: pickup help for my Les Paul

The c-5 isnt what im looking for, i love the sound of it but it gets muddy with over drive, i want a similar sound but with more clarity. what am i thinking of? PG? SL?

A similar sound but with less output, hence more clarity, would be the 59B. A
little hotter than the 59B but not as hot as the C5 would be the Screamin Demon.

Lew

 

[jeremy]

Re: pickup help for my Les Paul

yup thats what i as thinking when he said c5 with more clarity. 59b

 

[Push to Shuv]

Re: pickup help for my Les Paul

Okay i decided to go low output. In my opinion low output pickups sound the best. I don't think i want the 59b, i have had one in the bridge of a les paul before and it wasnt what i wanted, it lacked mids. So i am thinking of an a2 pup. I am looking at Seths and PG's, can anyone give me more info on them? compare and contrast them maybe?

 

[Brow]

Re: pickup help for my Les Paul

A Screamin' Demon in the bridge of your LP Studio may give you what you want.

I find it to be similar to a 59b but with more mids, and maybe a little more treble. It's (imo) in no way a harsh sounding pickup tho.

Craig

 

[Push to Shuv]

Re: pickup help for my Les Paul

Will the Seth give me the clarity i want and be able to rock hard?