Pickup ideas for Les Paul (D standard metal application)

[weepingminotaur]

So I've had a JB in the bridge of my Epiphone Les Paul (Standard PlusTop Pro), and it sounds great. Problem is, my uses for the guitar have changed. Instead of E standard, I want the LP in D standard playing almost exclusively metal: contemporary Exodus, Sepultura, and Megadeth, that sort of thing. Think Gary Holt's tone on The Atrocity Exhibition A and B albums.

My question is: if you were to swap in a bridge pup for this guitar, what would you recommend? I find this Les Paul is a bit on the middy and dark side and needs a pickup with some brightness. And it's obviously gotta be able to do all the chugs.

My tentative contenders are: Custom 5 (didn't vibe with it in another guitar but maybe it works here) or Distortion

Thoughts?

 

[Mincer]

Distortion was my first thought. Dimebucker can work, too.

 

[weepingminotaur]

Distortion was my first thought. Dimebucker can work, too.

I thought of the Dimebucker too, but I have no personal experience of that pickup. Is it more or less scooped than, say, the Mark Holcomb Alpha-Omega pickups?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Well, Gary Holt used the Custom before going EMG, so I'd start there.

Also, consider the Black Winter and the Gibson 500T. I absolutely loved them in my Les Paul. Much better than I liked the Custom too, honestly.

Other than that... you know, the JB is sounding really good in mine in Drop C ATM, LOL.

 

[weepingminotaur]

Well, Gary Holt used the Custom before going EMG, so I'd start there.

Also, consider the Black Winter and the Gibson 500T. I absolutely loved them in my Les Paul. Much better than I liked the Custom too, honestly.

Other than that... you know, the JB is sounding really good in mine in Drop C ATM, LOL.

I had BWs in the Les Paul a few years ago in E standard. They were good but I felt like I needed maybe a tad less in the way of mids. But that's a good suggestion. I'll think about it. (or maybe ... this is the opportunity to go BW Rails??)

And yeah, I'm gonna give the JB a good solid run in D and see how I feel. I might keep it in. I didn't know Holt was a Custom guy prior to EMGs. I have to say I didn't love the Custom in another guitar, but I'll give it some thought...

 

[Mincer]

I thought of the Dimebucker too, but I have no personal experience of that pickup. Is it more or less scooped than, say, the Mark Holcomb Alpha-Omega pickups?

I'd say more scooped. The Dime tends to have more bass than the Omega to me. The Omega is pretty bright, too.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

And yeah, I'm gonna give the JB a good solid run in D and see how I feel. I might keep it in. I didn't know Holt was a Custom guy prior to EMGs. I have to say I didn't love the Custom in another guitar, but I'll give it some thought...

Yeah, I didn't love the Custom either. I liked it. It had some redeeming qualities. I just didn't think the scoopy nature and the big bottom end lent itself to downtunig.

If you didn't like the regular Custom, I don't know how much you'd dig the 5. It's not dark, but the voicing of the high-end changes and it loses that killer ceramic agression. The low-end also becomes even thuddier. Not more. Just less immediate.

 

[80's_Metal]

TB-6 Distortion, everything else is weak.

 

[EmiAba]

Distortion or 500T

 

[AdrianSD]

TB-6 Distortion, everything else is weak.

Both SH-6 and TB-6 will kill for metal, plain and simple. Too harsh in a guitar? Adjust the treble / presence on the amp -> done.
On the ceramic Custom: in the right guitar it's hard to beat. Now, chuck a double ceramic in and you'll thank me later

 

[uOpt]

My tentative contenders are: Custom 5 (didn't vibe with it in another guitar but maybe it works here) or Distortion

Those two make sense to try.

 

[Chistopher]

D Standard? What are you playing? Metal for babies?

 

[JamesPaul]

A vote for your Distortion!

 

[weepingminotaur]

D Standard? What are you playing? Metal for babies?

I know, I may as well be playing K-pop, right?

 

[Aceman]

Distortion and rock on with your bad self!

 

[STLMTLHD79]

As stated above, Custom, Thrash Factor, Distortion or Gibson 500T would fill the bill. I am still kind of on a quest to find the perfect metal Duncan for Les Pauls.