Pickups for a '59 Historic Reissue Les Paul

[MVI]

Hello,

I am gaining experience and knowledge here reading all the great posts and information available from all of you SD freaks out there. Here's another one for you. I recently became the proud owner of a beatiful, if rather pricey Gibson Historic '59 Reissue Les Paul. Don't ask me why, but Gibson, after putting in all that work to recreate a masterpiece, put in regular old 2004 stock Burstbucker pickups, as though the guitar was a regular run-of-the-mill edition, with no effort to give a nod to the original. The obvious thing to do would be to put in some '59s. I play mostly blues, and thought maybe some A2Ps might be nice, maintaining some semblance of the vintage herritage. Pearly Gates also come to mind. Any other constructive comments?

Thanks

 

[flank]

Re: Pickups for a '59 Historic Reissue Les Paul

well, what kind of amp do you play and how is the overall sound of the guitar? (bright, warm?)

id say you should be picking between the 59s, Seths, or Antiquities.........they are the only right thing for such a nice guitar

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Pickups for a '59 Historic Reissue Les Paul

Personally, I'd go with one of the Duncan vintage paf sets: Seth Lovers, Antiquities or Pearly Gates.

I have Tom Holmes HB's in mine, but those have gotten so expensive!

I think the Antiquities are about as nice: very lively, textured, complex tone with lots of mids but a certain hollow quality that keeps them from sounding muddy. Classic '58 paf tone to the max!

I like the alnico 2 Burstbuckers though...what do you not like about them? The set I played reminded me alot of the real 50's pafs I've owned: warm, lots of mids, very Clapton/Cream-ish tone.

 

[MVI]

Re: Pickups for a '59 Historic Reissue Les Paul

Thanks,

I play through very vintage oriented amps, not the least of which includes a restored original 1953 Fender Twin "low power", and a Rivera R30 combo set to give "tweed" sounds. I also like my modified Fender Blues Jr. tube amp. I would certainly like to maintain a strong feel for the vintage roots of the instrument. PS, these things are rather dramatically over priced, so don't get into one unless the era look and feel are important to you. Definately consider putting in some after market pickups.


Gear:
Large and constantly changing collection of Gibson Les Pauls. Some experience with Phat Cats, Pearly Gates, Gibson reissue '57s, and stocks from various years. Boss Blues Driver, Ibanez "Tube King", Boss Supper Shifter, above mentioned amps.

 

[flank]

Re: Pickups for a '59 Historic Reissue Les Paul

id say definately Seths or Antiquities bro........they would be perfect

 

[MVI]

Re: Pickups for a '59 Historic Reissue Les Paul

Lewguitar:

The stocks are fine. I just have that sound in several other guitars and felt that such a special beast requires some special TLC in the pickups. Currently I am breaking up my collection of six Les Pauls! I will probably keep two. How do the stock Burstbuckers compare to the A2Ps? Are they strainght across siblings for sound?

Thanks

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Pickups for a '59 Historic Reissue Les Paul

I had a set of 59s in my 59 RI Lp for quite awhile and they were very nice. I now have a SD Custom Shop set of Jimmy Pages in it and I couldn't be happier. The JPs are a little hotter and warmer than the 59s but they are still in PAF range, spec-wise.

I have an Antiquity set in another LP and if not for the JPS then I'd have to go with those. The Antiquities are are just about as sweet and warm sounding as a pickup can get.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Pickups for a '59 Historic Reissue Les Paul

I couldn't really tell you. I have very limited experience with the Alnico 2 Pro HB's.

The only set of Burstbuckers I spent any real time with are in my buddy's '03 Les Paul Plain Top (Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard!) and those are the alnico 2 Burstbuckers. In that particular guitar I was really taken back to the late 60's/early 70's when I owned three real late 50's sunburst Les Pauls! Sold 'em all for under a grand each, which was alot of money back then...sigh.

Anyways, if you want something special I'd go for the Antiquitys. I might even have some double creams under the easily removable nickel cover...

I have double creams in my Les Paul...that's the look I like best.

Lew

 

[hacker]

Re: Pickups for a '59 Historic Reissue Les Paul

Antiquities have the perfect look and sound for that guitar. I wouldn't even consider anything else.

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Pickups for a '59 Historic Reissue Les Paul

Defintiely go with the Antiquities. You won't regret it, especially if you play the Blues.

Jeff