Pickup Swap: Les Paul Classic

[gibsygoldtop]

i want to put a new pickup in the bridge of my les paul classic b/c the 500T is to too hot for me..it has no clarity to it...

i have a mesa single rectifier and i want the clarity to play things in the vein of stp, breaking benjamin and fuel...and still have my modern rock sound/tone just with exceptional clarity..

what seymour is right for me??? thanks in advance!

 

[green_insomniac]

Re: Pickup Swap: Les Paul Classic

You might try a Jazz in the neck paired with either a JB or a Custom in the bridge. Both combinations would be great for what you're looking for in a mahogany-bodied guitar. Also, if you're looking for a lower-output combination, two pearly gates might give you what you need.

Peace.

 

[scooter]

Re: Pickup Swap: Les Paul Classic

I'd go with the JB as well. It will give you the clairity that you're looking for.

 

[andybowers]

Re: Pickup Swap: Les Paul Classic

i think the 500t is not a great pickup, i'm getting those gibson one dimension pickups replaced asap.

Just remember if you have a recent les paul classic check the string spacing as i believe you would need a trem spaced pickup!

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Pickup Swap: Les Paul Classic

Gibsy, WELCOME TO THE FORUM! You'll find a great wealth of info here.

When you say articulation 1 pup comes to mind, for both pups. The Jazz is a great pup with definition in standard or detuned. It is around the vintage output so if you want more oomph check into the JB for the bridge. The JB has a large upper mids spike that cuts through like not other. The C5 is also a good bridge pup choice if you want a more scooped sound.

Luke

 

[gibsygoldtop]

Re: Pickup Swap: Les Paul Classic

well from the replies i would have to say Jazz for the neck....

also along with the exceptional clarity i am looking for, i do want something that will hit hard in a solo as well...still the JB?? or the c-5??

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Pickup Swap: Les Paul Classic

well from the replies i would have to say Jazz for the neck....

also along with the exceptional clarity i am looking for, i do want something that will hit hard in a solo as well...still the JB?? or the c-5??

The JB is a good choice, lots of guys like it. It is not on my list of pups to try in a LP again though. I sounded shrill and thin in my guitar. But lots of guys throw them in their LPs, I'm just one.
The C5 has its devotees but I'm not really one of them. The C5 is going to have a very scooped mid and thudding bass with the piercing highs. Imagine an overwound 59.

The Custom will deliver good punch, grind, and have good definition as well. It is a fuller sounding pup (to my ears) than the C5 but Gearjoneser describes the C5 as being bouncier under your fingers.

Luke

 

[Destructone]

Re: Pickup Swap: Les Paul Classic

Dimarzio Air Zone (bridge) and Air Norton (neck). Superb clarity with enough balls to shake up your rig while maintaining your guitar's tone. NEVER muddy.

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Pickup Swap: Les Paul Classic

Welcome to the Forum.

You really can't go wrong with a set of Seth Lovers. They have the clarity you're looking for as well as enough power to do what you want.

Jeff

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Pickup Swap: Les Paul Classic

Welcome to the Forum.

You really can't go wrong with a set of Seth Lovers. They have the clarity you're looking for as well as enough power to do what you want.

Jeff

And if you want a little of that extra biting uppermids which definitely helps to cut through, I'd suggest a set of Pearly Gates.

B

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Pickup Swap: Les Paul Classic

And if you want a little of that extra biting uppermids which definitely helps to cut through, I'd suggest a set of Pearly Gates.

B

Good call there Barlo, for rude but smooth the PG is hard to beat.

I've always had clarity problems with Rectos so I'd suggest an A5 or ceramic mag outside of the vintage arena.

Luke

 

[gibsygoldtop]

Re: Pickup Swap: Les Paul Classic

wow! seems like this is going to be a difficult decision to make for a bridge pup! i am not too familiar with what the PG would sound like, but i was told @ guitar center this would be a good choice, or the dimarzio tone zone (2 people, not in here, suggested this pup) but pups are very individual to each guitar...i would like to make this purchase and know that what i am getting is going to work with what i got...keep the opinions coming!! thanks guys!

 

[gibsygoldtop]

Re: Pickup Swap: Les Paul Classic

is anyone using the duncan distortion with a les paul??? this one says it retains clarity as well...

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Pickup Swap: Les Paul Classic

Don't let its name fool you the Distortion has use-able cleans as well. Robert one of our Admins. used one with a Mesa Triaxis for a long time, maybe he'll chime in. You can cover alot of territory with pick technique when you have SD pups.

Pearly Gates---Is going to be the hottest of the PAF style pups. It is going to have mismatched coils, which is going to give you some more quack than say the A2P. It also contributes to the rude sound. It has a frequency push in cut/presence knob frequencies giving it the high end sizzle that folks love. Think Billy Gibbons and you have the Pearly Gates style tone in a nutshell.

The Distortion ---is going to give you the gainy high output pup sound of the 70s and 80s. George Lynch used it exclusively for quite a while. It is similiar to the Dimarzion Super distortion but with different Eqing. It has a oversized ceramic bar magnet to give you more output and grind.

If you can find one or are willing to make one a Custom Distortion might be the ticket. I've been thinking about this pup lately. It is a Custom coil configuratin, but it has a Distortion magnet.

Luke