Pickup to tame a bright LP....

M

MBreinin

New member
Let's revisit this one. I have an early '70s sandwich body LP goldtop that has been routed for a full size bridge hum. So far I have used the vintage '59 that came with it, a PG and currently, a CC. I have found all of them too bright. I am really looking for a FAT and mellow pickup. The CC is the best of the bunch, but still not exactly there. It does not have to be a SD, just do the job. Any recommendations?

Mike
 
Re: Pickup to tame a bright LP....

a2p is fat and mellow they say, I have a bright lp too and those are what I would buy if I had the cash.

you might also try different pots, 250k should be warmer IIRC.

or just put in the '59 and roll the tone knob to about 4 if you want a cheaper option.
 
Re: Pickup to tame a bright LP....

From what I've heard, the CC is as warm as it gets. Maybe try putting in 300k pots for the bridge position? Also, your tone control is a good thing.
 
Re: Pickup to tame a bright LP....

Holy cow, a CC is too bright? Hm, have you tried this on other amps/speakers? Just asking cause, I thought *I* had a bright guitar! And the CC is anything but bright in it.

But - there's always the Invader. Dimarzio Tone Zone is also good for a smooth top, and a surprisingly versatile pickup...I have a clip of me goofing off with the kid's drum machine playing through my test axe - a SG copy...not the greatest demo but if you want to hear the thing clean let me know. It does show off the warm top end.
 
Re: Pickup to tame a bright LP....

I have thought about the pot. I should take a peak and see what is in there. I suppose it is original..it looks it. What pot would Gibson have used with a mini-hum?

Mike
 
Re: Pickup to tame a bright LP....

I had a thread about this same topic I finally used a CC for a little bit and it definitely helped tame that guitar down I also used the Custom 5 which also tamed the high's but has a little more sparkle than the CC I prefer the C5 to the CC.
 
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Re: Pickup to tame a bright LP....

No offense, but I've gotta wonder what kind of tone you're going for if you find the CC to be to bright because it is NOT a bright pickup by any stretch of the imagination. Are you really sure you need a pickup that's less bright? Can't you just turn the treble down on your amp? Seriously: you're going to end up with a very dull tone if you go for a pickup that's less bright than an already very warm pickup like the CC.
 
Re: Pickup to tame a bright LP....

Lewguitar said:
No offense, but I've gotta wonder what kind of tone you're going for if you find the CC to be to bright because it is NOT a bright pickup by any stretch of the imagination. Are you really sure you need a pickup that's less bright? Can't you just turn the treble down on your amp? Seriously: you're going to end up with a very dull tone if you go for a pickup that's less bright than an already very warm pickup like the CC.
Click to expand...

Lew, sure, I can turn down the treble. I play it with a Boogie MkIII. I have quite a few guitars that I run through the amp with the same settings and they are not as bright. This guitar is brighter than my Gretsches, which have some of the brightest and clearest humbuckers ever designed. I should take a look at the pot and see what it is.

I just thought it would be a thicker sounding pickup. I don't know why it ISN'T. It isn't excessively bright, just a little more than I had hoped for.

Now, I am running a cover over it. Could that have an effect? I only use the cover because the guitar is really mojo'd out, and the cover is equally as beat. It is purely for looks.

Mike
 
Re: Pickup to tame a bright LP....

If a CC is bright than I would go with a 250KA pot.

If I am not mistaken your guitar has a maple neck and that can do it.

Also put the screws down a bit on each string on the bridge pup. That should also take down the highs a bit.

Normally a CC is not a bright pickup but under certain circumstances it can be.
 
Re: Pickup to tame a bright LP....

This LP has alot of maple. The neck is mahogany, but the body is a sandwich body. That means it is half maple and half mahogany. It is not just a maple cap, it is half and half. It is just a bright guitar.

I played it again tonight and it is just bright, period.

Mike
 
Re: Pickup to tame a bright LP....

Wow that's a lot of Maple!!!!!!!!!

Like I said try the 250KA pots and a .047mfd cap.

Bring the pickup height up and the screw poles down. That should allow the slug coil to contribute more lows because it's farther away from the bridge.

Also bring up the low E side that will some times add lows.

Have you tried a Phat Cat in there?

They aren't very hot and have a nice fat even sound. Not very bright because of the A2 magnets.

It's a shame it was routed out. I'm sure an overwound real P-90 with A2 or aged magnets would sound the best in the bridge. That's why I though of the Phat Cats.
 
Re: Pickup to tame a bright LP....

Maybe tune it down a few steps, at least to C. Bright sounding guitars are killer for playing low......
 
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